PLUMBING FUNDAMENTALS

MODULE 7:
THE PUMPING OF WATER

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 1

 What are the Factors to be considered in
the Pumping of Water?

1. The Mass of the water to be lifted.

2. The Height through which water must be
lifted or forced.
3. The Distance water must travel in flowing
from one place to another.
4. The ways in which water may be affected by
Friction.

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 2

 The Elements of Pumping of Water:
Height of Water

Pipe Friction

Travel Distance

Mass of
Water

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 3

 What are the different types of Heads
relative to the pumping of water?
 Pressure in a water supply system is dependent on the head of
water above the point being considered.
 There are different kinds of Head defined according to their effect
on pumping operations:
1. Static Discharge Head 10. Static Suction Lift
2. Friction Head 11. Total Suction Lift
3. Total Discharge Head 12. Negative Suction Lift
4. Suction Head 13. Total Negative Suction
5. Positive Suction Head Lift
6. Velocity Head
7. Total Positive Suction Head
8. Pressure Head
9. Total Pump Head

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 4

  Total Delivery Head-is the Static
Delivery Head + the Friction Head in all of
the delivery pipe & fittings.
 Static Delivery Head-is the vertical
distance from the center line of the pump to
the point of free discharge (free surface of
the discharge liquid).
 Friction Head-is the head necessary to
overcome resistance to flow of the liquid.
Friction head must not exceed the TDH.
 Static Suction Lift –is the vertical
distance from the liquid level to the center
line of the pump.
 Velocity Head-is the head required to
accelerate the water in the delivery pipe. It is
so nominal that it is usually ignored.
 Total Pump Head-is the Total Suction Lift
+ Total Delivery Head + the Velocity Head.

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 5

Various Pumping Heads
  Negative Suction Lift – exists when the
pump is above the liquid to be pumped & is
the vertical distance from the centerline of the
pump down to the free surface of the liquid.
 Pressure Head – is the vertical height to
which a given pressure will force water. If the
pressure is known the head can be calculated
as:
Head (m) = Pressure (kPa) x 0.102
 Total Suction Lift – is the Static Suction
Lift + Friction Head in the entire suction pipe
& fittings.
 Suction Lift – is the term used when the
source of supply is below the center line of the
pump.
 Total Negative Suction Lift – is the
Static Suction Lift + the Friction Lift & the
Pumping Liquid with
Velocity Head in the inlet pipe system.
Negative Suction Lift

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 6

  Positive Suction Head – exists
when the pump is below the liquid to
be pumped & is the vertical distance
from the centerline of the pump to the
free surface of the liquid.
 Total Positive Suction Head – is
the Static Suction Head minus the
Friction Head and the Velocity Head
in the inlet pipe system.

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 7

 What is the common system of
pumping water in high rise buildings:
The Overhead Feed System
1. Composed of a low level cistern (suction tank) that receives water
from the supply main at the ground level and serves as a
boosting reservoir & prevents the lowering of pressure on the
supply main. The sizing of the suction tank should be carefully
considered to prevent water stagnation, which could occur
because of oversizing.
2. A Gravity tank is installed at the topmost part of the building to
get the required head for the downfeed pipe.
3. A Transfer pump is used as a boosting equipment to bring water
from the suction tank to the gravity tank, while overcoming the
total static head plus the frictional resistances in the pipes and
fittings.

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 8

 The Overhead Feed System

Gravity Tank
Upfeed Pipe or
Supply Riser

Transfer
Pump
Suction Tank Suction Tank
Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 9
Variations of the Overhead Feed Piping System:

SINGLE STAGE PUMPING FOR MID-RISE BUILDINGS

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 10
Variations of the Overhead Feed Piping System:

SINGLE STAGE PUMPING FOR MID-RISE BUILDING

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 11
Variations of the Overhead Feed Piping System:

ZONED PUMPING FOR HIGH RISE BUILDINGS

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 12
What is Hydropneumatic Pressure System?
 The topmost floor of the building may not have the
available working pressure for the plumbing fixtures
contained therein due to lack of the required head.
 To compensate for this deficiency, a hydropneumatic
system is provided to raise and supply water to these
fixtures, using compressed air as the delivering agent.
 This system is composed of double-acting reciprocating
pump and a cylindrical steel storage tank.
 In multi storey buildings, hydropneumatic pressure
systems serve zones of about 10 storeys. A thirty storey
building may be provided with 3 distinct units, each
providing water supply at every 10 floor interval.
Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 13
 Operating Principle of Hydropneumatic Pressure
System:

 The pressure tank is normally

filled with water in the lower
part & air in the upper part.
 The water is pumped into the
tank near the bottom,
compressing the air above it.
 The usual pressure range is
138 kPa (20 psi) minimum to
276 kPa (40 psi) maximum.
 When the pressure is at
minimum, the pump starts and
if the pressure reaches
maximum, it stops.

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 14

What are the kinds of Pressure Vessels used
in the Hydropneumatic Pressure System?
1. Simple Air Cushion Tank – a tank constructed to special
standards to withstand pressure. It is usually coated inside with
corrosion resistant treatment as the water makes direct contact
with the interior. The air is compressed above the water.
2. Separated Air Cushion Cylinder – water is totally
confined in an elastic rubber bag. When water is pumped the bag
expands, compressing the air in the cylinder until the pressure
switch reaches its setting & shuts off the motor. When a faucet is
opened the compressed air forces the water out & the pressure
drops until the switch again starts the motor. The air is never in
contact with the water, so it cannot be absorbed.
3. Elastic Sock Pressure Vessel – uses a very strong
rubber “sock” which is stretched by the water pressure & then
forces the water out when a faucet is opened. The capacity of
this type is much less than the air cushion & therefore the water
will turn on more often causing faster wear and tear.

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 15

Pumping of Potable and Non-Potable Water

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 16

END OF PRESENTATION

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 17