Suggested Installation, Operation, Maintenance
and Troubleshooting
The Pro-Flo model P.025 has a 6 mm (1⁄4") inlet and 6 mm (1/4") outlet and
is designed for flows to 18 .9 lpm (5 gpm). The P.025 metal pump is
manufactured with wetted parts of aluminum Hastelloy®and stainless steel.
The center section of the P.025 metal is constructed of virgin acetal or
polypropylene. A variety of diaphragms and O-rings are available to satisfy
temperature, chemical compatibility, abrasion and flex concerns.
The suction pipe size should be at least 6 mm (1/4") diameter or larger if
highly viscous material is being pumped. The suction hose must be non-
collapsible, reinforced type as the P .025 is capable of pulling a high vacuum.
Discharge piping should be at least 6 mm (1/4"); larger diameter can be used
to reduce friction losses. It is critical that all fittings and connections are
airtight or a reduction or loss of pump suction capability will result.
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, locate every
pump in such a way that the following six key factors are balanced against
each other to maximum advantage:
•
Access: First, the location should be accessible. If it’s easy to reach the
pump, maintenance personnel will be able to perform routine inspections
and adjustments more easily. If 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.
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. You can estimate pumping volume by counting the number
of strokes per minute, and then multiplying that figure by the displacement
per stroke.
• Muffler: Using the standard Wilden muffler, sound levels are reduced
below OSHA specifications. You can use other mufflers to reduce sound
levels farther, but they usually reduce pump performance
.
•
Elevation: Selecting 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.
If the pump is to be used in a self-priming application, make sure that
all connections are airtight and that the suction lift is within the
model’s ability.
NOTE: Materials of construction and elastomer material
have an effect on suction lift parameters. Please refer to
"Performance " on page 8 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.
The P.025 cannot be used in submersible applications.
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.
The model P.025 will pass 0.4 mm (1/64") solids. Whenever the
possibility exists that larger solid objects may be sucked into the pump, a
strainer should be used on the suction line.
NOTE: Pro-Flo®and Accu-Flo™ pumps do not have a
single-point exhaust option and are not submersible.
CAUTION: All Wilden pumps are capable of passing solids.
A strainer should be used on the pump intake to ensure that
the pump's rated solids capacity is not exceeded.
CAUTION: Do not exceed 8.6 bar (125 psig) air
supply pressure.