What is a common reason for loss of suction in pumps?

A common reason for loss of suction in pumps is clogging of the intake. When the intake of a pump becomes clogged, it obstructs the flow of fluid into the pump. This can lead to a drop in the pressure on the suction side, affecting the pump's ability to draw fluid effectively. As the pump operates, it relies on a consistent flow of liquid into its intake to maintain its performance and avoid cavitation, which occurs when the pressure inside the pump drops too low.

Clogging can be caused by various factors, such as debris, sediment, or other contaminants present in the liquid being pumped. This issue can lead to increased wear and tear on the pump and can also cause inefficiencies in the pumping process, impacting the overall operational efficiency of the tanker.

In contrast, low temperature of the cargo or high cargo levels in the tanks are less likely to directly cause a loss of suction. Low temperatures can affect the viscosity of certain liquids but do not typically cause suction loss outright. High cargo levels can lead to submergence of the intake but do not directly cause clogging. Runaway discharge pressure is not typically a cause of loss of suction; rather, it indicates that the discharge is overly pressurized, which usually pertains to