High Head Pumping of Well Water
High Head Pumping of Well Water
(OP)
Greetings Earthlings,
Question about pumping 130 m3/h along a 12 km pipeline, clean water, TDH will be about 430m (static is 300m), minesite application. Pipeline diameter will be 8". Any recommendations for type of pump or system of pumps? Keep in mind that the plant consumption (destination end) may only require 70 m3/hr. Would you recommend ON/OFF pumping? or would you recommend to keep the pumps and flow moving and have two pumps in series with one variable speed. Appreciate some assistance and comments.
Regards
Pumpingtips.
Question about pumping 130 m3/h along a 12 km pipeline, clean water, TDH will be about 430m (static is 300m), minesite application. Pipeline diameter will be 8". Any recommendations for type of pump or system of pumps? Keep in mind that the plant consumption (destination end) may only require 70 m3/hr. Would you recommend ON/OFF pumping? or would you recommend to keep the pumps and flow moving and have two pumps in series with one variable speed. Appreciate some assistance and comments.
Regards
Pumpingtips.





RE: High Head Pumping of Well Water
thanks
RE: High Head Pumping of Well Water
If you used one pump station, that's going to be some pretty hefty piping.
RE: High Head Pumping of Well Water
That's not a particularly onerous duty or pressure as far as I'm concerned, so there are many options.
you need to work out how often this system pumps at 70 or 130. Maybe I haven't understood the planned operation, but if 70 is an occasional use, then just use a single centrifugal pump rated for 130m3/hr @ 430 m and accept that at 70 it won't operate quite as efficiently, but will use less power because the flowrate is less. You don't want a VFD for this duty as your static head is so high. Just back the pump down the curve a bit ( outlet pressure will go up so you will to throttle a bit at the far end to get to your 70m3/hr) using a fixed speed motor.
If 70 is your main flow and 130 occasionally then you will probably be able to get 2 identical pumps in parallel to work for the two flows. Your friction element of the pump curve is quite low compared to the static head so it should work well.
When you get pump quotes have a look at the power consumption at your flow rates as one big pump can be much more efficient than two smaller ones.
Again, without know what your planned operation is, whether you have storage tanks or not at either end, etc, it's a bit difficult to advise on the on/off option or continuous flow. Normally you would go for the continuous flow unless your flows in and out are very erratic.
Bit more info needed.
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RE: High Head Pumping of Well Water
RE: High Head Pumping of Well Water
LittleInch...great comments. You have grasped this well. The fresh water demand for the new minerals plant we are designing is quite low due to filtered tailings. But we do not know exactly what the demand will be. We think 70 m3/hr but it could creep up over time. The maximum well licence rate we have is 144 m3/hr. This will be the pipeline design flow rate. I like the idea of two in parallel, one spare, all fixed speed. What type of pump would you install. Feed tank is on the ground at the well head and has a capacity of 50 m3. I forgot also to mention that the pumps will be supplied by genset power with Eroom. Why is variable speed an issue with high static head. I realise that the sensitivity will increase but what type of issues does this cause? Is there potential instability from hunting up and down the curve?
Valvecrazy... I too like the direct pumping approach out the well to the plant. But if we include the well lift we will be close to about 550m. Thanks.
RE: High Head Pumping of Well Water
Keith Cress
kcress - http://www.flaminsystems.com
RE: High Head Pumping of Well Water
A REDA GN10000 is BEP at about 1600m3/day (10,000Bpd), it would take a 55 stage pump to deliver 550m of head, and the HP would be 175hp.
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube
RE: High Head Pumping of Well Water
If we assume at 70 m3/hr for the same pipe, pump etc, your required head is 340m (300m for static and 40 for friction), then your speed needs to reduce by about 11% ( head is prop to speed^2)
However this only reduces your flow by 11% = 115m3hr. To get to your 70 you will need to move along (left) the pump curve using a control vslve. A VFD isn't worth it.
you do need to work out your design cases though and also how you plan to operaste and control the system.
There's nothing wrong with piping the well pump straight into the inlet of the second pump. in the main higher power submersibles will cost more than the same pump on the surface.
Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
RE: High Head Pumping of Well Water
all the best.
RE: High Head Pumping of Well Water
It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)
RE: High Head Pumping of Well Water
RE: High Head Pumping of Well Water
RE: High Head Pumping of Well Water
4,500m is some altitude! Where are you - the Andes?
If you're hurting for NPSH, then either lift the tank or lower the pump. A can pump will do this duty easily. Many ways to not have NPSH bother you, given you're going to find it pretty hard to breathe at that altitude...
Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.