Vertical centrifugal pump for liquid metal - has return path for leakage liquid within pump for greater safety

摘要

The impeller is on the end of a vertical shaft (8). There is a bearing sleeve (2) immediately above the impeller. A plate across the casing holds the sleeve. Above the bearing the shaft runs through a thermal barrier (7) to a bearing at the top of the casing. Radial bores (4) through the shaft at the level of the bearing communicate with a longitudinal bore (5) which opens at the end of the shaft in the eye of the impeller. This provides a passage within the pump for liquid leaking into the thermal barrier to return to the pump suction.