7/27/2019 Rge Sw Pumps

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add some cleaning solution to bring up the PH, but do not exceed 8. High PH (alkaline)should be avoided.

Once the system is cleaned and the PH level is good, the system should be properlystarted.

Properly installed hydronic systems are inherently quiet. Any noise loud enough tocause a complaint from the building occupants should be investigated. If the noise existsonly when the pump is running, do not immediately assume the pump is at fault. In manycases, it is not the pump, but an installation problem.

Expansion and contraction of the piping will be noisy, unless proper care was taken toabsorb the expansion of the piping system. A 10’ piece of 3/4” copper tube will expand 7/16of an inch at a 100

oF temperature rise! This expansion must be allowed for or a lot of noise

will result, even damage the piping system and adjacent structural components. As has been noted, entrained air can cause circulation noises, and an oversized pump

can cause circulation noises. Any equipment with moving parts will generate some noise and vibration. Where

piping noise is induced by pump vibration, the pump should be checked. On smaller boosters with ring-mounted motors, misalignment because of a bent motor bracket, caused

by dropping or stepping on the pump, will cause vibration. Oil soaked motor mountings willsage and cause misalignment. Over-oiling of the booster motors has caused more failuresthan under-oiling. Misalignment will cause excess wear and frequent failure of couplers. Couplers and motor mounts should be changed at the same time. In-line pumpsshould be as close to the boiler as possible in order to avoid putting the strain of the pump’sweight on the piping.

Base mounted pumps should be well mounted to a heavy foundation, isolated from thefloor slab. No piping weight should be imposed on the pump body. Flexible connectorsbetween the pump and piping are an excellent way to prevent vibration transmission. For good isolation, piping should be anchored on the system side of a pump.

Hangers that place strain on a system piping can create noise. Check allhangers. Simply loosening, moving, or replacing a hanger has solved many noise

complaints. Risers should never be in contact with a building’s structure.Frequent seal failures on mechanical seal pumps are usually due to water 

conditions. All seals leak a small amount of water. It helps to lubricate the seal faces. Infact, on large pumps with packed seals, the packing nut is adjusted to control a specifiedleak rate. System sealers plug leaks by solidifying when in contact with air. Sealers willcause rapid failure of the seal faces. If a sealer is ever used in a system, it should bedrained out as soon as the leaks are sealed and the system refilled and startedagain. Many additives, such as corrosion inhibitors, when used in excessive amounts, canalso cause seal damage. A pump should never be run dry. The pumped fluid carries awayfrictional heat generated by the seal, besides helping to lubricate the seal faces.

Booster pumps are designed for closed systems. They cannot handle large amounts of 

fresh water. They will experience seal failure, pitting of the pump body, and impeller destruction. Pumps used for potable water circuits are all brass construction, for the reason

 just stated, and even then do not have the usual long life of a closed system pump.