Company news (The Water Wheel, November/December 2009)

Abstract

The current trend of installing submersible pumps designed for boreholes in either dams or rivers is often perceived as a cost saving, but can have serious financial implications if not done correctly, according to Franklin Electric SA. It is generally not recommended to use borehole submersible pumps in a river or dam instead of a standard centrifugal pump and motor, but they can be used in certain instances as borehole submersible pumps do not get water damage unlike standard electric motors if flooded. Should a borehole pump be used in either a dam or river, however, several criteria should be considered. When a borehole pump is used in a borehole, it should pump clean water, stand vertical in the borehole, almost automatically have an immediate pressure against the pump caused from the depth of the borehole, and have a certain velocity of water moving past the motor to ensure cooling of the motor. This does not occur automatically in a dam, reservoir or river.

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