Water Lubricated vertical turbine pump
Water Lubricated vertical turbine pump
(OP)
Is it necessary for water lubricated vertical turbine pump line shaft bearings be immersed in water prior to starting the pump? I have a vertical turbine pump that is water lubricated and has experienced a failure in the “foot” check valve such that the pump column pipe drains down to the static water level after the pump is turned off. This exposes the line shaft bearings in the top 80 feet of the pump column to air. Prior to starting the pump the line shaft bearings are not lubricated for 5 to 10 seconds as the pump column fills with water. This pump could operate 3 to 4 times an hour during summertime water demands. Any input or experience on this subject would be greatly appreciated.





RE: Water Lubricated vertical turbine pump
As a matter of fact your foot valve probably failed from slamming 100 times per day. I have fixed lots of these with a constant pressure valve or CPV. This valve controls the flow from the pump and makes it start and stop at 5 GPM. This keeps the foot valve from slamming closed or flying open. Gentle closings and openings of the foot valve will make it last much longer.
Once the pump is started the CPV would vary the flow from the pump to exactly match the usage. This will keep the pressure steady about 10 PSI lower than the pressure switch off setting. The pump will run continuously instead of cycling on and off 100 times per day. This really saves a foot valve, as well as the motor, starter, pressure switch, and other things. Restricting the flow from the pump will lower the amperage, and it may not use any more energy than it does by cycling 100 times per day. If you use a lot of low flow, a smaller or jockey pump in the system would also help.
Either way, you are going to need to fix that foot valve.
RE: Water Lubricated vertical turbine pump
Valvecrazy - not CPV again - what did we ever do before you came along - I have sold and installed 100's of vertical inline turbine pumps from 4inch column to 24inch - column the longest being 500ft with pre-lube. Not one of them had a CPV valve - many have been in service for 20 years and more with just with normal maintenance.
RE: Water Lubricated vertical turbine pump
RE: Water Lubricated vertical turbine pump
I have been reading these post for years about the problems everyone is having with different type systems. I finally decided to log on and put in my two cents. I only deal with systems that pump cool water at a constant head or pressure. If this forum is all about the exchange of new and beneficial ideas, I have a few new ideas that really work. Some of them will seem unusual to many people but, they are well proven and nearly all involve using a CPV. I have found it really simplifies pump controls and makes systems very dependable. Hence the name Valvecrazy.
RE: Water Lubricated vertical turbine pump
RE: Water Lubricated vertical turbine pump
ht
RE: Water Lubricated vertical turbine pump
A Cla-Val works much differently than the CPV. With the fully closing function of a Cla-Val, you can still have water hammer and the possibility of dead heading the pump. Not so with the CPV.