What is a Vortex Pump?

by | May 2, 2023

There is a lot more to an EDDY Pump as compared to the vortex impeller pump. Are you wondering what these could be? 

There are some distinct differences between the EDDY Pump products and Vortex Pump that one should be aware of when looking for new pumping equipment. The information in this article will show why EDDY Pump manufacturers are superior to vortex pump manufacturers.

Vortex Pump

Watch the video below to discover how the EDDY Pump is more efficient than vortex pumps when it comes to pumping high solids.

Operating Principles of Vortex Pump Manufacturers

A vortex pump (also called a vortex impeller) is based on the principle of creating a vortex flow with a recessed impeller that is positioned away from the path of the liquid. The pump creates a circular churning motion around an axis to create suction. The fluid flows into the volute and out through discharge.  

Vortex motion may or may not be created by pressure differences of a fluid-solid mixture. Since the rotor is positioned farther back, it allows for solids and even gasses to pass without direct contact with the rotor.  

To create an efficient flow with the suspended particles, it is essential to generate a sufficiently powerful vortex to induce the suction of the solid particles. This requires a very powerful pumping action with high horsepower. Vortex formations are dependent on fluid properties like density and viscosity. The rotors are also recessed for solids clearance, although at some cost to the pump efficiency.

The vortex impeller design is non-clogging, but this comes at the cost of low efficiency (up to 50%). They also vibrate much less since they do not induce pulsating pressures. They also wear much better, due to loose tolerances and vortex induction as the driving force. The efficiency will remain similar over the life of the pump.

Operating Principles of EDDY Pump: How is it Different from Vortex Pump? 

  • EDDY Pump technology is based on the principle of Tornado Motion of liquid as a synchronized swirling column along the center of the intake pipe that induces agitated mixing of solid particles with liquid, creating suction strong enough for solid particles to travel upwards into the volute and generating pressure differential for desired discharge. 
  • The eddy current is caused by the pressure differential caused by the rotor and strengthened by turbulent flow patterns in the volute and suction tube.
  • Eddy currents are reinforced by the presence of solid particles, which increase the inertial forces in the fluid. The formation of eddy current depends on the suspended solid particles that cause suction, such as in the case of vortex impeller pumps. 
  • Unlike vortex pumps, the rotor in EDDY pumps directly drives fluid through the pump without slippage. The   EDDY Pump Products use the movement of particles and the wake induced by these solid particles to generate an eddy current and induce suction.
  • The EDDY Pump is very similar to a recessed impeller (vortex) pump but with a very distinct difference. It focuses on inducing a vortex down the inlet to move the fluids, whereas a vortex pump only induces its vortex in the pump casing.  

To understand this difference, it is important to look directly at the original EDDY Pump patent, where claim 2 states an EDDY Pump must

  • flow many fluid streams into a central location down the inlet
  • increase the stream velocities in an inward direction down the inlet
  • converge the streams together at a central location and forming a rotating column of liquid (aka the vortex)

This rotational column (which is going down the inlet) will cause the fluid to flow up through the inlet, into the pump housing, and out the discharge.

  • An eddy current pump in which a vortex column of liquid is discharged from the center of the pump inlet pipe resulting in a concentrated area of reduced pressure at the pump inlet to cause the ambient surrounding liquid and foreign substances, if any, to be drawn upwardly about the downwardly traveling vortex column in the manner of an eddy current.

Vortex Pump

The patent also states that the rotor creates a relatively slender, vertical column of liquid having a high angular velocity and a high downward velocity component. This vortex column goes down into the inlet, and it is the volume surrounding that vortex column that is transported upward into the pump. It is this counter flow of liquids in opposite directions within the inlet conduit that gives rise to the name “EDDY Pump”.  

It is the easiest to think of the vortex column separate from the fluid motion; e.g. the vortex column goes down the inlet and causes the fluid to go up through the inlet.

Why Choose EDDY Pump Over Traditional Vortex Impeller?

  • The efficiency of an EDDY Pump is 7-10% better than traditional vortex pumps, with respect to horsepower. 
  • The eddy current generated by the pump ensures steady movement of the mixture that leads to excellent non-clumping capabilities and the power to pump a very high concentration of solids, up to 70% by weight, as well as highly viscous fluids. 
  • Over long dredging and pumping jobs, the reduced maintenance and clogging combined with overall higher efficiency cost savings for your project.

Why Does Pump Efficiency Matter?

  • Depending on the amount of time per day the vortex pump will be running, pump efficiency could have huge ramifications on the overall cost of operation. 
  • Vortex pump manufacturers define pump efficiency as the ratio of power gained by the fluid to the shaft power supplied. 
  • Choosing a pump that is even 10% more efficient will save significant electricity costs over the pump’s life cycle. 
  • Combine this higher efficiency with fewer maintenance costs and an EDDY pump’s benefits quickly become apparent.

Conclusion

As explained in this article, there are several factors that make EDDY Pump more reliable and efficient as compared to a traditional vortex pump. We believe that you would have now gained a proper understanding of their functioning and answers to all the questions you previously had on your mind regarding vortex pump manufacturers. 

For your Slurry pump, dredging equipment application in construction, mining, chemical, oil & gas, pulp and paper, sewage treatment and marine industries, email EDDY Pump or call us at 619-558-3250. You can also Request a free sales quote.

FAQs about Vortex Pump

How does a vortex pump work?

Vortex pumps or recessed impeller pumps are grounded on the idea of forming a vortex flow with a recessed impeller that is located away from the liquid path.

What are the advantages of using a vortex pump?

Vortex pump designs are non-clogging. Further, these are beneficial when it comes to cost-effectiveness and self-suction capability.

How do you maintain a vortex pump?

To maintain a vortex pump, they must regularly be checked for leaks. Also, the pump and nearby areas must be regularly cleaned to remove debris.

How do you minimize noise and vibration from a vortex pump?

A vortex pump can be enclosed in a plywood box to reduce noise and vibration. Alternatively, the pump can be isolated from the floor by placing it on a rubber mat.

Why EDDY Pumps Are Better – Highlights

This video shows how the EDDY Pump beats traditional centrifugal pumps.