What is dead-heading a pump? A dead-head is caused when a centrifugal pump operates with no flow through the pump due to a closed discharge valve or blockage in the line. ... When a centrifugal pump is dead-heading, it can lead to explosions, due to the energy being put into the liquid in the pump.

How do you prevent deadheading a pump?

One method for protecting the pump from running dead-headed is to provide a recirculation line from the pump discharge line upstream of the discharge valve, back to the pump's supply source. The recirculation line should be sized to allow enough flow through the pump to prevent overheating and damage to the pump.

What is deadheading of pump?

A blockage on the discharge side of an operating pump which results in the flow reducing to zero and an increase in the discharge pressure. The energy input from the deadheaded pump increases the temperature and pressure of the fluid in the pump.