INTRODUCTION
A type of centrifugal pump that has a vertically oriented shaft, with the suction and discharge connections in the casing in line with each other, rather than requiring a change of direction like end suction pumps. They are commonly used as circulator pumps in situations where water flowing through a piping system needs to be pressurized. Some are designed to be easy to fit into a residential or commercial piping system, and they are commonly used for chilled water and hot water circulation in commercial buildings.
PROS & CONS
The main advantage of this pump configuration is the floor space savings that this creates, as compared to a horizontal end suction pump. A secondary advantage is that the piping is simplified, since the piping does not have to change direction as it does with an end suction pump. In many commercial building applications, in-line circulators are simply suspended in the piping, just like a valve.
One disadvantage is the weight of the pump and motor is directed to a small concentrated point below the casing, as opposed to horizontal pumps, which have the load of the pump and motor spread across a wider area on the bedplate. Another disadvantage is that any leakage out of the pump seal tends to collect around the top of the casing, where can cause corrosion of the casing, rather than readily draining off as is the case with horizontal end suction pumps.
TYPES
Practically any type of pump may serve as an in-line pump, and they can serve all kinds of uses. For example, they may be used as irrigation pumps to help boost water from the well pump or water source to the crops. They may also be used as booster pumps in municipal water supply systems, where they are used to boost the pressure of water from the treatment plant to homes located far from the municipal water supply.
In-line pumps are widely used in homes and commercial building hydronic heating systems, domestic hot water circulating systems, and HVAC chilled water systems. Larger, frame mounted versions of in-line pumps are built to API 610 standards and are commonly found in refineries and other hydrocarbon processing plants.
TECHNICAL
From 0.5 HP-10 HP
From 32 mm – 100 mm