Marine Pumps - What to consider before your next purchase!

Engine rooms are the beating heart of every ship. At the center of it all? The marine pump. Engine room failure can impact the vessel's profits and affect the crew's safety. Choosing the right pump is the key to operational efficiency and safety at sea.

What are marine pumps?

Marine pumps are mechanical devices used to carry different types of liquids through the ship's tanks or compartments for various purposes (like lubrication, heating, or cooling, for example). All sorts of ships utilize pumps - from cargo and passenger ships to fishing and offshore support vessels. The pump used depends on the type of the ship, its requirements, and the types of application.

What are the main types of marine pumps?

Marine pumps are divided into rotodynamic and positive displacement pumps.

• Rotodynamic pumps utilize rotary motion to create dynamic action on the fluid to move it. They include centrifugal, axial flow, mixed centrifugal-axial, and submersible pumps. Most commonly used for operations that need moderate to high discharge rates, rotodynamic pumps produce low to moderate pressure and are used for low-viscosity fluids.
• Positive displacement pumps move the fluid through the system by repeatedly enclosing a fixed volume. Positive displacement pumps include screw, gear, piston, ram, vane, and reciprocating pumps. They are used in systems where the discharge rate varies between small and medium, for high-viscosity fluids, and to produce high pressure.

What is the most suitable marine pump for your vessel?

Choosing the right marine pump depends on numerous factors.

- Pump type

What is going to be the application of the pump? What kind of features and capabilities will you need?

The most commonly used pump is the in-line centrifugal pump because of the wide range of hydraulic performances, simplicity of design, high flow rates, and moderate pressure capabilities. It also helps they are simple to maintain – the crew can easily access it without the need to remove the electric motor or from the pipeline.

- Flow rates

What is the volume of the liquids that will pass through the pump over a period of time? It is an essential factor since it determines the quantity of liquid the pump can handle over time.

- Power compatibility

How is the pump powered? What are the power sources available on your ship? Electric pumps require a steady electrical supply - meanwhile, pressurized hydraulic liquid powers hydraulic pumps.

Is the pump reliable and easy to maintain?

For a ship far away from the shore, it is key that the pump works efficiently since many critical systems rely on pumps. However, mechanical breakdowns can happen in harsh marine conditions. Often ships will have redundancies in place so the system can continue working while the crew fixes the problem. Backup marine pumps serve that purpose. In cases of fire or flooding, the crew needs operational pumps. Another important factor to consider is maintenance. How easy is the pump to maintain? Can the crew access it easily? Are spare parts readily available?

About Metrorad

Do you need marine pumps or spare parts for your vessel?

Established in 2009, Metrorad specializes in the supply of pumps, genuine, and OEM spare parts, and equipment for a global roster of clients in the marine industry. Another Metrorad specialty is finding "hard-to-find" equipment and integral solutions for your engine room.

With over 50,000 pumps in the database and 10,000 items in stock, Metrorad offers prompt response and delivery to ensure minimal downtime for your vessels. Contact now at info@metrorad.net or +385 1 5616 237