LUBRICATION WATER SWITCHING DEVICE OF SEAWATER CIRCULATING PUMP, AND LUBRICATION WATER SWITCHING METHOD

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a lubrication water switching device of a seawater circulating pump and lubrication water switching method capable of preventing entering of foreign matter such as shellfishes and algae in lubrication water of the seawater circulating pump. SOLUTION: The lubrication water switching device is comprised of a seawater supply line 20 for extracting a part of discharge water of the seawater circulating pump 10 and supplying the extracted water to a shaft seal section 12 of the seawater circulating pump 10 as lubrication water, a service water supply line 30 for supplying service water to the shaft seal section 12 as lubrication water, switching valves 21, 32 for switching between the seawater supply line 20 and the service water supply line 30, a foreign matter entering predicting mechanism for predicting entering of foreign matter into an intake opening 13 of the seawater circulating pump 10, and a switching mechanism for switching the switching valves 21, 32 from the seawater supply line 20 to the service water 30 when the foreign matter entering predicting mechanism predicts entering of foreign matter. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT