Study of an Ejector Water Intake and Treatment Plant with a Pressure-Vacuum Hydrocyclone

Abstract

The intake of natural water or waste water from a depth exceeding the suction height of centrifugal pumps is mainly carried out due to additional water supply at the suction of the pump. However, this process becomes more complicated if it is necessary to purify water from mechanical impurities. The purpose of the presented work is to consider this issue based on the development and study of the parameters of an ejector water intake treatment plant equipped with a pressure-vacuum hydrocyclone. The main contribution of the ongoing research is the establishment of the technological parameters of the installation, and their features in the pressure-vacuum mode of operation, in contrast to the known pressure and vacuum hydrocyclones separately. In terms of methodology, the main parameters of the developed installation were established during the testing of its prototype on a specially built stand using well-known regulatory guidelines in the hydraulic research system. As a result of the study, the nature of the change in pressure inside a cylindrical–conical hydrocyclone, with established design dimensions and the patterns of formation of vacuum and pressure-vacuum modes depending on the initial parameters, was revealed. The data obtained to determine the effect of technological parameters of ejection and the characteristics of the supplied water with impurities on the operating mode of the hydrocyclone confirm the efficiency of water intake and purification. A rational mode of joint operation of the elements of a closed system is achieved at the maximum value of the installation efficiency and ensuring low specific energy consumption per 1 m3 of treated water.