What is a Vertical Turbine Pump & How Does it Work?

Reliable water supply often depends on equipment you never see, like the vertical turbine pump sitting deep in a well or pit. Hidden below the surface, it uses multiple stages and a vertical configuration to move water upward efficiently, even over significant heights.

What is a Vertical Turbine Pump?

A vertical turbine pump is a type of centrifugal pump designed to move water from deep wells, pits, or reservoirs up to the surface. Unlike submersible pumps, the motor of a vertical turbine pump is mounted above ground, while the pump bowls and impellers are submerged in the fluid below.

The motor transfers power through a long vertical shaft, which spins one or more impellers located deep in the well or intake structure. This configuration allows the pump to generate high pressure (head) while keeping the motor accessible for maintenance.

Vertical turbine pumps are sometimes referred to as deep well turbine pumps or line shaft turbine pumps. Despite the name these pumps do not operate like turbines, as they are purely centrifugal in design.

Key Parts of a Vertical Turbine Pump

• Surface-mounted motor (electric / diesel driven)
• Discharge head that redirects flow into piping
• Vertical line shaft connecting the motor to the impellers
• Column pipe housing the shaft
• Impellers and diffuser bowls (single-stage / multi-stage)
• Suction bell at the pump inlet

Each component plays a role in lifting water efficiently from significant depths. In many installations, a basket strainer is also installed at the suction bell to prevent large solids from entering the pump and damaging internal components.

How Does a Vertical Turbine Pump Work?

Vertical turbine pumps move water in a step-by-step-process designed to build pressure gradually and efficiently.

1. Water enters through the suction bell.

Water enters the pump at the bottom through a bell shaped inlet called the suction bell. This design ensures smooth entry and helps reduce turbulence.

2. Impellers increase velocity.

The rotating impeller accelerates the water, increasing its velocity as it moves upward.

3. Diffuser bowls convert velocity to pressure.

After leaving the impeller, water enters a diffuser bowl, where velocity energy is converted into pressure. This pressurized flow is then directed to the next impeller.

4. Multi-stage pressure build up.

In deeper wells or high pressure applications, the pump uses multiple impeller and diffuser stages stacked vertically. Each stage adds more head, allowing the pump to lift water hundreds of feet if necessary.

5. Water travels up the column pipe.

Once water exits the final diffuser bowl, it moves upward through the column pipe. The rotating shaft is supported by sleeve bushings, which are lubricated by the pumped fluid itself.

6. Discharge at the surface.

At the surface, water exits through the discharge head, where it’s redirected into the system piping and sent to its final destination. A vertical, high thrust motor (typically an AC electric motor, though diesel engines with right angle drives are also common) is mounted above the discharge head to drive the pump shaft.

Performance Range and Configurations

Vertical turbine pumps are capable of handling a wide range of operating conditions. Typical flow rates range from approximately 50 gpm to more than 30,000 gpm, depending on pump size, number of stages, and motor power. Because these industrial pumps can be built with a single stage or many stages, the total head produced can be precisely customized for each application.

Vertical turbine pumps can be installed in bored wells, deep pits or open bodies of water such as lakes and reservoirs. In industrial settings, they may be mounted on top of tanks, installed inside barrels to control suction pressure, or configured as booster pumps to increase pressure in municipal/process water systems. In some specialized applications, they can even take suction from vessels operating under vacuum.

What are Vertical Turbine Pumps used for?

Vertical turbine pumps are used for clean water applications that require high flow or high head. A few common uses are:

• Municipal groundwater supply
• Agricultural and turf irrigation
• Industrial process water
• Plant makeup water
• Fire protection systems
• Pumping from lakes, rivers, reservoirs

They’re often selected when submersible pumps aren’t practical due to flow requirements, maintenance preferences or power constraints.

Why use a Vertical Turbine Pump?

In addition to their performance flexibility, vertical turbine pumps are well suited for applications where electric power may not be readily available. Because the motor is mounted above ground, non-electrical prime movers (such as diesel engines) can be used, making these pumps a practical option for remote or temporary installations.

Vertical turbine pumps offer several key benefits:

• High efficiency in high head applications
• No priming issues when properly submerged
• Surface mounted motor for easier pump maintenance
• Customizable staging for specific pressure requirements
• Small footprint compared to horizontal pump systems

These advantages make them one of the most commonly used centrifugal pump designs in large scale water systems.

Important Factors to Be Aware Of

Because vertical turbine pumps rely on submerged impellers and water lubricated shaft bushings, they are generally best suited for clean water service. Fluids containing entrained or dissolved gas can create challenges at the mechanical seal or stuffing box, where gas tends to accumulate and is difficult to vent. Careful system design and consultation with experienced pump professionals can help mitigate these issues.

While highly effective, vertical turbine pumps do have limitations:

• Require significant headroom for installation and service
• Hydraulic thrust can be difficult to balance
• More complex installation than submersible pumps
• Seal and venting challenges in certain clean-water applications

How the Experts at PumpWorks Can Help

So, do you think a vertical turbine pump right is for your application? If your operation requires moving large volumes of water from deep sources with reliable pressure and long service life, you’re probably right. At PumpWorks, our team specializes in evaluating all types of pump systems, troubleshooting pump issues, and pump testing across municipal, industrial, and agricultural applications.

Interested in some of our other offerings? Our product portfolio includes API 610 pumps, ANSI process/industrial pumps, HP Plus Centrifugal Pump, remanufactured pumps, pump packages, and more pump solutions.

Contact PumpWorks today to speak with a pump expert or schedule service.