General Overview of Types of Pumps on Ship

A ship consists of various types of fluids moving inside different machinery and
systems for the purpose of cooling, heating, lubrication, and as fuels. These
liquids are circulated by different types of pumps, which can be independently
driven by ship power supply or attached to the machinery itself. All the systems
on board ship require proper operational and compatible pump and pumping
system so that ship can run on its voyage smoothly.

The selection of a type of pump for a system depends on the characteristics of the
fluid to be pumped or circulated. Characteristics such as viscosity, density, surface
tension and compressibility, along with characteristics of the system such as
require rate of fluid, head to which the fluid is to be pumped, temperature
encountered in the system, and pressure tackled by the fluid in the system, are
taken into account.

Types of Pumps

The pumps used on board are broadly classified into two types:

Positive Displacement Pump

Positive displacement pumps are self priming pumps and are normally used as
priming devices.

 They consist of one or more chamber, depending upon the construction,

and the chambers are alternatively filled and emptied.
 The positive displacement pumps are normally used where the discharge
rate is small to medium.
 They are popularly used where the viscosity of the fluid is high.
 They are generally used to produce high pressure in the pumping system.

Dynamic Pressure or Roto-Dynamic Pump.

 Credits: wikipedia.org

 In dynamic pressure pump, during pumping action, tangential force is

imparted which accelerates the fluid normally by rotation of impeller.
 Some systems which contain dynamic pump may require positive
displacement pump for priming.
 They are normally used for moderate to high discharge rate.
 The pressure differential range for this type of pumps is in a range of low to
moderate.
  They are popularly used in a system where low viscosity fluids are used.

These broad classification of pumps are further differentiates by their

constructional properties and popularity of usage onboard ship;

Positive Displacement pump:

  Reciprocating Pump
 Screw pump
 Gear pump
 Piston pump
 Ram type pump
 Vane pump

Dynamic pressure pumps:

  Centrifugal pumps
 Axial flow pumps
 Submersible pump
 Centrifugal-axial (mixed) pump

7 Common Problems Found in Pumps

on Board Ships
Pump is a type of machinery which is used in large number on board ships, both on
deck and engine side. Every seafarer working on ships must be aware of the basic
problems associated with pumps and practical ways to troubleshoot whenever the need
arise.

While handling pumps on board ships, you do not need to be an expert. All you need to
know is how to identify some basic signs and preventive actions which are to be taken
whenever required.
Mentioned below are some of the main problems that are associated with pumps on
board ships.

Main problems found in pumps are:

1. Delivery Failure – The pump is not able to deliver at the required pressure.

Check the following in order to tackle this issue:

 Ensure that the pump is primed properly

 Check if the pump is moving with sufficient speed
 Check for air leakage
 Ensure that the impeller/gear/screw or other liquid driving mechanism is not
broken or damaged
 The pump shaft should move in the right direction
 Check that the suction lift is not more than required
 Ensure the temperature of liquid is not below the “pump-able” limit of the pump.

2. Priming Failure – Priming is required in order to start most of the pumps. If the pump
is not able to prime properly, check the following:
  Leakage in pump joint
 Leakage in gland joint
 Air leakage
 Faulty priming drive

3. Inability to Build Pressure – If the pump is not able to build enough pressure in
order to ensure smooth flow of liquid, then check

 If the priming is done properly

 The air cocks are not open
 internal moving parts (impeller/ screw etc.) are not damaged
 Wear Rings are not worn out or damaged
 The pump is running at the right speed
 There are no other mechanical defects in the pump
 Check for cavitation in the casing of the pump
 4. Excessive Vibration: Sometimes the pump vibrates a lot making a loud
noise. If there is a lot of vibration in the pump, check the following:
 Ensure there is no loose foundation
 The alignment of the pump is proper
 There is no impeller imbalance or erosion
 There are no mechanical faults
 The distance piece between the pump shaft and motor shaft is of correct length
and is not worn out
 The rubber bush piece connecting the motor and pump shaft is not worn out
 There are no worn bearings or bent shafts
5. Reduced Capacity : Several times due to continuous running, the capacity of the
pump reduces drastically. If the capacity of the pump has been reduced or there is
insufficient capacity, check
  The pump is running at proper speed
 There is no air leakage
 There is no obstruction in the suction pipe
 Ensure that the suction lift and temperature are not too high
 The total dynamic head is not larger than the rated
 The setting of the pump relief valve is not below required value

6. Motor Overload

This is a very common pump problem found on board ships. If the pump motor
overloads, then immediately check:

 The Speed of the pump is not high

 The quantity of liquid pumped is not too much
 The viscosity of the liquid is up to the mark
 Valves in the line are in closed position
 Problem or obstruction in the rotary parts of the pump

7. Loss of liquid

If the pump loses liquid, after starting or during running, check

 Check if the suction lift is as required

 Check for any kind of leakage in the suction line
 Check the temperature of the liquid
 Ensure the relief valve of the pump is set at right value to avoid loss of liquid to
overflow line

Types of Pumps Used Onboard Ship

A Pump is a machine used to raise liquids from a low point to a high
point. A pumping system on a ship will consist of suction piping, a
pump and discharge piping. The system is arranged to provide a
positive pressure or head at some point and discharge the liquid.
Types of Pump :-
There are two main classes of pump in marine use: displacement and
centrifugal.

Positive Displament Pump:-

All the displacement pumps are Self Priming Pump. The pump like
Gear pump, Reciprocating pump and Screw pump are included in the
positive displacement pump.

1.Reciprocating Piston Pump :-

A reciprocating pump is a type of positive-displacement pump which

includes the piston pump , plunger pump and diaphragm pump. If the
level of liquid to be pumped is below the centre line, then the vacuum
is created into the pump due to this the water is automatically sucked.
Advantages :-
1.It is Self priming Pump, having a high head.
Disadvantage :-
1.Complex Construction and relief valve is required to release a
excessive pressure.
2.Gear Pump:-

The pump shown above is of very common design. It is used for

pumping many types of liquid and gas and is capable of delivering at
very high pressures. This makes it suitable for hydraulic supply.
The tooth profile is similar involute gear teeth for liquid pumps. For gas
pumps special profiling with very fine tolerances is employed.
Uses :- Lube Oil , Boiler fuel oil pump, main engine driven lube oil
pump and many more.

3. Screw Pump :-

These pumps are seen in many applications and have a higher

capacity than double row type. Fluid enters the pump and is screwed
by the idler shafts along the outer edge to the discharge port. Axial
thrust of the idlers is absorbed by the integral thrust collar of the driven
shaft. The axial thrust of the driven shaft is absorbed by the thrust
bearing.
The scroll sits in a replaceable insert which is sealed to the outer
casing by O-rings.
4.Diaphragm Pump :- 

Diaphragm pumps are the reciprocating pump. Its working is as close

to Reciprocating piston type.
Construction :-
The Diaphragm is Rubber Membrane  which is connected to the
piston and its rod. There are two valve Suction and discharge valve on
the other side of Diaphragm. 
Working :-
Working of Diaphragm is simple as Reciprocating piston pump. This
piston is powered by  some prime mover like motor and any other.
When the Diaphragm moves up, vacuum is created at that place. Due
to this the suction valve opens and the inlet is open. And after filling
the sufficient suction, the diaphragm moves in the downward direction.
As the diaphragm moves downward, pressure is created at the barrel
of the pump and discharge valve is opened. 
Those in which the diaphragm is sealed with one side in the fluid to
bepumped, and the other in air or hydraulic fluid. The diaphragm is
flexed, causing the volume of the pump chamber to increase and
decrease. A pair of non-return check valves prevent reverse flow of
the fluid.
Centrifugal Pump :-

Water is led to the suction eye of the rotating impeller. The water
gains energy by the centrifugal action of the pump and is discharged
to the volute outlet casing. The volute is created by increasing the
area of the outlet port and is greatest at outlet from the pump. By this
design the kinetic energy of the water is converted to pressure energy.
Sealing is provided by a mechanical seal or by packed gland. For the
former cooling water is supplied from the discharge side of the pump.
For the latter cooling is provided by the allowance of slight leakage,
lubrication is by a grease filled manual lubricator.
The kinetic energy of the fluid flowing through the impeller is
converted to pressure energy by the shape of the volute casing. For
high pressure pumps such as boiler feed pumps a diffuser ring is fitted
in the casing which converts a greater portion of the pressure energy
allowing greater pressures to be generated.
A scroll type inducer may be fitted to the inlet which improves the
efficiency of unit and allows the pump to operate with low suction
pressures.
Wear rings
For efficient operation it is important to ensure that leakage from the
high to low pressure side is kept to a minimum. This is achieved by
the use of wearing rings. Traditionally these are fitted to the casing, to
increase the longevity of the impeller wear ring tyres may be fitted.
The clearance given for wear rings is often a source of contention
especially when dealing with on-ship made rings. A clearance of
1/1000 of the diameter of the bore is often quoted although this may
be very difficult to achieve in practice.
Axial force
Without careful design an axial force is created by the action of the
impeller. This is due to the low pressure acting on the suction eye
while the rest of the impeller is subjected to discharge pressure.
One solution is shown above where radial blades are cast into the
back (stuffing box side) of the impeller. These blades are commonly
called pump-out vanes, and are meant to increase the centrifugal
force of the fluid trapped behind the impeller. This causes the fluid to
be “thrown” outwards, reducing the pressure behind the impeller for
the same reason that the impeller causes a reduction of pressure at
the suction eye.
Another method which may be found in conjunction with the pump-out
vanes are the balancing holes. These are holes drilled near the center
of the impeller, connecting the space in the back of the impeller with
the suction eye. This reliefs the pressure behind the impeller by
allowing the high pressure fluid trapped there to flow to the low
pressure region at the suction eye. In order for this to be effective,
there must be a tight clearance between the impeller and the casing to
reduce the flow of fluid into the back of the impeller.
Alternately dual back to back impellers may be fitted in common with a
double casing