Pumps—Bursting of Suction Pipes

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!


On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.


We have received a letter from Joseph Bailiff, Allegheny City, Pa., stating that he has been much troubled with the suction pipes; ol pumps bursting at about two of three feet below the valves—the pipes are about 27 ieei in depth. The bursting of the pipe has usoaf ly taken place in iron pumps that) have &J1I31 five feet ol water above the lower valves—tie valve being nearly 1J inches in diameter, and pipe about the same, stroke of piston S iach. es, diameter of chamber, 3 inches.1- Pumps, at Pittsburgh do not work well with m ore thai 27 feet oi suction pipe. The fault in all likelihood is in. the suction pipe—a defect in the iron. There is no lest a pressure than 15 lbs. on the square inch oi the suction pipe, and it must be well cast to stand this pressure. An air chamber should be attached behind the lower valve to every suction pipe over 12 feet in depth.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 8 Issue 46This article was published with the title “Pumps—Bursting of Suction Pipes” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 8 No. 46 (), p. 365
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican07301853-365f

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe