Standby Centrifugal Pump Operating Strategy

Centrifugal pump systems are used in a variety of heavy industry applications where pressurized water is required. For systems from which extremely high pressures are obtained, standby centrifugal pumps are often utilized for system continuity. Standby pumps can be a system fail-safe measure in case the primary centrifugal pump malfunctions, or can be rotated with the primary pump to increase the service life of your pump system. Create an effective usage and operation strategy before investing in a standby centrifugal pump.

Preparation

• Ensure that your alternate centrifugal pump is prepared properly to run in standby mode. Check that the gate valves and suction valves are open, and that the check valve is properly blocking any reverse flow of liquid. For more important applications of standby centrifugal pumps, such as firefighting equipment, you can install an autostart mechanism that quickly transfers power from a malfunctioning pump to the standby pump, thereby minimizing the time that the entire pump system doesn’t function.

Pump Rotation

• Utilize your standby centrifugal pump to increase the service life of your primary pump. The intense pressure built up by centrifugal pumps can cause cavitation, a process of deterioration in which bubbles form and pop violently, creating tiny fissures. Swapping primary status between your original pump and the standby pump will even out the deterioration in both pieces of machinery. A proper schedule of rotation will depend on the pump system’s application and the difficulty of switching pump status. Try switching pumps in daily use on a bi-weekly basis.

Keep It Warm

• If you do not utilize centrifugal pump rotation practices, operate your standby pump a few times per month to maintain operational status. If possible, bring your standby centrifugal pump to a remote location before operation. Letting your standby centrifugal pump sit without operating it will increase the risk that your standby pump will not operate properly when needed.

Inspection

• Inspect your standby centrifugal pump during periods of nonuse to make sure that all appropriate valves are properly set. This will vary based on your model of centrifugal pump as well as that pump’s application. Reference user manuals or any industry-specific reference materials for information pertaining to valve setting specifications.

  During use, inspect pressure gauges and any other diagnostic tools to ensure that your centrifugal pump is operating correctly. Refer to your user manual for any necessary troubleshooting or maintenance procedures.