Dewatering pumps remove water from construction sites, mines, tunnels, and flood zones. They also filter and reuse water that is drained.
It is essential to choose the right pump for your project. A pump that is too small can flood out, and one that is too large could face motor heat-up issues or suction cavitation.
Pump Installation
Before foundation work can begin, groundwater must be removed from a construction site. This requires a dewatering pump.
Choosing the right Florida dewatering pump is critical to ensuring that the site is safe for workers and their equipment. Professional engineers evaluate local hydrogeology and site conditions to engineer the most effective systems for each project.
When selecting a dewatering pump, the type of material used for construction and the proper size of the pump plays an essential role in determining the system’s reliability. If the pump is not suited for the conditions of a mine site, it could lead to production losses and failures.
A dewatering pump should be installed on a solid baseplate that a concrete foundation supports. This will prevent misalignment of the shaft and ensure that the pump’s piping system does not create unwanted strain on the fluid connections.
Well Point Installation
The healthy point installation process is a simple procedure that can be completed in a fraction of the time as other dewatering methods. This is particularly beneficial on dynamic sites where many metres of pipe can be laid in a single shift.
The system consists of several closely spaced shallow wells of small diameter, connected to a standard header main pipe and pumped by a high-efficiency vacuum dewatering pump. Further stages of the healthy point system can be installed at lower levels as excavation progresses.
Well, points are cost-effective for moderate drawdown duties across various ground conditions, from gravel to fine sand. For sandy environments, a jet in the process can be used rather than drilling, which can reduce costs and increase the overall performance of the healthy point system.
Pump Operation
Dewatering pumps are used to drain water from locations like construction sites, tunnels, mines, and flood zones. In these situations, heavy rains, digging, and excavation create a consistent influx of water that must be removed.
Pump operation involves many factors, including the type of fluid being pumped and where it will be moved. In addition, the liquid temperature and the altitude at which it will be pumped affect its suction capability.
Pump manufacturers specify their pump operating ranges, or AOR, based on the minimum and maximum flow rates that the equipment will produce in its most efficient condition. Overloading a pump outside the AIR will cause deterioration of the shaft, bearings, and mechanical seal.
Pump Maintenance
Dewatering Pumps should be maintained to ensure they are operating efficiently and in a cost-effective manner. They should be checked for wear, alignment, and lubrication regularly to maximise their life and avoid problems down the line.
Typically, maintenance schedules follow a routine, quarterly, and annual cycles. Regular inspections involve checking the oil level, examining bearing temperatures, noise and vibration, cracks in pipes or hoses, discharge pressure, intake pressure, seal integrity, and operating temperature.
Quarterly inspections include changing the oil, checking the mechanical seals, and adjusting the shaft alignment. This is a more detailed inspection that may require disassembling the pump.
Preventative maintenance is one of the most common and effective ways to maintain pumps. It involves identifying issues early on and correcting them before they become more serious.
