Choosing the right pump for dewatering applications is crucial to ensure maximum performance and cost effectiveness. There are two broad categories of pumps: diesel driven pumps and electric submersible pumps. While there may be a need for both types of pumps, it is important to determine which pump type is suitable for the particular application.
Typically, dewatering is the first undertaking on a construction jobsite. There are circumstances when a diesel pump would make the most sense, particularly when there is no electricity and a generator is unavailable. However, with environmental regulations and the rising cost of diesel fuel, the industry has seen a shift to electric submersible pumps in the recent decades. Electric submersible pumps have numerous advantages over fuel and diesel-driven pumps, making them the top choice for construction, mining and utility projects.
5 reasons electric pumps are contractors’ first choice
1. Continuous work
If there is a need for a pump to operate continuously on the jobsite, electric pumps might be the most reasonable option. They can work continuously without damage or failure, as long as they can stay plugged in to a stable, continuous power supply. Typically, electric pumps are the first choice for any dewatering application or industrial process that needs to pump liquid for more than 20 minutes per cycle, as diesel pumps require maintenance more frequently. Diesel or gas-engine pumps demand several interruptions for refueling, which ultimately delays the work and increases the final cost. In many cases, a technician is required to watch the working pump 24 hours a day per specific local government, Occupation Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and labor union regulations.
2. High altitude
Many people are not aware of this issue, but altitude can affect gas and diesel engine pumps’ performance. That is because the higher the altitude, the lower the pressure, which can make it harder for pumps to do their jobs with the same efficiency as at sea level. For example, an engine pump in Denver, Colorado, with an elevation of 5,280 ft, will see suction lift reduced by 30%. To make it easier to understand: a pump rated with 10 ft suction power at sea level will provide only 7 ft suction lift at 5,280 ft altitude.
In addition, as the oxygen thins out and becomes less dense, gas and diesel engines require a wider throttle opening to pull in adequate amounts of air, which in turn means more fuel being burned, which increases costs. High altitudes or atmospheric pressure does not affect electric pumps – they can operate at full capacity and deliver great performance while eliminating additional fuel costs.
3. Overall cost
It is typically more cost effective to run an electric pump over an engine driven pump for a simple reason: electric power costs less than fuel. In general, contractors can experience savings up to 50% or more using electric power on the job site.
Electric pumps are also advantageous when considering maintenance costs. As the design and manufacturing of electric pumps have evolved, they have been built to be extremely durable and wear resistant. This has allowed maintenance service fees over time to be much more affordable, at lower frequencies. Most standard diesel engine pumps need oil and filter change after a certain number of hours of use, which means extra stoppages and additional costs. Electric submersibles are also portable, which means they are much easier to transport around the jobsite, easing the workload.
