Question 188General Subjects - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is A) Pump capacity would be decreased. As the wear ring clearance increases, the efficiency of the pump decreases, leading to a reduction in the pump's capacity. This is because the increased clearance allows more fluid to leak back from the discharge side to the suction side, bypassing the impeller and reducing the overall flow output of the pump. The other options are incorrect because: B) Increased wear ring clearance would not decrease pump vibration, C) Increased clearance would decrease discharge pressure, and D) Pump lift would not be affected by wear ring clearance.