Basis & Tips on Setting Centrifugal Pump "Warming" Recycle Flow

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Earlier post "Why bypass Non-Return Valve (NRV) ?" discussed the purpose of providing manual block valve across Non-Return Valve (NRV) on centrifugal pump discharge. Typical the purpose covers :

• Pump priming
• Pump warming
  
• NRV downstream section draining

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Now the question is focus on pump warming. What is the basis of setting this recycle flow rate ? Lets first define the purpose, how it is implemented and how to set the flow.

Purpose
The main purpose of the bypass line is to maintain a minimum temperature different between the pump (and associate piping ) and the pump suction fluid temperature to avoid temperature shock in the event of standby pump is started-up automatically.

How it is implemented ?
The bypass can be

• fixed restriction orifice (RO) or;
  
• non-return valve (NRV) with hole or;
  
• globe valve

How much flow ?
The bypass flow rate should be sufficient to cater for :

i) Start-up : pump and associate piping heat-up from minimum ambient to normal suction temperature within a reasonable time i.e. 2 hours
ii) Normal operation : heat leakage via insulation during normal operation

Tips

Generally above calculation are time consuming. Experience based approach may be taken where setting the RO / NRV hole size as 6-8 mm or install a one (1) in globe valve.

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