Flowserve LN User Manual
Page 17

LN, LNE, LNH, LNV, LNEV, LNC and LNEC USER INSTRUCTIONS ENGLISH 71576423 11-09
Page 17 of 32
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These operations must be carried out by personnel 
with approved qualifications. 
liquid before starting continuous duty operation. 
 
5.6 Starting the pump
a)
Ensure flushing and/or cooling/
heating liquid supplies are turned ON before 
starting the pump. 
b) CLOSE the outlet valve. 
c) OPEN all inlet valves. 
d) Prime the pump. 
e)
Ensure all vent connections are closed
before starting.
f) Start motor and check outlet pressure. 
g) If the pressure is satisfactory, slowly OPEN outlet 
control valve.
h)
Do not run the pump with the
outlet valve closed for a period longer than 30 
seconds. 
i)
If NO pressure, or LOW pressure, STOP the 
pump. Refer to section 7, Faults; causes and 
remedies, for fault diagnosis. 
5.7 Running the pump
 
5.7.1 Venting the pump 
Vent the pump to enable all trapped air to
escape taking due care with hot or hazardous liquids. 
 
Under normal operating conditions, after the pump 
has been fully primed and vented, it should be 
unnecessary to re-vent the pump. 
 
5.7.2 Pumps fitted with packed gland 
If the pump has a packed gland there must be some 
leakage from the gland. Gland nuts should initially be 
finger-tight only. Leakage should take place soon 
after the stuffing box is pressurized. 
 
If no leakage takes place the packing will begin to 
overheat. If overheating takes place the pump should 
be stopped and allowed to cool before being re-
started. When the pump is re-started, check to 
ensure leakage is taking place at the packed gland. 
 
If hot liquids are being pumped it may be necessary 
to slacken the gland nuts to achieve leakage. 
The pump should be run for 30 minutes with steady 
leakage and the gland nuts tightened by 10 degrees 
at a time until leakage is reduced to an acceptable 
level, normally a minimum of 120 drops per minute is 
required. Bedding in of the packing may take another 
30 minutes. 
Care must be taken when adjusting the gland
on an operating pump. Safety gloves are essential. 
Loose clothing must not be worn to avoid being 
caught up by the pump shaft. Shaft guards must be 
replaced after the gland adjustment is complete. 
Never run gland packing dry, even for
a short time. 
 
5.7.3 Pumps fitted with mechanical seal 
Mechanical seals require no adjustment. Any slight 
initial leakage will stop when the seal is run in. 
 
Before pumping dirty liquids it is advisable, if 
possible, to run in the pump mechanical seal using 
clean liquid to safeguard the seal face. 
External flush or quench should be
started before the pump is run and allowed to flow for 
a period after the pump has stopped. 
Never run a mechanical seal dry, even
for a short time. 
 
5.7.4 Bearings 
If the pumps are working in a potentially
explosive atmosphere, temperature or vibration 
monitoring at the bearings is recommended. 
If bearing temperatures are to be monitored it is 
essential that a benchmark temperature is recorded 
at the commissioning stage and after the bearing 
temperature has stabilized. 
•
Record the bearing temperature (t) and the 
ambient temperature (ta) 
•
Estimate the likely maximum ambient 
temperature (tb) 
•
Set the alarm at (t+tb-ta+5)
°
C [(t+tb-ta+10)
°
F]
and the trip at 100
°
C (212
°
F) for oil lubrication
and 105
°
C (220
°
F) for grease lubrication
It is important, particularly with grease lubrication, to 
keep a check on bearing temperatures. After start up 
the temperature rise should be gradual, reaching a 
maximum after approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. This 
temperature rise should then remain constant or 
marginally reduce with time. (Refer to section 6.2.3.1 
for further information.) 
