Dooch VTD Vertical Turbine Pump: Solution for Deep Sumps and Underground Tanks

A vertical turbine pump has three main sections arranged vertically. The bowl assembly consists of multiple impeller stages and diffuser bowls located at the bottom, submerged in water. The column section is a long pipe connecting the bowl assembly to the floor above, with a drive shaft inside; the column length is selected based on the water depth in the sump or tank. The discharge head sits above floor level and is where the motor is mounted and the discharge piping connects.

Because the entire hydraulic section is submerged in water, the pump is always in a primed state — no priming is required before start-up and there is no risk of losing prime as with a horizontal centrifugal pump installed above the water level. This is the key factor that makes the VTD suitable for deep sumps and underground tanks where a surface-mounted pump cannot reliably reach.

For collection sumps, underground tanks, or wells where the water level sits well below floor level, a horizontal pump installed above would need to draw water over a large suction lift, making it prone to losing prime and reducing efficiency. The vertical turbine pump addresses this by placing the impeller section directly into the water while keeping the motor above. As a result, the pump is not constrained by suction lift and operates reliably even when the water level fluctuates within an allowable range.

The vertical configuration also saves floor space: instead of a large pump room, the installation only requires a floor slab above the sump opening. The number of impeller stages can be increased or decreased to achieve the desired head, and the column length is chosen based on the actual depth — so the same VTD series can be customized for a variety of depths and discharge heads depending on the model and project conditions.

Vertical turbine pumps are widely used at raw-water intake stations drawing from rivers, lakes, or underground tanks; booster pump stations drawing from deep suction pits in buildings and industrial parks; surface drainage sumps and stormwater systems; and fire-fighting systems that need to draw water from underground tanks. In fire-fighting water tanks installed below basement floor level, the VTD is an option for delivering water to the fire-fighting pipework without the need to install a pump deep underground.

For fire-fighting systems, Dooch also offers the DSVE electric-plus-diesel vertical pump, which runs independently, eliminating the need for a separate emergency generator for the fire pump set. When a deep-sump water-lifting solution is needed for water supply or fire-protection purposes, the VTD and other Dooch vertical-pump series are options worth evaluating according to individual project conditions.

To select the right vertical turbine pump, four groups of parameters must be determined in advance: the required flow rate (m³/h), total head (including discharge height and pipe losses), the minimum water depth in the sump/tank, and water quality (clean or containing solids). The water depth determines the column length; the flow rate and head determine the impeller size and number of stages. For water containing solids or corrosive properties, appropriate materials such as cast iron or stainless steel should be considered.

During installation, the bowl assembly must always be submerged to the minimum water depth required to prevent air entrainment and cavitation; the motor baseplate must be rigid and aligned with the pump column to prevent shaft misalignment. Because these factors directly affect pump service life, it is advisable to consult with the technical team early to perform calculations specific to the project’s sump/tank drawings.