Centrifugal Pump versus Vertical Turbine Pump

[Chris73]

Hi Eng's;

Can you guys tell me a bit from your experience when you would prefer which of these two pump types when designing a new water system? Would topography/hydraulic have an impact on the decision?

 

[PUMPDESIGNER]

We should just choose sides, like when we were kids, and play war. Problem was, when you shot someone they never died and then you argued about whether or not you actually hit them.

Easier if you limit the question to some specific system with design criteria laid out.

Some would go to Vertical Line Shaft Turbine automatically by default, costs more but is the best possible solution. Ok, sounds good but there are situations not uncommon where Vertical Turbines do not work well. Perhaps that is easier, to discuss when the vertical turbine does not work well, because the Vertical is better in almost every other way and especially in durability, resistance to suction cavitation, deep water source, efficiency, and there is no loss of prime if a centrifugal would be lifting the water.

1
Hard to service areas overseas in the islands and in some remote locations. Crane or other lifting device is needed to set and service. Also, if if the pump is not large, say about 30 - 50 horsepower and less, verticals are harder to obtain parts for and service requires higher degree of expertise. Centrifugal motors are easier to obtain and often local sources have them in stock.

2
If there ain't no money, there ain't no money. Verticals cost far more than centrifugals, by at least 4 times and much more if there has to be a substantial intake structure such as a box with a flume for a surface water intake system.

3
Temporary installations.


Ok, one more vertical advantage, and one suggestion.

Greater flexibility. It is possible to obtain about any combination of head and pressure from the many providers of turbines, less so for centrifugals.

How about submersibles? Coming strong, has many of the advantages of a turbine and some advantages over a turbine like getting rid of the line shafting which can be the largest single cause of failures on verticals. Read about some 1,000 hp submersible turbines being installed in western US mine down the hole 1,000 feet. We are changing everything we do over to submersibles. So far it has gone well for us.

PUMPDESIGNER