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General pumping system characteristsics for cargo ships

A pump divides its pipe system into two distinct parts, each with different characteristics. These are the suction and discharge sides. On the suction side the drop in pressure that can be produced by a pump is limited to that of an almost perfect vacuum. On the discharge side there is theoretically, no limit to the height through which a liquid can be raised.

Suction conditions

If a liquid to be pumped is in a tank which is open to atmosphere and it is also at a height above the pump then the liquid will flow into the pump because of its head and due to the effect of atmospheric pressure on its surface. The pump in this case only adds to the energy of the system.

When an open tank containing the liquid to be transferred is at a lower level than the pump, the energy required to bring the liquid to the pump, is provided by atmospheric pressure on its surface but the pump must create the drop in pressure which makes the atmospheric pressure effective.

A discussion of the relevant features of the suction side of a pumping system must include not only the height of the liquid surface above or below the pump and the effect of atmospheric pressure, but also the effect of a vacuum or zero pressure on the liquid surface, vapour pressure and the characteristics of the suction pipe. Liquid flow through a pipe is impeded by friction over its length, by valves or other restrictions and by changes of direction.




Discharge conditions

Some of the energy fed into the pump will be dissipated as heat due to mechanical inefficiencies. The remainder will be converted into pressure rise and fluid velocity. Some of the pressure head generated will be lost in overcoming the friction of the discharge pipe , some in the static head of the pipe system , and some in the pressure head acting on the free surface at the terminal point . There will also be a velocity head loss but, as in the case of the suction line, for most practical purposes this can be neglected.

Where the head available is small, the suction line, passages and valves are specially designed and of a large enough area to reduce the suction losses to a minimum. This increases the cost of the pump and installation and reduces efficiency, but is unavoidable for duties such as the extraction of condensate from a condenser where the head available is frequently a matter of millimetres.

Generally speaking, suction heads require to be greater for high speed or large capacities than for low speed or small capacities. Condensate pumps, heater drain pumps and feed pumps operating with direct-contact feed heaters, must be arranged below the water level as the static head of water is the only force available to cause the water to flow into the pump, because the water and the steam on the surface are at the same temperature.

Before liquid can flow into a pump, the air or vapour in the suction line must be evacuated sufficiently to cause the liquid to flow into the suction chamber. Some pumps (known as self-priming pumps) do this automatically when they are started. In others special priming devices must be used to withdraw the air and lower the pressure in the pump sufficiently to cause flow.

Friction losses

The sum of these losses depends upon the sectional area and the internal condition of the pipes and fittings, the velocity and viscosity of the liquid being pumped and the friction caused by bends, valves and other fittings. Frictional resistance to the flow of water varies approximately as the square of the velocity. Thus, if the frictional resistance of a condenser and system of piping is equivalent to a head of 5 m when 800 litres/s are passing, the frictional resistance would rise to 11.25m with 1200 litres/s and to 20m with 1600 litres/s

Drawings or prints are supplied with pumps by the manufacturers, giving sizes and particulars of flanges, positions of foundation bolts and other information necessary for the arrangements of pipe connections. These must be exactly adhered to; it is little use installing a highly efficient pump if the power is dissipated and increased by the use of unsuitable pipes and fittings or by poor layout.

Pipe connections

Connecting pipes of the correct bore should be fitted and this is of special importance for the suction pipe where restriction causes cavitation. Pipe connections should be as direct as possible, sharp bends and loops such as that shown in Figure 1 must be avoided. The loop could increase turbulence and be the location of an air pocket.

A common fault, causing a great deal of trouble, is shown in Figure 2. Here the suction pipe connected to the pump slopes downwards to the pump, with the result that an air pocket is formed.

A similar fault is found when reducing pipes are used to connect an oversize pipe to the pump inlet. The type of reducing pipe shown at A (Figure 3) in conjunction with a 90° bend, creates an air pocket. Such a pipe is quite satisfactory on the discharge side of a pump when used to increase the diameter of the piping. At the suction side the type of reducer shown at B, could be used.


Figure 1: Loop to be avoided


Figure 2: Suction pipe sloping upwards from pump, forming air pocket


Figure 3:Reducing pipe




Summarized below some of the basic procedure of marine pumps and pumping system onboard :

1. Axial flow pumps

An axial flow pump is one in which a screw propeller is used to create an increase in pressure by causing an axial acceleration of liquid within its blades. The incidental rotation imparted to the liquid is converted into straight axial movement by suitably shaped outlet guide vanes.....


2. centrifugal pumps

Rotation of a centrifugal pump impeller causes the liquid it contains to move outwards from the centre to beyond the circumference of the impeller. The revolving liquid is impelled by centrifugal effect.....


3. Centrifugal pump cavitation

Because of their self-priming ability, positive displacement pumps are widely used for lubricating oil duties. This practice is completely satisfactory in installations where the pump speed is variable but when the pump is driven by a constant speed a.c. motor it is necessary to arrange a bypass which can be closed in to boost flow. ....


4. Gear pumps

Diesel engine and gearbox lubrication systems are normally supplied by gear pumps which are independently driven for large slow speed engines and stand-by duties but usually shaft driven for medium and high speed engines. Gear pumps are also used for fuel and oil transfer, boiler combustion systems and other duties.....


5. General pumping system characteristics

A pump divides its pipe system into two distinct parts, each with different characteristics. These are the suction and discharge sides. On the suction side the drop in pressure that can be produced by a pump is limited to that of an almost perfect vacuum. On the discharge side there is theoretically, no limit to the height through which a liquid can be raised.....


6. General purpose pumps

Single entry general purpose pumps are used for salt and fresh water circulating and also for bilge and ballast duties. The impeller is suspended from the shaft with no bottom support. ....


7. Lobe pumps

Lobe pumps as manufactured by Stothert and Pitt have inner and outer elements which rotate in a renewable liner fitted in the pump body. The inner rotor is eccentric to the outer and is fitted to a shaft located by bearings in the pump covers....


8. Marine pumps construction

Marine pumps are usually installed with the shaft vertical and the motor above the pump. This positions the pump as low as possible for the best NPSH, takes up the least horizontal space and leaves the electric motor safer from gland or other leakage.....


9. Pumps erosion

A pump handling liquids which contain abrasives, will suffer erosion on all internal surfaces, including bearings and shaft seals. The sea-water circulating pumps of ships operating in waters that contain large quantities of silt and sand require frequent renewal of shaft seals or packing, also of shaft sleeves in way of the gland and bearings.....


10. Rotary displacement pump

Positive displacement rotary pumps rely on fine clearances between moving parts for their efficient operation. Excessive wear or erosion of parts, due to friction contact or the presence of abrasives, is avoided by employing this type of pump for specialized rather than general duties......


11. Screw pumps

Both double-screw pumps, in which the screws are driven in phase by timing gears , and triple screw pumps , in which the centre screw is driven and the outer screws idle are used at sea especially for pumping high viscosity liquids such as oil and some liquid cargoes.....

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