PLUMBING FUNDAMENTALS

MODULE 7:
THE PUMPING OF WATER

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 1

What are the Factors to be considered in the
Pumping of Water?

1. The Mass of the water to be lifted.

2. The Height through which water must be lifted
or forced.
3. The Distance water must travel in flowing from
one place to another.
4. The ways in which water may be affected by
Friction.

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 2

The Elements of Pumping of Water:
Height of Water

Pipe Friction

Travel Distance

Mass of
Water

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 3

What are the different types of Heads
relative to the pumping of water?
• Pressure in a water supply system is dependent on the head of
water above the point being considered.
• There are different kinds of Head defined according to their effect
on pumping operations:
1. Static Discharge Head 10. Static Suction Lift
2. Friction Head 11. Total Suction Lift
3. Total Discharge Head 12. Negative Suction Lift
4. Suction Head 13. Total Negative Suction
5. Positive Suction Head Lift
6. Velocity Head
7. Total Positive Suction Head
8. Pressure Head
9. Total Pump Head

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 4

 • Total Delivery Head-is the Static Delivery
Head + the Friction Head in all of the delivery
pipe & fittings.
• Static Delivery Head-is the vertical distance
from the center line of the pump to the point
of free discharge (free surface of the
discharge liquid).
• Friction Head-is the head necessary to
overcome resistance to flow of the liquid.
Friction head must not exceed the TDH.
• Static Suction Lift –is the vertical distance
from the liquid level to the center line of the
pump.
• Velocity Head-is the head required to
accelerate the water in the delivery pipe. It is
so nominal that it is usually ignored.
• Total Pump Head-is the Total Suction Lift +
Total Delivery Head + the Velocity Head.

Various Pumping Heads Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 5

 • Negative Suction Lift – exists when the
pump is above the liquid to be pumped & is the
vertical distance from the centerline of the
pump down to the free surface of the liquid.
• Pressure Head – is the vertical height to
which a given pressure will force water. If the
pressure is known the head can be calculated
as:
Head (m) = Pressure (kPa) x 0.102
• Total Suction Lift – is the Static Suction Lift
+ Friction Head in the entire suction pipe &
fittings.
• Suction Lift – is the term used when the
source of supply is below the center line of the
pump.
• Total Negative Suction Lift – is the Static
Suction Lift + the Friction Lift & the Velocity
Pumping Liquid with Head in the inlet pipe system.
Negative Suction Lift

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 6

 • Positive Suction Head – exists
when the pump is below the liquid to
be pumped & is the vertical distance
from the centerline of the pump to the
free surface of the liquid.
• Total Positive Suction Head – is the
Static Suction Head minus the Friction
Head and the Velocity Head in the
inlet pipe system.

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 7

What is the common system of pumping
water in high rise buildings:
The Overhead Feed System
1. Composed of a low level cistern (suction tank) that receives
water from the supply main at the ground level and serves as a
boosting reservoir & prevents the lowering of pressure on the
supply main. The sizing of the suction tank should be carefully
considered to prevent water stagnation, which could occur
because of oversizing.
2. A Gravity tank is installed at the topmost part of the building to
get the required head for the downfeed pipe.
3. A Transfer pump is used as a boosting equipment to bring water
from the suction tank to the gravity tank, while overcoming the
total static head plus the frictional resistances in the pipes and
fittings.

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 8

 The Overhead Feed System

Gravity Tank
Upfeed Pipe or
Supply Riser

Transfer Pump

Suction Tank Suction Tank

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 9

Variations of the Overhead Feed Piping System:

SINGLE STAGE PUMPING FOR MID-RISE BUILDINGS

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 10

Variations of the Overhead Feed Piping System:

SINGLE STAGE PUMPING FOR MID-RISE BUILDING

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 11
Variations of the Overhead Feed Piping System:

ZONED PUMPING FOR HIGH RISE BUILDINGS

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 12

What is Hydropneumatic Pressure System?
• The topmost floor of the building may not have the
available working pressure for the plumbing fixtures
contained therein due to lack of the required head.
• To compensate for this deficiency, a hydropneumatic
system is provided to raise and supply water to these
fixtures, using compressed air as the delivering agent.
• This system is composed of double-acting reciprocating
pump and a cylindrical steel storage tank.
• In multi storey buildings, hydropneumatic pressure
systems serve zones of about 10 storeys. A thirty storey
building may be provided with 3 distinct units, each
providing water supply at every 10 floor interval.

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 13

Operating Principle of Hydropneumatic Pressure System:

• The pressure tank is normally

filled with water in the lower
part & air in the upper part.
• The water is pumped into the
tank near the bottom,
compressing the air above it.
• The usual pressure range is
138 kPa (20 psi) minimum to
276 kPa (40 psi) maximum.
• When the pressure is at
minimum, the pump starts and
if the pressure reaches
maximum, it stops.

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 14

What are the kinds of Pressure Vessels used in the
Hydropneumatic Pressure System?
1. Simple Air Cushion Tank – a tank constructed to special
standards to withstand pressure. It is usually coated inside with
corrosion resistant treatment as the water makes direct contact
with the interior. The air is compressed above the water.
2. Separated Air Cushion Cylinder – water is totally confined
in an elastic rubber bag. When water is pumped the bag expands,
compressing the air in the cylinder until the pressure switch
reaches its setting & shuts off the motor. When a faucet is
opened the compressed air forces the water out & the pressure
drops until the switch again starts the motor. The air is never in
contact with the water, so it cannot be absorbed.
3. Elastic Sock Pressure Vessel – uses a very strong rubber
“sock” which is stretched by the water pressure & then forces the
water out when a faucet is opened. The capacity of this type is
much less than the air cushion & therefore the water will turn on
more often causing faster wear and tear.

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 15

Pumping of Potable and Non-Potable Water

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 16

END OF PRESENTATION

Danilo V. Ravina, NAMPAP CEBU 17