Normally the user shouldn’t have to care about axial thrust. Pump failure from an axial thrust-related problem is relatively uncommon. But very few, if any, pumps are entirely immune to this class of problem. Why is this? First of all, a rotating single-entry impeller wants to move in an axial direction and usually with lots […]
Multi-stage pump in-line (tandem) versus opposed impeller arrangements
Common to early twentieth century multi-stage rotodynamic (centrifugal) pumps were design features for minimizing axial thrust. At that time the thrust bearings available had limited load carrying capability. Design solutions evolved in two principal directions. One design approach was to hydraulically balance the thrust for each stage or for the entire series of in-line (tandem) […]