Surface Pumps or centrifugal pumps do not use a single motor type. They use multiple types of motors depending on their applications. However, before we discuss them in detail, let us know what a surface pump is. Technically speaking, a surface water pump or, simply, a surface pump is a certain variety of pumps that move water (or other fluid) from one place to another.
These pumps are generally used to pump out water from a water body like river, pond or well to nearby irrigation lands. This is for cultivation and other purposes. These pumps are extensively utilised for several purposes, such as water supply in vegetable greenhouses and garden irrigation.
The General Configuration of a Surface Pump
The primary components of a surface pump include a 0.5 – 1 horsepower motor with the capacity to pump water up to a height of 60 meters. Besides, the pump also comprises a brass impeller with a periphery and sealing components including a static seal and a motive seal. The static seal is a rubber ring with oil resistance capabilities. On the other hand, the motive seal is a single mechanical ceramic, nitrile rubber or graphite seal.
What Motors Are Used in Surface Pumps?
Modern surface pumps use the following types of motors:
- Electric Motors
- Diesel Motors
- Gasoline Motors
- Solar Powered Motors
- Configuration: The rotor and stator of an electrically powered surface pump motor are generally secured within a stubborn frame. The pump’s rotor is attached to the shaft and revolves within that stationary stator, which holds the windings. The motor remains externally mounted to the pump, and hence it can easily be assessed for maintenance, service and repairs. Due to this electric motors are preferable to other motor types. Generally, there is a shaft or belt drive that connects the motor to the pump.
- Power Source: The majority of these surface pumps are powered by single-phase or three-phase AC electrical energy. These pumps are used in both residential as well as commercial settings. The reason is that these pumps are designed and manufactured to function well within a particular current and voltage range.
- Cooling System: Modern electric motors that power these pumps feature an air cooling system. It comprises an external fan that releases the heat that is generated from the functioning of the motor. Certain varieties of electric motors have closed circuit designs with several ventilation holes that keep the engine temperature under control, protecting the system from getting overheated, thus guaranteeing safe and reliable operation.
- Control Features: These motors also feature integrated overload and thermal protection units. The main function of this unit is to protect the motor from getting overloaded, thus keeping the issue of overheating at bay. Besides, certain advanced models may feature variable speed drives (VSD), which gives the users the option of changing the functioning of the pump depending on their needs.
- Configuration: Technically speaking, a diesel-fuelled surface water pump is a combination of a diesel engine and pump, assembled and housed in a single, stubborn frame. The mechanical power that the pump needs to function is supplied by a four-stroke engine over a direct connection or belt drive. The device is placed on a platform that features several vibration isolators that keep noise and movement under control when the pump functions.
- Cooling System: The diesel engines of these pumps often come up with a liquid cooling system, which comprises radiators and coolants. They control the engine temperature and contain it under the permissible limit. Certain variants of these pumps also use an air-cooling system.
- Control Features: Modern diesel pumps come with several advanced control systems. They include features like automatic start/stop controls and load monitoring mechanisms, self-diagnostic capabilities and the like. These cutting-edge features offer safety against sudden engine damage whilst ensuring optimum performance as well as effortless usability.
- Configuration: A gasoline-fueled surface pump motor is technically speaking an integration of a small, high-performance, heavy-duty gasoline engine within a portable frame. It is a single-cylinder, four-stroke engine, providing the power that is needed to operate the pump through a belt-driven or direct coupling. The entire motor assembly is mounted on a base with wheels or handles for easy maneuverability and pump handling.
- Cooling System: These pumps generally use an air cooling system featuring cooling fins and a fan. It helps the pump to maintain efficiency while functioning, making it an immensely popular small, portable device.
- Configuration: Understandably, these surface pumps comprise a solar panel array, a DC pump motor, and a controlling unit that controls the supply of energy and the pump’s functioning. The DC motor that runs the pump is powered by electrical energy produced by the solar panels. To ensure stability, the entire setup is generally put on a platform that supports the pump and its solar panels.
- Control Features: Typically, these solar power pump motors feature a controller unit that controls the flow of electricity to the motor from the solar panels. Some advanced models may have certain advanced extra functions like battery storage integration for use during overcast or nighttime operations. Then they may also have automatic start/stop functionality depending on the availability of sunlight.
Electric Motors:
Electric-powered motors are the most used motor variety used in surface pumps in the industrial sectors. Here is a sneak peek into the details of an electric motor.
Diesel Motors:
Diesel surface motor pumps are a perfect substitute for their electrical counterparts in places where electric connection sources are not available (in case the pump is used in open fields for the purpose of irrigation). Let us delve into the details of a diesel-powered motor.
Gasoline Motors
Gasoline-fueled surface water pumps are small yet highly powerful devices that are the best option for use in a wide gamut of settings where portability and effortless, easy pump operation are imperative. Let us take a thorough rundown of its features and configuration:
Solar Powered Motors
As the name suggests, these surface pumps are powered by solar energy and are the fallout of the notable development in the field of solar power technology. Here are a few details of this latest version of surface water pumps:
The Final Words:
Thus, there are so many options for surface pumps available. All the users need to do is to pick up the most appropriate one out of these varieties, depending on their functional needs and budget.