Features of the application of vortex pumps

Pumps have a wide range of applications, serving various purposes. In the home setting, they are commonly used for irrigation and water supply. In industrial settings, pumps are essential for pumping water from wells, as well as for handling gaseous and volatile substances. Municipal utilities often rely on pumps in small boiler rooms. There are different types of pumping equipment, each with its own unique features, design, and purpose. In this article, we will focus on vortex pumps, which have gained popularity in recent years.

Where the vortex pump is used

The vortex pump primarily functions to pump water, although it is also capable of transporting gaseous substances. There are several different types of vortex pumps, but they all feature an impeller with specially designed blades. The key distinction between vortex pumps lies in their ability to work with small amounts of water while still providing sufficient pressure. As a result, these pumps are most commonly used in situations where a large head of water needs to be maintained with a limited volume of water. Vortex pumps find applications in both domestic and industrial settings. They are commonly utilized in automatic water supply systems and irrigation systems. They are also suitable for transferring various types of liquids and can even operate as compressors to increase water supply system pressure. Specifically, a vortex pump is used for the following purposes:

• Automated pumping stations are commonly utilized for supplying water to country houses.
• Gas stations rely on pumps to transfer gasoline and kerosene.
• Low-power boiler units can benefit from the use of pumps for fuel supply.

Vortex pumps are frequently employed in the chemical industry to transport chemically aggressive substances. The manufacturing process for vortex pumps involves the use of chemically resistant alloys that are challenging to shape and cast.

Design and operating principle

As previously mentioned, the primary operational component of this particular device is a wheel (impeller) equipped with blades that act as vanes. These blades are positioned either radially or obliquely in relation to the axis of the wheel. The impeller itself is a steel disk adorned with pits along its outer circumference, which serve as the foundation for the blades.

Within the cylindrical casing, the wheel with the vanes rotates, with the goal of minimizing the distance between the vane ends and the casing wall. The principle driving the action of a vortex pump lies in the attraction and swirling of water into a vortex through the impeller. With minimal energy expenditure, the force of the flow is significantly amplified, ultimately resulting in the expulsion of high-pressure liquid from the outlet.

It should be mentioned that the pump’s inlet and outlet connections are positioned on the upper part of the machinery. This particular design grants the capability of self-priming the liquid during the initial operation of the equipment.

The vortex pump possesses a distinctive casting channel that links the outlet to the inlet while being separated by a specialized baffle. The baffle encompasses at least two vanes, and the space between the baffle and the impeller measures no more than 0.2 mm. As a result, the movement of the impeller and the pumped water generates a centrifugal force that elevates the pressure. Through this construction, not only was it possible to augment the outlet pressure, but also to pump gas-liquid substances.

Thanks to its design characteristics, the vortex pump offers approximately 7 times greater efficiency compared to a centrifugal pump of the same impeller size and rotational speed.

Advantages and disadvantages of vortex pumps

Vortex pumps come with both advantages and disadvantages. The benefits of these pumps include a high head at the outlet, the ability to self-suction water, the capability to pump both liquids and volatile substances, and the ability to handle structures with gas. Additionally, these devices can not only pump water but also transport it through pipes. Submersible pumps with a vortex system can be used at depths of up to 20 meters.

The primary drawback of the vortex pump is its low efficiency factor, which is approximately 45%. If high production capacity is required, it would be more cost-effective to opt for a centrifugal pump. The models under consideration are only employed at large enterprises when centrifugal pumps are not feasible. Moreover, vortex pumps are incapable of handling water with solid particle inclusions and are unsuitable for viscous substances.

Classification

Vortex pumps can be identified based on a variety of factors. At present, there are several categories of vortex devices:

• Open and closed-vortex pumps;
• Submersible and surface vortex pumps;
• Combined vortex pumps.

Each type serves a distinct function and possesses unique structural characteristics.

Open-vortex and closed-vortex pumps

A distinguishing feature of an open-vortex pump compared to a closed-vortex pump is the utilization of longer blades, a smaller impeller diameter relative to the outlet channel, and a connection solely between the annular channel and the discharge connection. In contrast, closed-vortex pumps feature shorter blades positioned at various angles, an impeller diameter that matches the diameter of the inner chamber, and a channel that links the inlet and outlet ports.

Here is how the operation differs. The water comes in through the inlet and goes into the working chamber, where it is sent as a vortex to the connecting channel and then exits under pressure through the outlet pipe. In closed devices, because the working chamber and the wheel have the same diameter, the water immediately goes into the connecting channel, where a vortex is formed and the pressure increases.

Submersible and surface models

It is easy to distinguish between these models based on their names: submersible models are placed directly in the pumped medium, while surface models are located nearby. The preferred application for the first type is pumping liquids or less viscous substances, while the second type is commonly used for water circulation, such as in irrigation systems or for home water supply.

Combination versions

The handling of heavily contaminated substances can be achieved with free-vortex models. These models are commonly used as fecal or drainage pumps, particularly in sewage treatment plants and in the mining industry where they are employed to pump water out of wells during drilling.

The efficiency of centrifugal vortex pumps is superior to that of classic vortex models. They are capable of working with liquids that have a maximum heating temperature of 105 degrees Celsius. The key difference lies in the simultaneous installation of both centrifugal and vortex impellers.

Vortex type vacuum pumps are a type of blower. They have various applications, such as distributing hot or cold air and achieving a small vacuum. One common use is for drying glass containers and aerating bodies of water.

Which pump is better – a vortex or centrifugal pump

To determine which is superior, a vortex pump or a centrifugal pump, it is crucial to carefully examine the distinct features of vortex pumps:

• They have a smaller size and a lower price compared to centrifugal pumps;
• They have the ability to generate high pressure;
• They can handle pure substances;
• They do have a relatively high noise level.

Currently, vortex pumps are capable of providing capacities ranging from 8 to 60 cubic meters per hour, with a head ranging from 25 to 250 meters.

When considering vortex models, it can be deduced that they are most appropriate for industrial use as they have the ability to pump more than just liquids. However, their high noise level makes them unsuitable for residential or nearby use. With their affordable price and compact size, they are ideal for small pumping stations, where they can handle low flow but high head operation. Additionally, they are well-suited for agricultural purposes, such as providing water for irrigation systems on farms. These pumps also excel as auxiliary boiler stations and can be used as compressors for water circulation. Notably, their construction and repair are simple.

Tip! It is recommended to purchase these pumps for small farms or the chemical industry. In other spheres, they may be less effective compared to centrifugal variants.