If a centrifugal cargo pump loses suction after starting, what could be a likely cause?

The correct answer is related to the concept of priming in centrifugal pumps. If a centrifugal cargo pump loses suction after starting, it indicates that it does not have an adequate supply of liquid to function properly. Incomplete priming means that the pump did not have enough liquid within its casing before it started operating, which is crucial for creating the necessary hydraulic conditions.

Centrifugal pumps rely on the presence of liquid to generate the centrifugal force that moves the liquid through the pump. If the pump is not fully primed, it can lead to the formation of air pockets, which disrupts the flow and results in a loss of suction. Therefore, ensuring that the pump is correctly primed before operation is essential to maintain suction and ensure effective cargo transfer.

Other potential causes, while important to understand, do not typically relate to the immediate problem of losing suction after starting. For instance, if the pump were to run backwards, it would more likely result in failure to discharge cargo rather than losing suction entirely. Similarly, while high discharge head pressure or head pressure on the suction side can affect pump performance, they are not likely to directly cause suction loss immediately after starting as would occur due to incomplete priming. Thus, the focus on proper priming is