Massachusetts Wastewater Practice Exam

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The water supplied to the water seal on a packed pump should be __________ in relation to the liquid being pumped.

5 to 100 psi higher.
5 to 10 psi lower.
5 to 10 psi greater.
Exactly the same pressure.

The correct answer is: 5 to 10 psi greater.

The correct answer is that the water supplied to the water seal on a packed pump should be 5 to 10 psi greater than the pressure of the liquid being pumped. This is essential for preventing the liquid being pumped from leaking out of the pump. By supplying water to the seal at a higher pressure, it creates a hydraulic barrier that stops the pumped liquid from escaping, thereby maintaining system efficiency and preventing contamination or loss of product. If the pressure of the water supplied to the seal were equal to or lower than the liquid being pumped, it would not effectively prevent leaks. In fact, if the seal water pressure is lower, the pumped liquid could potentially seep out of the packing, leading to operational issues and potentially damaging the pump. Additionally, having the water seal pressure significantly higher than necessary (for instance, 100 psi higher) is typically unnecessary and could lead to increased wear or damage to the sealing surfaces due to excessive pressure. Thus, maintaining a consistent and optimal pressure difference of 5 to 10 psi greater balances the need for effective sealing without introducing potential mechanical issues.