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  • What am I doing wrong (with my pumps)?

    Dear ProBrewer Sages,

    I have a few thomson centrifugal pumps in my brewery. Two brewhouse pumps and a CIP pump. I have several issues that seem to be compounding.

    First: Lately my pumps haven't been priming correctly unless there is a large volume of liquid in my tanks. They seem to pulse a small amount of water forward. When I shut them off air bubbles out of the intake. Obviously air is the problem, but what is causing it to intake air after priming? I worry I may have seal issues or something. But I have taken apart and inspected all the pump heads.

    Second: Any idea how far away my centrifugal blades should be from the back plate? I can't seem to maintain a proper gap since tinkering with my pumps. It is either too close and grinds or is too far away and doesn't spin at all.

    Third: What do I need to know about maintaining a centrifugal pump?

    Thanks for your time,

    Cole Brown
    Eagle Creek Brewing Company

    Edit: Sorry spelled pump brand wrong.
    Last edited by DecoctionMash; 04-20-2014, 12:09 AM.

  • #2
    Cole,

    It sounds like your seal is leaking and drawing in air on the suction side, causing you to lose prime. Try replacing the seals.

    The impeller should be about a credit card's width from the backplate. If I remember right, it is set with a set screw on the shaft.

    The seal area on the impeller can get scored up too on these pumps. You can usually take the backplate to a local machine shop and have them turn it down smooth again for a case of beer.
    Linus Hall
    Yazoo Brewing
    Nashville, TN
    www.yazoobrew.com

    Comment


    • #3
      Pump Setup

      We do not run this brand, but ALL pump OEMs should have the clearence to backplate published in the manual. IN the case of Waukesha, its .060. With that design, the backplate is what creates the correct tension on the seal along with the relative depth of the drive collar on the shaft. If these parameters are not correct you'll destroy seals quickly.
      Warren Turner
      Industrial Engineering Technician
      HVACR-Electrical Systems Specialist
      Moab Brewery
      The Thought Police are Attempting to Suppress Free Speech and Sugar coat everything. This is both Cowardice and Treason given to their own kind.

      Comment


      • #4
        Air locking

        It sounds like the pump is air locking. The air is probably not coming from a leaky seal but from the hose or pipe after the pump. A couple of things to try.

        1) raise the discharge hose so the air trapped inside can get out the end. If it is a long hose coiled around like a snake on the floor make sure there are no high spots.

        2) Loosen the clamp on the pump head and turn the casing slightly to that the discharge is at a 45 deg angle pointing left (when viewed from the front) this is the best set up for evacuating the air from the pump.

        3) Install an air relief valve (like this one http://www.cpesystems.com/products/60arv-air-relief-valves )on a tee on the outlet of your pump. This will allow the air to escape but will close up when there is product in it.
        Your CPE Systems Team!
        CPE Systems Inc.
        800-668-2268
        CPEsystems.com
        Thinkpumps.com
        sales@cpesystems.com

        Comment


        • #5
          There is not a lot of play in the set point for the impeller. There are two set screws on the impeller shaft the let you set the position of the impeller shaft on the electric motor shaft.
          Joel Halbleib
          Partner / Zymurgist
          Hive and Barrel Meadery
          6302 Old La Grange Rd
          Crestwood, KY
          www.hiveandbarrel.com

          Comment


          • #6
            Same issue

            Originally posted by DecoctionMash View Post
            Dear ProBrewer Sages,

            I have a few thomson centrifugal pumps in my brewery. Two brewhouse pumps and a CIP pump. I have several issues that seem to be compounding.

            First: Lately my pumps haven't been priming correctly unless there is a large volume of liquid in my tanks. They seem to pulse a small amount of water forward. When I shut them off air bubbles out of the intake. Obviously air is the problem, but what is causing it to intake air after priming? I worry I may have seal issues or something. But I have taken apart and inspected all the pump heads.

            Second: Any idea how far away my centrifugal blades should be from the back plate? I can't seem to maintain a proper gap since tinkering with my pumps. It is either too close and grinds or is too far away and doesn't spin at all.

            Third: What do I need to know about maintaining a centrifugal pump?

            Thanks for your time,

            Cole Brown
            Eagle Creek Brewing Company

            Edit: Sorry spelled pump brand wrong.
            Hi Cole,

            Just saw this after posting in another Thread. Have you sorted out your problem? If so, what was the problem? I have EXACTLY the same issue with my centrifugal pump. I seriously need some help as this driving me crazy.

            Cheers

            Comment


            • #7
              Hi Cole,

              Which of the three issues mentioned are you have problems with?
              Your CPE Systems Team!
              CPE Systems Inc.
              800-668-2268
              CPEsystems.com
              Thinkpumps.com
              sales@cpesystems.com

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by CPESystems View Post
                Hi Cole,

                Which of the three issues mentioned are you have problems with?
                Hi,

                My problem with our 114 is the same as problem number one with Cole.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Try turning the pump head so the the outlet is pointing at a 45 deg angle to the left (when viewed from the front) this will help the air get out of the pump head. Also try to keep the inlet hose short and both the inlet and outlet hoses flat on the ground to let the air out of the pump.
                  Your CPE Systems Team!
                  CPE Systems Inc.
                  800-668-2268
                  CPEsystems.com
                  Thinkpumps.com
                  sales@cpesystems.com

                  Comment

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