This document discusses factors to consider when selecting the right pump for a job. It outlines key questions like what is being pumped, the flow and head conditions, and any site constraints. It also covers the types of fluids being pumped, the pump's suitability for its purpose, flexibility for future conditions, maintainability, indicators of potential trouble, durability, and backup operations. Examples of different pumping applications are provided to illustrate these considerations. The goal is to select a pump that best meets the specific needs of the system and has the lowest total life-cycle cost.

1. Selecting the Right Pump
Brian Gongol
DJ Gongol & Associates, Inc.
April 10, 2017
Iowa AWWA Short Course
Ankeny, Iowa

2. ** The obvious questions **

3. What are we pumping?

4. What are the flow and head conditions?

5. Is this a replacement or a blank-sheet job?

6. Are there site constraints?

7. Are there statutory constraints?

8. ** Solids/no solids **

9. No solids

10. Minor/incidental solids

11. Reducible solids

12. Passable solids

13. Stringy solids

14. ** Suitability to purpose **

15. One condition forever?

16. Future conditions?

17. Relocation/portability?

18. Specialty fluids?

19. Trying to do one thing well?

20. Trying to do many things not so well?

21. Example: Risks with grinder pumps

22. Example: Duty and backwash w/same pumps

23. ** Flexibility **

24. Future conditions

25. New construction/industry

26. Pipe friction changes

27. Friction losses aren't just theoretical

28. ** Maintainability **

29. Can it be opened?

30. On-site, in-situ?

31. Requires a service shop?

32. Modifications to piping for removal?

33. ** Do you get advance warning of trouble? **

34. Visible indicators

35. Oil sight glasses

36. Seal failure warnings

37. ** Wearing concerns **

38. Chemicals

39. Inorganic solids

40. Corrosion

41. Cavitation

42. ** Four types of curves **

43. Steep system, steep pump

44. Steep system, flat pump

45. Flat system, steep pump

46. Flat system, flat pump

47. ** Systemic questions **

48. Duty only

49. Duty and jockey

50. Paced flow

51. Hydro-pneumatic tanks

52. Staged/series

53. Parallel

54. Parallel/series

55. ** Total life-cycle cost **

56. Hydraulic efficiency

57. Energy use

58. Maintenance efficiency

59. Expected useful life

60. Cost of downtime

61. ** Total system efficiency **
A much larger question than
simple hydraulic efficiency

62. ** Hydraulic efficiency **

63. Clearances

64. Vanes

65. Coatings

66. Straight pipe

67. Suction diffusers

68. ** Maintenance efficiency **

69. Preventive/predictive maintenance

70. Knowledge-building through maintenance

71. Interchangeability of parts

72. Special tools to maintain

73. Special training to operate or maintain

74. Maintenance-friendly site layout

75. ** Durability/longevity **

76. How long will it last?

77. Longevity with maintenance

78. Longevity without maintenance

79. Can the system survive periods of neglect?

80. ** Backup operations **

81. Backup power

82. Backup pumps (on the shelf)

83. Backup parts

84. Backup parts kits (seals, rotating assemblies)

85. ** Examples **

86. Recessed lift station (140 gpm @ 50' tdh)

87. WWTP process (325 gpm @ 13' tdh) - sludge

88. Booster pump (14,000 gpm @ 130' tdh)

89. RDT wash booster pump (50 gpm @ 75' tdh)

90. Snow-making application
 160 gpm @ 800' tdh
 240 gpm @ 825' tdh
 320 gpm @ 870' tdh

91. Brine waste (900 gpm @ 99')

92. Low-flow booster station (28,240' of pipe)
 31 gpm @ 142' tdh
 48 gpm @ 178' tdh

93. Portable (1000 gpm @ 20' tdh) - stormwater

94. Sewage lift station (300 gpm @ 50' tdh)

95. Combined sewer/high I&I
 2,000 gpm @ 50' tdh
 5,000 gpm @ 75' tdh

96. Questions?
 Thank you for your time!  Brian Gongol
 DJ Gongol & Associates
 515-223-4144
 www.gongol.net
 info@gongol.net
 @djgongol on Twitter
 facebook.com/djgongol