Selecting the right pump involves considering several factors, including the fluid being pumped, flow and head conditions, site constraints, and total life-cycle costs. The document discusses 8 groups of factors to consider: 1) solids content, 2) suitability to purpose, 3) flexibility, 4) maintainability, 5) wearing concerns, 6) system curves, 7) systemic questions, and 8) total system efficiency over the life of the pump. Total system efficiency considers hydraulic efficiency, maintenance efficiency, durability, and backup operations. Examples of different pumping applications are also provided.

1. Selecting the Right Pump
Brian Gongol
DJ Gongol & Associates, Inc.
January 23, 2019
NWEA/NWOD/LONM Snowball Conference
Kearney, Nebraska

2. How do we pick the right pump?

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/funding constraints?

8. Group 1: Solids | some solids | no solids

9. No solids

10. Minor/incidental solids

11. Reducible solids

12. Passable solids

13. Stringy solids

14. Group 2: 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. Group 3: Flexibility

24. Future conditions

25. New construction/industry

26. Pipe friction changes

27. Friction losses aren't just theoretical

28. Group 4: Maintainability

29. Can it be opened?

30. On-site, in-place?

31. Requires a service shop?

32. Modifications to piping for removal?

33. Do you get advance warning?

34. Visible indicators

35. Oil sight glasses

36. Seal failure warnings

37. Group 5: Wearing concerns

38. Chemicals

39. Inorganic solids

40. Corrosion

41. Cavitation

42. Group 6: 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. Group 7: 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. Group 8: 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 (TSE)
A much larger question than
simple hydraulic efficiency

62. TSE Component 1: Hydraulic efficiency
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Does it use electricity efficiently?
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Does it use people efficiently?

Does it use money efficiently?

Will it let you down in an emergency?

63. Clearances

64. Vanes

65. Coatings

66. Straight pipe

67. Suction diffusers

68. TSE Component 2: Maintenance efficiency

Does it use electricity efficiently?

Does it use people efficiently?

Does it use money efficiently?

Will it let you down in an emergency?

69. Preventive/predictive maintenance

70. Knowledge-building through maintenance
A practiced operator
is a safer operator

71. Interchangeability of parts

72. Special tools to maintain

73. Special training to operate or maintain

74. Maintenance-friendly site layout

75. TSE Component 3: Durability/longevity

Does it use electricity efficiently?

Does it use people efficiently?

Does it use money efficiently?

Will it let you down in an emergency?

76. How long will it last?

77. Longevity with maintenance

78. Longevity without maintenance

79. Can the system survive periods of neglect?

80. TSE Component 4: Backup operations

Does it use electricity efficiently?

Does it use people efficiently?

Does it use money efficiently?

Will it let you down in an emergency?

81. Backup power

82. Backup pumps (on the shelf)

83. Backup parts (individually)

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
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160 gpm @ 800' tdh
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240 gpm @ 825' tdh
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320 gpm @ 870' tdh

91. Brine waste (900 gpm @ 99')

92. Low-flow booster station (28,240' of pipe)
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31 gpm @ 142' tdh
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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
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2,000 gpm @ 50' tdh
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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

97. Credits

Images of RDT pump and portable engine-driven pump
courtesy AMT Pump
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Cutaway illustration of atmospheric seal chamber
courtesy The Gorman-Rupp Co.

Computer-generated pump curves are the work of the
manufacturers indicated on those curve illustrations

All other photographs are original work of the author
and may not be used without express written
permission; all rights reserved