Priming

Priming of a pump is very essential step in start up of a centrifugal pump.

Fact is that centrifugal pump are not capable of pumping air or vapors.
Priming is the process in which the impeller of a centrifugal pump will get fully sub merged in liquid
without any air trap inside.This is especially required when there is a first start up.But it is advisable to
start the pump only after primping.
If you want to pump the vapors out of casing then you have to run the pump at a speed equal to it design
speed multiplied by the ratio of specific gravity of air to water.(In case of pumping water) which is
practically impossible.
-Liquid and slurry pumps can lose prime and this will require the pump to be primed by adding liquid to
the pump and inlet pipes to get the pump started. Loss of "prime" is usually due to ingestion of air into the
pump. The clearances and displacement ratios in pumps used for liquids and other more viscous fluids
cannot displace the air due to its lower density.

A "self-priming" centrifugal pump overcomes the problem of air binding by mixing air with water to create
a fluid with pumping properties much like those of regular water. The pump then gets rid of the air and
moves water only, just like a standard centrifugal pump.
It is important to understand that self-priming pumps cannot operate without water in the casing.
In order for a centrifugal pump, or self priming, pump to attain its initial prime the casing must first be
manually primed or filled with water. Afterwards, unless it is run dry or drained, a sufficient amount of
water should remain in the pump to ensure quick priming the next time it is needed.
Reciprocating and rotary pumps are self-priming. This is an important consideration where a prime cannot
be maintained on the pump. Centrifugal pumps are not inherently self-priming, although some
manufacturers do specially design self-priming units. External priming sources, such as an eductor or
vacuum pump can also be employed.