Author(s): David Werth; Carl Frizzell

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Keywords: Minimum submergence; pump submergence; surface vortices; vortex formation

Abstract: Recent changes in the Hydraulic Institute pump station intake design standards prohibit the formation of dye-core vortex activity in vertical pump intakes. Existing equations used to predict submergence vortex activity are intended for stronger air entraining vortices. In this study, several physical hydraulic models of vertical turbine pump sumps were used to evaluate/modify existing empirical equations to assist engineers and pump manufactures in determining the minimum submergence required to prevent various degrees of surface vortex formation.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3826/jhr.2009.2699

Year: 2009