When installing a positive displacement pump, there are a few important things you need to keep in mind. You need to ensure that the pump is installed properly for it to function properly.
Pump installation
Before installing your pump, you should ensure that the foundation area is level and rigid to maintain the alignment of the pump. You should also ensure that the motor and pump assembly is securely fastened to the base. The base should be secured to the ground.
If you have long-coupled pumps then the pump is typically coupled to the motor through a mechanical coupling. This will prevent excessive radial loads from being applied to your pump which can lead to premature pump failure by causing vibrations. The motor and pump shafts should be manually aligned after installation. On a larger machine, you need laser alignment.
The inlet of the pump should be close to the source of the liquid. The motor of the pump should be accessible for inspection and servicing. The motor and the pump should be cleaned from time to time to prevent the buildup of dirt. If possible, you should install discharge pressure and suction gauges as close to the ports of the pump as possible or condition monitoring.
General requirements
You should ensure that all piping is independently supported and should line up naturally with the ports of the pump. Flexible hoses on the discharge or suction connections will guard against the misalignment of the pipework.
When installing your pump from your positive displacement pump stockists, you should avoid making the final connection of the pipes to the pump until when the grout has properly hardened and the motor and the hold-down bolts of the pump have been properly tightened.
The pipes that handle both cold and hot liquids require proper installation of the expansion joints and loops so that thermal expansion of the pipes won’t cause any misalignment. Make sure the gasket installation and materials are suitable for the service. Discharge and suction pipes should be the same. You should ensure the piping is arranged to allow the pump to be drained before the removal of your pump for servicing. Unions and valves should be installed properly to allow the pump to be isolated when pumping.
PD pump requirements
A PD pump should have a pressure relief valve in the discharge line. Make sure the relief valve is the closest valve to the discharge port of the PD pump and should bypass the line of discharge back to the supply tank. If you are pumping fluids that contain solids then you should install a filter in the suction line. If you are using reciprocating PD pumps, you should use pulsation dampers especially where there is a long discharge line.
Motor selection
When choosing a positive displacement pump for your application, you should ensure the power and speed rating of the motor is sufficient for the application. The power output rating should exceed the maximum power required by the pump.