What happens when air gets into a pump?

As air bubbles become trapped at the pump suction, they block the fluid flow, and the pump performance will drop off. The flow rate will decrease, the developed head will drop off, and the efficiency will decline.

What causes airlock in pumps?

For most slurry pumps, the underlying cause of airlock is the pressure difference between the liquid and the pump entrance. This difference causes the air bubbles within the froth to build up and “lock” near the pump entrance. Airlock normally reduces flow and production.

What is the main cause of cavitation in an centrifugal pump?

Cavitation occurs when the liquid in a pump turns to a vapor at low pressure. It occurs because there is not enough pressure at the suction end of the pump, or insufficient Net Positive Suction Head available (NPSHa). As the liquid passes from the suction side of the impeller to the delivery side, the bubbles implode.

How airlock in a pump can be removed?

In order to blast the air lock out of position all you have to do is open the two taps (the main tap and the air locked tap) and allow the pressure of the mains water to force the air back out of the locked tap. Leave to run for several minutes and then make sure to turn off the air locked tap first.

What are air pockets in a centrifugal pump?

The term “formation of air pockets” describes the accumulation of air bubbles in certain areas inside pipes or centrifugal pumps which can seriously impair pump operation. They occur due to gas (mostly air) contained in the fluid handled in dissolved or undissolved (bubble) state (see Gas content of fluid handled).

What happens when a centrifugal pump reaches very high suction energy?

But when a pump reaches Very High Suction Energy, it is normally susceptible to cavitation damage (except when a certain amount of entrained air is present). There are many differing opinions on the effects of entrained air in a centrifugal pump.

What does a suction pump with air pockets in it mean?

Air pockets in the suction side means a cavitating pump. Cavitation in general terms is used to describe the behavior of voids or bubbles in liquid. Any time a flowing liquid falls below its vapor pressure, vapor bubbles can form.

How do you prevent air pockets in a suction line?

To avoid the formation of air pockets, suction lift lines must be laid with a rising slope towards the pump. If possible, each pump should have its own individual suction line so that no air can penetrate the suction line via a non-operating pump when only one pump is running.