Should boiler feedwater pumps share suction piping from a common deaerator? It depends on the arrangement and the conditions under which the pumps operate.
During an audit at a wood-products facility, CPE investigated persistent feedwater-pump cavitation that was affecting reliability and increasing maintenance. We compared the existing shared suction piping with a dedicated suction line for the second boiler's pumps.
The calculated pressure drop changed only modestly between the two arrangements. That did not settle the question. The assessment also considered flow disturbances, available net positive suction head and interaction between the pumps as demand changed.
CPE recommended a dedicated suction line to address those interactions. The intended result was more stable suction conditions and fewer cavitation-related reliability problems. The recommendation was specific to that installation; shared headers can work when the complete operating range is properly assessed.
A site-wide energy audit can uncover these equipment and piping issues alongside opportunities to reduce fuel and utility consumption.