Foot Valve Evaluation Using a Computerized Pump Testing Facility

Abstract

Centrifugal pumping systems are mostly used as water lifting devices for irrigation. Foot valve is an important component of the pumping system. Five locally available foot valves were evaluated using a computerized pump testing setup. Four foot valves were of cast iron (CI) and the other was of poly viny1 chloride(PVC). The foot valves were tested in discharge range of 8 to 14 1s¯¹ with a 5 hp standard monoblock pumpset. Friction head loss in foot valves and their effect on performance of pumping system were studied. It was observed that the head loss due to friction in the local foot valves was more(81%) than the foot valve meeting the design specifications. The power required to overcome the friction in local foot valves was 58% more than the foot valve meeting the design criterion.