After completing this course, the licensee should be able to:

  • Describe dead-end and recirculating hot water distribution systems.
  • List several special considerations involved in chemical pumping systems.
  • Define the term viscosity and give examples of high-viscosity materials.
  • Describe suction head and suction lift pumping conditions.
  • Tell what three elements make up total dynamic head.
  • Define static suction head.
  • Contrast liquid, brake, and electrical horsepower.
  • Tell what information can be gained from pump curves.
  • Describe the function of the following: pump casing, shaft, impeller, wear rings, and stuffing box.
  • Contrast frame-mounted and close-coupled end- suction pumps.
  • Give characteristics of fluids pumped with open, semi-open, and closed impellers.
  • Name an advantage and a disadvantage each for stainless steel and brass shaft sleeves.
  • Explain the construction of a lineshaft turbine pump.
  • Name the two types of flow in a propeller pump.
  • Tell the function of diffuser vanes in an axial-flow propeller pump.
  • Define electrochemical corrosion and state its cause.
  • Describe fluids that can be pumped by a regenerative turbine pump.
  • Describe the fluids that can be pumped by a rotary pump.
  • Explain the operation of external- and internal-gear pumps.
  • Describe the parts and construction of a lobe pump.
  • Compare/contrast timed- and untimed-screw pumps.
  • Tell why sealed bearings might be used in a vane pump.

Course ID(s): PWST24-8923

Approved By: Department of Environmental Management - Office of Water Quality

  • Pump Installation and Maintenance
    • Pump Installation and Maintenance [52 Activities]
      • 01. Force and Work
      • 02. Power and Horsepower
      • 03. Energy
      • 04. Velocity and Acceleration
      • 05. Static Suction Lift
      • 06. Pressure Losses: Friction and Vapor Pressure
      • 07. Available and Required Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH)
      • 08. Checking Pump Capacity and Pumping Hot Water
      • View Additional Activities
        • 09. Computing Pump Power Requirements and Effects of Operational Factors
        • 10. Priming a Pump
        • 11. Uses and Types of Packing and Seals
        • 12. Packing
        • 13. Selecting Packing Material
        • 14. Removing Old Packing
        • 15. Installing New Packing
        • 16. Testing New Packing and Packing Precautions
        • 17. Mechanical Seals
        • 18. Mechanical Seals Versus Packing
        • 19. Types of Mechanical Seals
        • 20. Installing Mechanical Seals
        • 21. Maintaining and Troubleshooting Packing and Seals
        • 22. Installing the Pump and Preparing the Foundation
        • 23. Fabricated Steel Baseplates
        • 24. Checking Shaft Alignment and Grouting the Baseplate
        • 25. Mounting Pump and Motor Separately
        • 26. Compensating for Heat and Installing Auxiliary Pump Drives
        • 27. Maintaining Centrifugal Pumps
        • 28. Inspecting Packing, Seals, and Bearings
        • 29. Motor and Drive
        • 30. Avoiding Common Pump Problems
        • 31. Cavitation
        • 32. Ring Seizure
        • 33. Overheating
        • 34. Pump Operation
        • 35. Scheduling Maintenance and Troubleshooting
        • 36. Preparation, Work Areas, and Rigging
        • 37. Moving a Pump
        • 38. Disassembling a Pump
        • 39. Inspecting Pump Parts
        • 40. Checking Clearances
        • 41. Reassembling a Pump
        • 42. Reinstalling a Pump
        • 43. Types of Rotary Pumps
        • 44. Gear-Type and Vane-Type Rotary Pumps
        • 45. Axial-Flow Pumps
        • 46. Installing Rotary Pumps
        • 47. Aligning Pump and Piping
        • 48. Direction of Rotation
        • 49. Pump Start-Up
        • 50. Maintaining Rotary Pumps
        • 51. Scheduling Inspections and Maintenance
        • 52. Troubleshooting Rotary Pumps
  • Course Completion
    • Mandatory Questionnaire
    • Certificate of Achievement
    • Guaranteed Next-Day Reporting
Instructor Image

Instructor Bio

Ralph Stevens

Ralph Stevens is a water Subject Matter Expert, licensed in California, Nevada and Arizona as a Grade 3 Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator. Ralph has worked in wastewater for almost 50 years, starting as an operator in a wastewater treatment plant and serving most recently as the Maintenance Reliability Supervisor for the Clark County Water Reclamation District. He is a certified Class Trainer for the California Water Environment Association (CWEA) and has served as the Operations and Maintenance Chairperson for the same organization. He has won a number of awards for his work, including CWEA Electrical and Instrumentation Person of the Year (2015), Safety Plant of the Year (2017), and the WEF Burke Safety Award (2019). Ralph goes out of his way to help and protect staff and the environment.