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Steam Pumps Education and Training

The right training can help you become knowledgeable about steam pumps before buying

By Virginia Franco, Freelance Writer
Steam pumps serve a variety of purposes -- across a number of different industries. An industrial steam pump can be used to stir liquids as part of large-scale food processing. Steam pumping is also invaluable at the residential and commercial levels to help drain flooded areas, or even to empty septic or sump tanks.

Steam pumps are otherwise known as direct acting steam pumps. They consist of a reciprocating steam engine and a liquid pumping end that is built together as a unit.

Before going on a shopping spree to browse for steam pumps for sale or contacting a steam pump manufacturer, consider furthering your knowledge of how to operate them properly with steam pumps education and training. Below are a few suggestions to learn steam engine pumps basics -- and ensure you know the difference between steam condensate pumps and centrifugal steam pumps.

1. Learn steam water pump basics by completing a training course.

2. Pass certification exams to become a pump generalist and a steam pumping expert.

3. Complete steam pump training courses online.

 

Attend a training course that covers industrial steam pump basics

Consider attending a training course taught by training professionals to learn about pump systems and steam technology. While more expensive, attending a training course in person allows you the opportunity to focus solely on your learnings without the distractions of your every day life.
Try: American Trainco's course on pumps and pump systems is designed for mechanics, operators and maintenance technicians. Spirax-Sarco offers a variety of steam technology training courses at five training centers across the country.

Pass certification exams to become a pump generalist and a steam pumping expert

Become a Pumping System Assessment Tool (PSAT) Specialist by completing classroom and practical training, passing the exam and showing your ability to use the PSAT software tool. The Maintenance Training Association of the Americas (MTAA) Pump & Pump System Certification Test measures the knowledge level of technicians who work on pumps and pump systems.
Try: Massachusetts Energy Efficient Partnership (MAEEP)'s site, maintained by the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, offers a variety of training courses including the Pumping System Assessment Tool (PSAT)test. Martin Learning offers online and printed versions of Pump & Pump Systems certification tests.

Complete steam pump training online

Online training allows students to study without having to take time off from work. It can also be a more cost-effective form of training, since there are no travel or lodging costs associated with it and many students can take turns learning from the materials once purchased.
Try: I.Q. Technology's Facilities-Engineering site offers a CD-Rom about pump and valves training for process operators and maintenance technicians. Coastal Technologies' ClarityNet website offers online industrial skills training on a number of topics including steam products.

 

  • Those who operate or work with steam pumps should be prepared to deal with emergency situations should they arise, given that steam pump-related accidents can be quite dangerous if handled improperly. Consider completing Hazwoper and OSHA courses to know what to do should an emergency arise.

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