Pump Priming; Prime The Pump With The Suction Supply Above The Pump - ITT 3610 i-FRAME Manual

5.8 Pump priming

Seal flushing methods
Table 1: You can use these methods in order to flush or cool the seal:
Method
Product flush
External flush
Other
5.8 Pump priming
WARNING:
These pumps are not self priming and must be fully primed at all times during operation. Loss
of prime can lead to excessive heat and severe damage to the pump and seal.
WARNING:
A build-up of gases within the pump, sealing system, or process piping system may result in an
explosive environment. Make sure the process piping system, pump and sealing system are
properly vented prior to operation.
Before the pump is started, the pump must be fully primed and the suction pipe must be full of liquid. If
pump is run dry, then rotating parts within the pump can seize to stationary parts because they depend
upon the pumped liquid for lubrication. Several methods of priming can be used depending upon the type
of installation and service involved.

5.9 Prime the pump with the suction supply above the pump

This method of priming the pump is simplest and safest. A float switch in the suction reservoir can be
arranged to stop the pump if there is a failure of liquid supply.
1. Open the suction gate valve and close the discharge gate valve.
2. Remove the vent plug until all air is expelled and water flows through openings.
3. Close the air vent valves, start the pump, and open the discharge gate valve.
The pump will continue to be primed for any future starting.
56 3610 i-FRAME API 610 11th Ed/ISO 13709 2nd Ed, API Type BB1 Single-Stage, Axially-Split, Between-Bearing IOM
Description
Run the piping so that the pump pushes the pumped fluid from the
casing and injects it into the seal gland. If necessary, an external heat
exchanger cools the pumped fluid before it enters the seal gland.
Run the piping so that the pump injects a clean, cool, compatible liquid
directly into the seal gland. The pressure of the flushing liquid must be
2
0.35 to 1.01 kg/cm | 5 to 15 psi greater than the seal chamber pres-
sure. The injection rate must be 2 to 8 lpm | 0.5 to 2 gpm.
You can use other methods that employ multiple gland or seal cham-
ber connections. Refer to the mechanical seal reference drawing and
piping diagrams.