Sewer Bypass Fundamentals

Submersible Pumps vs. Self-Priming Centrifugal Pumps

By: Jose Somera

ypically bypass pumping will occur because of new

construction, lift station rehabilitation, lift station malfunctioning,, broken gravity line, force main rupture, tieins or a combination of these factors. Almost all bypass work
can be accomplished with the use of centrifugal and submersible trash pumps.
The following are some recommended sewage bypass fundamentals, which should be considered in evaluating all bypass
projects.These will also apply to the bypassing of channel flow,
storm water etc., as well as sewage. Applying the following
simple techniques will make things a lot easier for your bypass
operation.
Most bypass work is accomplished using centrifugal pumps.
Main advantages: Suction piping/hoses are accessible through
most openings; can be used in parallel for larger flows and in
series for higher heads; main disadvantages and suction lift
limitations.
When sizing centrifugals for your bypass pumping job it will
be necessary to know the following:
1) Desired capacity (peak flow rate) in gpm. Normally this
is a given factor that is predetermined or measured in the
field.
2) Static suction lift: The vertical distance in feet from
the eye of the impeller to the fluid level. Net Positive
Suction Head NPSH plays an important role when selecting the right pump.
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When selecting a centrifugal pump for bypass work, the first

consideration should be NPSHR by the pump. Neglecting the
NPSHR of the pump is the single most common mistake when
choosing a self-priming or priming assisted pump. A function
of the pump design requires part of the 33.9 ft (14.7 in.) available as further defined in this article.
A centrifugal, and in a way submersibles, require part of the
Net Positive Suction Head Available NPSHA.The work that
can be done therefore, on the suction side of the pump is limited, so NPSH becomes important to the successful operation
of the bypass pump operation.
NPSHA:There is 14.7 in. (or 33.9 ft) of atmospheric pressure
available at sea level.To put it simply, it is atmospheric pressure
pushing down on the fluid (as the pump creates a vacuum
within the suction conduit negative atmosphere) that
pushes it up and into the eye of the pump impeller, the centrifugal force then creates pressure and then slings out the
discharge of the pump. Just like when you are drinking water
through a straw you create a vacuum within the straw, the fluid
rises up into the straw due to atmospheric pressure. Under a
perfect vacuum (29.92 in. of mercury Hg) you can lift water no
more than 33.9 ft therefore, if you stood on top of a four-story
building and you had a straw long enough to reach your glass
of water it would rise no further than 33.9 ft up. Due to limiting
factors such as pump efficiencies, pump suction lifts are limited to approximately 28 ft total suction lift, but for practical
purposes, suction lifts should be limited to 25 ft or less.
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NPSHR: In order to do the work, a pump

has a net positive suction head requirement. The single most common mistake
when choosing/selecting a self-priming
centrifugal pump is neglecting the NPSHR
of the pump (this bears repeating). A function of the pump design requires part of
the 33.9 ft (14.7 in.) available.
3) Static Discharge Head: The vertical
distance in feet from the eye of the
impeller to the discharge point.The vertical distance is head pressure, in feet,
that must be over come by the pump
and is added the total head.

lodged in the impeller. If electrical

power is not available close by you
will need a generator.Though not published on most pump manufacturers
curves, submersibles require a specific
amount of submergence over the
volute in order to operate properly
and for motor cooling characteristics.
Therefore submersible pumps also
need NPSHA, but it is not as critical as
it is for above-ground centrifugals.

When considering the use of submersible pumps for your bypass

pumping job, it will be necessary to
know the following:
1) Desired Capacity (peak flow
rate) in GPM.
2) Static Discharge Head: The vertical distance in feet from the fluid
level to the discharge point.

4) Friction Loss: Size, Type and Length

of Piping and Fittings. Friction/
Velocity Tables are used to factor this
into the total dynamic head (TDH).
These useful tables show the different
size conduits by diameter indicating the
head loss (resistance) in feet when various flow rates in gpm are passed through
the different sized conduits.These tables
also show the velocity of the effluent as
it passes through the conduit in feet per
second (fps). When sizing your conduit
for a bypass, as a rule of thumb, the
velocity should not exceed 10 fps.
Velocities more than 10 fps will mean
excessive Hp loss.
5) Pressure at the Discharge Point, If
Any. If there is pressure, it is added into
the dynamic head calculations by converting the existing line pressure into
feet by multiplying the pressure (psi)
times 2.31 and adding the result to the
total head.
Vacuum-assisted, non-clog centrifugal
pumps are the most commonly used pumps
for bypasses, because they are capable of
handling large amounts of liquids and solids
and have an air-handling capability. Diesel
powered units flexed coupled to the pump
can be disconnected and replaced with a
horizontal motor and paired up with a
Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) control for
those long term bypasses at an existing
pump station, where electrical power is
available. They can come with or without
an enclosure for sound attenuation.

Submersible Pumps
Submersibles are centrifugal pumps
with a motor directly attached to it in a
common housing and are submerged in
the effluent. Main advantages: Instant priming. No suction lift limitations, however,
there are minimum submergence requirements. Their main disadvantages: Physical
size and weight prohibits use through
most access openings. Must be removed
(pulled up) to clean out debris (blockage)
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July 2009

TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY 25

3) Size, Type and Length of Piping

and Fittings.
Submersible pumps have their
place in bypass work; they commonly
come electrically driven, but some
are hydraulically driven with a power
pack that can be either diesel or
motor driven.
Finally, peak flows can easily exceed
the capacity of any single pump, therefore multiple pumps in parallel would
be required and often designed to
allow use of less pumps in low flow
times. Discharge heads can also exceed
the capacity of a single pump which
would require pumps in series.
Pumps in Parallel: Pumping in parallel is the use of two or more pumps
with common or separate suction lines
connected to common single conduit
of fluid. The flow is multiplied by the
number combined in parallel.
Pumps in Series: Pumping in series
makes use of two or more pumps. The
first pumps discharge is connected to
the second pumps suction. The result
is the production of the additive head
pressure generated by each pump.

This is not commonly done when

bypassing sewage because should one
of the pumps fail, you would not be
able to discharge to the designated
point. Submersibles are not commonly
used this manner.
Standby Pumps: When planning
your bypass, make an allowance for
having a minimum backup capacity of
50 percent of the anticipated peak
flow rate; however, 100 percent backup is the normal requirement by most
municipalities.

Your bypass plan should include

the following:
1. Bypass System Startup and
Operation Proceedures

primary pumps impellers of any

debris caught up in them, as needed.
If left un-cleaned, the pumps become
less efficient and eventually wont
pump at all.
Whatever you use, a centrifugal or
submersible pump for your bypass job,
either type of pumps have their
advantages
and
disadvantages.
Whichever kind of pump you use,
remember that flow capacity is only
one of the fundamental parameters to
be considered.
Jose Somera is California location manager for Griffin Dewatering.

2. A Bypass Monitoring Program

3. A Sewage Spill and Response
Plan

Editors Note: To see an expanded

4. A Monitoring Log

version of this article, complete with

5. Qualified Operators, Installation

and Training List

an extensive example, please visit

www.trenchlessonline.com.)

The operation procedure should

include the cleaning out of the

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TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY

July 2009

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