The self-priming pump is a device used in the industry to increase pumping efficiency during the process. The device is a liquid pump designed to provide the required liquid in the body cavity of the pump chassis. This could lead to higher operating performance in process industries where pumps are employed for a range of repetitive yet intermittent tasks. In this blog, we will know in-depth information regarding the self-priming pump.
Table of Content:
What is a self-priming pump?
Source: Amazon
A self-priming pump is built with the ability to re-prime itself, usually under lift situations. If it gets air-bound, it may clean its passageways and restore pump age delivery without requiring outside assistance.
The added plus about the self-priming pump is that it doesn't require any additional equipment to suck air out during the lifting of fluid and eliminates air from pump suction. Pumps are used in process lines in the sanitary and hygienic processing industries to fulfil various duties.
Pumps can be employed for:
Product movement through process lines
CIP (clean-in-place) fluids are pumped to clean and disinfect pipes and components.
Empty tanks and drums and transfer liquids from one storage unit to another
Some pumps are built with the necessary start-up liquid in the cylinder or body at all times. These pumps are known as "self-priming" pumps. Other pumps need the initial liquid to be added before they can operate. There is no inherent advantage to one type of pump over another; it all relies on what it is being used for and how often it is utilized.
Have you read: Different Types of Water Pumps Available in the Market
Self-priming pump working
Source: KSB
Now, let us learn how the self-priming pumps work. As we know that, some pumps are designed in a way that they can do the self-priming without any hassle.
These pumps have high compliance functioning elements that retain fluids in the pump's body, prohibiting them from flowing back from the outlet side to the suction side when the pump is turned off.
The continuous presence of fluid in their chamber in such pumps better manage and handle the air pockets.
You should note that air pockets, which are flocks of air bubbles, are harmful to the process as they impair the pump operation.
Types of self-priming pumps
There are several different self-priming pumps, each with a different number, type, and material of impellers. Pumping pure water, oil, effluents, and other liquids with self-priming pumps is possible.
The following types of self-priming pumps are the most common:
Vortex self-priming pump
Source: freepik
Vortex self-priming pumps are often used for liquids with low viscosity and no particles. A relatively simple and easy operation compensates for the relatively modest performance and efficiency.
Liquid ring pumps
Source: Quora
For foaming liquids, liquid ring self-priming pumps have proven to be effective. You can also use them to clean water, dark oil, or diesel fuel. Part of the working fluid conveyed from the pump with the pushed medium is necessarily lost in such pumps.
Self-priming centrifugal pumps
Source: Internet
The majority of liquid pumps used in sanitation processes are centrifugal pumps. The pumping action of centrifugal pumps happens when an impeller rotates in a liquid inside the pump's cavity or chamber, pushing the liquid and causing it to flow into the outlet pipe via centrifugal force.
By mixing any residual air in the pump's working mechanism with fluid, self-priming centrifugal pumps reduce air binding during the priming process.
Why use a self-priming pump?
Self-priming pumps are very easy to maintain and last very long. A self-priming pump with appropriate maintenance should last at least 20 years.
Self-priming pumps are required in those cases where we need to place pimps above the liquid level. They are widely employed in a variety of industries, from the chemical industry to private water delivery. They can handle wastewater from drainage wells, tanks, and subterranean reservoirs.
HVAC, water and sewage pipelines and other applications use self-priming pumps. It can also use them to remove air from the suction line under certain circumstances. The suction line's size and arrangement are determined by the pump's maximal vacuum capacity.
Applications of self-priming pump
Let us now know the applications of self-priming pumps in our commercial, household, and industrial uses.
Pumped fluids aid in handling clean or weakly contaminated, neutral, acidic, or alkaline solutions.
Industrial self-priming pumps are used for washing and cooling (machine tools, grinding wheels), liquid circulation for cutting and quenching, fume capture, fuel tank cleaning, and many more.
Self-priming pumps are utilized in several applications such as treating wastewater, construction project dewatering, mining activities, chemical processing, agricultural fertilizer pumping, and more.
The vast majority of liquid pumps used in the sanitary processing industries are centrifugal pumps.
Advantages and disadvantages of self-priming pumps
Below mentioned are the advantages and disadvantages which will help us learn better about the pump.
Let's discuss them one by one.
Advantages
Can handle a wide range of liquids.
Working with slurries, caustic liquids, and suspended solids is a breeze.
Self-priming centrifugal pumps, unlike submersible pumps, will keep pumping liquids even after the pump is removed from a liquid tank or vessel.
Because the processes required for pump-priming on start-up are omitted, it is ideal for frequent and intermittent pumping operations.
Disadvantages
It cannot operate unless the initial priming liquid is present in the pump's reservoir.
Because a liquid reservoir is required, this type of centrifugal pump may be larger than a regular model, which may cause problems in applications where space is limited.
To avoid exhaustion of the pump's liquid reservoir during operations, make sure to position the pump close to the production lines.
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You can also read: Different Types of Pumps & Their Applications