Submersible pumps are evident daily in fluid management with reliable heavy-duty performance in industry, commerce and society at large. Their design excellence and operating principles afford them a must-have, when both effective and reliable transfer of liquids is required.
What Are Submersible Pumps?
A submersible pump is a centrifugal pump that has both a motor and pump and is fully submerged in the liquid being pumped. The motor in submersible pumps is hermetically sealed and coupled closely to a casing the pump which enables the pump to push a fluid such as water, rather then sucking it to the surface. It reduces the likelihood of cavitation, a common problem with other pumps, and optimizes efficiency by tapping surrounding fluid pressure.
How Submersible Pumps Function
Submersible pumps are founded on a multistage centrifugal mechanism. Water is driven into the pump and forced through a series of impellers, developing pressure stage by stage until the fluid is forced up to the surface. By submerging the pump in water, the pump has good heat transfer into the water that will prevent overheating the pump and prolong the life of the equipment.
Main Advantages
Self Priming: You don't have to manually prime the submersible pumps because they are always submerged below the level of the fluid.
Lower Cavitation: Operation underwater excludes the risk of cavitation that leads to pump failure.
Reduced Energy Usage: Positive fluid pressure at the pump's inlet leads less energy is used versus a suction-piston type pump.
Quiet: When fully submerged the pump is silent in operation and can therefore be used in quiet applications.
Versatile: The Submersible pumps have numerous applications and can pump clean water, waste water, slurry and some solids, including dewatering, waste water treatment, flood control and industrial liquid transfers.
Common Applications
Dewatering and Drainage: Pumping bound water from construction sites, basements, and mines.
Wastewater and Sewage Treatment: The conveyance and treatment of sewage and industrial wastewater, fluids with solids.
Well Water Pumps: Pumps water from wells for agriculture, municipalities, and residences.
Dredging and Slurry Handling: Treatment of high-solid content fluids at harbors and mines.
Limitations and Considerations
Submersible pumps do have excellent benefits, but there are some limitations to be considered:
Maintenance Accessibility: Pumps installed deep in wells or submerged status may be difficult to access for routine inspection and maintenance.
Corrosion Hazards: Permanent exposure to liquids, especially to corrosive or abrasive liquids, can pit parts and pump seals. Corrosion-resisting pumps are recommended, but maybe at a higher cost.
Not for All Liquids: Submersible pumps are generally not recommended for fluid streams with high dissolved gases or abrasive particulate unless specifically designed for such use.
Select the Proper Submersible Pump
Selecting the optimal submersible pump involves taking into consideration the fluid, flow rate demanded, pressure, and the specific application condition. Partnering with a company having abundant experience in fluid management systems will offer the optimum and most efficient solution for your application.
Conclusion
Submersible pumps are a powerful and versatile solution to many fluid handling issues. Full submersion operation, with self-prime, low noise, and less risk of cavitation, makes them the industry choice. Nonetheless, by thoroughly following the maintenance requirements and making appropriate material choices will ensure your maximum service life and performance. Incorporating submersible pumps into your production stream brings innovative engineering to provide a cost-saving, effective fluid handling solution that is sustainable.
