Suction Lift & The

Centrifugal Pump

ANDY WILSON
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

PUMP CENTRE CONFERENCE 2016

 Suction Lift & The Centrifugal Pump

 Suction Lift ?
 No Such Thing
 Centrifugal pumps push they don’t pull
 Suction Push (By Atmospheric Pressure)
 Low pressure inside pump casing is equalised by
atmospheric pressure pushing liquid from a higher to lower
pressure area
 Suction Lift Limits
Hb = Atmospheric Pressure at pump site
is the theoretical maximum suction lift.
Hs = Safety Factor ( 0.5 – 2m)
Hv = Vapour Pressure (varies with 0C)
Hfs= Friction Loss in Suction
NPSHr = Required by pump
Hmax = Maximum Suction Static Head
 Net Positive Suction Head - NPSH

In order for atmospheric pressure to push liquid into the

pump – NPSHavailable > NPSHrequired
NPSHa = Atmospheric Pressure – Friction Head - Vapour Pressure - Safety Factor - Suction Static Head
NPSHa = Hb - Hfs - Hv –Hs - Hmax
(most of these parameters are fixed but you can influence friction losses)

NPSHr is a value indicated on manufacturers Pump Curve at Duty Point

Minimise Suction Losses – Hf

 No valves (reduces risk of air entering suction line) or mount stem horizontally
 Minimum bends ( tapers and bends ideally min x 5 pipe diameters from pump suction)
 Shortest pipe run ( get pump closest to pump media)
 Oversize pipe – ensure velocity in suction pipe < pump suction connection
 What is Cavitation

Low Pressure Boiling Cavitation

Reliability Comes With Good Integrity

 Ensure atmospheric
pressure only has one way
in – up the suction pipe
 Ensure pipework has no
leaks
 Avoid valves on suction
side of the pump
 Submerged spring loaded
loaded foot valves can
work on high pressure
clean water systems
 Reliability Comes With Good Integrity

 Isolation valves may allow

Seal Chamber air filled
with water lubricated

atmospheric air ingress via single mechanical seal

design

valve stems
 Mechanical seals leak both
ways – air can get in when
pump not operating.
 Double mechanical seals
with oil lubricant chamber
buffer air ingress Seal Chamber oil filled

 No high points above pump

with double mechanical seal
design

centre line on suction pipe

profile
 Common Types of Priming System

Diaphragm Hand Primer Static Prime Tanks

 Common Types of Priming System

Venturi Ejectors/
Vacuum Pumps – Many Types
Recirculation
 Can Suction Lift Be Reliable

Thousands of Vacuum Pump

Static Prime on Sewage 1967 to date
Assisted Mobile Sets

Everland Road Hungerford 1968

 What Can Go Wrong

 Cavitation/Low Pressure Poor Design

Boiling
 Air locks – due to high
point on suction line,
valves not horizontal
 Pipe joint integrity poor
Poor Installation
 Swirl – too many elbows
– Aim for single elbow
minimum 5 pipe
diameters from pump
suction
 Suction Lift Limits

 NPSHa – Do the
calculation.
 Type of pump media
 Liquid temperature &
vapour pressure
 Altitude
 Friction Loss
 Static Loss
 Good Totex Solution For Some Sites
New Builds
 No Dig – Above Ground
 CDM Regs – Good Compliance
 Avoids lifting & chain costs/ re-
certification
 Improved H&S environment –
easier access no confined space
 Offsite manufacture possible
 Standard TEFC motors possible
Retro Fit – No Dig
 “Bail out” systems for
unreliable sites foul or storm
water
 Emergency overflows
protection as opposed to 4 hour
storage chamber construction
 Transfer stations
 Totex Advantages
Capex
 Above Ground Manufacturing
– Lower Civil Costs
 Reduced Zoning - Atex
requirement
 Offsite manufacturing
controlled program and cost
benefits
Opex
 Easier environment to
maintain within & improved
H&S
 Use of TEFC high efficiency
motors - Quicker and less
expensive to repair than
submersible motors
 No contract lifts out of wet
wells
 Reduced Atex requirement