Lifting Your Water Solutions Higher:
Vertical Turbines
A vertical turbine pump is a specialized centrifugal pump designed to move water or other fluids from deep underground or below-grade sources. Unlike horizontal end-suction pumps, which move fluid laterally, vertical turbines rely on stacked pump bowls (bowl assemblies) to generate velocity energy that lifts large volumes of water vertically to the surface. Their vertical configuration requires less floor space, making them ideal where footprint is limited, while also offering higher efficiency and lower operating costs than many horizontal designs. With a vertical shaft and bowl assembly submerged in the fluid, these pumps lift water through a column to the discharge head at ground level.
According to the Hydraulic Institute, a vertical turbine pump is a rotodynamic, centrifugal pump where the impellers are mounted on a vertically suspended shaft, and axial load is carried by a thrust bearing in the driver or discharge head. The driver thrust bearing is typically located in the motor for hollow-shaft configurations or in the discharge head for solid-shaft designs.
Created to deliver reliable flow anywhere system pressure (head) is insufficient, vertical turbines are primarily used in water applications but are widely applied across industries. They are especially common in pits and wells that supply groundwater for irrigation, municipal water systems, and industrial processes. Vertical turbines are often chosen when submersible pumps are not feasible-either because flows exceed submersible ranges or because operators prefer a motor mounted above ground.
Why Vertical Turbines are Important
Vertical turbine pumps are important because they enable the reliable movement of large volumes of water from sources that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to access. Their vertical design, efficiency, and adaptability make them essential for a wide range of industries and communities.
- Access to Deep Water Sources: They can draw water from wells, reservoirs, and aquifers located far below the surface.
- Reliable Water Supply: Critical for municipal drinking water systems, agriculture, industry, and power generation.
- High Efficiency & Cost Savings: A multi-stage design maximizes energy efficiency, lowering long-term operating costs.
- Space-Saving Design: A compact footprint allows installation where space is limited.
- Versatile Applications: From irrigation and flood control to desalination and fire protection, they serve diverse needs.
- Resilience & Safety: Ensure steady water availability in times of scarcity and support emergency systems.
Key Components
The vertical turbine’s vertical arrangement minimizes footprint, reduces the need for suction piping, and allows turbines to operate from shallow wells to deep-seated reservoirs.
A. Motor/driver: Electric motor or diesel engine mounted on top of the discharge head.
B. Discharge head: Surface-level housing that directs pumped water into piping.
C. Column assembly: One or more pump columns with line shaft and bearings that transmit power to the impeller.
D. Line shaft bearings: Lubricated by pumped water, external water, oil, or grease depending on type of line shaft and application.
E. Pump bowl assembly: Located at the bottom, includes suction bell, one or more impellers, and diffuser-style casings.
F. Impellers: Add velocity to fluid, staged in series to increase total head.
G. Suction bell: Guides fluid smoothly into the first impeller.
How Vertical Turbines Work
Fluid enters the bottom of the vertical turbine at the suction bell. The first impeller, using centrifugal force, accelerates the fluid upward, while the diffuser bowl converts this velocity head to pressure head. By putting the fluid under pressure early in the process, less mechanical pressure is required to continue lifting it to the surface.
In multi-stage designs, additional impellers and diffuser bowls-known as “stages”-repeat this process, increasing head with each stage while maintaining the same flow. Each identical stage adds approximately the same head at constant flow, assuming no major losses. The rotating shaft then lifts the fluid upward through the column assembly to the discharge head, where it is directed into surface piping for delivery.
Vertical turbines are often staged, meaning they are built with more than one impeller. As water flows through each stage of the pump, both pressure and flow are carefully managed, ensuring a steady and reliable supply. Each additional impeller increases the total head the pump can generate, while the flow remains constant.For example, a single-stage turbine delivers 1,000 gallons per minute (gpm) at 100 feet head will deliver 200 feet of head at the same flow if a second identical stage is added. In this case, the pump would be described as having a “two-stage bowl assembly”. The number of impellers required is determined by the hydraulic performance specified for the application.
The bowl assembly of a vertical turbine consists of the suction case or bell, the impellers, and the diffuser type casings. All impellers are mounted on a single bowl shaft, which passes upward through the diffusers. Each impeller-and-diffuser pair forms one stage. Depending on design, a turbine may be built with as many stages as needed, provided the bowls are engineered to withstand the required pressure.
Except for mixed-flow designs, vertical turbine pumps achieve higher pressures by adding stages. This makes them more versatile than horizontal pumps, which are limited in the pressure they can provide.
Main Types of Vertical Turbine Pumps
Vertical turbine pumps come in several configurations, each designed to meet specific hydraulic requirements and installation conditions. By varying motor placement, shaft design, and impeller arrangement, these pumps can efficiently handle a wide range of flow rates, pressures, and water sources, from deep wells and reservoirs to high-volume irrigation and industrial systems.
Comparison of Main Types of Vertical Turbine Pumps
| Type | Design Feature | Typical Application | Key Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lineshaft | Motor above ground, long vertical shaft connecting to impeller; shaft bearings lubricated by pumped water (open line shafts) or external oil/grease (enclosed line shaft). | Deep wells, municipal water supply, irrigation, industrial plants. | Proven design handles very deep settings, reliable continuous operation, flexible stage configuration. |
| Submersible | Submersible motor located directly in fluid, no line shaft required. | Groundwater wells, reservoirs, high-rise buildings, areas with limited headroom. | Compact footprint, quiet operation, eliminates long shaft alignment issues, suitable for deep water applications. |
| Can (Barrel) | Pump installed in a below-grade suction can or barrel; often used in pressurized suction systems or when NPSH is marginal; provides additional NPSH to first-stage impeller. | Industrial plants, refineries, power generation, booster service. | Reduces cavitation risk, reliable for high-demand industrial applications, easier maintenance access. |
| Axial-Flow | Impellers push water parallel to the shaft; designed for very high flow at low head. | Flood control, drainage, cooling water circulation, large irrigation projects. | Moves extremely large volumes efficiently, ideal for low-lift, high-flow applications. |
| Mixed-Flow | Combines radial and axial flow characteristics impellers angled for higher head than pure axial-flow. | Irrigation, stormwater management, large-scale water transfer, cooling systems. | Balances flow and head, more versatile than axial or radial designs, efficient for medium-head, high-flow needs. |
Advantages of Vertical Turbine Pumps
Vertical turbine pumps are a versatile and reliable solution for moving large volumes of water from deep or below-grade sources. Their unique design combines efficiency, scalability, and durability, making them ideal for municipal, industrial, agricultural, and power generation applications.
Key advantages:
- Handles Deep Sources: Capable of lifting water from deep wells, reservoirs, or other below-grade sources.
- Scalable Performance: Additional impellers (stages) increase pressure (head) without affecting flow.
- Compact Footprint: Vertical arrangement saves valuable floor space compared with horizontal designs.
- Versatile Applications: Suitable for water supply, irrigation, industrial processes, power generation, and fire protection.
- Durable & Reliable: Built for long-term operation in demanding environments.
- Flexible Drive Options: Compatible with electric motors, diesel engines, or gear drives
- Reduced Suction Piping Needs: Pumps directly from wells or reservoirs, minimizing suction line requirements.
Applications
- Municipal water supply and distribution
- Irrigation and agriculture
- Power plant cooling water systems
- Industrial process water
- Seawater intake for desalination plants
- Flood control and drainage
- Fire protection systems
Best Practices for Selecting Vertical Turbine Pumps
Selection & Design
- Size pumps to operate near their Best Efficiency Point (BEP).
- Ensure impeller diameter and bowl setting are optimized for actual well drawdown conditions.
- Match materials to fluid conditions (abrasive, corrosive, or high temperature).
- Select proper driver type (electric, diesel, gear drive) for site and application.
- Verify driver thrust capacity exceeds total pump thrust plus safety margin.
Installation
- Ensure proper alignment between the pump shaft, bearings, and driver.
- Check plumbness of discharge head and column before coupling.
- Provide adequate foundation and support to minimize vibration.
- Confirm pump rotation direction before startup.
- Use correct lubrication system (water, oil, or grease) for line-shaft bearings.
- Verify column length and bowl setting are correct for water level and drawdown.
Operation
- Avoid running pumps too far off design point (to prevent vibration, cavitation, or premature wear).
- Monitor discharge pressure and flow to ensure operation remains within allowable operating range (AOR).
- Monitor NPSH requirements to avoid cavitation.
- Start and stop pumps gradually to minimize water hammer and shaft stress.
- Record operating data (flow, pressure, vibration, temperature) for trend monitoring.
Maintenance
- Inspect and replace bearings, wear rings, and shaft sleeves at recommended intervals.
- Inspect shaft sleeves and wear rings for erosion or galvanic wear when pumping abrasive or brackish water.
- Monitor shaft vibration and alignment regularly.
- Check lubrication system and ensure water flush lines (if used) remain clean.
- Keep a spare parts inventory for critical components to minimize downtime.
Wilo is Your Solutions Provider
Wilo USA headquartered in Cedarburg, WI, is a multi-national pump manufacturer and one of the world’s leading premium suppliers of pumps and pumps systems for building services, water management, and industrial applications. With innovative solutions, smart products, and individual services, Wilo is your solution provider in making water move using intelligent, efficient, and eco-friendly techniques.
At Wilo, we understand that reliable water movement is the backbone of every community and industry. Wilo vertical turbine pumps are designed to deliver efficiency, durability, and performance in the most demanding applications, whether in municipal water supply, irrigation, or industrial processes. As your solutions provider in the water management segment, Wilo combines proven technology with expert support to ensure you have the right pump for every challenge, today and into the future. Learn more about vertical turbines and additional sustainable solutions on the Wilo USA website or in the Wilo Product Guide.
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October 2025 | tlk