13 May Submersible Pumps

Guide to Buying Submersible Pumps

The first design and application of submersible pumps were in 1928 and its intended purpose was to pump oil. From there, the design has been improved upon and is used for applications in a variety of areas. As the name suggests, submersible pumps are used in applications where it is necessary for the pump to be able to discharge the liquid in which they are fully submerged. They are excellent tools for contractors, industrial operations, commercial operations and homeowners in need of portable dewatering capabilities. With all the variants of submersible pumps available, which one should you select?

There are multiple factors to take into consideration before purchasing submersible pumps of which the biggest key factors are the power capability and flow rate of the pump.

Water type

Clearwater – if you are looking at harvesting rainwater for storage and use when needed, then a submersible pump with a maximum grain diameter of 5mm is ideal. First, check how much dirt will be pumped with the water.

Dirty water – if the water contains a lot of dirt or mud particles, then the desired diameter grain would be 10 to 20mm. These types of pumps are generally used to clean sewerage and septic systems. Before purchasing one, bear in mind that grain size is an important factor when being used for dirty water.

Float and flow switches

A float switch is used to control the submersible pumps based on the water level. The float switch will automatically close off the electrical circuit when water stoops to a lower level. The flow switch will regulate the amount of water that will pass through the pump at a given point in time and can be set up to continuously monitor total flow.

Taking time into consideration with flow rates

Flow rate is the time taken by a water pump to pump a specific amount of water which is usually measured in litres per minute. For industrial applications, the flow rate should be at 2500 litres per minute and for household use between 100 and 200 litres per minute.

Discharge Height and Discharge Rates

Submersible pumps are generally used to pump water from lower to higher locations, commonly referred to as the discharge height. The discharge height also discerns whether the water will reach the designated height or not. For example, if you want to transfer water from a rainwater tank to another container, your discharge height will be less than if the water is moved from a low area to a much higher one.

The discharge rate defines how much water the submersible unit can pump per hour or minute and is also known as the pump’s power level. For example, if water needs to be moved from a lower to a higher level, a submersible with a higher power level will need to be purchased.

Cooling System

Submersible pumps are either oil-filled or water-filled. In water-filled units, the coolant is water and can be refilled multiple times. In oil-filled motors, the coolant cannot be replenished which increases the chances of damage to the submersible pump. Water-filled is, therefore, more expensive than oil, but it will last longer.

Outlet Size

This is the diameter of the pipe through which water is pushed through the submersible. It should match the size of the pipe connected to the storage tanks and is generally measured in inches and millimetres.

Armed with this information, you should be able to make an informed decision as to which submersible pump to purchase.

Read more about Types Of Submersible Pumps and Some of Their Uses Here.

Prochem is a Leader in Pump Design and Manufacture

As these systems are powered by electricity, it is always advisable to purchase one with a battery that can provide power when the electricity supply fails you. Whether your submersible pumps are being used for drainage, sewage pumping, irrigation or mine dewatering, you need to make sure that you opt for the best product suitable to your requirements.

If you are still unsure, then feel free to get in touch with the experts in the field, Prochem Chemical Pump Manufacturers. We have been designing and manufacturing pumps and pumping equipment since 1987 and offer pumping equipment to fit the most demanding applications. Contact us or click here to learn more.