Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on January 24, 2010 at 4:08pm

Ok, to tie in engine pump operator folks, here's the key points...

1. Can you cavitate your pump to increase the discharge temperature when providing water for emergency personnel decontamination?

2. What are the factors involved when using an elevated master stream for mass decontamination?

3. What is considered the perfect decontamination water temperature?

4. Is it cool to use AFFF when performing decontamination on people or equipment?

5. Has there been any documented cases where a pump operator has been exposed to hazmat?

CBz

Permalink Reply by Ben Waller on January 30, 2010 at 7:26pm

Why intentionally cavitate the pump? It's better to pump against a closed valve for a few seconds, check the steamer cap with an IR thermometer to see how hot it gets, them pump the hot water back into the booster tank.

Then repeat until the water is warm, then use it to supply the decon water.

That runs less risk of damaging a lot of pumps than intentional cavitation.
Cavitation can damage the pump to the point where it's unusable.


Impeller damaged by corrosion plus cavitation (any pump that uses chlorinated water, flouridated water, or salt water, or that is exposed to salt air)

Cavitation damage to impeller

Cavitation damage to impeller

Cavitation damage to pump shaft seal packings