Here is some quick background on the function of submersible and jet pump.
PUMP FUNDAMENTALS 101-
Submersible pump and jet pump are used to pump water from a well. The jet pump, either shallow or deep well, is used above ground. It uses an impeller and a diffuser to suck the water into a pipe. If it is a shallow pump, its ejector is above ground, while the deep well ejector is submerged. The submersible pump is submerged in water near the bottom of your well. It uses existing pressure to push water up to the surface and into your home. Depending on the performance of your well and the needs of your water use (domestic or industrial, etc.), you may have to make a decision between the jet pump or the submersible pump.
My first tip is to save time. The submersible pump saves you time because it is self-priming. It is necessary to prime a jet pump, either shallow or deep well (convertible). It can be tricky because you have to get water into the airless jet pump. This may take several tries! A jet pump can also stop working because it has lost its power. You may then need to get donated water from another source (like really nice neighbors) and replace valves that are often to blame for loss of prime. This pump will also not prime if there is a blockage in the nozzle, pack, or a leak on the suction side of the pump. Remember that the water for the submersible pump is conveniently located in the pump itself. It goes to work immediately after you place it. Effortlessly push water to the surface while maintaining pressure and saving you setup and setup time!
My second tip involves saving energy. The submersible pump saves energy because it builds pressure 30% faster than the jet pump. The submersible pump also saves energy by not having to fight against gravity and atmospheric pressure like the jet pump does (and it’s not as quiet). This struggle can create a high lift between the pump and the surface of the water. This circumstance can cause cavitation, which is a serious damage to our jet pump. It can also cause overheating and power surges which are dangerous and costly. Remember that jet pumps are limited to 1 1/2 hp for a given hp and flow rates around 10 gpm at a depth of 50 feet. Submersible pumps meet your water needs on demand, regardless of the size of the well. That means more water for higher demand such as garden ponds, sprinkler systems, horticulture, industrial and commercial pumping, just to name a few.
My third tip is to save money. The submersible pump has a sealed motor and pump. It is practically maintenance free. The jet pump does not have a sealed motor or pump, therefore it may have corrosion inside the pump caused by the fluid. There may also be leaks along the rotating shaft. Impeller wear can also be affected by suspended solids. These problems can be quite expensive to repair. Not to mention the cost of the electricity that runs it. You can expect the initial cost of the submersible pump to be higher (gpm/hp factors), but the life expectancy is longer than any other pump. One reason could be that the cooler well water it is submerged in protects the engine and its parts from higher temperatures. Submersibles also have a water intake induction port at the bottom end of the motor that cools it. In the long run, the submersible pump is an investment that will save you money.
July 14, 2010
