Running or operation Of The Canned Vertical Turbine Pumps (VTP pumps)

Venting The Canned Vertical Turbine Pump

Make sure that The Canned Vertical Turbine Pump is vented to enable all trapped air to escape, taking due care with the hazardous or hot liquids. Under normal conditions after The Canned Vertical Turbine Pump is fully vented and primed, it should be unnecessary to re-vent The Canned Vertical Turbine Pump.

The Canned Vertical Turbine Pumps (VTP pumps) fitted with packed glands

If The Canned Vertical Turbine Pump has a packed gland, there must be some leakage from the gland. Gland nuts should initially be finger-tight only. Leakage should take place soon after the stuffing box is pressurized.

The gland must be adjusted evenly to give visible leakage and concentric alignment of the gland ring to avoid excess temperature. If no leakage takes place, the packing will begin to overheat.

If overheating takes place, The Canned Vertical Turbine Pump should be stopped and allowed to cool before being re-started.

When The Canned Vertical Turbine Pump is re-started, check to ensure leakage is taking place at the packing gland.

If hot liquids are being pumped it may be necessary to loosen the gland nuts to achieve leakage.

The Canned Vertical Turbine Pump should be run for 30 minutes with steady leakage and the gland nuts tightened by 10 degrees at a time until leakage is reduced to an acceptable level, normally a minimum of 40-60 drops per minute is required.

Care must be taken when adjusting the gland on an operating pump. Safety gloves are essential.

Loose clothing must not be worn to avoid being caught by The Canned Vertical Turbine Pump shaft. Shaft guards must be replaced after the gland adjustment is complete. 

Never run gland packing dry, even for a short time.

The Canned Vertical Turbine Pumps (VTP pumps) fitted with mechanical seal

Mechanical seals require no adjustment. Any slight initial leakage will stop when the seal is run in.

Before pumping dirty liquids, it is advisable, if possible, to run in The Canned Vertical Turbine Pump mechanical seal using clean liquid to safeguard the seal face.

External flush or quench should be started before The Canned Vertical Turbine Pump is run and allowed to flow for a period after The Canned Vertical Turbine Pump has stopped.

Never run a mechanical seal dry, even for a short time.

Pump and motor bearing temperature

If The Canned Vertical Turbine Pumps are working in a potentially explosive atmosphere, temperature or vibration monitoring at the bearings is recommended.

If pump bearing temperatures (such as thrust bearings) are to be monitored it is essential that a benchmark temperature is recorded at the commissioning stage and after the bearing temperature has stabilized.

• Record the bearing temperature (t) and the ambient temperature (ta)

• Estimate the likely maximum ambient temperature (tb)

• Set the alarm at (t+tb-ta+5) °C [(t+tb-ta+10) °F] and the trip at 100 °C (212 °F) for oil lubrication and 105 °C (220 °F) for grease lubrication

It is important, particularly with grease lubrication, to keep a close watch on the bearing temperatures. After startup the temperature rise should be gradual, reaching a maximum after approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. This temperature rise should then remain constant or marginally reduce with time.