Understanding Air Lock in Self-Priming Pumps: Causes and Practical Engineering Solutions
Understanding Air Lock in Self-Priming Pumps: Causes and Practical Engineering Solutions Self-priming pumps are widely used in industrial systems because they can evacuate air from the suction line and begin pumping without manual priming. However, in real-world applications, operators sometimes encounter a frustrating issue: The pump starts but fails to deliver liquid Flow rate drops unexpectedly Discharge pressure fluctuates Unusual vibration or noise appears In many cases, the pump itself is not damaged. The real cause is often air lock. What Is Air Lock in a Self-Priming Pump? A self-priming pump works by creating a vacuum in the pump casing to draw liquid upward through the suction line. For this process to function properly, a continuous liquid column must be maintained. Air lock occurs when: Air accumulates inside the pump casing The liquid column is interrupted The impeller begins circulating air instead of liquid Once this happens, the pump loses its ability to generate s...