Seawater Pump 10

[PUMPDESIGNER]

I am being asked to replace the pumps on a four lane underground tunnel that is below sea level.
Project is overseas.
The pumps dewater the tunnel which appears to have moderate leakage from the ocean a few feet away, why I do not know.

The pumps in place fail constantly and they are tired of flying the manufacturer in to repair and replace them.

I have pumped seawater before, but not enough to know for sure how to obtain the maximum service life.

My first approach is to provide a multi-stage turbine, closed impellers, submersible motor, all 316 stainless. We do not have to pump solids, we can install self cleaning intake strainers.

The original equipment we are replacing is a rail type system for sewage, open impellers, cast iron body, bronze impellers.

We lift the water 40 feet, then move it 300 feet horizontally to the ocean to dump it.

Each pump will move 300 gpm @ 80 feet TDH.

Anyone with a firm opinion about the most reliable method possible?

PUMPDESIGNER

 

[vanstoja]

58 additional pre-1983 references on pump impeller hydraulic forces are cited in Flack,R.D. & Allaire,P.E.,"Lateral Forces on Pump Impellers-A Literature Review", Shock and Vibration Digest(?), 1983 or 1982, pp.1-10. It covers both static and dynamic pressure and force predictions and measurements. The authors are from U.Virginia.

 

[Artisi]

It has certainly turned into an interesting discussion, but don't forget the old saying

-When you're up to your neck in crocodile infested swamp water - don't lose sight of the fact that you came here to drain the swamp.

Or in this case - select a couple of pumps.

Naresuan University
Phitsanulok
Thailand