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Cavitation is a phenomenon that can seriously compromise the efficiency and lifespan of acid pumps, causing damage and production interruptions. In this article, we will explore cavitation, its causes, consequences, and, most importantly, how to effectively prevent it.

What is Cavitation?

Cavitation occurs when the pressure of the liquid inside the pump drops below its vapor pressure. This causes the formation of vapor bubbles, which then implode violently when they reach areas of higher pressure. These implosions generate shock waves that damage the internal surfaces of the pump, causing erosion, vibrations, and excessive noise.

What are the causes of cavitation?

Several factors can contribute to the cavitation in acid pumps:

• Low suction pressure: If the pressure at the pump inlet is too low, the liquid can easily vaporize, triggering cavitation.
• High liquid temperature: High temperatures reduce the vapor pressure of the liquid, increasing the risk of bubble formation.
• Obstructions or restrictions in the suction system: Air leaks, clogged filters, or pipes that are too small can reduce the pressure at the pump inlet.
• High liquid velocity: Turbulent flows and excessive speeds can create low-pressure zones within the pump.

What are the consequences of cavitation?

Cavitation can have serious consequences for acid pumps and the entire production process:

• Damage to the pump: damage to the impellers, pump head, and other internal components, resulting in reduced pump efficiency and lifespan.
• Vibrations and noise: The implosion of the bubbles generates vibrations and excessive noise, which can further damage the pump and create an unsafe work environment.
• Loss of performance: Cavitation reduces the flow rate and the pump head, thereby compromising process efficiency.
• Production interruptions: Pump failures due to cavitation can cause unexpected and costly downtime.

Fortunately, there are several strategies to prevent or mitigate cavitation in industrial pumps.

How can cavitation be avoided?

• Increase suction pressure: Ensure that the pressure at the pump inlet is sufficiently high by, for example, installing the pump closer to the supply tank.
• Reduce liquid temperature: If possible, cool the liquid before it enters the pump.
• Eliminate obstructions and restrictions in the suction system: Regularly check filters, pipes, and valves to ensure smooth flow.
• Select the correct pump: Choose a pump specifically designed to handle corrosive liquids and ensure it is properly sized for the application.
• Maintain the pump in good condition: Regular inspections and maintenance are essential to prevent cavitation problems and ensure the longevity of the pump.

Cavitation is a serious problem that can compromise the efficiency and lifespan of acid pumps. By understanding its causes and taking appropriate preventive measures, it is possible to avoid costly damage and ensure optimal operation of the pumps and the entire production process.

GemmeCotti specializes in designing and manufacturing pumps for acids and corrosive liquids. Trust our expertise and contact us for solutions that guarantee efficiency and long-lasting performance.

Centrifugal pumps are used in a very wide range of industries, from chemical-petrochemical to textile to water treatment, electronic, etc.
If you are looking for accurate and specific information regarding centrifugal pumps, you are in the right place! In the following paragraphs, in fact, we are going to explain their characteristics and how they work.

Centrifugal pumps: classification

Based on the position of the drive shaft that moves the impeller, there are two types of centrifugal pumps: 

• horizontal pumps 
• vertical pumps: suitable for applications where installation of the pump semi-submersed in the liquid is required (tanks, reservoirs, sumps etc.)

Horizontal centrifugal pumps can be installed: 

• above the fluid level: in this case, the pump has to be self-priming
• below the fluid level: the pump is installed below the liquid level so it is flooded

Centrifugal pumps are composed of an impeller, assembled on the motor shaft, which rotates inside the pump head. The liquid enters in the axial direction but different types of pumps have different outflow directions:

• Radial flow pumps (most common)
• Axial flow pumps
• Mixed flow pumps

Centrifugal pumps: components

The main components are:

• the pump head (or pump casing)
• the impeller, which is connected to the motor shaft. You can choose between different types of impellers for centrifugal pumps: open, which is used with liquids with a higher concentration of impurities; closed, when there is a smaller percentage of suspended solids; semi-open etc. 
• the shaft
• the motor
• Sealing system to prevent liquid leakage between the pump head and the shaft

There are different types of sealing systems, such as: 

• mechanical seal pumps, in which the pump shaft, connected to the impeller, exits to the outside to be connected to the motor, and a mechanical seal is installed to ensure sealing
• mag drive centrifugal pumps in which the external magnet is assembled directly on the motor shaft and it transmits motion to the impeller by means of an internal magnet through magnetic force. In this case, the shaft does not pass to the outside of the pump. 

The external magnet placed on the drive shaft transmits the motion to the internal magnet connected to the impeller which rotates and moves the fluid through the pump. So the containment rear casing contains the internal magnet mentioned above and it ensures a hermetic seal on the hydraulic part of the pump, keeping it separated from the motor.

The figure below shows the main components of these pumps:

Centrifugal pumps: functioning

How does a centrifugal pump work? Operating curves and graphs can be used to describe their performance and area of work.
For a centrifugal pump, the performance curves can be seen in graph 4.1 while graph 4.2 shows the case of a positive displacement pump:

graph 4.1 graph 4.2

The top graph in both figures describes the head variation given by the pumps as the flow rate changes. The best performance is recorded by working centrally, both on the x-axis and y-axis. So between 2 and 2.5 m3/h and between a head of 4 and 5 m. 

For the proper functioning of a centrifugal pump plant, it is necessary to verify that the NPSH available in the plant is higher than the NPSH required by the pump.

We will not expand on the explanation of NPSH here but you can refer to the following link: https://www.gemmecotti.com/npsh-a-brief-explanation/

GemmeCotti centrifugal pumps

GemmeCotti can supply four different models of mag drive pumps and one model of mechanical seal pumps: 

HTM PP/PVDF and HCM PP/PVDF – MAG DRIVE CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

• thermoplastic pumps made in PP or PVDF
• capacity up to 130 m3/h
• head up to 48 mlc
• HTM : injection molded parts – HCM: casing machined from a block

HTM SP – SELF-PRIMING MAG DRIVE CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

• thermoplastic pumps made in PP or PVDF
• capacity up to  25 m3/h
• head up to 22 mlc
• injection molded parts
• self-priming up to 6 m

HTM SS 316 – AISI 316 MAG DRIVE CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

• thermoplastic pumps made in AISI 316
• capacity up to 32 m3/h
• head up to 24 mlc

HCO – MECHANICAL SEAL CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

• thermoplastic pumps made in PP or PVDF
• Flow up to 130 m3/h
• Head up to 48 mlc

When installing a chemical pump with motor configuration B3/B5 in a plant it’s really difficult to maintain it perfectly horizontal because of the heavier weight of the pump with respect to the motor and/or the form of the motor flange which doesn’t allow a balanced placement. So in this case how can you install a pump horizontal?

GemmeCotti technical office designed special baseplates to solve this problem. As a matter of fact, the pump complete with motor can be easily assembled to the baseplate thanks to the holes pre-drilled on the surface so that it can remain in position and perfectly horizontal. The baseplates are made in reinforced PP  and are available in three different sizes and they can be assembled with IEC and NEMA motors with B3/B5 form, from 0,12 kW to 4 kW.

The positive aspects of this solutions are:

– strong structure resistant to the pump weight and vibrations

– easy and fast assembling of the motor to the baseplate     

– material of construction resistant to acid corrosion

– safety installation of the pump

– cheap solution to a problem that can be faced in a plant

Sometimes customers think that it’s not necessary to spend money to buy a baseplate because they can “invent” and create their own structure to keep the pump in position. But is it really cheaper? There’s always the designing process to consider in addition to the purchase of the parts to use and obviously the time and workmanship for the realization of the structure.

Adding all these costs it’s clear that a little investment for a baseplate already built and ready to be installed in the end could be a great benefit.