What is Submersible Pump?

A submersible pump is a mechanical equipment that works by pushing the water toward the surface instead of pulling it. It has a hermetically sealed motor connected to the pump body that helps to push the fluid toward the surface. It is a most famous type of the centrifugal pump. 

A submersible pump mainly uses to pump the water from the wells. This type of pump pushes water toward the surface by changing the rotatory motion (speed) into kinetic energy, and diffuser blades further convert this K.E into pressure energy.

The significant benefit of this pump is that it can prevent the pump from cavitation—these pumps are known as submersible pumps because these submerge entirely in the water. Therefore, the principal purpose of these pumps is to pump water out of the tanks, wells, or other vessels by submerging into the water or other fluids.  These pumps also use in hot water-heavy oil applications where pressurized liquid from the ground is used to power a hydraulic motor in wells instead of an electric motor.

How Submersible Pump works?

The working of the submersible pump is a little bit different than a jet pump. Because jet pumps transfer the fluid by pulling it while submersible pumps transfer the fluid by pushing it. A submersible water pump is a machine that is linked with a completely sealed motor. It is a type of centrifugal pump. Therefore, its working is very similar to other types of centrifugal pumps. Submersible pumps submerge entirely in the water.

During the working of the submersible water pump, it pushes the water toward the surface. As the water of well or reservoir enters into the pump by the foot valve, it strikes the impeller. An impeller is a rotatory unit that has multiple fixed blades. This impeller is connected with an electric motor through a shaft. The impeller rotates with the rotation of the shaft. 

As the water strikes the blades of the impeller, the blades convert the water kinetic energy into speed and increase the speed of the water. After passing through the impeller, the water enters into the diffuser, which further transforms the speed of the water into pressure energy. In this way, the diffuser increases desired pressure of the water; after that, pressurized water discharges through the outlet valve of the pump.

In this way, submersible pumps push the water towards the surface.

Types of Submersible Pump

Submersible pumps have multiple types that mostly use in different tanks and wells. The most famous types of submersible well pumps are given below:

1. Deep Well Pump
2. Stainless Steel Pump
3. Bottom Suction Pump
4. Oil Filled Pump
5. Water Cooler Pump
6. Submersible Utility Pump
7. Mixed and Axial Flow Pump
8. Crompton Submersible Pump

Components of Submersible Pump

1. Safety Rope
2. Clamps
3. Check Valve
4. Submersible Pump
5. Pump cable
6. Safety Rope
7. Pressure Gauges
8. Pressure Switch
9. Torque Arrestor
10. Tank Tees
11. Flow Control Valves
12. Sediment Filter
13. Ball Valves
14. Drain Valves
15. Relief Valves
16. Impeller 
17. Inlet and Outlet Valve

1) Submersible water pump

This component of the pump completely immerses in the water that uses to push the water toward the surface. It works very efficiently. It has a self-priming capability.

2) Check Valve

The check valve is a famous type of valve. It uses to stop the backflow of the fluid inside the pump. It is also known as a non-return valve. The location and number of check valves needed for the pump depending on the depth of the well pump configuration. Installations under 200ft require a check valve on the surface of the wellbore and a check valve on the pump exit.

If you set the position deeper, then you will need more check valves. Following are some factors that should consider for the installation of check valve:

• Hose
• Volume of water
• Weight of the submersible well pump
• Pressure drops of the valve
• Friction loss of the hose
• The velocity of the water.

3) Clamps

The pipe clamp is used to seal the poly pipe against a barbed insert fitting to make a reliable pull-off connection and watertight seal. All 300-grade stainless steel clamps allow the clamps to ensure the pump life during the installation of the well or when the highest corrosion resistance is needed.

4) Safety Rope

In your submersible water pump, you can see that the safety rope directly connects to the pump and locates on the wellhead. Its primary purpose is to stop the pipe from separating, which can lead to pump loss in the well base. In the event of a riser pipe failure, the safety rope also provides a backup so that the installer can pull the pump out of the borehole. Before each pump is hung in the well, it must be secured with a safety rope.

5) Pump Cable

The pump cables use to transfer the electricity to the pump. Mostly the submersible pumps use cables that have 2 or 3 wires.

6) Cable Ties

These utilize to efficiently secure the pump cable’s riser between the cable guards. In addition, some cables require zip ties to be attached to the riser that is no more than 10 feet apart.

7) Pressure Switches

The pressure switch regulates the operation of the submersible water pump. It has a built-in membrane that moves forward and backward to exchange the pressure of the water system. Pressure switches are available in heavy-duty, medium, and standard models to control a large variety of pressure and electrical ratings.

8) Pressure Gauge

With pressure gauges, you can easily monitor the operational status of your pump. You can also view the ON and OFF settings of your pump switch by the pressure gauge. These gauges are located in the accessory parts that point up to the T-head of the water tank.

9) Impeller

This is a rotating component of the pump. It has multiple fixed blades. It converts the K.E of the water into speed.

10) Inlet and Outlet Valves

The Inlet valve uses to suck the water inside the pump while the outlet valve uses to discharge the water from the pump.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Submersible Water Pump

A submersible water pump has the following advantages and disadvantages:

Advantages of Submersible Pump

• This pump prevents cavitation problems.
• There is no need for manual priming because it submerges in water and gets priming from there.
• The cable of the submersible water well pump can be used in both fresh water and saltwater.
• It has high efficiency than other types.
• It saves a large part of energy because it sucks the water inside itself by using water pressure.
• A submersible water pump can control both liquids and solids
• It has quiet working
• These pumps are more efficient than jet pumps.
• Submersible pumps transfer fluids by pushing them, while jet pumps transfer fluids by pulling them.
• This pump can save a large amount of energy.
• It can also work by completely submerging in the water
• It has no cavitation problems.
• This type of pump has sufficient internal pressure to pump the water

Disadvantages of Submersible Pumps

• If the pump seal drops its integrity, it can create a pump leakage issue and eventually damage internal components.
• Lack of water can lead to motor overheating.
• The pump is submerged, so the pump failure can’t be found quickly.
• If the pump is not completely submerged, it may cause significant damage.
• Compared to non-submersible pumps, submersible pumps have a high cost.
• The pump seal deteriorates with time.
• Different applications require different types of pumps, and one pump cannot serve all applications.
• The pump motor needs high care; otherwise, it will overheat.
• The submersible water pump is hermetically sealed, which rusts over time. Therefore, water can enter the motor and damage its parts.
• These pumps are hard to repair due to their submersible property.
• This type of pump has a high price because of its mechanical properties
• It can’t use for all types of applications.
• It has complicated maintenance.

Applications of Submersible Pumps

• Submersible pumps use for dewatering, oil production, drinking water supply, irrigation applications.
• These pumps work in wells, drains, and wet wells.
• This pump can also use in plants and pools. Pools usually use submersible water pumps to pump sewage that enters homes and other buildings, building lots, and sewers.

What is a submersible pump used for?