Eco GA Series, Installation, Operation & Maintenance Manual, Page: 7 / 59

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12. If flexible suction lines are used be sure their selection and installation will prevent
wall collapse and thus a starved suction condition.
13. When taking suction from a tank or vessel, avoid entry of sludge, solids, etc. into
suction line by placing suction line inlet above maximum expected level of solids.
14. Discharge lines from Gearchem pumps should be fitted with properly sized relief
valves to protect both pump and discharge system. Relief valve outlet should be
piped back to suction vessel.
15. When a by-pass system is used to control flow from the pump, the bypassed fluid
should be piped back to the suction vessel to prevent heat build-up due to
recirculation. If it is absolutely necessary to pipe by-pass back to the pump suction
line, the point of entry should be at least 10 pipe diameters away from the suction
inlet. Provision for cooling should be made in the event of excessive heat buildup
through fluid recirculation.
16. Where pumped fluids may solidify, crystalize, precipitate etc., provision should be
made to thoroughly flush pump and piping during periods of shutdown. Pay particular
attention to proper flushing of seal or stuffing box area.
3.1 MECHANICAL SEALS
Three basic seal types are offered as standard: internal, external, and double seal. All
mechanical seals require cooling and lubrication. For long and trouble-free seal life:
1. Do not run pump dry. Make sure pump is primed, suction is not starved, sufficient
NPSH is available and your system is such that seal surfaces are wet. If a seal flush
system is used, make sure that it is operating while the pump is operating. Double
seals require a seal flush.
2. Keep abrasives out of the seal area. Dirty flush streams, whether piped from the
pump discharge or from a separate source, will destroy the rotating and stationary
seal mating surfaces.
3. Make sure pump and driver are properly aligned. Misaligned seal mating surfaces will
not function. Excessive vibration will also prevent proper seal function and cause
early failure.
4. Determine that seal materials of construction are compatible with pumped fluid. Be
sure to check this when changing application.
3.2 PACKED STUFFING BOXES
The basic housekeeping procedures for mechanical seals also apply to packed pumps.
For proper operation, the stuffing box area must be cooled and lubricated. Do not
overtighten packing. Where packing lubricant IS required, use it. Run in new packing
carefully. Care and time taken at this stage will minimize down time and maintenance
costs. Misalignment and vibration also shorten packing life. Flush streams to lantern ring
stuffing boxes are as important as flush streams to mechanical seals.
4. OPERATION
1. Prior to operation, recheck installation according to instructions. Be sure electrical
service to motor agrees with nameplate requirements. Jog to check rotation and
rewire motor if necessary.
2. Lubricate packing, if required, using suitable lubricant. Where pump is equipped with
lantern ring stuffing box and recirculating flush check for proper piping from pump
discharge to lantern ring nipple. Where thorough flush of lantern ring stuffing box is
intended, check flush stream piping to and from stuffing box.
3. Check mechanical seal flush arrangements where used. Pressurized flush to double
seal chamber must be in operation, at an inlet pressure of 10 to 15 psi above
intended pump discharge pressure, prior to and when operating pump. Flush must