During pump commissioning, what does priming involve?

Priming a pump is a crucial step during the commissioning process, as it involves filling the pump and its suction line with liquid in order to remove any air pockets. This ensures that the impeller is immersed in fluid, allowing the pump to function effectively without air interference, which could lead to cavitation or pump failure. Proper priming is essential for creating the necessary suction for fluid movement, maintaining the pump's efficiency, and preventing damage to the pump components.

While checking valve settings, testing motor performance, and adjusting pump speed are important maintenance and operational steps, they do not pertain directly to the priming process itself. Priming specifically ensures liquid is present in the pump before it is operated, making the immersion of the impeller in fluid a critical first step in the effective operation of the pumping system.