During the restoration/renovation planning of my boat, long time ago, my father has chosen not to use original impeller pump for Cummins V-504-M, but rather liquid ring pump Gilkes M 100/350 which was available at that time (in the '80s). Since I have continued restoration/renovation in recent years and finished it, I have decided to use that same pump, it was new, I like the principle of liquid ring very much, seems to me more reliable and less prone to mistakes which can destroy impeller in impeller pumps and so on... Very important for me was that I had the manual for the pump with the characteristic curves so I could calculate appropriate belt pulley diameter to achieve needed waterflow for the engine raw water cooling system (indirect through heat exchanger and then through wet exhausts (risers, waterlocks and tips above water line)). Anyway, I am very satisfied with the pump, it works flawlessly and waterflow is a good match for engine, luckily, with the first calculated pulley since engine temperatures are exactly where they should be according to engine manual. Flow is very steady which is in correspondence with liquid ring pump principal of operation.
Anyway, since most boats today use commonly impeller pumps, I am curious why is it so? Is there some technical reason or just better price? I know that on some older engines they were used, but not much info on the internet, so I am counting on experienced members view on this. What are technical pros and cons of using liquid ring pump as raw water pump for marine engine? Is there something that I should worry about or just service it regularly and enjoy? Beside greasing, there is not much things to do around it, except in case that it has to go to service due to leaking of some seals. Until now, 220 hours of operation, no problems.
Anyway, since most boats today use commonly impeller pumps, I am curious why is it so? Is there some technical reason or just better price? I know that on some older engines they were used, but not much info on the internet, so I am counting on experienced members view on this. What are technical pros and cons of using liquid ring pump as raw water pump for marine engine? Is there something that I should worry about or just service it regularly and enjoy? Beside greasing, there is not much things to do around it, except in case that it has to go to service due to leaking of some seals. Until now, 220 hours of operation, no problems.