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2.15. Suction Strainer
In a new installation, great care should be taken to prevent dirt, scale, welding beads and other
items from entering the pump, as it is particularly important to protect the numerous close running
fits from abrasive matter present in new piping
The suction system should be thoroughly flushed before installing the suction strainer and making
up suction piping to the pump.
The suction strainer should be installed between 5 to 20 pipe diameters upstream from the pump
suction flange.
NOTE
The open area of the strainer should have a minimum of a 3 to 1 ratio to the area of the
pump suction
The FLOWSERVE standard for suction strainers consists of a conical shaped steel plate. The
plate has 1/16" perforations and is of sufficient size and thickness for the required flow. See Figure
above.
Other type of strainers may be used as long as they conform to the requirements stated above.
Pressure gauges should be installed on both sides of the screen so that the pressure drop across
the screen can be measured.
When the unit is being started, the gauges on each side of the screen should be carefully
watched. An increase in the differential pressure between the two gauges indicates that the screen
is becoming clogged with dirt and scale. At this point, the pump should be shut down, and the
screen cleaned and/or replaced.
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