Keywords
Citation
(2001), "Sand and corrosion", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 48 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2001.12848dad.016
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited
Sand and corrosion
Sand and corrosionKeywords: Berkeley Pump, Pumps, Abrasion
Submersible turbine pumps used to draw water from wells for agricultural, industrial and municipal water-processing plants are exposed to sand and corrosion, which take a toll on internal components and shorten pump life.
Berkeley Pump of Delavan, Wisconsin, USA, re-tooled its 6T and 7T submersible pumps, equipping them with investment-cast 304 stainless steel impellers, which it claims is an industry first, and with all-rubber bearings, to strengthen their abrasion and corrosion resistance.
Berkeley engineers redesigned the upthrust portion of the pumps, and replaced the thrust screw and nut with upthrust washers. This design permitted a rubber bearing to be installed at the top of each pump, stabilising the shaft in abrasive environments and prolonging the overall life of the product. The pumps' stainless steel shafts are precision ground and polished to reduce running friction and thereby extend service life. In addition, the pumps' neoprene bearings channel sand and other abrasive particles away from the shaft.
The new pumps rely on a stainless steel suction strainer that is inherently corrosion resistant and will not collapse during service. Engineers installed a cast-iron suction bracket to provide precise alignment between the pump and motor.
The 6T pump series is designed to serve 6 inch well casings connected to motors ranging from 1.5 to 60 horsepower, pumping up to 400 gallons per minute, The 7T series serves well casings 8 inches in diameter and larger, powered by motors ranging from 5 to 125hp, and can pump up to 650 gallons per minute. Either series can achieve heads to 1,400 feet.