In order to effectively solve such problems as pumping from a great depth and supplying water to an autonomous water supply system, it is necessary to understand the design of a submersible pump for a well. The use of such pumps allows pumping water from wells, the depth of which reaches 80 meters. In this article, we will consider how a submersible pump works, what categories it is divided into and how to choose such a device correctly.
Types of pumping equipment for pumping liquid media from wells
The main purpose of deep pumps is to pump out a liquid medium from an underground source and its further transportation through a pipeline system under a certain pressure. Various systems are equipped with hydraulic machines of this type, which, in particular, include autonomous water supply and sanitation systems, irrigation systems, etc.
Depending on the application, submersible pumps may refer to:
- devices for industrial use, which, due to their high power, are capable of lifting the liquid they pump from a depth of up to 1000 meters (such equipment is of considerable size and is used in various industries);
- domestic submersible pumps used to ensure the efficient operation of autonomous water supply systems for country houses and summer cottages, as well as for the operation of irrigation systems (submersible pumps of this type are compact in size and sufficiently high in power).
According to the installation scheme, rod and rodless submersible pumps are distinguished in the well. Devices of the second type, in particular, include pumping units with electric centrifugal pumps (ESPs).
A rod pump is a hydraulic machine, the drive motor of which is located on the surface of the earth, outside the well, while only its intake part is immersed in the pumped liquid medium. The rods present in the design of such a device are designed to transfer the thrust generated by the drive motor to the intake part.
The drive motor of rodless pumps is located in the same housing with the intake mechanism and is immersed in the pumped liquid medium along with it. Such submersible devices are most widely used, as they are more convenient both in installation and in operation.
Submersible pumping equipment is also divided into various types according to its design and principle of operation. So, depending on these parameters, deep-seated pumps of centrifugal and vortex, or vibration, types are distinguished.
A submersible centrifugal pump is a device whose main working body is a wheel with blades mounted on a shaft rotated by an electric motor. When such a wheel (impeller) rotates, the pumped liquid in the inner chamber, under the action of the centrifugal force exerted on it, is thrown to the walls of the chamber, which contributes to the expulsion of the liquid medium into the pressure pipe. At the same time, a rarefaction of air is created in the central part of the chamber, due to which a new portion of the pumped liquid is sucked from the pipe located in the well.
Downhole submersible pump "Dzhileks"
In order to prevent solid inclusions contained in the pumped liquid from entering the inside of the centrifugal submersible pump, such devices should be used complete with coarse filters installed on the supply pipe. The most significant disadvantage of centrifugal pumps, which can be operated year-round, is their rather high cost when compared with the price of vortex-type equipment.
Vortex (or vibration) deep pumps are used in cases where it is required to pump out water from a shallow well. The principle of operation of devices of this type is that high-frequency vibrations are created in their internal part, which set the mechanical piston in motion. The latter ensures the suction of the pumped medium from the supply pipe.
The most significant advantages of the considered pumps include:
- compact dimensions;
- low cost (compared to the price of centrifugal pumps);
- minimum power consumption.
Among the disadvantages of vortex-type submersible pumps are usually distinguished:
- destruction of the walls of the well from vibrations (it is possible to minimize the vibrational effect of the vortex pump on the walls of the well if rubber rings are put on its body);
- low power;
- rather low productivity of pumping liquid medium.
Vibration pump for the well "Kid"
Design features of deep pumps
The device of a deep pump and its design features are largely determined by the principle of operation and the type of drive motor of this hydraulic machine. The intake of the pumped liquid medium when using such pumps is carried out through a special pipe placed in the shaft of the well being serviced or in the well. The electric cable placed in a protective sheath is responsible for the power supply of the drive motor, located at a certain depth.
In the device of a centrifugal type borehole pump, two main parts can be distinguished:
- a drive motor, which may be built-in or external;
- directly to the pumping part of the equipment.
If the pump drive motor is built-in, it is usually placed at the bottom of the device. Water intake when using pumps of this type can be carried out both through the upper and through the lower part of their housing. Preference in this case is given to the intake of the pumped liquid through the lower part of the body, as this allows you to clean the deep part of the well from the silt and sand accumulating in it. Submersible pumping devices, which is very convenient, are cooled by the liquid medium in which they are placed. This allows you to protect such devices from overheating, which can quickly render them unusable. Centrifugal type deep-well pumps, although they are more complex in design than vibration devices, are distinguished by higher reliability, performance and a longer service life.
The main structural elements of vortex submersible pumps are the housing, a special glass, a drive motor and a vibrator. The vibrator in these devices is the most complex structural element, consisting of an anchor, a rubber shock absorber and control washers. The necessary conditions for fluid intake from the well, carried out by a vibration pump, are created by its rubber shock absorber, which is compressed and unclenched during the operation of such a device.
A mandatory element of equipment for submersible pumping equipment is a coarse filter that protects the interior of such devices from ingress of solids contained in the pumped medium. To ensure more efficient operation of submersible pumping equipment and ensure its protection from negative factors, various sensors are used that automatically stop the pump in case of emergency situations (too high content of silt and sand in the pumped liquid, a decrease in the water level in the well, etc.).
Among the various types of pumping equipment used to pump water from a well or well, submersible devices are the most popular. Such popularity is explained by a number of advantages of submersible pumps, which include:
- no noise during operation;
- the ability to ensure uninterrupted water supply from a serviced well;
- ease of installation;
- the ability to provide water supply from wells of considerable depth;
- compact dimensions;
- no need for additional cooling of the drive motor;
- anti-corrosion properties of the materials from which the body is made.
It is practically impossible to do without a deep pump if the depth of the well from which the liquid medium is to be pumped out exceeds 10 meters.
When choosing such a device, you should pay attention to such parameters as:
- the total need for water intake points in water, which the selected pump must provide;
- characteristics of the well from which water is to be pumped out (diameter and depth);
- geological data of the site where the well was drilled (depth at which groundwater is located, soil type, etc.);
- the presence on the site where it is planned to install pumping equipment, a power source.
