If deadheaded operation continues, what may occur?

If deadheaded operation continues, what may occur?

• A. Cavitation
• B. Corrosion
• C. Sedimentation
• D. Scaling

Answer: (A)

Cavitation is the likely issue when a pump runs with essentially no flow. Deadheaded operation means the discharge is blocked or nearly closed, so the pump works against a very high head while the actual flow through the impeller drops toward zero. This creates conditions where the local pressure at the suction side (and around the impeller eye) can fall below the liquid’s vapor pressure. When that happens, vapor bubbles form and then collapse as flow conditions change, producing noise, vibration, and potential damage to the impeller and pumps internals. The other problems listed—corrosion, sedimentation, and scaling—depend on long-term chemical reactions or particle deposition and are not direct, immediate consequences of running a pump with little or no flow. Cavitation is the immediate risk of deadheaded operation.

Cavitation is the likely issue when a pump runs with essentially no flow. Deadheaded operation means the discharge is blocked or nearly closed, so the pump works against a very high head while the actual flow through the impeller drops toward zero. This creates conditions where the local pressure at the suction side (and around the impeller eye) can fall below the liquid’s vapor pressure. When that happens, vapor bubbles form and then collapse as flow conditions change, producing noise, vibration, and potential damage to the impeller and pumps internals.

The other problems listed—corrosion, sedimentation, and scaling—depend on long-term chemical reactions or particle deposition and are not direct, immediate consequences of running a pump with little or no flow. Cavitation is the immediate risk of deadheaded operation.