What are the precautions for horizontal chemical pumps

Horizontal chemical pumps are commonly used equipment in the chemical industry, used for transporting various corrosive, flammable, explosive, toxic and harmful media. Due to the particularity of its operating environment, multiple matters need to be noted during the usage process to ensure the safe, stable and efficient operation of the equipment. The following is a detailed introduction

Installation stage

Foundation and installation location

The installation foundation should be solid, flat and have sufficient load-bearing capacity to prevent vibration and displacement of the pump during operation. For instance, when installing large horizontal chemical pumps, the strength of the foundation concrete should meet the design requirements and be fully cured.

The installation location should be convenient for operation, maintenance and repair. At the same time, the layout of the inlet and outlet pipelines of the pump should be reasonable to reduce pipeline bending and resistance. For instance, sufficient space should be reserved to facilitate the daily inspection and maintenance of the pump by personnel.

Connection of inlet and outlet pipelines

The connection of the inlet and outlet pipes should be firm and well sealed to avoid leakage. When connecting, the appropriate connection method should be selected based on the specifications of the pipeline and the interface size of the pump, such as flange connection, threaded connection, etc. For instance, when making flange connections, it is necessary to ensure that the flange surfaces are parallel and the tightening force of the bolts is uniform.

The interior of the pipeline should be clean and free of debris to prevent debris from entering the pump when it starts and damaging components such as the impeller. Blowing or cleaning can be carried out before the installation of the pipeline.

Shaft alignment adjustment

The shaft alignment accuracy between the pump and the motor directly affects the operational performance and service life of the pump. During the installation process, appropriate alignment tools such as dial indicators and laser alignment instruments should be used to precisely align the shafts of the pump and motor. Generally speaking, axial and radial deviations should be controlled within the specified range. For instance, for some precision chemical pumps, the axial deviation may be required not to exceed 0.05mm, and the radial deviation may not exceed 0.1mm.

Operation stage

Pre-startup inspection

Check the lubrication condition of the pump to ensure that the oil level of the lubricating oil or grease is within the specified range and the oil quality is good. For instance, for pumps lubricated with lubricating oil, it is necessary to check whether the oil level is between 1/2 and 2/3 of the oil gauge.

Check the sealing condition, such as whether the mechanical seal or packing seal is installed correctly and whether there is any leakage. For mechanical seals, it is necessary to check whether the sealing end face is clean and whether the spring is compressed normally. For packing seals, the tightness of the packing should be adjusted to ensure that there is no leakage.

To check if the motor's rotation direction is correct, you can confirm it by jog the motor. If the motor rotates in the wrong direction, it will cause the pump to fail to convey the medium normally and even damage the components of the pump.

Operation monitoring

Closely monitor the operating parameters of the pump, such as flow rate, head, pressure, current, etc., to ensure that it operates within the specified range. For instance, the flow rate and outlet pressure of the pump can be monitored in real time through flow meters and pressure gauges. If abnormal fluctuations in flow rate or pressure are detected, the cause should be identified promptly and dealt with.

Pay attention to the vibration and noise of the pump. Excessive vibration and noise may be a signal that there is a fault inside the pump. The vibration value of the pump can be measured regularly using a vibration measuring instrument. Generally, the vibration value should comply with the relevant standard requirements. If the vibration or noise suddenly increases, the machine should be stopped immediately for inspection.

Medium control

The medium being conveyed should meet the design requirements of the pump. It is necessary to avoid conveying overly viscous, overly thick or media containing a large amount of solid particles to prevent clogging of the pump's flow passage or damage to the impeller. For instance, if the medium contains large solid impurities, a filtering device should be installed at the pump's inlet.

Strictly control the temperature and pressure of the medium to prevent them from exceeding the allowable range of the pump. Excessively high temperatures may cause the sealing parts of the pump to age and deform, while excessively high pressure may damage the pump's components.

Maintenance stage

Regular maintenance

Regular maintenance of the pump should be carried out at the prescribed time intervals, including changing the lubricating oil or grease, cleaning the filter, inspecting and adjusting the seal, etc. For instance, the lubricating oil generally needs to be replaced once every certain period of operation (such as 2000 to 3000 hours).

Regularly inspect and replace the vulnerable parts of the pump, such as the impeller, shaft sleeve, and seals. These vulnerable parts will wear out during long-term operation. If they are not replaced in time, it will affect the performance and safety of the pump.

Shutdown maintenance

When the pump is shut down for a long time, the medium inside the pump should be drained completely to prevent the medium from crystallizing, solidifying or corroding the pump components. For some media that are prone to crystallization, the interior of the pump should also be flushed with clean water after the machine stops.

Carry out anti-rust treatment on the pump, such as applying anti-rust paint on the surface of the pump and oiling the metal parts, to extend the service life of the pump.

Safety aspect

Operator training

Operators should undergo professional training and be familiar with the performance, operation procedures and maintenance methods of horizontal chemical pumps. Only personnel who have passed the training can operate and maintain the pump to avoid safety accidents caused by improper operation.

Safety protection measures

Necessary safety protection facilities such as guardrails and warning signs should be set up at the operation site of the pump. For some pumps that transport toxic and harmful media, corresponding personal protective equipment such as gas masks and protective gloves should also be provided to ensure the safety of the operators.