FT-C Vertical Electric Thermal Fluid Heater Manual 12 2013 ISSUE 1
a) The pump should be routed as per the manufacturer’s requirements. It should be equipped with
exible connections at the suction and discharge sides. The primary function of these
connections is to prevent stresses due to pipe expansion from being placed on the pump and
to isolate pump vibrations from the pipe work and the heater. They also allow for expansion and
deection of the pipe work. These connections should be rated for high temperature since they
are considered part of the piping system.
b) The suction pipe work must be directly connected to the deaerator section of the combination
tank via a vertical run with as few elbows as possible, and should contain the strainer and an
isolating valve. The discharge pipe work must be connected directly to the heater inlet, and
should contain an isolating valve. See that pipe work connections match up accurately with
pump anges. Refer to the pump manufacturer’s recommendations for the specic pump inlet
piping requirements.
Typically these requirements are that:
1. It be a straight run of pipe.
2. The straight run from the pump inlet to the rst tting, valve, or ex connector be a minimum
of 6-10 pipe diameters in length.
3. The pipe used should be the same size as the inlet of the pump.
c) The piping in the immediate vicinity of the pump must not be supported by the pump. The pump
is not designed to bear the weight of the piping, and weight on any part of the pump will throw it
out of alignment.
Proper alignment directly affects bearing, coupling, and seal life expectancy. The pump is
properly aligned before it leaves the factory. Because the system expands in operation, the pump
must be realigned when the system is at operating temperature.
The coupling alignment of the pump and driver must be carefully checked for angular and axial
alignment. Check the pump manufacturer’s instructions for these specications. The use of a dial
indicator to check the axial and angular alignment is recommended.
An air cooled pump does not have an oiler. This type of pump has a sleeve bearing which is, like
the seals, lubricated by thermal uid. An air cooled pump has a grease nipple located at the drive
end of the pump near the coupling connection. This comes pre-greased, and should be greased at
intervals as recommended by the manufacturer.
An oiler is shipped with each water cooled pump and it should be lled with a lubricating oil
recommended by the manufacturer. The suggested lubricant is usually SAE-30 non-detergent oil.
Thermal uid is not sufcient lubrication for bearings.