What is a significant limitation of vertical turbine pumps?

Vertical turbine pumps are specifically designed for a wide range of applications and are commonly used in situations where water is extracted from deep wells or reservoirs. One significant limitation of these pumps is their ability to handle water containing sand or other solid particulates.

The construction of vertical turbine pumps generally allows for efficient operation in clean water, but when it comes to handling water with solids like sand, the pumps can experience issues such as wear and tear on the impeller and casing, leading to reduced efficiency and potential failure over time. This limitation arises because sand can cause erosion and clogging, significantly affecting the pump's performance and longevity.

In contrast, there are pump types specifically designed to handle abrasive solids, which can alleviate some of the issues seen with vertical turbine pumps when dealing with such mixtures.