Sedimentation

Sedimentation

Pump water often contains solids. This will accumulate wear on pumps, valves, flow meters, fittings and quite common in mining and tunneling. Pumping water where there are solids present, sedimentation is a risk.

We commonly see pipes and pumps plugged with solids. It is first noticed as a slow loss of volume pumped due to the restriction and then by secondary mechanical loses from wear on pump parts. Employing the use of a sedimentation tank will help you prevent premature wear, pump failure and lost production.

To ensure the efficiency of the sedimentation tank, design it close to the source and as large as you can.

If a sedimentation tank is not possible, here is a simple guideline for discharge line velocities.

Mixture                                            Min. velocity in discharge line
1. Water + coarse gravel                    4 m/s (13.1 ft/s)
2. Water + gravel                                3 m/s (11.5 ft/s)
3. Water + sand:
Sand particles                                  < 0.1mm (0.004 in) 1.5 m/s (8.2 ft/s)
Sand particles                                  < 0.6mm (0.024 in) 2.5 m/s (4.9 ft/s)

Please feel free to reach out to any North Fringe employee to discuss operation and installation for all submersible pumps.