Application And Selection Strategy Of Double Suction Pump

Published on 2025/03/26

From the precise delivery of chemical raw materials to the stable operation of the power circulation system, double suction pumps are responsible for delivering clean water without solid particles or other liquids with physical and chemical properties similar to water. Whether it is the stable water pressure of high-rise buildings or the water demand of large urban public facilities, double-suction pumps play an irreplaceable role. We will explore in depth the wide range of applications of double-suction pumps, from municipal engineering to chemical, electric power, agricultural irrigation, etc.
At the same time, we will also explain in detail the selection strategy of double-suction pumps to help you make the right choice and ensure that double-suction pumps can achieve maximum efficiency in practical applications.

What is a double suction pump?

A double suction pump is called a split-center pump or a single-stage double suction centrifugal pump. Since the suction port and the discharge port are both below the pump axis, the impeller is equivalent to a combination of two single suction impellers. The flow rate of the same diameter can be doubled, so it is called “double suction”. The pump casing is horizontally split-center, with the upper part being the pump cover and the lower part being the pump body, which is the origin of the name of the double suction split-center pump.

Double suction pumps transport clean water without solid particles or other liquids with physical and chemical properties similar to water. Its impeller is composed of two back-to-back impellers, and the water flowing out of the impellers converges into a volute. Simply put, double suction means that there are suction ports before and after the impeller. Double suction centrifugal pumps are commonly used for drainage pumps for industrial and urban supply, drainage or water supply pumps for factories, cities, power stations, water conservancy projects, etc., and can also be used for farmland irrigation. It is mainly used to transport liquids in working environments with large flow and low head.

Working Principle

The pump body is a horizontal split structure. The impeller is like the core “power chamber” with suction ports on both sides, similar to a double-suction pump. Before starting the double-suction pump, the pump chamber and the suction pipe must be filled with liquid in advance. After starting, the impeller rotates at high speed, and the liquid between the blades is subjected to centrifugal force and is thrown from the center of the impeller to the edge, increasing the flow rate and the pressure. A low-pressure area is formed in the center of the impeller. At this time, due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the pump, the liquid continuously enters the impeller through the suction ports on both sides under the action of atmospheric pressure to replenish the liquid thrown out. The high-speed liquid thrown out of the impeller enters the volute, which converts the kinetic energy of the liquid into pressure energy, further increasing the pressure. Then the liquid is discharged from the discharge port of the pump to achieve continuous delivery.

Application fields of double suction pumps

1. Municipal water supply

Urban tap water supply: Double suction pumps, with their large flow characteristics, efficiently extract water from rivers, lakes and other water sources, and deliver it to thousands of households after treatment. Provide sufficient water for urban residents and industrial production.
Drainage and flood control: In extreme weather such as heavy rain, double suction pumps are used in urban drainage systems to quickly remove accumulated water and ensure urban safety. Road surface water can be quickly pumped out to avoid urban waterlogging.

2. Industrial field

Chemical industry: Double suction pumps transport various corrosive and high-viscosity liquids, and can accurately transport corrosive liquids such as sulfuric acid and caustic soda, helping various chemical reactions to proceed smoothly.
Power industry: In thermal power plants, double suction pumps are responsible for transporting a large amount of circulating water to the condenser to ensure efficient operation of the unit, while also undertaking the task of ash transportation to maintain production continuity.
Metallurgical industry: In the blast furnace water cooling link of metallurgical enterprises, double suction pumps continuously and stably provide cooling water to ensure the safe operation of the blast furnace, and can also transport slurry.
Agricultural irrigation: In the vast farmland, double-suction pumps can draw water from nearby rivers, reservoirs, etc., and evenly spread the water to the fields through the irrigation network, providing sufficient water for crops.

Double suction pump selection Strategy

(1). Flow and head

Flow determination: The normal, maximum or minimum flow required for factory production scale, urban water supply demand, etc. can be calculated. The double suction pump selection is based on the maximum flow to ensure adequate water supply.

Head calculation: Explanation: Combine the conveying distance, pipeline resistance, lifting height, etc. to determine the appropriate head. It is necessary to comprehensively consider the length, height and other distances to accurately calculate the head that the double-suction pump should have. “

(2) Medium characteristics

Corrosiveness: If conveying corrosive liquids, it is necessary to select a double-suction pump with a suitable corrosion-resistant material. For example, if conveying acidic media, a fluorine-lined double-suction pump can be selected to ensure long-term and stable operation of the equipment.

Temperature: For high-temperature or low-temperature media, select a double-suction pump with corresponding high-temperature or low-temperature resistance to ensure normal operation in a high-temperature environment and avoid affecting the performance of the pump due to temperature.

Viscosity: When conveying high-viscosity crude oil, A double-suction pump with a special structure and sufficient power is required to overcome the medium resistance and achieve smooth transportation.

(3) Installation and environmental conditions

Installation space: Select a double-suction pump of appropriate size and structure according to the size of the on-site installation space. For example, when the pump room space is limited, select a compact double-suction pump.

Ambient temperature and humidity: Under different ambient temperature and humidity conditions, consider the protection level and material adaptability of the double-suction pump. For example, select a double-suction pump with good moisture-proof performance in a humid environment.

Altitude: In high-altitude areas, due to the low air pressure, special considerations such as the cavitation margin of the double-suction pump are required to ensure normal water absorption.

Double suction pumps are suitable for conveying various materials in large flow situations, such as urban water supply, power plant circulating water transportation and other fields. You need to determine the specific requirements such as flow, head, medium characteristics and temperature, budget, etc. Walker Pump will comprehensively consider and provide you with the most suitable pump model. Contact us for more details and pump prices!