Pumps are the core of any system that handles fluids. In the general industry, pumps are the second most common piece of machinery used. A mechanical force known as a Pump helps to move fluids, gases, liquids, and slurries from one location to another by a hydraulic passage. When designed with utmost efficiency, this mechanical system becomes a boon to the industry. If one desires to keep an edge over the competition, parasitic losses in any mechanical system should be lessened.
While selecting a submersible pump, dewatering pump, or slurry pump for your plant, you will opt for a pump that will handle your daily liquid basis or wastes in the best manner possible. Hence, it is the first step of a challenge to select the right pump. The pump should be able to maximize its performance to an optimal level. This will not only prolong the life of your pump but also minimize downtime.
It is important to take some expert guidance while selecting the pump. You need to purchase a pump from a high-quality manufacturer or distributor that will provide you with relevant information about the operations of the pump and also help out with the installation process.
What is Pump efficiency?
It is to be noted that before purchasing a pump, its efficiency should be importantly determined. A correct pump will conserve fuel electricity and decrease downtime and maintenance costs.
The ratio of the water horsepower provided by a pump to the brake horsepower given to the pump shaft is known as pump efficiency. One of the most important considerations when choosing a pump is pumping efficiency. The flow required, the height lifted, and the length and friction characteristics of the pipeline all influence the amount of energy used in a pumping plant.
A pump’s efficiency is referred to by how well it can convert from one form of energy to another. The productivity of a machine is 50% if one unit of energy is provided and the output is one-half unit in the same units of measure.
It is not that simple as it looks, as the units used by English systems of measurements vary from each form of energy. However, the use of constants brings equivalency to these diverse quantities.
A casual example of such a machine is the heat engine that uses energy in the form of heat to produce mechanical energy. There are several members in the family but the internal combustion engine is the most mutual. The effectiveness in the conversion of energy in such types of machines is much less than expected, rather than being an important part of our lives.
How is Pump efficiency attained?
Pump efficiency is attained by these three discrete competencies- mechanical, volumetric, and hydraulic. Losses in bearing frame, stuffing box, and mechanical seals are included in mechanical efficiency while losses due to leakage through the wear rings, balancing holes, and vane clearances in the case of semi-impellers are included in volumetric efficiency. The liquid friction and other losses in volute and impellers are included in hydraulic efficiency.
Hydraulic efficiency is considered the largest factor while mechanical and volumetric loss is important components. The inner workings of an impeller are suggested by the affinity law. We know that the heat produced by any impeller varies as the square of the change in speed. When you double the speed, the head grows by a factor of four. The same logic applies to slight changes in its diameter if the speed is kept constant.
The same rule is followed by the flow through the impeller. Its direct proportion to the speed or diameter change doubles the speed or diameter and the flow is doubled. A change in rotational speed or impeller diameter refers to its peripheral speed or the speed, in feet per second, of a point at its periphery. It is this speed that determines the maximum head and flows attainable by any impeller. The peripheral velocity decides the head produced by an impeller. While the flow is influenced by many other factors. The diameter of the impeller eye and the width and depth (cross-sectional area) of the flow passageways (vanes) are essential variables because they impact the ease with which a certain amount of water may move through the impeller.
Tips to Increase Performance
1. Operate your Pump at BEP
The flow at which your pump is operating at its optimum efficiency for its impeller diameter is considered as the best efficiency point or BEP. The axial and radial loading is reduced to the lowest possible value at the BEP. If the flow in the pump is too low, then the velocity will end up being low in moving through systems. Resultantly, it will have a drop on solids in the fluid and they will further settle in the piping system, leading to clogging. On the other hand, if there is too much velocity then the flow will end up moving too fast, leading to the shredding of solids and clogs. In these cases, a throttling valve or orifice plate is found helpful.
2. Pump Cycle Minimization
When the discharge rate and the influent rate is balanced, it helps in minimizing the number of pump starts. The rate at which the water comes into the pump is referred to as the influent rate. The amount inflow of the pump is referred to as the discharge rate. If you have a little wet well, you will have to fill it up and drain it regularly. This leads to the short cycling of the pump every minute or two, leading to overheating or failure in the motor. In fewer cycles the motor is cooled, making the pump run smoothly.
3. Matching Pump Size to the Pipe Size
A velocity of approximately seven feet per second is required in wastewater systems with more solids and flushable wipes, this prevents solids from settling and plugging the system. For slurries and heavier solids, higher velocity is required. The velocity is impacted by the pipe size. To prevent solids from clogging, higher velocity is required in oversized pipes. The head to the system increases in undersized pipes that increase friction and reduce the flow on the other hand. Hence, it is necessary to ensure that the pump size matches the pipe size.
4. Coating
To improve the efficiency of fluid handling systems and to protect metals from getting affected by corrosion and erosion, coatings are designed specially. For lining hydraulic passages in the pump, their combination such as hydrophobicity, self-leveling, and hydraulic smoothness makes these coatings ideal candidates. The hydraulic smoothness and slipperiness of the pump passage is increased when the efficiency-improving coating is applied. A small percentage of Teflon can enrich it which contributes to a reduction in frictional forces between surfaces and fluid in motion.
Conclusion
A comprehensive support for all types of pumps packages and systems is provided at Unnati Pumps. The pump energy efficiency and performance can be increased in the following ways that help you to go a long way. If you take necessary checks and regular maintenance at regular intervals, it will not only save money but help in saving the most important energy resource in the world that is electrical energy. We at Unnati Pumps, resolve all your issues from installing to maintaining your pump. Visit us at Unnati Pumps for more information on Submersible Pumps.