[0001] The invention relates to a centrifugal pump for conveying a fluid in accordance with
the preamble of the independent claim.
[0002] Centrifugal pumps for conveying a fluid, for example a liquid such as water, are
used in many different industries. Examples are the oil and gas industry, the power
generation industry, the chemical industry, the water industry or the pulp and paper
industry. Centrifugal pumps have at least one impeller and a shaft for rotating the
impeller. The at least one impeller may be configured for example as a radial impeller
or as an axial or semi-axial impeller or as a helicoaxial impeller. Furthermore, the
impeller may be configured as an open impeller or as a closed impeller, where a shroud
is provided on the impeller, said shroud at least partially covering the vanes of
the impeller.
[0003] A centrifugal pump may be designed as a single stage pump having only one impeller
mounted to the shaft or as a multistage pump comprising a plurality of impellers,
wherein the impellers are arranged in series on the shaft.
[0004] Many centrifugal pumps are provided with it at least one balancing device for at
least partially balancing the axial thrust that is generated by the impeller(s) during
operation of the pump. The balancing device reduces the axial thrust that is acting
on the axial bearing or the thrust bearing. The balancing device may comprise a balance
drum for at least partially balancing the axial thrust that is generated by the rotating
impellers. The balance drum is fixedly connected to the shaft of the pump in a torque
proof manner. Usually, the balance drum is arranged at the discharge side of the pump
between the last stage impeller and a shaft sealing device. The balance drum defines
a front side and a back side. The front side is the side facing the last stage impeller.
The back side is the side facing the shaft sealing device. A relief passage is provided
between the balance drum and a stationary part being stationary with respect to the
pump housing. The back side is usually connected to the suction side of the pump by
means of a balance line. During operation there is a leakage flow through the relief
passage from the front side along the balance drum to the back side and from there
through the balance line to the suction side. At the front side of the balance drum
the high pressure or the discharge pressure prevails, and at the back side essentially
the suction pressure prevails. The pressure difference between the front side and
the back side results in a axial force or an axial thrust which is directed in the
opposite direction as the axial thrust generated by the rotating impeller(s). Thus,
the axial thrust that has to be carried by the axial or thrust bearing is at least
considerably reduced. Of course, the leakage flow along the balance drum results in
a decrease of the hydraulic performance or efficiency of the pump. Therefore, the
relief passage is configured such, that the leakage flow is as low as possible but
still sufficient for generating the axial thrust counteracting the axial thrust generated
by the impeller(s).
[0005] A centrifugal pump has at least one shaft seal device for sealing the shaft against
a leakage of the fluid along the shaft. In a so-called between-bearing design the
rotating shaft and all impellers are arranged between two shaft sealing devices, which
are typically arranged next to the bearings at the drive end and at the non-drive
end of the shaft, respectively.
[0006] The sealing devices may be configured for example as a mechanical seal. Typically,
a mechanical seal comprises a stator and a rotor. The rotor is connected in a torque-proof
manner with the shaft of the pump and the stator is fixed with respect to the pump
housing such that the stator is secured against rotation. During rotation of the shaft
the rotor is in sliding contact with the stator thus performing the sealing action.
A liquid, e.g. the fluid conveyed by the pump or any other lubricant is supplied to
the mechanical seal for generating a fluid film between the stator and the rotor.
[0007] A sealing device such as a mechanical seal requires cooling for removing the heat
from the sealing device, as well as flushing to keep particles away from the sealing
elements. Therefore a certain flow is required for cooling and flushing. It is a known
measure that the flow required to flush and to cool the sealing devices is extracted
either at or near the outlet of the pump or at an intermediate stage of the pump.
This required flow for flushing the sealing devices causes additional losses which
reduces the efficiency of the pump.
[0008] Nowadays in many applications the most efficient use of the pump is strived for.
It is desirable to have the highest possible ratio of the power, especially the hydraulic
power, delivered by the pump to the power needed for driving the pump. This desire
is mainly based upon an increased awareness of environment protection and a responsible
dealing with the available resources as well as on the increasing costs of energy.
[0009] It is therefore an object of the invention to propose a centrifugal pump for conveying
a fluid, having a high efficiency without a reduction in the operating safety of the
pump.
[0010] The subject matter of the invention satisfying these objects is characterized by
the features of the respective independent claim.
[0011] Thus, according to the invention, a centrifugal pump for conveying a fluid is proposed,
comprising a pump housing with an inlet at a suction side and an outlet at a discharge
side, at least one impeller for conveying the fluid from the inlet to the outlet,
a shaft for rotating the impeller about an axial direction, a first sealing device
for sealing the shaft at the suction side, a second sealing device for sealing the
shaft at the discharge side, a balance drum fixedly connected to the shaft and arranged
between the at least one impeller and the second sealing device, wherein the balance
drum defines a front side facing the at least one impeller and a back side facing
the second sealing device, wherein a relief passage is provided between the balance
drum and a stationary part configured to be stationary with respect to the pump housing,
wherein the relief passage extends from the front side to the back side, wherein a
balance line is provided connecting the back side with the suction side, wherein a
discharge opening is arranged at the relief passage between the front side and the
back side, and wherein a connecting line is provided for connecting the discharge
opening with the first sealing device.
[0012] Thus, a part of the flow passing through the relief passage along the balance drum
is guided away from the relief passage through the connecting line to the first sealing
device and used for flushing and cooling the first sealing device. Therefore, there
is no need to extract an additional flow of the fluid e.g. at the discharge side or
at an intermediate stage of the pump. This results in an increase of the efficiency
of the pump, because only the unavoidable leakage flow through the relief passage
is used for flushing the first sealing device. There is no need for an additional
take-off of pressurized fluid in order to flush the first sealing device.
[0013] At the first sealing device, or in the first seal housing/chamber, respectively,
a pressure prevails that is at most slightly higher than the suction pressure at the
suction side of the pump. The pressure at the discharge opening in the relief passage
is considerably higher than the suction pressure. Therefore the flow of fluid in the
connecting line is directed towards the first sealing device and may be used for flushing
the first sealing device.
[0014] Preferably, the connecting line comprises at least one flow control element for controlling
the flow through the connecting line. This has the advantage that the volumetric flow
for flushing the first sealing device may be adjusted. The flow control element may
be, for example, a valve or an orifice.
[0015] In order to make the pump even more efficient it is preferred that the connecting
line comprises a first branch and a second branch, wherein the first branch is connected
with the first sealing device, and the second branch is connected with the second
sealing device. Thus, the flow discharged from the relief passage through the discharge
opening and the connecting line is additionally used to also flush the second sealing
device.
[0016] According to a preferred configuration, the first branch comprises a first flow control
element for controlling the flow through the first branch, and the second branch comprises
a second flow control element for controlling the flow through the second branch.
By this measure both the flow to the first sealing device and the flow to the second
sealing device can be controlled.
[0017] Furthermore, it is preferred that the connecting line comprises a third branch, wherein
the third branch is connected to the suction side. The third branch may be connected
for example to the inlet of the pump or to the balance line or to a suction tank being
in fluid communication with the inlet of the pump. By means of the third branch the
flow extracted from the relief passage may be routed directly back to the suction
side, i.e. without passing through one of the sealing devices, for example if the
extracted flow exceeds the required flow for the sealing devices or if the pressure
requires an adjustment. The third branch is particularly advantageous to adjust the
leakage flow through the relief passage.
[0018] Preferably, the third branch comprises a third flow control element for controlling
the flow through the third branch.
[0019] According to a preferred design at least one of the flow control elements is configured
as an adjustable valve.
[0020] For many embodiments it is advantageous that each flow control element is configured
as an adjustable valve.
[0021] Preferably, the first sealing device comprises a mechanical seal.
[0022] It is also preferred that the second sealing device comprises a mechanical seal.
[0023] According to a preferred embodiment the pump is configured as a multistage pump having
a plurality of impellers, wherein the impellers are arranged one after another on
the shaft.
[0024] Furthermore, it is preferred that the pump is configured as a between-bearing pump.
[0025] In particular, the pump may be configured as a barrel type pump comprising an outer
barrel casing, in which the pump housing is arranged.
[0026] Further advantageous measures and embodiments of the invention will become apparent
from the dependent claims.
[0027] The invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to embodiments
of the invention and with reference to the drawings. There are shown in a schematic
representation:
- Fig. 1:
- a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a centrifugal pump according
to the invention, and
- Fig. 2:
- a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of the balance drum and the connecting
line.
[0028] Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a centrifugal pump
according to the invention, which is designated in its entity with reference numeral
1. The pump 1 is designed as a centrifugal pump for conveying a fluid, for example
a liquid such as water.
[0029] The centrifugal pump 1 comprises a pump housing 2 having an inlet 3 and an outlet
4 for the fluid to be conveyed. The inlet 3 is arranged at a suction side S, where
a suction pressure prevails, and the outlet 4 is arranged at a discharge side D, where
a discharge pressure prevails. The suction pressure is also referred to as low pressure,
and the discharge pressure is also referred to as high pressure. The centrifugal pump
1 further comprises at least one impeller 5, 51 for conveying the fluid from the inlet
3 to the outlet 4 as indicated by the dashed arrows without reference numerals, as
well as a shaft 6 for rotating each impeller 5, 51 about an axial direction A. The
axial direction A is defined by the axis of the shaft 6. Each impeller 5, 51 is mounted
to the shaft 6 in a torque proof manner. The shaft 6 has a drive end 61, which may
be connected to a drive unit (not shown) for driving the rotation of the shaft 6 about
the axial direction. The drive unit may comprise, for example, an electric motor.
The other end of the shaft 6 is referred to as non-drive end 62.
[0030] In the following description reference is made by way of example to an embodiment,
which is suited for many applications, namely that the centrifugal pump 1 is configured
as a multistage pump 1 having a plurality of impellers 5, 51, wherein the impellers
5, 51 are arranged one after another on the shaft 6. The reference numeral 51 designates
the last stage impeller 51, which is the impeller 51 closest to the outlet 4. The
last stage impeller 51 pressurizes the fluid to the discharge pressure. The embodiment
shown in Fig. 1 has nine stages, which has to be understood exemplary. The plurality
of impellers 5, 51 may be arranged in an in-line configuration as shown in Fig. 1
or in a back-to-back configuration.
[0031] The multistage centrifugal pump 1 shown in Fig. 1 is designed as a horizontal pump,
meaning that during operation the shaft 6 is extending horizontally, i.e. the axial
direction A is perpendicular to the direction of gravity. In particular, the centrifugal
pump 1 shown in Fig. 1 may be designed as a horizontal barrel casing multistage pump
1, i.e. as a double-casing pump. The multistage pump 1 may be designed, for example,
as a pump 1 of the pump type BB5 according to API 610. When configured as a BB5 type
pump, the centrifugal pump 1 comprises an outer barrel casing 100, in which the pump
housing 2 is arranged.
[0032] It has to be understood that the invention is not restricted to this type of centrifugal
pump 1. In other embodiments, the centrifugal pump may be configured without an outer
barrel casing, for example as a BB4 type pump, or as an axially split multistage pump,
or as a single stage pump, or as a vertical pump, meaning that during operation the
shaft 6 is extending in the vertical direction, which is the direction of gravity,
or as any other type of centrifugal pump.
[0033] The centrifugal pump 1 comprises bearings on both sides of the plurality of impellers
5, 51 (with respect to the axial direction A), i.e. the centrifugal pump 1 is designed
as a between-bearing pump. A first radial bearing 81, a second radial bearing 82 and
an axial bearing 83 are provided for supporting the shaft 6. The first radial bearing
81 is arranged adjacent to the drive end 61 of the shaft 6. The second radial bearing
82 is arranged adjacent or at the non-drive end 62 of the shaft 6. The axial bearing
83 is arranged between the plurality of impellers 5, 51 and the first radial bearing
81 adjacent to the first radial bearing 81. The bearings 81, 82, 83 are configured
to support the shaft 6 both in the axial direction A and in a radial direction, which
is a direction perpendicular to the axial direction A. The radial bearings 81 and
82 are supporting the shaft 6 with respect to the radial direction, and the axial
bearing 83 is supporting the shaft 6 with respect to the axial direction A. The first
radial bearing 81 and the axial bearing 83 are arranged such that the first radial
bearing 81 is closer to the drive end 61 of the shaft 6. Of course, it is also possible
to exchange the position of the first radial bearing 81 and the axial bearing 83,
i.e. to arrange the first radial bearing 81 between the axial bearing 83 and the plurality
of impellers 5, 51, so that the axial bearing 83 is closer to the drive end 61 of
the shaft 6.
[0034] A radial bearing, such as the first or the second radial bearing 81 or 82 is also
referred to as a "journal bearing" and an axial bearing, such as the axial bearing
83, is also referred to as an "thrust bearing". The first radial bearing 81 and the
axial bearing 83 may be configured as separate bearings as shown in Fig. 1, but it
is also possible that the first radial bearing 81 and the axial bearing 83 are configured
as a single combined radial and axial bearing supporting the shaft both in radial
and in axial direction.
[0035] The second radial bearing 82 is supporting the shaft 6 in radial direction. In the
embodiment shown in Fig. 1, there is no axial bearing provided at the non-drive end
62 of the pump shaft 6. Of course, in other embodiments it is also possible that an
axial bearing for the shaft 6 is provided at the non-drive end 62. In embodiments,
where an axial bearing is provided at the non-drive end 62, a second axial bearing
may be provided at the drive end 61 or the drive end 61 may be configured without
an axial bearing.
[0036] The centrifugal pump 1 further comprises two sealing devices, namely a first sealing
device 91 for sealing the shaft 6 at the suction side S and a second sealing device
92 for sealing the shaft 6 at the discharge side D. With respect to the axial direction
A the first sealing device 91 is arranged between the plurality of impellers 5 an
the second radial bearing 82, and the second sealing device 92 is arranged between
the last stage impeller 51 and the axial pump bearing 83. Both sealing devices 91,
92 seal the shaft 6 against a leakage of the fluid along the shaft 6 e.g. into the
environment. Furthermore, by the sealing devices 91 and 92 the fluid may be prevented
from entering the bearings 81, 82, 83. Preferably each sealing device 91, 92 comprises
a mechanical seal. Mechanical seals are well-known in the art in many different embodiments
and therefore require no detailed explanation. In principle, a mechanical seal is
a seal for a rotating shaft 6 and comprises a rotor fixed to the shaft 6 and rotating
with the shaft 6, as well as a stationary stator fixed with respect to the pump housing
2. During operation the rotor and the stator are sliding along each other - usually
with a liquid as lubricant there between - for providing a sealing action to prevent
the fluid from escaping to the environment or entering the bearings 81, 82, 83. In
many embodiments a separate bearing isolator is provided which prevents liquids or
solids to enter the bearings 81, 82, 83. In such embodiments where separate bearing
isolators are provided, the sealing devices 91, 92, e.g. the mechanical seals prevent
the fluid from leaking into the environment.
[0037] The centrifugal pump 1 further comprises a balance drum 7 for at least partially
balancing the axial thrust that is generated by the impellers 5, 51 during operation
of the centrifugal pump 1. The balance drum 7 is fixedly connected to the shaft 6
in a torque proof manner. The balance drum 7 is arranged at the discharge side D between
the last stage impeller 51 and the second sealing device 92. The balance drum 7 defines
a front side 71 and a back side 72. The front side 71 is the side facing the last
stage impeller 51. The back side 72 is the side facing the second sealing device 92.
The balance drum 7 is surrounded by a stationary part 21, so that a relief passage
73 is formed between the radially outer surface of the balance drum 7 and the stationary
part 21. The stationary part 21 is configured to be stationary with respect to the
pump housing 2. The relief passage 73 forms an annular gap between the outer surface
of the balance drum 7 and the stationary part 21 and extends from the front side 71
to the back side 72. The front side 71 is in fluid communication with the outlet 4,
so that the axial surface of the balance drum 7 facing the front side 71 is exposed
essentially to the discharge pressure prevailing at the outlet 4 during operation
of the pump 1. Of course, due to smaller pressure losses caused by the fluid communication
between the outlet 4 and the balance drum 7 the pressure prevailing at the axial surface
of the balance drum 7 facing the front side 71 may be somewhat smaller than the discharge
pressure. However, the considerably larger pressure drop takes place over the balance
drum 7. At the back side 72 a chamber 74 is provided, which is connected by a balance
line 10 with the suction side S, e.g. with the inlet 3. The pressure in the chamber
74 at the back side 72 is somewhat larger than the suction pressure due to the pressure
drop over the balance line 10 but considerably smaller than the discharge pressure.
[0038] Since the front side 71 is exposed essentially to the discharge pressure at the outlet
4 a pressure drop exists over the balance drum 7 resulting in a force that is directed
to the right side according to the representation in Fig. 1 and therewith counteracts
the axial thrust generated by the impellers 5, 51 during operation of the pump 1.
[0039] The balance line 10 is provided for recirculating the fluid from the chamber 74 at
the back side 72 to the suction side S. A part of the pressurized fluid passes from
the front side 71 through the relief passage 73 to the back side 72, enters the balance
line 10 and is recirculated to the suction side S of the centrifugal pump 1. The balance
line 10 constitutes a flow connection between the back side 72 and the suction side
S at the pump inlet 3. The balance line 10 may be arranged - as shown in Fig. 1 -
outside the pump housing 2 and inside the barrel casing 100. In other embodiments
the balance line 10 may be designed as internal line completely extending within the
pump housing 2. In still other embodiments the balance line may be arranged outside
the barrel casing 100.
[0040] According to the invention, a discharge opening 70 is arranged at the relief passage
73 between the front side 71 and the back side 72 and a connecting line 40 is provided
for connecting the discharge opening 70 with the first sealing device 91. Thus, a
part of the flow passing through the relief passage 73 enters the connecting line
40 through the discharge opening 70 and is guided to the first sealing device 91 for
flushing and cooling the first sealing device 91. Due to the location of the discharge
opening 70 between the front side 71 and the back side 72 the pressure at the discharge
opening 70 is an intermediate pressure, which is smaller than the discharge pressure
at the outlet 4 of the pump 1 and larger than the pressure in the chamber 74 at the
back side 72 that is a bit larger than the suction pressure at the suction side S
of the centrifugal pump 1. The pressure in the first sealing device 91, e.g. the pressure
in the sealing chamber of the mechanical seal, is at most slightly higher than the
suction pressure, so that this pressure in the first sealing device 91 is considerably
lower than the intermediate pressure prevailing at the discharge opening 70. Thus,
the flow discharged through the connecting line 40 can be used for flushing the first
sealing device 91 in order to cool the first sealing device 91 down and to keep particles
away from the sealing elements of the first sealing device 91. During operation of
the centrifugal pump 1 a volume of the pumped fluid is constantly extracted from the
relief passage 72, guided through the connecting line 40 and injected into the first
sealing device 91 for flushing. Consequently, there is no need to extract pressurized
fluid at any other location e.g. from the outlet 4 or at an intermediate stage of
the pump 1 for flushing the first sealing device 91. Only a part of the unavoidable
leakage flow through the relief passage 73 along the balance drum 7 is used for flushing
the first sealing device 91. Therefore, the efficiency of the centrifugal pump 1 is
enhanced.
[0041] Referring now to Fig. 2 some preferred measures and variants are explained, each
of which may be realized in particular in the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. Since it
is sufficient for the understanding, in Fig. 2 only one impeller is shown, which may
be for example the only impeller of a single stage pump or the last stage impeller
51 of a multistage pump.
[0042] Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of the balance drum
7 and the connecting line 40. The connecting line 40 as well as the balance line 10
are at least partially represented as single lines in Fig. 2, wherein the direction
of flow trough the particular line is indicated by the arrows without reference numeral.
The Fluid flowing through the pump 1 is indicated by the dashed arrows without reference
numeral.
[0043] Preferably, the connecting line 40 comprises at least one flow control element, namely
a first flow control element 45, for controlling the flow through the connecting line
40 into the first sealing device 91. The first flow control element 45 may be designed
as a throttle or as a orifice or as a valve such as a flow control valve or any other
adjustable valve. With the first flow control element 45 the flushing volumetric flow
injected into the first sealing device 91 may be adjusted.
[0044] As a further advantageous measure the connecting line 40 may comprise a first branch
41 and a second branch 42, wherein the first branch 41 is connected with the first
sealing device 91, and the second branch 42 is connected with the second sealing device
92. If the first flow control element 45 is provided in this design, the first flow
control element 45 is arranged in the first branch 41.
[0045] Flushing both the first sealing device 91 and the second sealing device 92 with the
flow extracted from the relief passage 73 through the discharge opening 70 still increases
the efficiency of the centrifugal pump 1, because there is no need to extract the
flow for flushing the second sealing device 92 at any other location of the centrifugal
pump than at the discharge opening 70 in the relief passage 73. Since the second sealing
device 92 faces the chamber 74 at the back side 72 of the balance drum 7, the pressure
at or in the second sealing device 92 is at most as high as the pressure at the back
side 72, i.e. only slightly higher than the suction pressure. Thus, the pressure in
the second sealing device 92, e.g. the pressure in the sealing chamber of the mechanical
seal of the second sealing device 92, is considerably lower than the intermediate
pressure at the discharge opening 70. Thus, the flow taken from the discharge opening
70 and guided through the connecting line 40 may be injected into the second sealing
device 92.
[0046] Preferably, the second branch 42 of the connecting line 40 comprises a second flow
control element 46, for controlling the flow through the second branch 42 into the
second sealing device 92. The second flow control element 46 may be designed as a
throttle or as a orifice or as a valve such as a flow control valve or any other adjustable
valve. With the second flow control element 46 the flushing volumetric flow injected
into the second sealing device 92 may be adjusted.
[0047] It is a further preferred measure that the connecting line 40 comprises a third branch
43, wherein the third branch 43 is connected to the suction side S. Thus, a part of
the flow discharged from the relief passage 73 through the discharge opening 70 may
be directly recirculated to the suction side S without passing through any of the
sealing devices 91, 92. The third branch 43 may be connected for example to the inlet
3 of the centrifugal pump 1 or to a tank, from which the fluid is supplied to the
inlet 3 of the centrifugal pump 1. Furthermore, it is also possible, that the third
branch 43 leads into the balance line 10.
[0048] Optionally, the third branch 43 of the connecting line 40 comprises a third flow
control element 47, for controlling the flow through the third branch 43 leading to
the suction side S. The third flow control element 47 may be designed as a throttle
or as a orifice or as a valve such as a flow control valve or any other adjustable
valve.
[0049] It has to be noted that the preferred measures, in particular those explained referring
to Fig. 2, do not have to be realized all together. Each of the measures may be realized
independently from the other measures. In addition, all combinations of specific measures
may be realized.
[0050] The centrifugal pump 1 renders possible to control and to adjust the balancing flow
passing through the relief passage 72 and the balance line 10, i.e. the flow that
is recirculated through the balance line 10 can be adjusted. Said adjustment may be
realized by regulating the flow passing through the discharge opening 70 into the
connecting line 40. Thus, by controlling the flow through the connecting line 40 the
balance flow recirculated to the suction side S can be adjusted. This is in particular
advantageous for such embodiments of the centrifugal pump 1, that are designed for
high to very high discharge pressures and a low discharge flow.
1. A centrifugal pump for conveying a fluid, comprising a pump housing (2) with an inlet
(3) at a suction side (S) and an outlet (4) at a discharge side (D), at least one
impeller (5, 51) for conveying the fluid from the inlet (3) to the outlet (4), a shaft
(6) for rotating the impeller (5, 51) about an axial direction (A), a first sealing
device (91) for sealing the shaft (6) at the suction side (S), a second sealing device
(92) for sealing the shaft (6) at the discharge side (D), a balance drum (7) fixedly
connected to the shaft (6) and arranged between the at least one impeller (5, 51)
and the second sealing device (92), wherein the balance drum (7) defines a front side
(71) facing the at least one impeller (5, 51) and a back side (72) facing the second
sealing device (92), wherein a relief passage (73) is provided between the balance
drum (7) and a stationary part (21) configured to be stationary with respect to the
pump housing (2), wherein the relief passage (73) extends from the front side (71)
to the back side (72), and wherein a balance line (10) is provided connecting the
back side (72) with the suction side (S), characterized in that a discharge opening (70) is arranged at the relief passage (73) between the front
side (71) and the back side (72), wherein a connecting line (40) is provided for connecting
the discharge opening (70) with the first sealing device (91).
2. A centrifugal pump in accordance with claim 1, wherein the connecting line (40) comprises
at least one flow control element (45, 46, 47) for controlling the flow through the
connecting line (40).
3. A centrifugal pump in accordance with anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the
connecting line (40) comprises a first branch (41) and a second branch (42), wherein
the first branch(41) is connected with the first sealing device (91), and the second
branch (42) is connected with the second sealing device (92).
4. A centrifugal pump in accordance with claim 3, wherein the first branch (41) comprises
a first flow control element (45) for controlling the flow through the first branch
(41), and the second branch (42) comprises a second flow control element (46) for
controlling the flow through the second branch (42).
5. A centrifugal pump in accordance with anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the
connecting line (40) comprises a third branch (43), wherein the third branch (43)
is connected to the suction side (S).
6. A centrifugal pump in accordance with claim 5, wherein the third branch (43) comprises
a third flow control element (47) for controlling the flow through the third branch
(43).
7. A centrifugal pump in accordance with anyone of claims 2-6, wherein at least one of
the flow control elements (45, 46, 47) is configured as an adjustable valve.
8. A centrifugal pump in accordance with anyone of claims 2-7, wherein each flow control
element (45, 46, 47) is configured as an adjustable valve.
9. A centrifugal pump in accordance with anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the
first sealing device (91) comprises a mechanical seal.
10. A centrifugal pump in accordance with anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the
second sealing device (92) comprises a mechanical seal.
11. A centrifugal pump in accordance with anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the
pump is configured as a multistage pump having a plurality of impellers (5, 51), wherein
the impellers (5, 51) are arranged one after another on the shaft (6).
12. A centrifugal pump in accordance with claim 11, configured as a between-bearing pump.
13. A centrifugal pump in accordance with claim 11 or claim 12, comprising an outer barrel
casing (100), in which the pump housing (2) is arranged.