Above Grade versus Self Priming Pump Stations

Smith & Loveless vacuum primed Wet Well Mounted Pump Stations offer many advantages over self-priming pump stations, most importantly in the areas of operator safety and convenience, O&M requirements and energy efficiency. Below is a basic introduction to the vacuum priming process and the important advantages it affords in each of these areas.

 

Vacuum Priming

S&L vacuum priming features a less complex design composed of mainly the three elements below, which work together to achieve constant prime in 60 seconds or less. This compares favorably to the many elements associated with self-primers, like air relief systems, adjustable wear plates & shims, recirculation ports, flap valves and overtemp sensors.

4 Operation & Maintenance Advantages

Smith & Loveless vacuum primed Wet Well Mounted Pump Stations provide superior operator safety and convenience with a fraction of the O&M requirements of self-primers.

Operator Safety & Convenience
Vacuum priming does not pose a steam hazard and requires no overtemp sensor or air relief system.  The S&L vertical pump also provides a more sanitary working environment as disassembly of the volute produces zero wastewater spillage.

Belt-Driven Motor Design
The horizontal design of self-primers necessitates a belt-driven motor setup that features wearable belts that can require adjustment or replacement.  It also requires twice as many bearings as S&L pumps.

Adjustable and/or Wearable Parts
Wear plates used in self-primers require adjustment every 6 months, as well as total replacement periodically.  The flap valve is another element associated with self-primers that requires time-consuming O&M.

Oil-Filled Mechanical Seal
Oil-filled seals require periodic adjustment, costly replacement and are difficult to disassemble.  The S&L single mechanical seal is economical, requires no typical O&M and can be field replaced within an hour.

 

4 Energy Efficiency Advantages

Fractional Vs. Full Horsepower
Self-priming stations often use the same horsepower of their pump/drive motor for priming. The vacuum pump requires less than ½ HP during the short priming cycle, resulting in significant energy savings.

Inherent Re-Circulation
There is a complicated re-circulation process necessary for self-priming pumps, a result of the porting which enables them to disperse air. This reduces efficiencies and increases priming time, while the S&L design eliminates such costly re-circulation.

Belt Drive Inefficiencies
Belt driven pumps are less efficient than direct-driven S&L pumps, and they lose even more efficiency if belts are not adjusted to perfect tolerances. Regular belt wear and improper adjustments lead to additional adjustments to decreases in efficiency.

Proven by Real-World Results
The superior efficiency of S&L stations has been proven by a municipality that tracks pump station power consumption. They found energy costs to be up to 43% less with their S&L systems than their self-primers.

 

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