A pump check valve is a self-actuating, one-way or non-return valve. This automatic safety device allows fluids to flow freely in one direction. However, if the fluid flow is reversed, the valve will automatically close, thus protecting the connected piping and pump.
A deadhead is when a centrifugal pump continues operating without any fluid flowing through the pump. Deadheading results primarily due to a closed discharge valve, line blockage, or if the check valve remains in a seated position.
When selecting a pump for your specific fluid transportation requirements, you’ll likely come across the terms single-phase and three-phase. These are nothing but power phases used by pumps for their operations. To understand which pump to select for your specific applications, let’s learn more about the two power configurations.
If your water pump keeps turning on and off rapidly, you may be dealing with short cycling. This common issue not only disrupts water flow but also puts unnecessary stress on your pump, leading to premature wear and costly repairs if left unresolved.
The relative simplicity of design has made centrifugal pumps the most commonly available and widely used pump type in the market. Based on the number of impellers, centrifugal pumps can be classified into two categories - single-stage and multistage.
Choosing a pump can be confusing if you are unaware of the different pump specifications and categorizations, specifically when it comes to ratings for different voltages (also known as dual voltage pumps).
There are a number of factors to consider before selecting the best type of pump for an application. Among these are the lift and head capabilities for the desired pump. Lift and head are both used to calculate or rate the movement of liquids vertically as opposed to the flow, that is, the quantity of liquid that a pump can move in a given amount of time. The volume of fluid moved over a given period of time, its maximum flow rate, is measured in gallons per minute, or simply, GPM. That number is not static, however. It is affected by the height that the fluid needs to be pumped. That, in turn, is determined by a pump’s head and lift.
Look to any industry, private or public, that relies on the transfer of fluids, and it’s more than likely that those fluids will be delivered by a centrifugal pump. They are the backbone of any water distribution or wastewater collection and management system, as well as applications as diverse as flood and fire protection, drainage, irrigation, boiler feeds, and much more. Knowing the correct size pump for an application requires knowing the answer to one fundamental question: what is a pump curve?
