What major consideration should be taken into account when starting and stopping large pumps?

• A. System cooling requirement
• B. Regular maintenance schedule
• C. Prevention of excess surges and water hammer
• D. Noise reduction

Answer: (C)

When starting and stopping large pumps, one of the most critical considerations is the prevention of excess surges and water hammer. These phenomena occur due to rapid changes in fluid velocity and pressure, which can lead to significant hydraulic shock within the piping system. Water hammer can cause pipes to vibrate, potentially leading to leaks or even catastrophic failures if not properly managed.

To mitigate these risks, operators implement various strategies, such as installing surge tanks or air chambers and carefully controlling the ramp-up and ramp-down speeds of the pump during operation. This ensures that the flow changes gradually, minimizing the chances of creating pressure waves that can damage the system or disrupt normal operations.

While aspects like system cooling, maintenance, and noise reduction are indeed important in the overall management of pump operations, they do not directly address the immediate physical forces encountered during the starting and stopping phases of pump operation as the prevention of surges and water hammer does.