General Overview of Types of

Pumps on Ship
A ship consists of various types of fluids moving inside different machinery and
systems for the purpose of cooling, heating, lubrication, and as fuels. These liquids
are circulated by different types of pumps, which can be independently driven by
ship power supply or attached to the machinery itself. All the systems on board ship
require proper operational and compatible pump and pumping system so that ship
can run on its voyage smoothly.

The selection of a type of pump for a system depends on the characteristics of the
fluid to be pumped or circulated. Characteristics such as viscosity, density, surface
tension and compressibility, along with characteristics of the system such as require
rate of fluid, head to which the fluid is to be pumped, temperature encountered in the
system, and pressure tackled by the fluid in the system, are taken into account.

Types of Pumps The pumps used on board are broadly classified into two types:

Positive Displacement Pump Positive displacement pumps are self priming pumps
and are normally used as priming devices.

• They consist of one or more chamber, depending upon the construction, and
the chambers are alternatively filled and emptied.
• The positive displacement pumps are normally used where the discharge rate
is small to medium.
• They are popularly used where the viscosity of the fluid is high.
• They are generally used to produce high pressure in the pumping system.

Dynamic Pressure or Roto-Dynamic Pump.

• In dynamic pressure pump, during pumping action, tangential force is

imparted which accelerates the fluid normally by rotation of impeller.
• Some systems which contain dynamic pump may require positive
displacement pump for priming.
• They are normally used for moderate to high discharge rate.
• The pressure differential range for this type of pumps is in a range of low to
moderate.
• They are popularly used in a system where low viscosity fluids are used.

These broad classification of pumps are further differentiates by their constructional

properties and popularity of usage onboard ship;
Positive Displacement pump:

• Reciprocating Pump-( bilge pump , fuel oil transfer p/p, stripper pump.)
• Screw pump-(main engine lub oil p/p ,bilge p/p (mono screw)
• Gear pump (all fuel oil and lub oil transfer pump)
• Piston pump (used in hydraulic and pneumatic system )
• Ram type pump (used in hydraulic system)
• Vane pump (steering gear system and hydraulic system)

Dynamic pressure pumps:

• Centrifugal pumps (all sea water and fresh water p/p ,cargo p/p )
• Axial flow pumps (bow thruster and stern thruster pump)
• Submersible pump (mainly cargo p/p in tankers)

CENTRIFUGAL PUMP WORKING PRINCIPLE

A Pump is generally used to induce flow or raise the pressure of a liquid. Centrifugal pumps
are a category of Dynamic pumps. The working principle of centrifugal pumps involves
imparting energy to the liquid by means of a centrifugal force developed by the rotation of an
impeller that has several blades or vanes. The basic centrifugal pump theory of working
comprises of the following working stages.

- Liquid enters the pump casing at the impeller eye.

- Velocity energy is imparted to the liquid by means of the centrifugal force produced by
rotation of the impeller and the liquid is radially pushed out towards the impeller periphery.
- The velocity energy of liquid is converted to pressure energy by directing it to an expanding
volute design casing in a volute type centrifugal pump or diffusers in a turbine pump.

As explained in theory above, dynamic pumps operate by developing a high liquid velocity.
The dynamic action in the centrifugal pump working principle makes it comparatively lesser
efficient than positive displacement pumps. However they operate at relatively higher speeds
thus permitting a high liquid flow rate in relation to the physical size of the pump. They also
usually require lesser installation and maintenance cost. Because of these advantages
centrifugal pumps are the most commonly used pumps in industries.

There are a few components that virtually every centrifugal pump has in common.
These components include:

The Main Parts of a Centrifugal Pump

• An impeller- Bronze or stainless steel.
• A volute or diffuser style casing- Cast iron, Stainless steel and nickel based
alloy also used for corrosive liquid.
• A shaft- steel or stainless steel
• Shaft sleeves- Bronze or stain less steel.
• Bearings- Standard ball-type anti-friction bearings.
• A sealing arrangement- Gland packing or Mechanical seal
•

GEAR PUMP
In a gear pumps in that two gears come into and out of mesh to produce
flow. However, the external gear pump uses two identical gears rotating
against each other -- one gear is driven by a motor and it in turn drives the
other gear. Each gear is supported by a shaft with bearings on both sides of
the gear.
1. As the gears come out of mesh, they create expanding volume on the inlet
side of the pump. Liquid flows into the cavity and is trapped by the gear teeth
as they rotate.

2. Liquid travels around the interior of the casing in the pockets between the
teeth and the casing -- it does not pass between the gears.

3. Finally, the meshing of the gears forces liquid through the outlet port under
pressure.

Because the gears are supported on both sides, external gear pumps are quiet-
running and are routinely used for high-pressure applications such as hydraulic
applications. With no overhung bearing loads, the rotor shaft can't deflect and
cause premature wear.
Advantages Disadvantages
• High speed • Four bushings in liquid area
• High pressure • No solids allowed
• No overhung bearing loads • Fixed End Clearances
• Relatively quiet operation • Not suitable for high
• Design accommodates wide discharge rate.
variety of materials

Materials Of Construction / Configuration

Options
As the following list indicates, rotary pumps can be constructed in a wide
variety of materials. By precisely matching the materials of construction with
the liquid, superior life cycle performance will result.

• Externals (head, casing, bracket) - Iron, ductile iron, steel, stainless steel,
high alloys, composites (PPS, ETFE)
• Internals (shafts) - Steel, stainless steel, high alloys, alumina ceramic
• Internals (gears) - Steel, stainless steel, PTFE, composite (PPS)
• Bushing - Carbon, bronze, silicon carbide, needle bearings
• Shaft Seal - Packing, lip seal, component mechanical seal, magnetically-
driven pump

SCREW PUMP
 Two/Double screw pump (twin screw pump) – These pumps operates by using
two intermeshing screws as described above. The pump is often equipped with
timing gears located outside the pumping chamber that are lubricated with oil in
order to ensure the two screws are rotating properly. Due to the design, the
screws are not required to be in direct contact with each other which helps
extend the life of the pump.
Screw Pump Applications

Due to their ability to provide high flow rates even in viscous liquids, screw pumps
are ideal for fuel transfer, elevators, and other similar industrial applications. Single
screw pumps, or Archimedean screw pumps, are used for simple water movement
such as for sewage inlet pumps, storm water pumping, drainage pumping, and to
move industrial wastewater (bilge pump).
Reciprocating Pump
PRINCIPLE: Reciprocating pump operates on the principle of pushing of liquid by a
piston that executes a reciprocating motion in a closed fitting cylinder.

DIAGRAM:

CONSTRUCTION DETAILS OF A RECIPROCATING PUMP:

Components of reciprocating pumps:-

a) Piston or plunger: – a piston or plunger that reciprocates in a closely fitted

cylinder.

b) Crank and Connecting rod: – crank and connecting rod mechanism operated by a
power source. Power source gives rotary motion to crank. With the help of
connecting rod we translate reciprocating motion to piston in the cylinder.

c) Suction pipe: – one end of suction pipe remains dip in the liquid and other end
attached to the inlet of the cylinder.

d) Delivery pipe: – one end of delivery pipe attached with delivery part and other end
at discharge point.

e) Suction and Delivery value: – suction and delivery values are provided at the
suction end and delivery end respectively. These values are non-return values.

WORKING OF RECIPROCATING PUMP

Operation of reciprocating motion is done by the power source (i.e. electric motor or
i.c engine, etc). Power source gives rotary motion to crank; with the help of
connecting rod we translate reciprocating motion to piston in the cylinder (i.e.
intermediate link between connecting rod and piston). When crank moves from
inner dead centre to outer dead centre vacuum will create in the cylinder. When
piston moves outer dead centre to inner dead centre and piston force the water at
outlet or delivery value.
Working of a Double-acting reciprocating pump.

Double acting reciprocating pump:- In a Double-acting reciprocating pump,

each stroke of the piston carries out both the functions, suction as well as delivery.
Thus it require two suctions pipes and two delivery pipes for double-acting pump.
When there is a suction stroke on one side of the piston, there is at the same time a
delivery stroke on the other side of the piston. Thus for one complete revolution of
the crank there are two delivery strokes and water is delivered to the pipes by the
pump during these two delivery strokes.

Discharge through a double-acting reciprocating pump.

D1= delivery valve(closed)

D2= delivery valve(being opened)

S1= suction valve (being opened)

S2= Suction valve (closed)

Discharge

The above equation gives the discharge of a double-acting reciprocating pump. This
discharge is two times the discharge of a single-acting pump.

Note: It is to be noted that the reciprocating pump is a positive displacements pump

which means that the fluid can only move in one direction and can never reverse
back. So due to this the pump is always started with outlet valve open otherwise the
pressure will keep on building and this will lead to rupturing of the pipeline or even
the pump itself. But if relief valve is fitted then this pressure will come down.

Uses of reciprocating pump:

There are various uses of the reciprocating pump and they are as following:
1)The lubricating pump is a reciprocating pump and it supplies the lubrication oil to
the main engine.
2)Main bilge suction pump is also a reciprocating pump.
3)For ballast and cargo stripper pump they are sometimes used.

Advantages of Reciprocating pump:

1)Gives high pressure at outlet.

2)Gives high suction lift.
3)Priming is not required in this pump.
4)They are used for air also.
Disadvantages of Reciprocating pump:

1)High wear and tear, so requires a lot maintenance.

2)The flow is not uniform, so we have to fit a bottle at both ends.

3)The flow is very less and cannot be used for high flow operations.

4)More heavy and bulky in shape.

5)Initial cost is much more in this pump.

Maintenance and Repair of Centrifugal Pumps

The pump converts mechanical energy from the drive to kinetic energy, with this being transferred to the fluid as pressure.

This takes place due to the two main components of the pump: the impeller and the volute. The rotating impeller converts
the input of mechanical energy to kinetic energy, while the stationary volute converts this to pressure.

The fluid to be pumped enters the pump through the suction pipe nozzle, where it is drawn directly to the impeller “eye"
located in the center of the impeller. The impeller spins the fluid tangentially and radially with centrifugal force outwards.
The curved blades create a low pressure at the eye that allows more fluid to be drawn from the suction nozzle to the impeller.

A sketch of a horizontal pump is shown below.

• Removal of Pump for Inspection and Maintenance
1 Isolate pump electrical circuit breaker on main switch board and attach a warning notice. (Do Not Operate-Men at Work).

2. Switch off and lock pump supply at its local supply panel. Attach a warning notice to pump local supply panel.

3. Close suction and discharge valves, chain and lock hand wheels.

4. Open pump suction and discharge pipe drain valves to bilge and when water ceases to flow; crack open the pipes / pump
flange joints carefully to ensure that pump has drained off and is safe for opening.

5. Use a center-punch to match/mark coupling and casing, then remove the coupling bolts.

6. Remove motor from place by using chain block.

7. Disconnect all external fittings from pump casing e.g. cooling pipe, pressure gauge, oil reservoirs and air cock.

8. Remove bolting from top cover and remove cover. Scrape off old gasket and check mating surfaces, and renew gasket on
assembly. (Light smear of grease on gasket / faces)

9. The pump shaft with impeller can be lifted out of casing.

10. Dismantle the impeller, and remove the wear ring.

11. Remove the gland packing and disregard; replacing it on rebuild. Remember to cut ends of packing at 45° and stagger
joints when repacking gland.

Inspection Procedure for Pump and Motor

Pump
1. Impeller, pump shaft and internal volute/casing can now be inspected for erosion, pitting and wear.

2. If required rectify pitting or erosion in the impeller and casing with two – part alloy epoxy putty.

3. Check main drive shaft bearings and thrust bearings for wear and replace if required.

4. Check wear ring clearance using feeler gauges; at sea it was general practice is to replace with new rings at major
overhaul.

5. Check impeller / shaft key and keyways for damage and undue wear, Unscrew impeller shaft securing nut and check
threads are in satisfactory condition; retighten to manufacturers torque settings.

6. Give all parts a good clean removing any dirt/ medium residue before re- assembly using new parts as required.

7. Enter date of overhaul and parts renewed in the pump maintenance record card.

Drive Motor
1. Grip motor drive shaft /coupling firmly and check for excess axial and longitudinal movement. Rotate shaft at speed by
hand, allowing it to run to a stop whilst listening for excess noise from bearings. Any doubt on either counts, the bearings
should be replaced.

2. Megger check motor windings to ensure no dampness is present and windings are in good condition. Any suspect readings
indicate a full motor strip to check condition of rotor and stator.

3. If these checks are satisfactory, grease bearings as required. Some bearings are now sealed for life and will not require
greasing.

• Procedure to Start the Pump

1. Unlock and remove chains from inlet/outlet valve wheels and open both valves full.

2. Open air cock and expel air from line and pump while checking for any leaks
3. Turn the shaft coupling and ensure shaft is free to rotate.

4. Reconnect motor.

5. Remove danger notices from pump power supplies and reinstate breakers.

6. Start and record current drawn by the motor under starting and running conditions. Check and record the discharge
pressure.

Problems of centrifugal pumps

• Cavitation—the NPSH of the system is too low for the selected pump

• Wear of the Impeller—can be worsened by suspended solids

• Corrosion inside the pump caused by the fluid properties

• Overheating due to low flow

• Leakage along rotating shaft

• Lack of prime—centrifugal pumps must be filled (with the fluid to be pumped) in order to operate
• Surge

Centrifugal pumps for solids control

An oilfield solids control system needs many centrifugal pumps to sit on or in mud tanks.

The types of centrifugal pumps used are sand pumps, submersible slurry pumps, shear pumps, and
charging pumps. They are defined for their different functions, but their working principle is the
same.

Magnetically coupled pumps

Small centrifugal pumps (e.g. for garden fountains) may be magnetically coupled to avoid leakage of
water into the motor.

The motor drives a rotor carrying a pair of permanent magnets and these drag round a second pair
of permanent magnets attached to the pump impeller. There is no direct connection between the
motor shaft and the impeller so no gland is needed and, unless the casing is broken, there is no risk
of leakage.

Priming

Most centrifugal pumps are not self-priming. In other words, the pump casing must be filled with
liquid before the pump is started, or the pump will not be able to function. If the pump casing
becomes filled with vapors or gases, the pump impeller becomes gas-bound and incapable of
pumping. To ensure that a centrifugal pump remains primed and does not become gas-bound, most
centrifugal pumps are located below the level of the source from which the pump is to take its
suction. The same effect can be gained by supplying liquid to the pump suction under pressure
supplied by another pump placed in the suction line.