En
gl
is
h (
G
B)
12
3.5.4 Inlet pipe if the feed line comes in different horizontal planes
Avoid high spots, such as loops, as they will collect
air and throttle the system or lead to uneven
pumping.
3.5.5 Inlet pipe with a horizontal elbow in the feed line
Make sure that the liquid flow is evenly distributed to
both sides of the double-suction impeller.
There is always an uneven, turbulent flow through an
elbow. See below. If you install an elbow in the inlet
pipe near the pump in a position other than vertical,
more liquid will enter one side of the impeller than
the other. This will result in heavy, unbalanced thrust
loads overheating the bearings, causing rapid wear
and reducing the hydraulic performance.
Correct
Wrong
TM
04
00
95
490
7
TM
04
00
94
490
7
Fig. 14
Correctly mounted inlet pipe
Fig. 15
Inlet pipe resulting in air pockets
Eccentric reducer
Eccentric reducer
Air pocket
Correct
Wrong
TM
04
01
5
0
49
07
-
T
M0
7 2
9
0
8
4
41
8
TM
04
01
4
9
49
07
Fig. 16
Recommended inlet pipe installation
with a length of straight pipe between
horizontal elbow and pump
Fig. 17
Unbalanced loading of a double-suction
impeller due to uneven flow through a
horizontal elbow close to the pump
DN
10 x DN
10 x DN plus
expansion joint
DN
[
DN
3-5 x DN plus
expansion joint
Open system
Closed system
Uneven flow
Water pressure
increases here
causing a
greater flow to
one side of the
impeller than to
the other