Irrigation Pumps

Prof. S.K. Sondhi Punjab Agricultural University ,Ludhiana

Variable Displacement pumps

Centrifugal

Mixed flow

Propeller

Jet

Air Lift

Volute

Diffuser

Turbine

Single stage

Deep well turbine

Multi stage

Submersible

Classification of Pumps

Determination of Operating Conditions

The source of water * Surface water * Ground water The required pumping flow rate The total suction lift The total dynamic head Net positive suction head available

Determination of flow rate

Q = 27.78 AY/ RT Q = Discharge capacity of the pump (lps) A = area (ha) under crops Y = depth of irrigation (cm) R = rotation period (days) T = duration of pumping (hrs/day)

 The total dynamic head

Ht = Hs + Hd + Hl + Hv
Ht=total dynamic head of the system (TDH) Hs=static head (static lift + static discharge head) Hd=drawdown Hl=friction loss head Hv=velocity head

Pump Performance Parameters

Capacity Head Power Requirements
WHP = Discharge (lps) x Total head (m) 76 BHP = Water Horse Power (WHP) Pump efficiency X Drive efficiency

 Efficiency Efficiency = WHP x100 BHP Net Positive Suction Head (NPSHr) Net positive suction head. This is the pressure a pump requires for cavitation-free operation. Specific Speed Ns = N x Q1/2 H3/4
Ns = specific speed rpm N = pump speed rpm Q = Discharge in m3/sec H = Total Head (m)

Working principle of centrifugal pump

Centrifugal pump

Net Positive Suction Head available

NPSHa = BP - SH - FL VP
BP=barometric pressure SH=suction head or lift FL=friction losses in the intake pipe VP=water vapor pressure at a given temperature

The NPSHr versus Q curve can be used. The NPSHa must be greater than NPSHr at a given Q to avoid pump cavitation.

Pump Characteristic curves

Determination of the operating point for a given centrifugal pump and water system

Effect of Speed Change on Pump Performance (N2/N1) x Q1 = Q2 (N2/N1)2 x H1 = H2 (N2/N1)3 x BHP1 = BHP2 N1 = Initial rpm N2 = New rpm desired Q =Discharge (liters per second) H =Total Head BHP = Brake Horsepower

Cavitation in centrifugal pump

The term cavitation implies a dynamic process of formation of bubbles inside the liquid, their growth and subsequent collapse as the liquid flows through the pump. General symptoms
*Reduction in capacity of the pump *Abnormal sound and vibrations *Fluctuating pump motor current Effects of cavitation *Degraded pump *Excessive pump vibration *Damage to pump impeller, bearings, seals

Cavitation
Cavitation occurs when a void forms within a pump when
discharge of water is faster than intake. Air is taken into pump

Cavitation can usually be heard- sounds like rocks passing through pump

Preventing cavitation
Decrease the static lift by placing the pump near to water surface Decrease the temperature of the liquid being pumped Increase the diameter of suction pipe, reduce the number of bends, fittings in the suction pipe

Installation of centrifugal pump

Location Foundation Mounting unit on foundation Grouting unit on foundation Alignment

Operation of centrifugal pumps

Check the alignment of the pump Make sure that the engine or motor will drive the pump in the direction indicated on the pump body. Make sure that the gland is tightly and evenly adjusted and the pump shaft revolved freely when turned by the hand. Check the air tightness of suction pipe and leakage. Fill the suction line and pump with water and remove the air from pump casing. Attend the lubrication requirements

Energy Conservation in Pumping systems

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Various reasons for low efficiency of pumping Excessive suction lift Use of sharp bends in piping system Excessive height of delivery pipe from ground level Improper selection and inferior quality of pump Leakage in joints Lowering of undersized pipe in the suction line Improper matching of RPM of pump and motor/engine Use of poor quality driving belts Use of poor quality reflux valve Misalignment of pump and motor/engine pulley

Example: Calculate pump capacity

Season Crop Area to be irrigated (ha) Irrigation Rotation depth per period in irrigation days (cm) Period of work hours/day

Winter (rabi) Summer (kharif)

Wheat

3 1 2

7.5 7.5 5.0

15 20 2

10 10 10

Maize

Paddy

Discharge required for winter crop: Q = 27.78(3 x 7.5)/ (15 x 10) = 4.17 l/s Discharge required for summer crop: Q = 27.78((1 x 7.5)/ (20 x 10) + (2 x 5.0)/ (2 x 10)) = 14.93 l/s To allow for conveyance losses between the pump and the field, increase the pump capacity by 20 per cent. Therefore, the discharge rate required by the pump = 14.93 x 1.2 = 17.92 l/s

Determine the horse power requirements 1.Discharge of the pump = 18 l/s 2. Dia. Of suction and delivery pipe = 100 mm 3. Depth of water table = 3m 4. Height of delivery pipe above ground surface = 1m 5. Horizontal section of delivery pipe after bend = 2m 6. Horizontal section of suction pipe between bend and pump = 1 m 7. No. of reflux valve = 1 8. No. of long radius bend = 2 9. Drawdown = 3 m 10. Friction loss for 100 mm GI pipe of discharge of 18 l/s = 9m/100 m length of pipe

Estimation of TDH
Friction losses in pipe and fittings: Total length of pipe above pumping water level = 3+3+1+9+1+2 = 19 m The equivalent length of straight pipe for 100 mm reflux valve = 8.23.m The equivalent length of straight pipe for 100 mm two long radius bends = 2 x 2.13 = 4.26 m The total friction loss in pipe and fittings = (19+8.23+4.26)x9/100 =2.83 m Velocity head for discharge of 18 l/s through 100 mm pipe = 0.27 m Therefore, total dynamic head (TDH)= 3+3+9+1+2.83+0.27=19.10 m

Head calculations

Vertical turbine pump

Motor and pump

Submersible pump

Selecting an Irrigation Pump 1. Centrifugal Pump

Advantages 1. High efficiency over a range of operating conditions 2. Easy to install. 3. Simple, economical and adaptable to many situations. 4. Electric, engine or tractor power can be used 5. Does not overload with increased TDH. Disadvantages 1. Suction lift is limited. It needs to be within 4m of the water level. 2. Priming required. 3. Loss of prime can damage pump. 4. If the TDH is much lower than design value, the motor may overload.

Vertical Turbine Pump

Advantages 1. Adapted for use in wells. 2. Provides high TDH and flow rates with high efficiency. 3. Electric or engine power can be used. 4. Priming not needed. 5. Can be used where water level fluctuates. Disadvantages 1. Difficult to install, inspect and repair 2. Higher initial cost than centrifugal pump. 3. Repair and maintenance is more expensive than centrifugal pump.

Submersible Pump
Advantages 1. Adapted for use in deep wells 2. Priming not needed. 3. Can be used in crooked wells 4. Easy to install. 5. Smaller diameters are less expensive than comparable vertical turbine pumps Disadvantages 1. More expensive in larger sizes than vertical turbine pumps. 2. Only electric power can be used.

General maintenance
The suction lift should be periodically checked The gland packing in the pump should be checked. The water should drip through the packing at a rate of 15 to 30 drops per minute. The rpm of the prime mover should be at the rated value. The alignment of the pump and motor shaft should be checked periodically. A record of the pump running hours, problems, servicing, maintenance and repairs should be kept in a logbook. The inlet screen, foot valve/ reflux valve and pipe threads should be checked, and any corroded or damaged threads recut. The reflux valve should be checked and rubber gasket may be replaced if worn out.

Trouble shooting in centrifugal pumps

1. No water delivered
Pump not properly primed Speed too low Discharge head too high Suction lift too high Impeller or suction pipe completely plugged Wrong direction of rotation Air pocket in suction line Air leak in suction line or stuffing box Insufficient NPSH available

2. Not enough water delivered

Air leak in suction line or stuffing box Speed too low Discharge head higher than anticipated Suction lift too high Impeller or suction pipe partially plugged Wrong direction of rotation Insufficient NPSH available Foot valve too small Insufficient submergence of suction inlet Wearing rings worn

3. Not enough pressure developed

Speed too low Excessive amount of air or gas in liquid Wrong direction of rotation Viscosity of liquid higher than anticipated Wearing rings worn Impeller diameter too small

4. Pump works for a while and then loses prime

Air leak in suction line or stuffing box Excessive amount of air or gas in liquid Air pocket in suction line Water seal tube clogged Water seal ring improperly located Suction lift too high Insufficient submergence of suction inlet

5. Pump requires excessive power

Speed too high Head lower than anticipated Specific gravity or viscosity too high Wrong direction of rotation Misalignment Stuffing box too tight Rotating element tubing binding Bent shaft Wearing rings worn

6. Stuffing box leaks excessively

Packing is worn or improperly lubricated Packing improperly installed Incorrect type of packing Shaft sleeve scour Bent shaft

7. Pump noisy or vibrates

Suction lift too high Insufficient NPSH available Impeller or suction pipe partially plugged Misalignment Foundation not rigid Lack of lubrication Bearing worn Rotating element out of balance Bent shaft

Pumping do's and don'ts

Do: site the pump as close as possible to the water make sure suction and delivery pipes do not put a strain on the pump casing check that all pipe connections are tight use a strainer recommended by the pump manufacturer anchor the pump securely so that it doesn't move during operation work the pump within its limits provide ventilation for the motor or engine keep the pump and motor connection aligned make sure the pump is primed before starting keep the strainer clean service the pump regularly.

Don't: pump corrosive liquids operate the pump without water operate the pump if the discharge valve is closed operate the pump if the strainer is blocked operate the pump if it is vibrating excessively install the suction pipes so that air can build up in them forget to do regular maintenance.