Purpose and Benefits of the Pump Suction Bellmouth

The 30-inch Pump Suction Bellmouth is a critical component in the water purification process. Its primary function is to enhance the pump’s efficiency and longevity by addressing several key issues:

1. Improved Flow Distribution: The bellmouth design straightens the inlet flow, ensuring a more uniform distribution. This is crucial for the efficient functioning of the pump.
2. Reduced Friction Loss: The bellmouth reduces the entrance friction loss coefficient significantly, from K = 0.5 to K = 0.05. This reduction means less energy is required to operate the pump, leading to cost savings.
3. Enhanced Pump-Down Capacity: By allowing the wet-well to be pumped down lower, the bellmouth helps in minimizing the accumulation of fats, oils, grease, and other floatable items, which are common problems in water purification systems.

Addressing Specific Challenges

The bellmouth component is specifically designed to tackle various challenges in the water pumping process:

• Minimizing Free-Surface and Subsurface Vortices: These vortices can cause air entrainment and pump inefficiencies.
• Steady vs. Transient Flow Management: Ensures consistent performance under varying flow conditions.
• Handling Multi-Phase Flow: Capable of dealing with different phases (e.g., liquids and gases) in the flow.
• Reducing Air Entrainment: Limits the amount of air entering the system, which can reduce pump performance.
• Controlling Swirl Angle and Velocity Profile: These factors are critical for the efficient movement of water through the system.
• Preventing Solids Build-up: By maintaining a consistent flow, the bellmouth helps prevent the accumulation of solids.
• Mitigating Hydrogen Sulfide Odor: A common issue in wastewater systems, effectively managed by this system.

Padre Dam is a member of the East County Advanced Water Purification (AWP) Program Joint Powers of Authority (JPA). This program is expected to be one of the first – if not the first- surface water augmentation project in the State of California.  It will provide approximately 30 percent of Padre Dam’s water supply locally by 2025.  To support this project, Padre Dam is the long-term Administrator and Operator for the JPA and is the hiring organization for staffing the project.