Submersible Pump
A submersible pump is a pump close-coupled to a hermetically sealed electric motor, with the complete unit operating fully immersed in the liquid being pumped. Because it pushes rather than lifts the liquid, it avoids suction-lift limitations and priming problems, and the surrounding liquid helps cool the motor. Mechanical seals, typically arranged in tandem with an oil chamber, protect the motor from liquid ingress, and power is supplied through a submersible cable. Main types include borehole (deep-well) pumps for groundwater, sewage and wastewater pumps with non-clog or grinder impellers, dewatering pumps for construction and mining, and electrical submersible pumps (ESP) for artificial lift in oil wells. Selection parameters include flow, head, well or sump dimensions, solids handling, motor cooling flow, cable sizing and voltage drop. Units installed in flammable atmospheres require explosion-proof motors certified for the relevant hazardous area.
Examples
- Borehole pump for groundwater abstraction
- Non-clog sewage pump in a wastewater lift station
- Electrical submersible pump (ESP) for oil well artificial lift