Automatic Priming Systems for Centrifugal Pumps

Automatic Pump Primers maintain the prime on centrifugal pumps even when pump is shut down, thus automatically keeping the pump ready to deliver water. Priming a centrifugal pump means removing air or other gases from waterways of the pump and suction line and replacing air or gas with the liquid to be pumped. The V-APCO Primer automatically stops and starts to maintain vacuum in its tank at all times, regardless of whether or not the centrifugal pumps operate. A vacuum header connects the V-APCO Primer to the centrifugal pumps thru the Priming Valve mounted on each pump. Vacuum in the Primer tank draws all air from the pump and suction line via the vacuum header and Priming Valve. Water rises up the suction line, fills the pump, but water does not enter the vacuum header because a float mechanism shuts the Priming Valve when water reaches it. If for any reason, water level in the centrifugal pump drops, the priming valve immediately opens and the vacuum restores the water level. The pumps are thus kept permanently primed.