
T31 SERIES
General Instructions
CLOSE COUPLED PUMPS
FLEXIBLE COUPLED PUMPS
A. Inspection of Equipment
B. Storage
C. Placing Stored Pumps Into
Service
D. ApplicationConsiderations
E. Recommended Spare Parts
When properly installed and given
reasonable care and maintenance,
regenerative turbine pumps should
operate satisfactorily for many years.
Because of the high differential pres-
sures expected in a regenerative turbine
pump, close running clearances are
used to reduce internal losses. Abrasive
particles, even microscopic ones in high
enough concentrations can open up the
close clearances between internal
cavities. For critical services it is
recommended that you keep an identical
pump for stand-by use.
1A Inspection of Equipment
Immediately upon receipt of the
shipment, inspect the equipment for
damage or missing components. Check
the shipping manifest and report any
damage or shortage to the Transporta-
tion Company’s local agent.
Put the instructions that came with the
shipment in a safe place where they will
be available to those who will be using
them for installation and service.
1B Storage
If the pump is to be stored before use, it
should be inspected as described in 1A,
recrated and stored in a dry location.
Standard shipping containers are not
suitable for outdoor storage. In some
areas, it may be necessary to cover the
pump's exterior surface with oil or other
rust inhibiting coating.
For storage beyond 30 days, Thylene
Glycol or another protective fluid must
be used inside the pump. Fluids used in
the pump should be selected for
compatibility with the pumps materials.
This is very important when optional
seal and gasket materials have been
used. Protective caps on the inlet and
outlets should also be used. Caps alone
are not sufficient protection.
1C Placing Stored Pumps Into Service
Special care must be taken when placing
stored pumps into service. First clean the
outside and flush out the inside. Try to turn
the pump using the shaft. If the impeller
does not break loose immediately, fill the
pump with water and try again in a few
hours. If this doesn't work, refer to
disassembly/reassembly instructions in
Section 5. Loosen the thrubolts clamping
the assembly together, three full turns, no
more. Fill the pump with water. Apply
torque, 50 foot pounds maximum, to the
shaft.
On close coupled units, access to the shaft
is between the pump and motor. A vise
grip or other plier type gripping device
may be used directly on the shaft.
Applying torque to the motor fan blades is
not recommended.
The pump should turn before the 50 foot
pounds is reached. Continue turning the
pump while tightening the thrubolts to their
original positions.
1D Application Considerations
1D1 Electrical Wiring
All electrical equipment and wiring should
conform to Local and National Electrical
Codes. Use the motor manufacturer’s
instructions for connecting the motor.
Note the correct rotation and wiring
diagrams on the assembly. Make sure the
motor rotation and speed matches that
required for the pump.
1D2 Construction Materials
While it is reasonable to assume that good
judgement has been used in selecting all
the materials in the pump for compatibility
with process fluids, actual conditions
sometimes vary from original expectations.
Also, typical material selection charts do
not consider all the temperature, pressure,
and fluid variables. The customer’s
engineer should be consulted for final
judgement on the best materials for critical
process applications.
1D3 Valves
The first valve to be considered for a
regenerative turbine pumping system
might be a pressure relief valve. Because
this type of pump has a horsepower
requirement similar to that of a positive
displacement pump (constantly rising
along with a pressure increase) a relief
valve can be effectively used to limit
horsepower. This is helpful when a non-
overloading motor is specified. It can be
of critical importance if the system flow
rate can vary widely. There are almost
no circumstances where a flow modulat-
ing valve will work successfully in a
regenerative turbine pumping system.
The steep pumping characteristic,
typical of these pumps, produces very
large pressure changes with small
variations in flow rate. As a result, the
modulating flow from the valve introduc-
es sharp pressure shock waves that
shorten pump life and may cause
damage in other pieces of equipment in
the system.
If a shutoff valve is necessary in the
suction line, use a gate, ball, butterfly, or
other full port valve. Globe or other flow
restricting valves can in some cases
reduce pump flow or increase chances
of cavitation.
A swing check valve is recommended in
the suction line even when the pump
inlet is only slightly higher than the fluid
source. It should be the same size as
the pump inlet or sized based on
reasonable fluid friction losses.
A foot valve is recommended when
lifting fluid from a sump. This will save
wear and tear on any pump, even those
equipped with self priming equipment.
A Y-Strainer is recommended immedi-
ately ahead of the pump on any newly
constructed system. This is advisable
due to the probability that foreign
material large enough to damage pump
clearances may remain even though the
piping has been flushed.
Valves in the outlet piping of a regenera-
tive turbine pump should always be
open as far as possible when the pump
is started. This will reduce the start-up
load on the pump and motor. Never
start the pump with the discharge
valve closed.
Inlet valving should be open when
starting any pumping system. Without
some fluid in the pump, it can gall and
lock up impellers. Violent pump failure
will result from continued operation
with the inlet valve closed.
1D4 Priming
Regardless of whether self-priming
equipment is used or not, always fill the
pump and vent it of air for best seal and
1.
Page 502