Water extraction pumps are often subjected to challenging operating conditions, particularly in respect to the volume of the solid content in the water being extracted. What is needed is a robust pump capable of withstanding abrasive wear. KSB Aktiengesellschaft is meeting these challenges with its UPA 250C submersible borehole pump range, which can be seen at this year’s IFAT exhibition.
KSB’s UPA series is intended for use in general water supply, irrigation, mining, groundwater drawdown and management, fire-fighting and pressure boosting applications. The pumps have a maximum discharge head of UPA 250C of 460m and a maximum flow rate of 330m³/h and depending on the motor selected, fluid temperatures up to 50°C can be handled. Such is the robust design and construction of the UPA 250C pump, it can be used for pumping water with solids contents of up to 50g/m³. A patented sand separator protects the pump against abrasive wear and the pump’s encapsulated bearings are maintenance-free.
The operating reliability of the pump is further increased by the use of a check valve with anti-blockage valve disc, and its integrated spring prevents water hammer due to the minimum closing time. This contributes to protecting the entire well system and all of its components. A wear-resistant mechanical seal keeps the pumped fluid from mixing with the fluid in the motor space, thus enhancing the motor’s availability.
The motor thrust bearing is water-lubricated and fitted with self-aligning tilting pads. Requiring no maintenance, it easily copes with the stresses and strains of continuous operation thanks to the material combination of stainless steel and hard carbon. The dynamically balanced rotor makes for smooth running of the pump set.
On start-up the pump’s counter thrust bearing absorbs the axial thrust generated by the hydraulic system and, in doing so, keeps the impellers from rubbing on the stage casings. This ensures high operating reliability and enables the kind of long-term operation that is expected of water extraction pumps. All the UPA pumps are available in different material variants, depending on the intended application and all
wetted plastic components are certified for drinking water applications.
The KSB range of submersible borehole pumps covers a flow rate range of roughly 1 m³/h to 2,700 m³/h. The type series dependent discharge heads peak at 1,550 m.
Image – The UPA 250C type series is designed for and characterised by durability and long service lives.
