PLUMBING FUNDAMENTALS

MODULE 7:

THE PUMPING OF
WATER

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU

What are the Factors to be considered

in the Pumping of Water?
1. The Mass of the water to be lifted.
2. The Height through which water must
be lifted or forced.
3. The Distance water must travel in
flowing from one place to another.
4. The ways in which water may be affected
by Friction.

Danilo V. Ravina,
NAMPAP CEBU

Height of
Water

The Elements of Pumping of

Water:

Pipe
Friction

Travel Distance

Mass of
Water
Danilo V. Ravina,
NAMPAP CEBU

What are the different types of Heads

relative to the pumping of water?

Pressure in a water supply system is dependent on the

head of water above the point being considered.
There are different kinds of Head defined according to
their effect on pumping operations:
1. Static Discharge Head
10. Static Suction Lift
2. Friction Head
11. Total Suction Lift
3. Total Discharge Head
12. Negative Suction Lift
4. Suction Head
13. Total Negative Suction
5. Positive Suction Head
Lift
6. Velocity Head
7. Total Positive Suction Head
8. Pressure Head
9. Total Pump Head

Danilo V. Ravina,
NAMPAP CEBU

Total Delivery Head-is the Static

Delivery Head + the Friction Head in all
of the delivery pipe & fittings.

Static Delivery Head-is the vertical

distance from the center line of the
pump to the point of free discharge
(free surface of the discharge liquid).

Friction Head-is the head necessary

to overcome resistance to flow of the
liquid. Friction head must not exceed
the TDH.

Static Suction Lift is the vertical

distance from the liquid level to the
center line of the pump.

Velocity Head-is the head required

to accelerate the water in the delivery
pipe. It is so nominal that it is usually
ignored.

Total Pump Head-is the Total

Suction Lift + Total Delivery Head + the
Velocity Head.

Various Pumping

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU

Negative Suction Lift exists when

the pump is above the liquid to be
pumped & is the vertical distance from
the centerline of the pump down to the
free surface of the liquid.

Pressure Head is the vertical height

to which a given pressure will force
water. If the pressure is known the head
can be calculated as:
Head (m) = Pressure (kPa) x 0.102

Total Suction Lift is the Static

Suction Lift + Friction Head in the
entire suction pipe & fittings.

Suction Lift is the term used when

the source of supply is below the center
line of the pump.

Pumping Liquid
with Negative
Suction Lift

Total Negative Suction Lift is the

Static Suction Lift + the Friction Lift &
the Velocity Head in the inlet pipe
system.

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU

Positive Suction Head

exists when the pump is below
the liquid to be pumped & is the
vertical distance from the
centerline of the pump to the free
surface of the liquid.

Total Positive Suction Head

is the Static Suction Head
minus the Friction Head and the
Velocity Head in the inlet pipe
system.

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU

What is the common system of

pumping water in high rise
buildings:
The Overhead Feed System
1.

2.
3.

Composed of a low level cistern (suction tank) that

receives water from the supply main at the ground level
and serves as a boosting reservoir & prevents the
lowering of pressure on the supply main. The sizing of
the suction tank should be carefully considered to
prevent water stagnation, which could occur because of
oversizing.
A Gravity tank is installed at the topmost part of the
building to get the required head for the downfeed pipe.
A Transfer pump is used as a boosting equipment to bring
water from the suction tank to the gravity tank, while
overcoming the total static head plus the frictional
resistances in the pipes and fittings.

Danilo V. Ravina,
NAMPAP CEBU

The Overhead Feed System

Upfeed Pipe
or Supply
Riser

Gravity
Tank

Transfer
Pump
Suction Tank
Danilo V. Ravina,
NAMPAP CEBU

Suction Tank

Variations of the Overhead Feed Piping

System:

SINGLE STAGE PUMPING FOR MID-RISE

BUILDINGS
Danilo V. Ravina,
NAMPAP CEBU

10

Variations of the Overhead Feed Piping

System:

SINGLE STAGE PUMPING FOR MID-RISE

BUILDING
Danilo V. Ravina,
11
NAMPAP CEBU

Variations of the Overhead Feed Piping

System:

ZONED PUMPING FOR HIGH RISE BUILDINGS

Danilo V. Ravina,
NAMPAP CEBU

12

What is Hydropneumatic Pressure

System?

The topmost floor of the building may not have

the available working pressure for the plumbing
fixtures contained therein due to lack of the
required head.
To compensate for this deficiency, a
hydropneumatic system is provided to raise and
supply water to these fixtures, using compressed
air as the delivering agent.
This system is composed of double-acting
reciprocating pump and a cylindrical steel storage
tank.
In multi storey buildings, hydropneumatic
pressure systems serve zones of about 10
Danilostoreys.
V. Ravina,
A thirty
storey building may be provided
13
NAMPAP CEBU

Operating Principle of Hydropneumatic

Pressure System:

The pressure tank is

normally filled with water
in the lower part & air in
the upper part.
The water is pumped into
the tank near the bottom,
compressing the air above
it.
The usual pressure range
is 138 kPa (20 psi)
minimum to 276 kPa (40
psi) maximum.
When the pressure is at
minimum, the pump starts
and if the pressure reaches
Danilo V. Ravina,
maximum, it stops.

NAMPAP CEBU

14

What are the kinds of Pressure Vessels

used in the Hydropneumatic Pressure
System?
1. Simple Air Cushion Tank a tank constructed to

special standards to withstand pressure. It is usually

coated inside with corrosion resistant treatment as the
water makes direct contact with the interior. The air is
compressed above the water.
2. Separated Air Cushion Cylinder water is
totally confined in an elastic rubber bag. When water is
pumped the bag expands, compressing the air in the
cylinder until the pressure switch reaches its setting &
shuts off the motor. When a faucet is opened the
compressed air forces the water out & the pressure drops
until the switch again starts the motor. The air is never in
contact with the water, so it cannot be absorbed.
3. Elastic Sock Pressure Vessel uses a very
strong rubber sock which is stretched by the water
pressure & then forces the water out when a faucet is
opened. The capacity of this type is much less than the
air cushion & therefore the water will turn on more often
Danilo V. Ravina,
15
faster wear
and tear.
NAMPAPcausing
CEBU

Pumping of Potable and Non-Potable

Water

Danilo V. Ravina,
NAMPAP CEBU

16

END OF PRESENTATION

Danilo V. Ravina,
NAMPAP CEBU

17