Pump Head: Function, Types, and Applications

What Is Head of a Pump?

The pump head or discharge head of water pumps is measured by the power of a pump. The larger the pump head, the more pressure the pump can generate.

This figure is measured in meters (or feet) and is calculated by placing a tube at the pump’s discharge and measuring the maximum height to which it can pump water.

Simply puts, the head of pumps is the maximum height that the pump can achieve pumping against gravity. Intuitively, if a pump can generate more pressure, it can pump more water & produce a higher head.

The purest examples of this are if you have verticals pipes running straight up from the discharge outlet.

A pump with a 5 m head will pump liquids 5 m above the pipe 5 m from the discharge outlet. Also, note that the more liquid in the tank, the better the pump will be able to pump water into the vertical discharge pipe due to the suction head exerted by the liquid in the tank.

Pressure Vs Head:

Sometimes the head can be confusing with pressures when choosing a pump. There is a strict relationship between them which is defined by the fluid specific gravity, so the relationship is fluid dependents.

So what are the differences between pressure & head? As mentioned above, the head is the height given to the fluid by the pump and is measured in meters of the liquid column [m.l.c.] or simply indicated in meters [m].

A given head is fluid independent, meaning that different fluids with different specific gravities are all raised to the same height. Instead, the pressure is dependent on the fluid and is affected by the fluid density.

The force of a fixed heights liquid columns on a unitary sphere will change with different specific gravities. So, in these cases, the same head generates different pressure.

The pump head is not calculated directly. Manometers on the pump suction & delivery line give a measurement of pressure. The measurements given by the manometer show the differential pressure exerted by the pump between suction & discharges.

These measure is read in [bar] [atm] [psi] [ft H2O] etc. The specific gravity must be considered to evaluate the correspondent head.

Total Head:

Another more useful measures of the head are the difference between the liquid level in the suction tanks & the head in the vertical discharge pipe. These numbers are known as the “total head” the pump can produce.

Increasing the level of liquid in the suction tank will lead to an enlarged head, and a decrease in the level will lead to a lower head. Pump manufacturers & suppliers often won’t tell you how much head a pump can produce because they can’t predict the height of the liquid in your suction tank.

Instead, they will report the totals head of the pump, the height between the level of liquid in the suctions tanks, & the height of a column of water that can be received by the pump. The total head is independent of the levels of liquid in the suctions tanks.

Mathematically speaking, the total vertex formula is as follows.

Total Head = Pump Head – Suction Head.

Pump Head Vs Flow Rate:

At maximum pump top, the flow to the water pump systems is zero. This is because the pumps cannot generate any pressures to move the water as all the powers are being used to lifts the waters that are already in the system. When the pump head is zeros, the water flows at the maximums rates.

The result of a zero pump head is that instead of lifting, the pump’s energy can be applied entirely to the moving water; the flow is faster.

As the pump head increases, the flow decreases, and vice versa. This relationship creates a unique graph of the operation area of an individual pump that can be used to select the right water pump for any job.

Of course, friction must be taken into account when the flow is introduced into the pump system. The force of friction between the water and the sides of the pipe further reduces the flow rate. When considering a flowing water pump system, total head = (Pump Head – Suction Head) + Friction.

We’re not going to discuss pipe friction in any detail here, but it’s important to know that if you’re going to pump long distances as well, you’re going to be affecting the overall pump head.

The roughness of the pipe surface & the sharp bends in the pipework will have a significant impact on the pump head.

Pump Head Vs. Suction Head:

The suction head of a pump is similar to its pump head except that it is the opposite. Rather than being a measure of maximum discharge, it is a measure of the maximum depth to which pumps can lift waters by means of suctions.

These are two equal but opposites forces that affect the flow of waters pumps. As mentions above, Total Head = Pump Head – Suctions Head.

If the waters level is higher than the pumps, the suction head is negative, and the pump head will rise. This is because the waters entering the pumps exert additional pressure on the suction.

Conversely, if the pumps are located above the waters to be pumped, the suction head is positive, and the pump’s head will decrease. This is because the pumps must use energy to bring the waters up to the level of the pump.

What Is High Head Sump Pump?

High Head Sump Pumps are submersibles pressure pumps specially designed for applications with long pipe runs or heavy-duty high lift situations, dirty water, wastewater treatment systems, gray water, wastewater, water transfer, and industrial pressure For pump applications.

Water Pumps Now a comprehensive range of High Head Sump Pumps will ensure that you have a pump to suit your application. on any product listed for abundant information and specifications to aid in your High Head Sump Pump selection.

Water Pumps Now a comprehensive range of High Head Sump Pumps will ensure that you have a pump to suit your application.

How Does a Sump Pump Work?

When a sump pit is filled with water, it reaches a sets level on the pump, activating a switch & automatically turning on the sump pump. Most sumps pumps use centrifugal pumps with an impeller to move the water within the pits.

As the impellers push the waters out of the pit, more water flows out to fill the void, forcing the water to flow out through the pipe into the sump pit. A check valve in this pipe prevents water from flowing back, so it flows into the outflow pipe and away from the building.

Types of High Head Sump Pump:

Here are the mains types of sump pump systems available:

#1. Primary Sump Pumps

These are the main operating pumps used to remove water from sump pits and protect businesses and homes from damage. There are two types of primary pumps available:

#2. Submersible

These electrically powered pumps combine the pump body and the motor. They are completely submerged in the sump pit water, which helps prevent the pump from overheating so that it can last longer.

#3. Pedestal

These sump pumps have their motor mounted on the tops of longs tubes above the sump pit so that they are fewer vulnerable to water damage. They are ideal for small sump pits that cannot accommodate a submersible sump pump.

#4. Backup Pump

If your primary pump stops working, a backup pump can provide additional protection if you need additional flood protection. They start when automatically the primary pump fails and do not use corded electric power. Backup sump pumps are either water-powered or have battery backup.

#5. Combination Pump

These types of sump pumps combine a primary pump with a battery-powered backup pump in a system. Like the backup pump, if the primary pump malfunctions or there is a power failure, the backup pump will be activated automatically.

#6. Pumps for Sewages and Septics Systems

6.1. Sewage Pumps:-

Instead of ridding your basements of waters, sewage pumps move solid waste into septics or sewage systems. Sewage ejectors pumps are mounted in basins in septic systems and pump any collected debris up to the main sewer line.

Sewage grinder pumps grind the solid waste into smaller particles so that it can be pumped into sewage systems.

6.2. Effluent Pumps:-

Effluent pumps help to pump out the treated water from the septic tank by using high heat with high pressure.

Advantages of Sump Pump:

Let’s firsts look at the benefits of using & installing a sump pump in your residential property. Take note of the following:

#1. Effective Water Removal

There is no doubt that this submersible device is a highly effective way to get rid of excess waters in your basements or crawl space. It has long been proven useful among many homeowners.

#2. Addressing Major Leaks

This concrete pump works hard to eliminate excess water even during major leaks. It can remove significant amounts of water in a relatively short period of time. On the other hand, curtain drains systems cannot handle high water volume, or it may take time to do so; it relies on gravitas alone.

#3. Highly Reliable Devices

When it came to reliability, these devices are considered more effective than other waterproofing solutions.

For one, coating an exterior foundation doesn’t completely assure that you won’t have water infiltrations at all. Ultimately, active pumps are more reliable than passive systems, such as a moistures barrier.

Here at Eggers Pumps UK, we offer concrete pumps that can be used regularly underground, submerged underwater, or installed in offshore locations. We have robust designs that allow for optimum function and continuous work for a long time.

Disadvantages of Sump Pump:

On the other side of the spectrums, let’s now discuss some of the potential drawbacks of sump pump:

#1. Visual Distraction

Having a hole for your sump pump that is dirty and half full of water can be very unsightly to look at. Because of this, proper maintenance is the key to minimizing visual distractions.

#2. Electricity Requirement

Some appliances are powered by electricity. This means that if the powers go out during a strong thunderstorm, it may not work at all. As such, it is best to have a battery backup system.

#3. Radon Hazard

Radon gas from soil can enter your foundation because you need to drill a hole in the pit for your sump pump. For this reason, ensure a radon test and take necessary mitigation measures to reduce safety hazards.

FAQ: Understanding Pump Head

What is pump head and why is it important?

Pump head refers to the maximum height that a pump can lift water against gravity. It’s crucial because it determines the pressure a pump can generate, impacting its ability to move water effectively in various applications.

How is pump head measured?

Pump head is typically measured in meters (or feet) and is calculated by placing a tube at the pump’s discharge and measuring the maximum height to which it can pump water.

What is the difference between pump head and pressure?

Pump head is the height to which a pump can raise water, while pressure is the force exerted by the pump on the fluid. Pump head is fluid-independent, whereas pressure is affected by fluid density.

What is total head and how is it calculated?

Total head is the difference between the liquid level in the suction tank and the head in the vertical discharge pipe. It’s calculated by subtracting the suction head from the pump head.

How does pump head affect flow rate?

As pump head increases, flow rate decreases, and vice versa. This relationship determines the operational efficiency of a pump and helps in selecting the right pump for specific water-moving tasks.

What are high head sump pumps and how do they work?

High head sump pumps are specialized submersible pumps designed for applications with long pipe runs or high lift situations. They are used in various scenarios such as wastewater treatment systems, water transfer, and industrial pressure pump applications.

What are the types of sump pump systems available?

Sump pump systems include primary sump pumps (submersible and pedestal), backup pumps (water-powered or battery backup), combination pumps, sewage pumps, and effluent pumps, each serving specific purposes in water management.

What are the advantages of using a sump pump?

Sump pumps effectively remove excess water, address major leaks, and are considered highly reliable in preventing water damage compared to other waterproofing solutions.

What are the potential drawbacks of sump pumps?

Drawbacks include visual distractions from the sump pit, reliance on electricity (requiring a backup system during power outages), and potential radon hazards if not properly mitigated.

How can I ensure the optimal performance of my sump pump?

Regular maintenance, including cleaning the sump pit and ensuring proper electrical backup systems, can help maintain the efficiency and reliability of a sump pump over time. Additionally, conducting radon tests and taking necessary mitigation measures is crucial for safety.