
IOM 490 SXU 6”_0522 - 12 -
Bypass Lines
Self
‐
priming pumps are not air compressors. During the priming cycle, air from the suction line
must be vented to atmosphere on the discharge side. If the discharge line is open, this air will be
vented through the discharge. However, if a check valve has been installed in the discharge line,
the discharge side of the pump must be opened to atmospheric pressure through a bypass line
installed between the pump discharge and the check valve. A self
‐
priming centrifugal pump will
not prime if there is sufficient static liquid head to hold the discharge check valve closed.
NOTE
The bypass line should be sized so that it does not affect pump discharge capacity; however, the
bypass line should be at least 1 inch in diameter to minimize the chance of plugging.
In low discharge head applications (less than 30 feet or 9 meters), it is recommended that the
bypass line be run back to the wet well, and located 6 inches below the water level or cut
‐
off point
of the low level pump. In some installations, this bypass line may be terminated with a six
‐
to
‐
eight
foot length of 1 1/4 inch I.D. smooth
‐
bore hose; air and liquid vented during the priming process
will then agitate the hose and break up any solids, grease, or other substances likely to cause
clogging.
A bypass line that is returned to a wet well must be secured against being drawn into
the pump suction inlet.
It is also recommended that pipe unions be installed at each 90°elbow in a bypass line to ease
disassembly and maintenance.
In high discharge head applications (more than 30 feet), an excessive amount of liquid may be
bypassed and forced back to the wet well under the full working pressure of the pump; this will
reduce overall pumping efficiency.
Therefore, it is recommended that Automatic Air Release
Valve (ARV) be installed in the bypass line
.
Automatic Air Release Valves (ARV’s) are reliable and require minimum maintenance. See
AUTOMATIC AIR RELEASE VALVE in this section for installation and theory of operation of the
Automatic Air Release Valve.
If the installation involves a flooded suction such as a below
‐
ground lift station. A pipe union and
manual shut
‐
off valve may be installed in the bleed line to allow service of the valve without
shutting down the station, and to eliminate the possibility of flooding. If a manual shut
‐
off valve is
installed anywhere in the air release piping, it must be a full
‐
opening ball type valve to prevent
plugging by solids.
If a manual shut
‐
off valve is installed in a bypass line, it must not be left closed
during operation. A closed manual shut
off valve may cause a pump which has lost
prime to continue to operate without reaching prime, causing dangerous
overheating and possible explosive rupture of the pump casing. Personnel could be
severely injured.
Allow an over
heated pump to cool before servicing. Do not remove plates, covers,
gauges, or fittings from an over
heated pump. Liquid within the pump can reach
boiling temperatures, and vapor pressure within the pump can cause parts being
disengaged to be ejected with great force. After the pump cools, drain the liquid
from the pump by removing the casing drain plug. Use caution when removing the
plug to prevent injury to personnel from hot liquid.