In areas where the depth of the well or well does not exceed 10 meters, surface pumping equipment is installed. Units differ in design, power, way of pumping water. Based on these features, as well as taking into account the characteristics of the source, the appropriate units are selected.
Scope and device of surface pumps
Surface pumps, unlike submersible pumps, are located near a water source. Their body does not come in contact with the liquid, it enters the points of consumption through the inlet pipe.
Devices are used to deliver water to the house, to drain the basement after the spring flood, pumping liquid from the pool. Perhaps the use for irrigation of the land - in this case, the pump is installed near the reservoir, and the hose is lowered into the water. Almost all devices are powered by electricity, so the power cable must be long.
An important point is that the depth of the well should not exceed 10 meters, since all surface pumps have low power. Most often, at this depth groundwater occurs, which accumulate harmful substances from neighboring septic tanks. Mineral fertilizers are also washed by rains in these reservoirs, therefore, additional filters are placed in front of the house entrance.
A surface pump is not suitable if an artesian well is installed on the site, the depth of which can exceed 30 meters. In such a situation, you need to buy submersible equipment that has more power and is capable of pumping fluid from such a depth.
Classification by design and principle of operation
According to the principle of absorption, they distinguish:
- self-priming surface water pumps;
- normal suction.
The first type does not require complete filling of the system with liquid before starting. Water is poured only into the body of the device. The rise is carried out due to the zone of reduced pressure.
For the second type, you need to completely fill the system with water - the body and pipes. Sometimes the non-return valve interferes with filling the liquid completely, therefore they open the plug in the upper part of the device.
Surface pumps are distinguished by the principle of operation, that is, by the mechanism inside: centrifugal and vortex.
Centrifugal the units have a spiral case, inside of which an impeller with blades is fixed. When the pump is driven, centrifugal force occurs. A rarefied space appears in the center, and on the sides is a high-pressure zone that pushes fluid into the pipe. Depending on how many impellers are on the unit, it is called single-stage or multi-stage. The superficial multistage pump is more productive and powerful.
The design of the centrifugal pump consists of the following elements:
- a hose through which water enters the pressure pipe;
- a hose that transfers fluid to the inner working chamber;
- non-return valve so that water does not flow back;
- the filter at the entrance to the shell of the cochlea prevents sand and other solid particles from damaging internal parts;
- a device for controlling the degree of rarefaction of space in the center of the pump during operation - a vacuum gauge;
- a manometer measuring pressure when lifting the liquid up;
- additional elements of shutoff valves that allow you to adjust the input and output flow.
According to the principle of centrifugal equipment, both surface and submersible models work.Their lack of low power and the inability to idle.
Principle of operation swirl The pump consists in pumping water to the impeller and transferring it higher. Centrifugal force is also used, but the fluid in the process moves from the edge to the center, that is, in the opposite direction. The vortex unit is able to reproduce the pressure, which is 4 times more than the centrifugal one. But such equipment is used infrequently. The presence of sand quickly destroys the impeller - the parts are simply erased at high speed. The efficiency is extremely low - only 30 - 45%, with the same energy consumption, this device will work less efficiently than centrifugal. Sometimes it is used as an intermediate pump because of the potential to increase the pressure by 7 times.
Combined units have impellers inside, combining the features of the vortex and centrifugal types. Such designs are much more efficient in terms of efficiency.
Key selection criteria
The main criterion that is considered when installing a surface pump in a well is its depth. The optimal indicator is 8 m. Then you need to decide for what purposes the unit will be used. If you use it to water the site, you can buy a less powerful one, if you need to maintain an autonomous water supply system for a private house, you need a pump with a capacity of 3 cubic meters per hour.
The next important indicator is the pressure of the water column. For a country house, the optimal value is from 30 to 80 meters. It is generally accepted that 1 meter horizontally equals 10 meters vertically. A pressure of 1 atmosphere is able to move the liquid to a distance of 10 meters.
The farther the equipment is from the point of water consumption, the less depth it can lift. Here the formula works 1: 4, that is, one meter of vertical equals 4 meters horizontally.
It is advisable to buy a reservoir for accumulating water so that the pump is less likely to turn on. So you can increase the resource of his work. This unit is already provided in pumping stations, but its volume is small - up to 24 liters. Some craftsmen independently connect the tank to the pumps using instructions and videos.
The voltage in the mains plays a role. If it is unstable and often falls, buy a more powerful device or install a stabilizer.
Features of installation and connection
Before starting installation, it is important to choose the right place. The case is located on the surface, so the equipment is subject to atmospheric influences. If water gets into the electrical components, a short circuit may occur. Therefore, the units are installed in closed warm rooms, where the temperature in winter is above 0 degrees. There should be ventilation, so that condensation does not form when the temperature difference between the liquid and air in the room.
If you plan to use the pump only in the summer, you can keep it on the street under a canopy so that rain does not fall on the case. Many equip a pit or caisson near a water source. This requires additional costs and time: it is necessary to lay out clay on top so that rainfall does not flood.
Connection diagram of a surface centrifugal pump:
- A pipe with a non-return valve and a filter is connected, which is planned to be lowered into water.
- Lower the end into the well to the level of the liquid.
- Fill the system with water. All air plugs must be excluded.
- Turn on the pump in a network.
- Connect an exhaust pipe or irrigation hose.
You can turn on and test the device.
Advantages and disadvantages of surface pumps
The advantages of this type of equipment include:
- light weight and dimensions;
- easy installation, which you can do it yourself;
- safety in operation, since the power cable does not come in contact with liquid;
- long work, especially for a surface pump with protection against dry running;
- high enough efficiency to provide water for all needs.
The disadvantages include:
- sensitivity to solid inclusions;
- high noise level;
- limited source depth;
- the need for additional actions - filling the system with water before turning it on.
You can choose a pump imported or domestic, depending on your budget and operating goals.
The cost of the device is affected by the availability of safety functions, performance indicators and power. Units made of durable materials - stainless steel or cast iron are more expensive. Models in a plastic case are cheaper, but it is better to keep them indoors to avoid mechanical damage. You should beware of buying appliances where cheap materials are used as the electrical winding, which melt and burn when overheated.
