To ensure the operability of the water supply system, it is not enough to organize a well or a well. You must also take care of the delivery of water to the house. If the well is located far from the structure, and its depth exceeds 10 m, it is advisable to use a horizontal centrifugal pump. Units of this category are able to supply water under pressure to a height of more than 80 m, while spending a minimum amount of energy.
Principle of operation
The horizontal centrifugal pump creates sufficient pressure due to the centrifugal force that occurs due to the rotation of the unit’s inner wheel when exposed to liquid.
By means of a suction pipe, water fills the pump casing, the inside of which is similar to a spiral. Impellers in the form of blade disks are located here. When the latter are activated, water is thrown to the walls of the body due to the action of centrifugal force. The larger the impeller diameter, the higher the pressure of the outgoing water.
Design
The horizontal centrifugal pump contains the following main components. It:
- Body.
- The receiving valve protected by a grid which serves for elimination of impurities.
- Impellers with blades.
- Safety valve that protects the horizontal centrifugal pump from water hammer.
- Pressure gauge.
- Automatic valve.
Classification
Currently, a wide range of individual modifications of the units is distinguished, depending on the design. Let's look at the options that are most in demand in everyday life and in production.
Single stage
A single-stage horizontal centrifugal pump owes its name to the nature of the connection of the impeller with the shaft. Here, the shaft functions as a cantilever between the front bearing and the wheel. The mechanism is located on the foundation plate, where it is connected to an electric motor.
A single-stage horizontal centrifugal pump is designed for working with clean liquids. This, in turn, means that aggregates of this category should be used for pumping a chemically inactive medium with low density indices.
Multistage
Horizontal multistage centrifugal pumps contain several impellers on a common shaft. The principle of operation of equipment in this category can be compared with the operation of several single-stage units with serial connection. The main task of such systems is the formation of an impressive head at relatively low fluid flows.
Cantilever
From the point of view of hydraulics, such an aggregate is a mechanism with a centrifugal wheel in the form of two disks, between which the blades are located. The latter have a bend opposite to the direction of rotation of the wheel.
The centrifugal horizontal cantilever pump is characterized by high working efficiency, which is ensured by the impressive value of the revolutions of the working blades of the mechanism. When the wheels rotate, the centrifugal force creates a rarefaction effect in the pressure pipe, as a result of which increased pressure is formed in the peripheral zones.
A centrifugal horizontal cantilever pump is widely used in the organization of water supply, heating and heat supply systems. Often the use of such equipment is resorted to if it is necessary to satisfy household needs, for example, when watering personal plots, when a conventional single-stage pump is not enough due to the low pressure of the water.
Chemical
Horizontal chemical centrifugal pumps are produced mainly in a multi-stage design. They are industrial units that are used to move neutral, toxic, chemically aggressive, combustible and harmful liquid substances. Often used for pumping liquefied gases, the vapor of which, in combination with air, form explosive mixtures.
Cryogenic
The horizontal cryogenic centrifugal pump has a similar operating principle, characteristic of units of the previous classes. The defining difference is the ability to install on vehicles as an element of complex technological systems for the conservation of cryogenic products.
Dimensions
When choosing horizontal centrifugal pumps for water, special attention should be paid to their size. Typically, the diameter of the unit is not critical. But the length significantly affects the safety of subsequent operation in specific conditions.
If the well has a depth of about 10 m, and the water level is at a distance of 3 m from the top, here you can install any pumps longer than 90 cm. After all, from below and above the equipment there will be a sufficient layer of liquid.
If there is a lack of water in the well, it is forbidden to use “long” units. In such cases, it is worth giving preference to submersible centrifugal models. The latter are less sensitive to particulate matter and sand, protected from "dry running" due to float switches.
Performance
The selection of a centrifugal pump in accordance with this parameter depends entirely on the flow of water in the water supply system. The performance of the unit should slightly exceed the residents' needs for water. The summation of the fluid flow rate by all “consumers”, in other words, sinks, showers, sinks, washing machines, and other plumbing fixtures, makes it possible to determine the required value.
Benefits
The advantages of centrifugal pumps can be divided into functional and constructive.
Such units are extremely compact due to the connection with an electric motor and steam turbines. As a result, the plants themselves have small dimensions, low weight, despite impressive performance. Installing a centrifugal pump requires a minimum of free space and a relatively light foundation.
Among the functional advantages, it is worth noting a simple adjustment and quick activation. Centrifugal pumps deliver fluid continuously and extremely smoothly. In this case, the likelihood of hydraulic shock in the pressure wire is significantly reduced.
Such equipment is suitable for pumping substances with a high content of contaminants, suspended matter and particulate matter.
The budgetary cost of most models is the result of the use of inexpensive bases as materials, such as steel, polymer compounds and cast iron.
Fields of application
Centrifugal pumps are suitable for pumping water of any hardness, temperature, viscosity. As a result, their operation is not limited to the domestic sphere. Often, such units are used by enterprises in the oil industry, utilities, and mining companies.
Submersible pumps are used to pump clean water from wells and wells, to drain flooded rooms. Giving preference to such equipment to meet these needs, consumers are guided by the possibility of continuous operation of the units for a long time.
Centrifugal pumps are widely used as an element of petrochemical plants, equipment for the production of food products, means for the chemical processing of substances.
Operational Features
To extend the life of the pump and ensure its trouble-free operation, it is necessary to equip the unit with a certain set of additional elements.
To protect the impellers from penetrating the system of foreign bodies, the input lines of the units are closed by filters and valves. To avoid the outflow of the pumped liquid in the opposite direction, pressure gauges are installed to control the pressure level and special shut-off valves.
When selecting the dimensions of the pump, they rely on the value of the necessary key characteristics: pressure, capacity, which the unit must provide, taking into account the resistance of the water supply system.
Horizontal installation of a submersible centrifugal pump in a well
A centrifugal immersion unit is placed in the well with a cable. As a mount, a special metal frame is prepared, which is fixed above the tank.
Installation of the pump is carried out in strict sequence:
- The unit is laid at the end of a pipe segment, through which it will be connected to a tee extending into the pipeline.
- A cable is being prepared for connecting the equipment to the network.
- A brass or plastic sleeve is connected to the non-return valve of the pump, which, in turn, fits into the pipe.
- After combining the safety cable, pipe and electrical cable into a single design, the pump slowly lowers into the well.
- When the submersible unit is at the required depth, the cable is fixed on a previously prepared metal frame.
- A vertical pipe connects to a tee inside the well.
- An electric cable is led outside and, if necessary, is launched into a trench leading to the house.
Upon completion of the above measures, you can focus on laying the pipeline in the foundation of the structure and connecting it to the location of the equipment, whether it is a boiler, a hydraulic accumulator, or a water filter.
Eventually
Centrifugal pumps are part of the largest group of equipment designed for pumping liquid substances. As you can see, units in this category are somewhat different in scope and functionality. Household appliances supply clean water and liquid with minor impurities, industrial models can be used to work with fairly aggressive environments.