How to Improve the Self-Priming Ability of Your Centrifugal Pumps: Pump Know-How

Centrifugal pumps are widely used in many industries, but they have one significant limitation – no self-priming ability. They require a flooded suction line to operate properly. If the suction line is not completely filled with water, the pump cannot create the necessary vacuum to start pumping. This limitation can be a problem in applications where the pump is located above the level of the water source, such as when a centrifugal pump is used for dewatering or irrigation.

However, there is a solution to this problem: improve self-priming ability to your centrifugal pumps. In this way, it can pull water into the pump and begin pumping without the need for a flooded suction line. In this article, we will discuss how to add self-priming ability to your centrifugal pump and transform it into a self-priming pump.

NO1: Install a foot valve

Install a foot valve at the end of the suction pipe. The foot valve is essentially a check valve that ensures water flows only from the pool into the suction pipe and cannot flow back. Therefore, even if the water level inside the suction pipe is filled with water, the water in the pipe will not flow back into the pool, as the foot valve prevents it. This ensures the suction pipe is always filled with water, allowing the water pump to automatically and quickly start even if the pump axis is higher than the working water level of the pool.

NO2: Install a suction tank

Instead of the foot valve, a suction tank is another method to solve the problem of pump frequently failing to draw water.

This involves setting up a suction tank on the pump's suction pipe and manually filling the tank with water before the first operation of the pump. After the pump stops running, the water in the tank will not flow back into the pool, even if the water level inside the tank is higher than that in the pool, because the water inlet pipe of the suction tank is higher than the water level in the pipe. As a result, a certain amount of water can be stored in the suction tank. The outlet pipe of the suction tank, which is the suction pipe of the water pump, is lower than the water level in the pipe, ensuring that the suction pipe of the water pump is filled with water. When the water pump operates again, it pumps the water in the tank away, creating negative pressure in the tank. This negative pressure causes the water in the pool to be replenished into the suction tank under the action of atmospheric pressure, thus achieving the purpose of self-priming.

In conclusion, with self-priming ability, you can operate your pump in applications where a flooded suction line is not available, and you can enjoy the benefits of a more versatile and efficient pumping system.