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IS 15310 (2003): Hydraulic Design of Pump Sumps and Intakes

- Guidelines [WRD 14: Water Conductor Systems]

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IS 15310:2003

rmvTPhafl

fkG-la

Indian Standard
EIYDRAULJC DESIGN OF PUMP SUMPS AND
INTAKES GUIDELINES

lCS 93.160

BUREAU
MANAK

Februaq 2003

OF
BHAVAN,

INDIAN

STANDARDS

9 BAHADUR
SHAH
NEW DELHI
110002

ZAFAR

MARG

Price Group 4

Intake Structures Sectional Committee, WRD 11

FOREWORD
This Indian Standard was adopted by the Bureau of Indian Standards, atler the drafi finalized by the Intake Structures
Sectional Committee had been approved by the Water Resources Division Council.
Performance of pump is influenced to a considerable extent by the flow conditions at the intake. Swirls and air
entraining vortices affect pump performance, causing considerable noise, vibration, cavitation damage, increased
suet ion losses and reduction in efficiency. Large flow swirl intensities increasethe frictional losses which reduce
the available net positive suction head @PSH) of the pumps. The swirls can also cause pre-rotation at the impeller
inlet, particularly in the case of vertical turbine pumps where impeller is very near to the sump bottom, it may lead
to shock losses at the entry resulting in tht pump operating at off-duty point affecting the cavitation characteristics
of the pump. Site constraints also have significant effect on the configuration.
Proper pump intake design takes care of problems referred above. Though pump sump and intake are designed as
per general guidelines actual design and measures for its smooth functioning are finalized through model studies.
The composition of the committee responsible for formulation of this standard is given in Annex A.
For the purpose of deciding whether a particular requirement of this standard is complied with, the final value,
observed or calculated, expressing the result of a test or analysis, shall be rounded off in accordance with
1S 2:1960 Rules for rounding off numerical values (revised). The number of significant places retained in the
rounded off value should be the same as that of the specified value in this standard.

1S 15310:2003

Indian Standard
HYDRAULIC DESIGN OF PUMP SUMPS AND
INTAKES GUIDELINES
1 SCOPE

2.3 Pumpbays

This standard stipulates the guidelines for initial

hydraulic design of pump sump and intake structures
from approach channel up to its entry into suction pipe
of the pump.

In case of multiple pump installations the pumps are

usually separated from each other by separating walls
(piers). Individual pump chamber is then called as
pumpbay.

2 DEFINITIONS

2.4 Dimple Vortex

2.1 Pump Sump

A free surface vortex making a dimple on the free

surface without air entrainment (see Fig. 2 a).

A lined excavation generally of a simple geometric

shape adjacent to the pump intake. When the intake is
directly adjacent to a river or reservoir, the area
immediately upstream of the intake section is termed
forebay (see Fig. 1).

2.5 Air Entraining Vortex

A vortex which enters an intake from the free surface
with intermittent or continuous air entrainment
(see Fig. 2 b).

2.2 Pump Intake

2.6 Submerged Vortex (Swirl)

The structure between the pump sump or forebay and

the pump itself is termed as pump intakes. Generally
pump intake is in the form of bell mouth, suction bowl
and column pipeline. The intake can be horizontal or
vertical or inclined. In some cases, the intake is part of
pump itself(see Fig. 1).

FREE

SURFACE
Y7

SUMP

2.7 Swirling Flow

Flow usually caused by large scale rotation in the bulk
of the fluid in the sump which is then amplified as the
flow converges into the intake.

DISCHARGE

FLOW

o
.

fLINTERNA~

(B)

FLOW

PLAN

1 DEFINITIONSKETCHFORPUMP,SUMPANDINTAKE
1

ELEVATION

PUMP

FIG.

. ___
.

INTAKE
(A)

A vortex which enters the intake from a solid flow

boundary with submerged vapour core (see Fig. 2 c).

---~

IS 15310:2003

2.8 Critical Submergence

2.10 Swirl Angle

2.8.1 Critical Submergence for Horizontal Intakes

The swirl angle is defined as

It is the minimum vertical depth from the surface of

water in the pump sump to the top most point of intake
required to prevent air entraining vortices (see Fig. 3).
2.8.2 Critical Submergence

O=

arctan+

where
Vt= tangential velocity component of swirling flow;
and

for Vertical Intakes

It is the minimum depth from the water surface to the

pump intake to prevent entry of air and formation of
vortices as indicated in Fig. 4.
2.9 Minimum Submergence

V,= axial velocity component of flow in pipeline.

This is used to measure intensity of swirling flow
in the pump intake.
2.11 Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH)

The depth of submergence over a be]lmouth at the

allowable lowest water level.

Net positive suction head (NPSH) is the total inlethead

-TM-3!Jlj--
7

(a) DIMPLE

[b)

VORTEX

FIG.

(c) SUBM:SRIJE&VORTEX

AIR ENTRAINING
VORTEX

2 VORTEXCLASSIFICATION

MIN. WATER LEVEL

MIN WATER LEVEL

.n ,

..
S=l-S OIMIN

*c =0/2

x=o/;

/ ///////////

DRY WELL

W=2D

TO PUMP

[A) HORIZONTAL INTAKE

W*2O

(B) TURNED 00WN .8 EL LMOUTH

FIG. 3 SUMPDESIGNFORSINGLEPUMPDRY WELL SUMP

IS 15310:2003

plus the head corresponding to me atmospheric

pressure, minus head corresponding to the vapour
pressure:
P.
NPSH

P,=

/2, = density of water in g/cm3.

NOTES

1. NPSH and inlet head are measured/taken from a reference

plane (Fig. 5,).

= H+

P,

vapour pressure in glcmz,.and

P,

2. The inlet head used includes velocity head based upon the
average inlet velocity.

where

3. Reference.plane is the horizontal plane through the center

of the circle formed by the external points of the impeller
blades (see tig.5).

H = total inlet head in cm,

PO= atmospheric pressure in g/cm2,

OTORM

VALVE >

(A)wET

(B) ORY WELL H0R120NTAL FLOW iNTAKE

WELL

dc
FIG. 4

,.
Ei-i!17

(C)DRY WELLTURNED-OOWN INTAKE

Critcal Submergence Depth

WET

AND DRY PUMP INSTALLATION

&

H=

vertical height of the water surface in the sump above the datum. Thus if the water surface
is below the datum, H is a negative quantity;

P,, = atmospheric pressure, g/cm2;

p,=

density of water;

P,, = water vapour pressure; and

h, = head loss in suction pipeline cm.

NPSH
FIG. 5 DMGRAM TO ILLUSTRATE
3

IS 1S310 :2003

4.1.1.4 Backwall clearance (B) between bellmouth and

backwall shall be D/4 to D/3 (Fig. 6a).

3 TYPES OF PUMP INTAKES

The position and location of pump intake generally
depends upon the source of water available for pumping
and the proximity of the plant to the source of water.
The pump intakes may be broadly classified as :

4.1.1.5 The upstream flow distribution sha}lbe uniform

within a distance at 3 D from pump centerline
(Fig. 6c).

a) pump intakes placed in source of water, and

4.1.1.6 The sharp corner shall be avoided or shall be

either blanked or given fillet of radius as shown in
Fig. 6a, 6b and 6c.

b) pump intakes placed away tlom source of water.

4 STANDARD

DESIGN

4.1.1.7 Width

4.0 General

Width of the pump bay shall be minimum 2 D.

Standard design of sump mainly depends upon rated

flow per pump to be handled for irrigation, power plant,
industrial project, sewerage system, etc. This will in
turn govern the type and number of pumps required.

4.1.2 Horizontal Entry Pumps

4.1.2.1 Figure 3 and Fig. 4b show the general layout

for dry well sump with a horizontal entry to the pump.

This configuration is usually adopted when reliability
is the prime requirement, since the pump is accessible
at all times for maintenance. All the dimension are given
in terms of bell mouth diameter(D), which is generally
taken as 1.5 to 1.8 times pump column pipe diameter
(d).

The following aspects shall be considered for a good

sump design:
a)

Even flow distribution;

b)

Ideal flow condition in each pump bay with

respect to swirl and vortex formation and
prevention of pre-rmtation;
Independent pump operation;

c)

4.1.2.2 Channel width

d) Use of screens in pump bays for arresting all

trash and floating material; and

The channel width shall be 2D (same as in the case of

vertical entry pumps)

e) Provision of gates to isolate pump bay for

maintenance, etc.

4.1.2.3 Bottom c[earance

Clearance from bottom (C) for turned down elbow
arrangement shall be kept D/2.

For satisfactory pump operation the flow into suction

pipe intake has to be evenly distributed across the area
and this can be achieved by proper design of sump
components. Sharp corners, abrupt turns and non
symmetry should be avoided.

4.1.2.4 Clearance with backwall (B) shall be D/4 to

D/3 (same as in the case of vertical entry pumps).
4.-1.2.5Minimum water level (MWL)

While designing the sump, prevention of eddies and

vortices
in the channel and pump bays-and the condition
of the flow approaching inlet of bell is important.

The minimum water level is decided by external factors

such as level of the incoming pipe culvert, NPSH
requirements of the pump, etc. Considering these
factors, water level should be kept as low as possible to
reduce the cost of civil engineering works.

4.1 Single Pump Sumps

A pump can be installed in a wet or a dry well. A
vertical turbine pump suspended in a wet well and a
similar pump in a dry well is shown in Fig. 4. In a dry
well the bellmouth maybe directed in the back wall or
turned down through an angle of upto 90 as shown.

Minimum water level = C + S + safety margin

where
C = bottom clearance between sump floor and bell
mouth (C= D/2)

4.1.1 Vertical Entty Pumps

S= submergence ( S >1.5 D)
4.1.1.1 Figure 4 shows basic design for wet well sump

4.1.2.6 Straight length of approach channel in pump

bay shall be upto 10 D downstream of major
obstructions to flow path (for example, gate, structure,
bridge piers, etc) for example, screen. However, model
tests are advisable for determining the exact length of
approach channel (see Fig.7 for details).

for a vertical pump. All the dimensions are given in

terms of bell mouth diameter (D), which is generally
taken as 1-5 to 1.8 times pump column pipe diameter.
4.1.1.2 Side wall clearance
The clearance between side wall and bellmouth shall
be maintained between D/3 and D/2.

4.2 Multiple Pump Sumps

4.1.1.3 The bottom clearance (C) between bellmouth

and sump floor shall be kept not less than D/2.

Wet well pumps are the commonly used pump in

multiple pumps sumps.
4

IS 15310:2003

(0)

/2+4

SIDE

\
-t!

WALLcLEAffNcE
{D/3TD (2/21

OR

RADIUS-D/~

WIDTH=2D

PLANE OF
UNIFORMFLOW
+r-1

s=l ~/20 (MINI

L!

J b~

(b)

OR

I--%

1-o--1

r-

33E!I
RAOIUSRO

C=BOTLDM CLEARANCE
I c>o/2 ) J

UNIFORM
FLOW

(d)

&o+

FIG.6

SUMPDESIGNFORSINGLEPUMPWET WELL SUMP

MAJOR
OBSTR

UCTIONS

TO

FLOW

SUMP

FLOOR

TO BE LEVEL

FOR THIS LENGTH

AREA

1-

!3LJMp

FIG.

RATlO

@A=OC5
/

L =10
FLOOR

TO

BE LEVEL FOR

7 LENGTHOFAPPROACHCHANNEL

THIS

LEVEL

IS 15310:2003
4.2.1 .3Tump inlet velocity in column pipe is generally

4.2.1 Wet Well Pump Iwtallation

limited to 3 m/s and velocity at entry of bell mouth

shall not exceed 1.3 m/s.

Figure 8 shows alternate ways of installing pumps in a

sump. The arrangement shown in Fig. 8a is used where
uniform steady flow occurs just upstream of the intakes.
However, if the approach flow is less uniform than ideal,
the arrangement shown in Fig. 8b is preferred.
4.2.1.1 Width ofpump

4.2.1.4 Approaches to the sump are shown in Fig.7 for

open and unitised sump. Velocity of the flow of a
channel conveying water to sump should not be greater
than 1.2 m/s.

house

4.2.1.5 Piers

The width of pumpbay is kept minimum 2 D. In case

of open sump the minimum width of pump house is
2ND and in case of unitised-pump it is 2 ND+(N I)T
where N is number of pumps and T is pier wall
thickness between two pumps.

In the case of multiple pump arrangements, the piers

are erected between two pumps to avoid interference
of one pump on the other and to cater for structural
requirements of pump house. As a thumb rule, the
length of piers can be taken as 10 D where D is
bellmouth diameter. The nose of the pier should be
smooth, preferably semicircular. Piers also help in
straightening the flow approaching pump bell.

4.2.1.2 Center to center distance between pumps shall

be kept minimum of 2D for open sump and 2.D + T for
unitized sump to provide adequate clearance in
pumpbay.

+2+1
+
,

IV

PLANE OF UNIFORM

I
60+2T

-kYu

FLOW !

(b) UNITISEO

(a) OPEN SUMP

SUMP

d
TOP OF PIER WALL
tl
ABOVE MAX. WATER LEVEL
l-l

I
SS1.5 D

(tJwl

FIG.

I
I
I
1I )
I

/2
0

8 BASIC SUMPDESIGNSFORMULTIPLEPUMPSWET WELL ARRANGEMENT

6

IS 15310:2003
5.1 As a thumb rule the capacity of the sump may be
based on the detention period. A detention period of 7
to 10 minutes depending on the rate of flow of a single
pump or multiple pumps maybe a reasonable value.

4.2.1.6 Themaximum divergence fortheforebay side

walls with respect to forebay center line should be
limited to 20 degrees and the maximum slope at bottom
to be not more than 10 degrees to avoid separation of
flow. The velocity in the pump bays should not be
more than 0.3 m/s.

6 ANTI-VORTEXBWIRL

DEVICES

Various expedients (anti-vortex/anti-swirl devices) need

to be evolved first with Freudian velocity through intake
if the flow conditions are observed with occurrence of
swirls and vortices. The efforts should be made to
minimise pre-rotation.

4.2.1.7 Screens should be provided at the inlet of each

pump bay in order to arrest all trash and floating
material and straighten the flow.
5 MODEL STUDY

The type of expedients generally adopted are flow guide

baffle wall, breast walls, floating rat%, grid walls, antiswirl cones, splitter vanes, etc. However, the most
suitable or optimum suitable device can be finalised
through trial runs on the model and the solution may
vary from case to case.

To finalize a pump sump and intake design for any

application, hydraulic model studies on a geometrically
similar model are advisable to study flow conditions,
cavitation, vortex formation, efficacy of antivortex
devices, etc. However, to make minimum alterations
in the model during experimental studies to achieve
satisfactory flow conditions, it is essential to have
initial ly some intake design for that application based
on some guidelines/thumb rules, according to which a
model can be constructed for initial studies.

The effectiveness of the anti-vortex device shall be

verified for flow velocities higher than Freudian, and
upto the actual velocity, that is, prototype velocity, as
may be considered necessary.

1S 15310:2003

ANNEX A
(fcv-ewm-d)
COMMITTEE

COMPOSITION

Intake Structures Sectional Committee, WRD 11

Representative(s)

Organization

Central Water Commission, New Delhi

Ilharat Heavy Electrical Ltd, New Delhi

StrRJK, S. BnAnA (Chairman)

Central Board of Irrigation and Power, New Delhi

DR

Central Design Organization, Nasik

SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(G. O.)

Central Electricity Authority, New Delhi

SHRJA. K. JAIN

Central Inland Capture Fisheries Research Institute, Kolkata

DR MANJRANIANSINHA

Central Water Commission, New Delhi

DIRECTOR(NSH)

Central Water and Power Research Station, New Delhi

SHRJ S. R. BHAMBURE

Consulting Engineering Services (India) Ltd, New Delhi

SHRI V, K. KAPUR

Indian Pump Manufacturers Association, Mumbai

SHIOs. L. ABHVANKAR

Irrigation Department, Government of Punjab, Punjab

CHIEF ENGINEER(RSDD)

Irrigation Design Organization and Research Institute, Roorkee

CHIEF ENGINEER (PHD)

National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd, Faridabad, Haryana

SHRJV. K. KAPOOR

Narmada Water Resources and Water Supply Department, Gujarat

OFFICERON SPECIALDOTV ( 1)

Public Works Department, Govt Of Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu

SHRJM. DURAIRAJ

Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Ltd , Rkhikesh

BIS Directorate General

SHRJSHAILENORASINGH

SHRJ B. SENGUPTA
SHIU P. SINHA (Alternate)

A. S. CHAWLA
SHRI A. N. BHARGAVA (Alternate)
-SUPERINTENDING
ENGINEER(GATES)

(Alternate)

StrRI NEERAI KUMAR (Alternate)

SHRJV. V. SUGONAN (Alternate)

DIRECTOR(SSPH)

(Alternate)

SHRI B. S. KOLKARNI (Alternate)

SHRJ P. K. SANGHI (Alternafe)
SHRI R.

G.

PADALKAR(Alternate)

DIRECTOR(T&P)

(RSDD) (Alternate)

SUPERINTENDINGENGINEER(Alternate)
SHRI A. K. JAIN (Alternate)
UNDER SECRETARY(WJm) (Alternate)
SHRI T. KRISHNASWAMY(Alternate)
SHRJ S. S. SEf1%,Director

and Head (WRD)

[Representing Director General (Ex-oflcio)]

Member Secretary
SHRJMATJROSYDSSAWAN

Joint Dkector (WRD), BIS

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This Indian Sti]l~dard has been developed from Dot: No. WRD

Amendments

1I (253).

Issued Since Publication

Date of Issue

Amend No.

Text Affected

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