5 BASIC RULES OF PUMP PIPING

Author: Jeff Simpson | September 23, 2014 | Category: Pumps, Pump Piping

Many pumps are installed with

inappropriate piping arrangements,
resulting in premature pump failures as we covered in our latest eBook, 36
Ways to Kill Your Pump. If you were installing a pump in a new system, where
would you turn for guidelines on proper pump piping arrangements?
Knowledge and resources are extremely limited on this topic, except what you
may find in the Installation, Operation and Maintenance (IOM) manual (which
is minimal). By following 5 simple rules, you can avoid premature pump failure
and related pump piping pitfalls.

1. KEEP SUCTION PIPING AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE

Include a straight run pipe length equal to 5 to 10 times the pipe

diameter between the pump inlet and any obstruction in the suction line.
Note: Obstructions include valves, elbows, "tees", and etc.
Keeping the suction piping short ensures that inlet pressure drop is as
low as possible. The straight run pipe gives you a uniform velocity
across the pipe diameter at pump inlet. Both are important to
achieving optimal suction.
 2. PIPE DIAMETER ON SUCTION SIDE SHOULD BE EQUAL OR ONE SIZE

LARGER THAN PUMP INLET

Suction piping velocities should be limited to 7 to 8 feet per second or

less.

3. ELIMINATE ELBOWS MOUNTED ON OR CLOSE TO THE INLET NOZZLE OF

THE PUMP

Include 5 to 10 pipe diameters of straight run pipe between the pump

inlet and elbow. This helps to eliminate "side loading" of the pump
impeller and creates uniform pump axial bearing loading.

4. ELIMINATE POTENTIAL FOR AIR ENTRAPMENT IN THE SUCTION PIPING

o Maintain adequate levels in supply tanks to eliminate vortices from forming
and air entrapment.
o Avoid high pockets in suction piping, which can trap air
o Keep all pipe and fitting connections tight in suction vacuum conditions to
prevent air from getting into the pump.

5. ENSURE THE PIPING ARRANGEMENT DOES NOT CAUSE STRAIN ON THE

PUMP CASING

Pumps should never support the suction or discharge piping. Any stress
on the pump casing by the piping system greatly reduces pump life and
performance.
Keep in mind that increasing the performance of the pump will help to make
up for piping mistakes made on the discharge side of a pump. Problems on
the suction side, however, can be the source of repetitive failures, which could
cause problems for years to come if not addressed appropriately.
Piping design is an area where basic principles are frequently ignored,
resulting in increased vibration and premature failure of the seals and
bearings. Incorrect piping has long been disregarded as a reason for these
failures because of the many other reasons this equipment can fail. Many
experienced engineers may argue that pumps with incorrect piping still
function and operate as they should. This argument, although valid, does not
make questionable piping practices correct.
**Post adapted from an article by Ross Mackay, Pitfalls of Pump Piping.