Vertical Centrifugal Pump Working:- Hi readers, welcome back, and thank you for your love and support. Today, we are here to discuss the working of a Vertical Centrifugal Pump. I have used many vertical centrifugal pumps, but mostly I have experience with horizontal centrifugal pumps, as vertical pumps are used in fewer applications. Based on my knowledge, I have written this article.
In this article i will cover what is Vertical Centrifugal Pumps, types of Vertical Centrifugal Pump, components of it, vertical centrifugal pump diagram, Advantages of Vertical-Centrifugal Pumps, disadvantages of it, Applications of Vertical Centrifugal Pumps, standard used for vertical type of pump, Installation and Maintenance of, Vertical Centrifugal Pumps vs horizontal Centrifugal Pumps, pro tips for selection of vertical-Centrifugal Pumps, FAQs about it.
Table of Contents
What is Vertical Centrifugal Pump
This is a type of centrifugal pump that has a vertical orientation, so we call it a vertical centrifugal pump. In a vertical-centrifugal pump, the motor is positioned above the pump. Based on my research and knowledge, if there is a space concern, we can use a vertical type of centrifugal pump. Because of its vertical orientation, it consumes less space horizontally. In a horizontal type of centrifugal pump, the motor and assembly are placed horizontally, so it consumes more space. However, if we use a vertical type of centrifugal pump, the motor and shaft are vertical, so it doesn’t consume space like a horizontal centrifugal pump.
Vertical Centrifugal Pump Working
If we talk about the working principle of a vertical centrifugal pump, it has the same working principle as a normal, i.e., horizontal centrifugal pump. It also works on centrifugal force. The vanes inside the casing rotate, creating centrifugal force, which causes a vacuum on the suction side, drawing in the liquid and increasing its velocity, resulting in a pressure increase. If velocity increases, the pressure will also increase.
Based on my experience and knowledge, there is no difference in the working of horizontal and vertical centrifugal pumps.
The motor delivers power to the shaft, which rotates the impeller inside the pump. The rotating impeller creates centrifugal force, and due to this, the fluid is discharged at higher velocity and pressure from the discharge nozzle.
Types of Vertical Centrifugal Pump
There are no distinct types, but we can refer to pumps as single-stage vertical pumps or multi-stage vertical pumps. Normally, we choose vertical pumps when we need multi-stage for pressure applications. Based on my knowledge and experience, the following are the key types of vertical centrifugal pumps:
Single-Stage Vertical Centrifugal Pump
It contains only a single impeller, so we call it a single-stage vertical pump. But frankly, I have not seen this type of pump in my 15 years of career. Although I have ordered and sized many centrifugal pumps (both vertical and horizontal), I have never come across a single-stage vertical centrifugal pump in my 15 years of experience.
Multi-Stage Vertical Centrifugal Pump
Multi-stage vertical centrifugal pumps are normally used when there is a space concern and when high pressure is required. In such cases, we use multi-stage pumps. The number of stages depends on the application, mainly on the pressure requirement. If the pressure need is high, we go with multiple impellers. Note that the addition of stages or impellers increases pressure, not flow.
Components of Vertical Centrifugal Pump
Now let’s discuss one of the main aspects regarding it. When we talk about vertical centrifugal pumps, we must know the key parts or components of such pumps. If we understand the parts and their functions, it will help in designing the pump or creating the pump data sheet. If you need a data sheet for a vertical centrifugal pump, please comment with your email address, and I will share the standard data sheet.
There are many parts to consider, but a few key components of the pump are listed below:
Motor
Uses electricity to rotate the shaft.
Shaft
Transfers mechanical rotation energy from the motor and rotates, along with the impeller attached to it.
Impeller
Rotates with the help of the shaft, which is attached to it, creating centrifugal force.
Casing
Where the pumping action takes place.
Suction Nozzle
The fluid enters the pump from here. Typically, in centrifugal pumps, the size of the suction nozzle is larger than the discharge nozzle.
Discharge Nozzle
The liquid is discharged at higher velocity and pressure from here.
Apart from the above, other important components include bearings, vanes, and additional fittings such as strainers, inlet isolation valves, safety relief valves (SRV), and discharge valves.
Vertical centrifugal Pump Diagram
I have tried to create a diagram showing its key components. Please see the diagram below.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Now let’s start the discussion on the advantages and disadvantages of vertical centrifugal pumps.
I have divided this section into two parts: in the first, we will cover the key advantages, and in the second, we will cover the key disadvantages
Advantages of Vertical Centrifugal Pump
The key advantages of such types of pumps are as follows:
- Requires low space due to vertical mounting.
- Suitable for borewells – this type is excellent for submerged applications, especially for borewells, and is commonly used in India for water transportation from borewells.
- Provides high efficiency.
- Maintenance requirements are minimal.
Disadvantages of Vertical Centrifugal Pump
The key disadvantages of such types of pumps are as follows:
- Higher Initial Installation Cost: If we are going to use it for a borewell, we may need to pay a higher cost. This is because, in borewells, we typically use a well and chain to lower the pump, which consumes time and incurs higher costs due to the equipment required for its installation.
- Challenging Maintenance Access: If we install it in a borewell, it can be challenging to perform maintenance. To maintain the pump, we need to pull it out.
- Limited Fluid Compatibility: We cannot use it when the fluid contains high solids or is highly viscous.
Applications of Vertical Centrifugal Pump
W use Vertical-centrifugal pumps in almost all kind of applications across all industries due to their efficiency and space-saving design. Belo i have listed some common applications:
- Water Supply and Distribution : Normally used in borewell to transport the water.
- Industrial Process Water : In process industry it use to transport the water.
- HVAC Systems : In heat ventilation and air conditioning industry it use to transport the chill water.
- Wastewater Treatment : Normalcy in effluent treatments plant it use to transfer the effluents.
- Chemical Processing industry : it used to transport water for boiler and many applications.
- Oil and gas industry : It used after separator to transfer the fluid.
Standard used for vertical type of pump
As per my knowledge i have covered the following as key standers that we are using currently for design , construction and testing in industry.
API 610
API 610 covers the design, manufacturing, testing, and performance of centrifugal pumps that we used in the petroleum or petrochemical industries, as well as chemical industry or related sectors.
What is API 610 Standard?
API 610 is a standard from “American Petroleum Institute (API)” which gives idea about design and construction and testing about centrifugal pump which we sue in oil and gas and in chemical sector.
What are the importance of API 610?
The key importance are,
- Industry Acceptance
- Consistency
- Enhanced Safety
- Cost-Effectiveness
ISO 13709
What is ISO 13709? Why is ISO 13709 Important?
ISO 13709 is “Centrifugal Pumps for Petroleum, Petrochemical, and Natural Gas Industries” it is stander like API 610 which provides framework for centrifugal pumps. It also It is aligned with API 610.
Installation and Maintenance of Vertical-Centrifugal Pump
Proper installation of vertical types of pumps is very important from a reliability and efficiency point of view.
Some key stages for installation of it are as below.
- Preparation for installation
- Putting into the frame
- Alignment
- Mounting
- tie in of piping
- Termination of Electrical Connections
- Fill the water to do priming
- Checking like current, direction of vanes etc.
In maintenance, we need timely lubrication, observe the noise level, check the alignment, keep records, and also clean the pump as required by the process fluid.
Vertical Centrifugal Pumps vs horizontal Centrifugal Pump
| Feature | Vatical type of centrifugal pump | Horizontal type of centrifugal pump |
| Orientation | Vertical | Horizontal |
| Required Space | Less compare to horizontal | More as compare to vertical |
| Installation Cost | Higher compare to horizontal | Higher compare to vertical |
| Vibration | Less | high |
| Applications | Good for borewell | Not good for borewell |
Pro tips for selection of vertical Centrifugal Pump
Now I am going to share some tips that may help you with the selection of such types of pumps, as well as assist you in cracking the interview. For selection, always think from the space point of view, maintenance point of view, and pressure point of view as well.
For the interview, you should have knowledge of vertical versus horizontal pumps, their key parts, and applications.
FAQs
Some questions are listed below. Please share your questions here as well, so I can update the list with their answers, which will be helpful for all of us.
What are the three difference between vertical and horizontal centrifugal pumps?
The first one is about mounting: vertical types have vertical mounting, while horizontal types have horizontal mounting. The second is maintenance access; in the case of horizontal pumps, it is easy to access. The third is about installation cost, which is lower for horizontal types of centrifugal pumps.
What are the disadvantages of vertical centrifugal pumps?
Higher Initial Installation Cost, difficulty in Maintenance Access are the key disadvantages vertical centrifugal-pumps.
Conclusion
Vertical types of centrifugal pumps are used for submerged applications, especially for borewells. ISO 13709 and API 610 are the two main standards we need to consider for centrifugal pumps. In vertical centrifugal pumps, the motor mounting is vertical, which helps reduce space requirements. Maintenance access and installation costs are the disadvantages of these pumps.
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