Wilden P25 Advanced Plastic Series, Engineering, Operation & Maintenance

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WIL-11020-E-03
Wilden
®
10
Suggested Installation, Operation, Maintenance and Troubleshooting
CAUTION: All fittings and connections must be airtight.
Otherwise, pump suction capability will be reduced or lost.
Months of careful planning, study and selection efforts can result in
unsatisfactory pump performance if installation details are left to
chance. You can avoid premature failure and long-term dissatisfaction
by exercising reasonable care throughout the installation process
.
Location
Noise, safety and other logistical factors usually dictate where
equipment will be situated on the production floor. Multiple installations
with conflicting requirements can result in congestion of utility areas,
leaving few choices for additional pumps.
Within the framework of these and other existing conditions, every
pump should be located in such a way that several key factors are
balanced against each other to maximum advantage.:
•
Access: First of all, the location should be accessible. If it’s easy
to reach the pump, maintenance personnel will have an easier
time carrying out routine inspections and adjustments. Should
major repairs become necessary, ease of access can play a key
role in speeding the repair process and reducing total downtime.
•
Air Supply: Every pump location should have an air line large
enough to supply the volume of air necessary to achieve the
desired pumping rate. Use air pressure up to a maximum of 8.6
bar (125 psig) depending on pumping requirements.
For best results, the pumps should use a 5μ (micron) air filter,
needle valve and regulator. The use of an air filter before the
pump will ensure that the majority of any pipeline contaminants
will be eliminated.
• Solenoid Operation: When operation is controlled by a solenoid
valve in the air line, three-way valves should be used. This valve
allows trapped air between the valve and the pump to bleed off
which improves pump performance. Pumping volume can be
estimated by counting the number of strokes per minute and then
multiplying the figure by the displacement per stroke.
• Muffler: Sound levels are reduced below OSHA specifications using
the standard Wilden muffler. Other mufflers can be used to further
reduce sound levels, but they usually reduce pump performance.
• Elevation: Se lecting a site that is well within the pump’s
dynamic-lift capability will assure that loss-of-prime issues will
be eliminated. In addition, pump efficiency can be adversely
affected if proper attention is not given to site location.
• Piping: Final determination of the pump site should not be
made until the piping challenges of each possible location have
been evaluated. The impact of current and future installations
should be considered ahead of time to make sure that
inadvertent restrictions are not created for any remaining sites.
The best choice possible will be a site involving the shortest and
straightest hook-up of suction and discharge piping. Unnecessary
elbows, bends and fittings should be avoided. Pipe sizes should be
selected to keep friction losses within practical limits. All piping should
be supported independently of the pump. In addition, the piping
should be aligned to avoid placing stress on the pump fittings.
Flexible hose can be installed to aid in absorbing the forces created
by the natural reciprocating action of the pump. If the pump is to be
bolted down to a solid location, a mounting pad placed between the
pump and the foundation will assist in minimizing pump vibration.
Flexible connections between the pump and rigid piping will also
assist in minimizing pump vibration. If quick-closing valves are
installed at any point in the discharge system, or if pulsation within a
system becomes a problem, a surge suppressor (SD Equalizer
®
)
should be installed to protect the pump, piping and gauges from
surges and water hammer.
NOTE: Materials of construction and elastomer material have
an effect on suction-lift parameters. Please refer to the
performance section for specifics.
When pumps are installed in applications involving flooded suction or
suction-head pressures, a gate valve should be installed in the
suction line to permit closing of the line for pump service.
Pumps in service with a positive suction head are most efficient when
inlet pressure is limited to 0.5
– 0.7 bar (7 – 10 psig). Premature
diaphragm failure may occur if positive suction is 0.7 bar (10 psig)
and higher.
CAUTION: Do not exceed 8.6 bar (125 psig) air
supply pressure.
Section 6