H2K Process Blowers and Pumps
Proper blower and pump selection is critical to the success of any treatment system. Even the best treatment equipment will require supporting process equipment to ensure proper system function. Different applications require different styles of pumps & blowers, H2K Technologies will make sure you select the right equipment for your treatment system.
Process pumps come in many different styles for various applications. Each pump has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the fluid being pumped and the treatment methods being used. Treatment systems processing water laden with oil will require a progressive cavity or diaphragm pump to prevent oil emulsification, which does not separate as easily and will cause issues in other treatment equipment.
- Centrifugal pumps provide the best balance between costs and flow/pressure capacity. These pumps use a rotating impeller to propel water through the housing to downstream piping. They are typically the best choice when processing water with minimal suspended solids or free product.
- Progressive cavity pumps are typically the best option when pumping water with higher suspended solids or free product loading. These pumps use a helical rotor to move a constant volume of water through the housing. Since the process is non-shearing, these pumps are typically used to feed oil/water separators and clarifiers.
- Diaphragm pumps are another style of positive displacement pump which flexes a pair of opposing membranes to process water. These can be electric or pneumatic driven and are also a good option for pumping water with high solids loading.
- Submersible pumps are used to extract groundwater for further water treatment. These pumps draw water in through a screened inlet under the water table. These can be used to reduce the water table in a dewatering application, or for direct pumping of contaminated water into a groundwater treatment system.
Process blowers are commonly used as part of soil vapor extraction (SVE), air sparging, sub-slab depressurization, and air stripper applications. SVE systems are used to extract contaminated air from underground water and soil for treatment. Most SVE systems require moisture knockout tanks to separate water into an integral sump to be pumped through treatment equipment or to discharge. Air sparge applications use a high pressure blower to inject air into soil to aerate volatile organic compounds in place. Air sparge and soil vapor extraction are often used together to maximize volatile organic aeration. Additional information about process blowers we use is listed below:Â
- Regenerative blowers, also called side-channel blowers, use a bladed impeller to draw air into the side channel and accelerate it through the housing. These blowers are oil-free and require little maintenance over time. Regenerative blowers are common in low vacuum soil vapor extraction and air stripping.
- Rotary lobe (positive displacement) blowers are the simplest air handling technology and a very common option for both pressure and vacuum operations. PD blowers compress air between rotating lobes to move process air. These are commonly the most cost-effective option for SVE and sparge applications.
- Rotary claw blowers are similar in design to the rotary lobe blower, but with tighter tolerances to provide higher vacuum and pressure capacity. These blowers are most common in dual phase extraction systems where maximum suction is required.
- Rotary vane blowers are a strong blower option for pressure applications that require higher pressure than a PD blower can produce. These blowers use a set of vanes mounted in an off-set hub to provide a variable-volume chamber to compress and move air. Rotary vanes are typically oil-free, but they do require vane replacement over time.
- Centrifugal blowers are the best option to move a high volume of air when lower pressure is required. Similarly to a centrifugal water pump, these blowers draw air into the inlet with a rotating impeller to apply centrifugal force to air and deliver it downstream. These are common in air stripping applications and as booster blowers to overcome equipment pressure drop.
- Rotary screw compressors are the best option for high pressure delivery where continuous flow is required. These compressors use a pair of opposed helical screws to compress and deliver air. Screw compressors are typically very quiet and efficient compared to other compressors.
- Reciprocating compressors are another good option for high pressure air delivery, especially when intermittent airflow is required. These units use motor-driven pistons to compress air in a receiver tank. These compressors are cheaper than rotary screw units, but are less effective for continuous air delivery.
See the charts below for additional blower selection guidelines at varied flow rate and pressure. These are general guidelines and site conditions will dictate different blower types. When designing process pumps and blowers, H2K Technologies’ experienced engineering can help review site conditions and recommend equipment for your project.