Pumps and Pumping Systems - Intro Treatment (1.5 Contact Hours)

Learning Objectives for California Water Treatment – Pumps and Pumping Systems Module

Module 1: Pump Components and Sealing Mechanisms

• Identify key pump parts such as impellers, wear rings, stuffing boxes, shaft sleeves, and lantern rings.

• Distinguish between mechanical seals and compression packing, and describe their maintenance and leakage control.

Module 2: Centrifugal and Positive Displacement Pumps

• Compare centrifugal and positive-displacement pump types and explain their principles of operation.

• Describe common centrifugal pump designs, including volute, diffuser, axial flow, and mixed flow.

Module 3: Pump Classifications and Applications

• Differentiate between close-coupled, frame-mounted, vertical turbine, submersible, booster, and deep-well pumps.

• Recognize where and why each pump type is used in drinking water systems.

Module 4: Pump Operation and Maintenance

• Explain the role of priming, foot valves, and suction lift in pump operation.

• Describe common maintenance checks including seal inspection, vibration monitoring, and alignment.

Module 5: Pump Performance and Efficiency

• Define and calculate water horsepower, brake horsepower, and motor horsepower.

• Interpret pump curves including head-capacity (H-Q), power (P-Q), and efficiency (E-Q) curves, and identify the best efficiency point.

Module 6: Hydraulics and System Design

• Define and calculate total dynamic head (TDH), total static head, suction lift, and friction head loss.

• Describe the Hydraulic Grade Line (HGL) and how pressure loss is visualized along a system.

Module 7: Head Loss and Energy Considerations

• Use the Hazen-Williams equation to compute friction loss in pipes.

• Understand minor head loss sources like fittings and bends and their impact on overall system energy loss.