Surface-Mounted, Self-Priming Pumps from Kelair Pumps Australia

Self-priming centrifugal pumps can be suitable for a variety of pumping applications where a submersible pump is not the preferred option.

Use of a surface-mounted, self-priming pump can reduce potential OH&S issues (e.g. by avoiding the need to access a sewer pit) as well as enabling easy access to the pump and motor for inspection and maintenance. A non-submersible pump can also be a more economical option for larger flows or for handling sludge-like fluids that may cause blockages or cooling problems for a submersible pump.

One such application involved the circulation of sludge in a covered anaerobic lagoon at a wastewater treatment plant and a self-priming pump was specified to meet a duty of approximately 110L/s at 6m total dynamic head.

The pump was required to draw sludge from various parts of the lagoon and return it to other areas of the lagoon in order to maintain a homogeneous fluid mix.

Kelair supplied a P10 Pioneer 10 inch, self-priming, solids-handling centrifugal pump; base-mounted and coupled to a 15kW, 8-pole motor. The Pioneer pump was supplied in standard ductile iron construction with hard-faced mechanical seal and its two-vane impeller can pass solids of up to 3 inches in diameter.

The pump operates continuously and is meeting the duty comfortably.

While the standard ductile iron construction is suitable for most sewage-related wastewater applications, the Pioneer pumps are available in other materials of construction including 316 stainless steel, CD4-MCu and hardened ductile iron for handling more aggressive fluids.

Pioneer pumps are available in a variety of sizes, drive options (electric motor, diesel engine, etc.) and mounting configurations (skid-mounted, trailer-mounted, etc.)