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3 Critical Steps Every Process Engineer Should Know for Pump Startup

Why a suction strainer + DP gauge and a discharge pressure gauge are needed

Hi ,


Ever wondered why some pumps fail during startup?

This can be due to several reasons. However, we will focus here on one of them: proper P&ID preparation.


Here are 3 tips for P&ID preparation considering pump startup requirements:

Tip #1: Always Place a Strainer on Pump Suction

Construction debris is a pump killer. A simple strainer catches dirt and debris before they damage your pump internals.

Tip #2: Monitor Strainer Pressure Drop

Adding a differential pressure gauge tells you exactly when to clean the strainer. If pressure drop rises, operator shall stop the pump immediately and clean the strainer and repeat until pressure drop is negligible.

Tip #3: Control Your Operating Point

Install a manual valve and pressure gauge on the discharge line. This lets the operator throttle the valve while watching discharge pressure to hit your exact operating point on the pump curve.


The key lesson? When preparing P&IDs, think like an operator. Include the instruments and connections they need for smooth startup and operation.


Want to know more tips on pump P&ID preparation? Check out the below article:


Check more tips!



Best regards,

Mohamad


P.S. These tips come from real project experience. Implementing them can prevent 90% of pump startup issues.

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