All You Need To Know About Self-Priming Pumps

What does priming mean?

When it comes to centrifugal pumps, they need to be prepared (primed) before they’re used. This usually involves filling them up with water and creating a vacuum within the pump. If air gets into a regular, non-self priming pump, it stops working until the air is removed. This problem is often referred to as air binding.

What does a self-priming pump do?

Removing air manually from a regular, non-self priming pump takes a lot of effort. A self-priming pump saves you this trouble by dealing with air binding on its own.

How does a self-priming pump work?

A self-priming pump gets rid of air by mixing it with the water present in the pump. The air and water are then pushed into a separation chamber. Here the air, being more buoyant, rises above the water and once the two are separated, the air is pumped out. The water is pumped back in. This establishes a vacuum in the pump which is the main aim of priming.

After that, it works like a normal centrifugal pump. It’s important to note that a self-priming pump won’t work if there’s no water in it.

What are the benefits of using a self-priming pump?

  • A self-priming pump saves you a lot of time and effort you would’ve otherwise put into priming the pump manually
  • A self-priming pump doesn’t just work in water. It can also work in slurries as well as solids (up to 3 inches)
  • It can handle hot or cold water and its operation is unaffected by liquids that may be volatile, corrosive or hazardous
  • Unlike a submersible pump, it can function even when it’s not completely submerged in the fluid it’s pumping

The SP-M series of Kirloskar pumps are non-clog, self-priming centrifugal pumps. They can be used in various marine, industrial, civil construction, mobile machinery and public utility applications. Its non-clogging impeller deals with suspended solids and it has dynamically balanced rotating parts that minimize vibrations. It can withstand voltage fluctuations and its efficiency is at par with international standards. Maintaining the pump is simple and spare parts are easily available.

Vijay Engineering and Machinery Co. is one of the prominent Kirloskar pump dealers in Mumbai and is among the leading industrial pump distributors. To know more about pumps or to find out how to purchase one, visit our website.

Choose The Right Financial Model For Your Solar Energy

We’re often told that electricity generation is a huge contributing factor when it comes to Global Warming. While this is true when it comes to non-renewable energy we, at Vijay Engineering and Machinery Co., strive towards promoting the use of renewable energy, which doesn’t add to Global Warming.

Solar power is a solution that is not only environmentally friendly but also makes the best use of the warm climates we endure. Being empanelled channel partners with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Govt. of India, we offer a wide range of solar solutions (e.g. solar lighting systems) which cater to different energy requirements.

For those considering switching to solar energy, you should consider which financial model you want to opt for. VEMC offers both Opex and Capex models.

What do Opex and Capex mean?

Opex stands for Operational Expenditure (the money a business spends in day-to-day operations). Capex stands for Capital Expenditure (the money a business spends on capital, i.e. long-term assets).

Opex Model

In this model, VEMC undertakes the installation and maintenance of the solar PV system, solar generator, etc. It is paid for and owned by the investor. The client (that’s you) then signs a Power Purchase Agreement with us, which gives you the right to buy and consume 100% of the electricity generated by the system. This agreement is usually for a long period of time, e.g. 25 years.

Benefits of this model:

  • You don’t need to bear the cost of installing the system

  • You’ll get discounts on the prices of the electricity generated

  • VEMC will take care of the installation, maintenance, operation and permissions for the system

  • You’ll be consuming green energy AND getting it for lower prices

This model is ideal for those who don’t want to invest a large amount upfront for the project. It allows you to consume solar energy and also reduce the amount of money you spend on electricity.

Capex Model

If you opt for this model, VEMC will install the solar PV system and solar generator on your premises. Once it is set up, VEMC will give you full ownership of the system and conclude its work. Here, you would be bearing the cost of installing and maintaining the system.

Benefits of this model:

  • You’ll have full ownership of the solar PV system

  • Your electricity bills will be significantly lower

  • You’ll be eligible to avail Central Finance Assistance subsidies and tax benefits from the Government

  • Your company can fulfil its CSR obligations while you gain long-term benefits from the system

This model is ideal for those who would like to have full ownership of their solar PV system to generate their own solar electricity.

Get Top-Notch Submersible Pumps from the Best Submersible Water Pump Brand in India

What is a submersible pump?

A submersible pump has a hermetically sealed (airtight) motor attached to the main body. The seal protects the motor from water damage. For the pump to work, it needs to be submerged in the fluid that needs to be pumped. The fluid helps cool the motor during the process, so if the pump is not completely submerged, the motor can overheat. The main problem a submersible pump helps overcome is pump cavitation, wherein small cavities of water vapour form inside the pump leading to a fall in its efficiency.

Where is a submersible pump used?
A single stage submersible pump is used in home pumping (e.g. aquarium filters) or to pump sewage and slurry. It is also used in small industrial processes. A multi-stage pump is usually lowered into boreholes and so, is used in water extraction for residential, municipal or industrial purposes or in water wells or oil wells. A submersible pump can work in fresh water as well as salt water. It is suitable for direct burial and within well castings.

How does it work?
A multistage pump is used in a vertical position. It is lowered into the fluid and begins to work when it is completely submerged. While an above ground pump uses suction to pull the fluid to the surface, a submersible pump uses direct pressure to push it upwards.

Benefits of using a submersible pump

  • Submersible pumps don’t face problems related to pump cavitation.
  • Since above ground pumps pull water upwards, they often face issues related to their mechanism. Submersible pumps, after being lowered into the fluid, push water upwards. This is a simpler, more efficient process which allows the pump to last longer.
  • Since a submersible pump is completely submerged in the fluid and its motor is protected by a hermetically sealed space, it doesn’t lose its prime. Hence, the pump doesn’t need to be primed. It also doesn’t face any issues and doesn’t need to be replaced for decades.

Kirloskar, the best water pump brand in India, offers a wide range of pumps to suit different requirements be it residential, municipal, commercial or industrial. Vijay Engineering and Machinery Company is one of the leading Kirloskar water pump dealers in Mumbai and we are proud to be the best industrial pump distributors and submersible pump dealers in Mumbai. We offer Kirloskar dewatering pumps (M type and G type) and sewage pumps (MS type and NC type). To know pump specifications, visit our website.

 

Cut Down on Electricity Bills with Solar Net Metering

When you talk about solar energy, you often hear the term ‘net metering’. So what exactly does it mean? In a grid-tied system, where the solar PV system is connected to the main power grid, many people generating their own solar electricity often don’t need all the units they produce, e.g. during the day when the burden on solar lighting systems isn’t very high. The energy that isn’t consumed by them is added back to the main grid. It goes through the inverter (a grid-tie or standalone inverter) to the home electric control panels. It then goes through the utility meter to the utility grid where it’s available for others to use. Solar net metering is a billing system wherein solar panel system owners that add electricity to the grid are credited. The excess energy can be used by others who are in need of that energy. Here, those individuals are debited. This way, consumers are billed only for their ‘net’ energy usage, i.e. the difference between how much they consume and how much they produce.

Benefits of a net metering system

  • It’s very cost-effective. Consumers that add energy back to the grid get many cuts in their electricity bills (it could even be 0 at times)
  • Homeowners, businesses, etc. produce their own energy which takes the burden off the grid
  • Neighbourhoods that use net metering can become self-sustaining as houses that have excess energy power those who need it
  • It is a highly efficient way to become more environmentally friendly and conserve energy
  • Since consumers get credits for conserving energy, net metering is an effective way to instill a habit of saving electricity
  • Since the excess energy you produce gets transferred to the grid, you no longer need to invest in a high-end solar generator or batteries

Net metering in Maharashtra

Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution/Transmission Company Limited (MSEDCL) regulates net metering in the state for rooftop solar PV systems. After the MERC Net-Metering Policy was implemented in 2016, installing solar PV systems with net metering was made easier and a large number of people started switching to solar energy to reduce their carbon footprint.

Vijay Engineering and Machinery Company offers a wide range of solar solutions to further fast track your journey to a greener lifestyle. We follow a systematic 6-step process to ensure efficient execution of the solar solutions we offer.