Pump Selection Guides

Choose the Right Pump

Product Driver Gal./Liters
per minute		 Gal./Liters
per day		 Lift Weight in
feet/meters		 Min. Pipe Size
inches/cm
Anchor Electric 6.7 / 25.3 9,648 / 36,432 800 / 240 2 / 4.8
Apollo Solar 2.7 / 10.2 3,888 / 14,172 400 / 122 2 / 4.8
Apollo-AC Electric 2.7 / 10.2 3,888 / 14,172 400 / 122 2 / 4.8
Edge Pneumatic 5.0 / 18.9 7,200 / 27,250 281 / 86 2 / 4.8
V-2 Pneumatic 11 / 41.6 15,800 / 59,900 555 / 169 2 / 4.8
Neptune Pneumatic 11 / 41.6 15,800 / 59,900 100 / 30 8 / 20
Rhino Oil Electric — 15 bbl/day 1,500 ft 2-3/8; 2-7/8 in

Comparing Piston Pumps with Electric Submersibles and Airlifts

Piston Pump Electric Submersible Air Lift Pump
Principle Uses Low-flow pumping, 0–11 gpm High-flow water-well pumping; light, clear, cool liquids Low-flow pumping
How It Works A motor above the wellhead drives a sucker rod that moves a piston up and down in the well — a foot valve at well bottom allows liquid to enter while the reciprocating piston pulls liquid up. Impellers, above the submerged motor, rotate rapidly to create suction, pulling liquids into the pump. The pressure of centrifugal force pushes liquid up into the discharge pipe. Down-well pump cavity fills with liquid, pushing exhaust air to surface. High-pressure air then forces liquid up and out of pump.
Power Source Electricity grid, compressed air, solar, windmill Electric only, in the well Compressed air only, in the well
Lift Positive displacement piston movement sucks the liquid up the cylinder, liquid passes through piston top and out of discharge tee Created by rapid rotation of metal impellers in constant motion. In landfill applications, inadequate liquid levels create concern about net positive suction head (NPSH) and destructive cavitation if well runs dry. Air pressure builds in pump to force liquid out.
Stuffing Box At surface, above wellhead Down in the well
Servicing Motor and stuffing box serviced at surface, away from liquid
  • Pump is in constant contact with liquid; uncontrolled pump flow; must be pulled to service
  • All-metal parts in constant motion subject to impeller and bearing wear and cavitation
  • Motor subject to failure from high temperature, dry running, corrosion, clogging
  • With other than clear, light liquids, pumps often require replacement
 Pump is in constant contact with down-well liquid; pump must be pulled from well to maintain and repair
Advantages
  • Simple operation
  • Variable, broad flow rates
  • Unaffected by vacuum
  • No pump pulling — longer life
  • Odor control
  • Handles broadest range of liquids
  • Lower cost of ownership
  • Pumps to 1,000 ft., 300 m.
  • No bio-fouling
  • Can be made explosion proof
  • High flow rate
  • Low initial cost
  • High efficiency
 Works in clear liquids

Piston Pumps vs. General Airlift Pumps

SCF vs. PSIG

TDH vs. PSIG