Technical Information 9

Priming Pot for

Horizontal Pumps

1 Application 2 Operating principle

The priming pot is used for horizontal pumps in A priming pot filled with liquid is arranged between
service conditions where the fluid to be pumped the pump and the suction pipe. During the startup
does not flow to the pump by gravity but has to be phase, the pump draws the liquid from the priming
primed. pot thereby creating a vacuum in the priming pot.
Typical applications include the priming of a liquid
The liquid in the tank to be emptied is under
from a liquid level located underneath the pump
atmospheric pressure; vented system. Under the
centreline (Fig. 1) or from a boiler whose liquid level
action of the pressure differential, the liquid is forced
is above the pump centreline without the suction line
into the priming pot. As a result, the suction line is
being filled with liquid (Fig. 2).
vented and the pump can lift the liquid from a level
well below the pump.

3 Design and Installation Instructions

The following criteria must be satisfied for the proper
function of the priming system:

à The specified pump flow and head must be in

compliance with the pump characteristic. Caution!
The suction lift enters into the calculation of the
total differential head and has to be taken into
account in the pump design.

à To prevent the flow from collapsing during the

priming operation, the following criterion must be
fulfilled:
NPSHSystem ≥ NPSHPump + 1.0 m safety factor.
Fig. 1: Suction from a source located below the pump
centreline (sump) à The suction line should have at least the same
nominal diameter as the pump suction nozzle.

à Horizontal suction line runs should be avoided

since they reduce the suction lift.

Fig. 2: Suction from a source located above the pump

centreline (boiler)

MUNSCH Chemie-Pumpen GmbH November 2003 – Rev. 02 Page 1/2

All technical data subject to revision
Technical Information 9

à The effective volume of the priming pot must 4 Startup/Shutdown

exceed the filling volume of the suction line by a à For startup, slightly open the discharge-side
factor of 1.5 to 2.0. valve. Completely fill the priming pot and the
pump with a product-compatible medium via the
filling nozzle on the priming pot, observing the
applicable safety instructions. After that, close the
filling nozzle with a sealing plug.

à The pump is now ready for operation and the

motor can be started. Set the pump flow via the
discharge-side valve. Check the system-specific
monitoring instruments to make sure that the
pump draws and delivers the fluid to be pumped.

à For pump shutdown, close the discharge-side

valve and immediately stop the motor.

à There is no need to top up the priming pot for

restarting the pump. To exclude dry running, it
should, however, be checked that the priming pot
and pump are filled with liquid.

5 General
Standard MUNSCH priming pots are made of PP
and designed for an effective volume of 10-26 dm³.
Other materials or tank sizes can be supplied on
Fig. 3: Priming pot with pump and shutoff valve request.

This system is also suited for pumping contaminated

à All connections between the suction pipe, priming fluids or fluids tending to crystallise. Prior
pot and pump must be vacuum-tight. consultation with the manufacturer is, however,
recommended.
à During pump shutdown, care must be exercised
to avoid draining of the priming pot due to liquid
reflux and the resulting siphon action. This can be
effectively counteracted by installing a shutoff
valve in the discharge line or between the suction
line and the priming pot. Alternatively, a foot valve
may be installed in the suction line or a check
valve in the discharge line. Caution! To prevent
draining of the priming pot, the foot valve or
check valve must be completely closed.

MUNSCH Chemie-Pumpen GmbH November 2003 – Rev. 02 Page 2/2

All technical data subject to revision