What action should be taken if a boiler feed water pump becomes steam bound?

When a boiler feed water pump becomes steam bound, cooling the pump and investigating the cause is the appropriate action to take. Steam binding occurs when steam enters the pump, displacing the liquid water and leading to a condition where the pump is unable to function correctly. This can cause cavitation, damage to the pump, or complete pump failure.

Cooling the pump helps to condense the steam, allowing the pump to regain its ability to move liquid water effectively. Investigating the cause is also essential, as this can prevent recurrence of the issue. Common causes of steam binding include insufficient feed water supply or high temperatures in the pump inlet, both of which need to be addressed to restore normal operation.

Ignoring the problem could lead to more severe issues, while shutting down the system permanently is an extreme and unnecessary response. Increasing the feed water temperature could exacerbate the steam binding, as it may introduce more steam into the system instead of solving the problem.