Goulds Pumps VS - IOM - Manual (Page 13)

SECTION 3 – GENERAL
DESCRIPTION
3-1 GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Goulds’ model VS pump is a submersible turbine
pump designed for maximum dependability. The
VS pump also features capacities from 100 to
3000 GPM and larger, heads to 1000 feet. See
Figure 3.1 for typical VS pump.
3-2 DRIVERS
Goulds furnishes only internationally recognized
motors designed for continuous operation under
any thrust which may develop throughout the per-
formance curve. Impeller adjustment and type of
coupling, splined or clamped, is dependent on the
specific motor being used.
3-3 DISCHARGE
The discharge bowl provides an NPT or BSP
thread for connecting to the well head or the first
section of column pipe.
3-4 BOWL ASSEMBLY
The bowls are generally flanged construction for
accurate alignment and ease of assembly and dis-
assembly. (Except D-line which have threaded
joints.) Impellers may be enclosed or open type.
Impeller position is set at factory. No field adjust-
ment is required.
SECTION 4 – PREPARATION FOR
INSTALLATION
4-1 WELL REQUIREMENTS
A. The well should be developed with a test
pump prior to installing the submersible
pump. Test pumping the well serves several
purposes. It removes the excess sand
encountered during the initial pumping of the
well. Pumping sand or other abrasives with a
submersible pump will shorten the life of the
pump and can void the warranty.
CAUTION
DO NOT INSTALL THE UNIT WITH THE MOTOR IN
THE MUD, SAND OR RESTING ON THE BOTTOM
OF THE WELL. IT IS IMPORTANT TO PREVENT
THE WELL FROM SANDING UP AT ANY TIME TO
THE POINT THAT THE MOTOR BECOMES EVEN
PARTIALLY BURIED.
B. The test pumping also provides a means of
determining the capacity and drawdown. The
well capacity should equal or exceed the
pump capacity. If the pump removes water at
a higher rate than the well produces, the
drawdown will be excessive and the pump
will cavitate or ‘starve’ resulting in damage to
the pump and motor.
C. The well must be deep enough so that the
pump suction is at least 10 ft below the
expected drawdown level. If the well screen
or water producing aquifer is above the
pumping level, the required submergence of
the pump suction would be over 20 ft.
CAUTION
NEVER INSTALL UNIT WITH THE BOTTOM OF THE
MOTOR CLOSER THAN FIVE FEET FROM THE
BOTTOM OF THE WELL.
D. The motor must always be immersed in flow-
ing water. The flow rate must be over 1
ft/sec. If the pump is set below the well
screen openings or other conditions exist that
caused the water to be supplied from above
the pump, a flow induce sleeve should be
used.
E. The inside diameter of the well casing must
be large enough to allow lowering the unit
into the well without damage to the power
cable, the splice between the power cable
and the motor leads. Many wells have more
than one size of casings installed and fre-
quently the lower sections are smaller in
diameter than the upper casing.
F. The submersible pump/motor unit must be
operated in a straight portion of the well.
Exerted pressures can and will cause mis-
alignment of bearings or coupling. When the
straightness of the well is not known, it is rec-
ommended to lower a test blank with the
same diameter and length as the pump/motor
assembly with electrical leads into the well to
the desired depth. If there is any doubt about
straightness, gaging and plotting are recom-
mended.
4-2 PREPARING THE FOUNDATION
The foundation must be rigid, level, and of ade-
quate strength to support the complete weight of
the pump, motor, column, plus the weight of the
liquid passing through it. It is recommended the
foundation be constructed of solid concrete, how-
ever, adequate beams or timbers may be used. A
common foundation consists of the following con-
crete mixture:
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