Self-priming pumps offer certain advantages over standard centrifugal pumps that require manual priming. The biggest difference is obviously that they prime themselves without the need for outside attention. Not only does this make self-priming pumps more efficient than alternative designs, it also provides additional benefits that are useful in many industrial applications.
How Self-Priming Pumps Work
Self-priming is an automated process in which excess air is cleared out of the pump’s passages using a secondary prime chamber to retain a liquid charge. In many pumps, air enters the pump and mixes with the fluid at the impeller, and this mix of gas and fluid is then discharged by the impeller’s centrifugal action. Air will rise as liquids sink. In standard pumps, too much air-to-fluid ratio can cause cavitation and a loss of pressure.
A self-priming pump keeps additional air-free water in the accessory prime chamber. It flows downward as needed, mixing with the air-laden water. The process ultimately evacuates all the air and recreates the vacuum in the suction line to maintain proper pump pressure.
Self-priming pumps operate with a simple, yet rather ingenious, design principle. Each time the pump is started, it can self-prime and start the priming cycle all over again. By eliminating the priming step, regular operation and maintenance are faster and more efficient.
Self-Priming Pump Applications
Self-priming pumps are used in a wide variety of applications, including water and wastewater treatment, construction site dewatering, mining operations, chemical processing, agricultural fertilizer pumping and more. It is a definite advantage to be able to operate these pumps on dry land without the hassles of submersion and all the challenges that can come with a sump pump set up. Certain self-priming pumps can also handle solids up to 3 inches in diameter, making them great for slurries.
Most self-priming pumps will be larger than standard centrifugal pumps because of the prime chamber and clearance requirements to handle larger solids. However, they are often made to be portable, which provides significant added flexibility and mobility. It is very common to see them mounted on skids so that they can be moved from one station to the next.
Self-Priming Pump Manufacturers
Cortech DXP offers many different self-priming pump sizes and configurations from the world’s leading self-priming pump manufacturers, including:
- Blackmer
- Nomad
- Seepex
- PumpWorks
- Cornell
- Labour
For help in selecting the proper self-priming pump for your plant, Cortech DXP has the answers to all your questions. We’ll help you get the best pump configured with the right size, configuration and specifications. Contact us today to learn more about our self-priming pumps and manufacturing partners.