Large-Scale Foundation Construction

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Large-Scale Foundation Construction

Active in large-scale, general construction projects such as the Seto Ohashi Bridge ... YOKOTA Suction Pump UPS type (PAT.)


YOKOTA Suction Pump and the reverse circulation construction method

The Seto Ohashi Bridge, connecting Honshu and Shikoku along the route between Kojima and Sakaide was completed in April of 1988, taking 9.5 years, at a total construction cost of 1.13 trillion yen.
This large project required a consolidated framework of technology across various fields, and in the bridge abutment construction, the "reverse circulation construction method" has been adopted for underground excavation.
The YOKOTA Suction Pump has been used at the heart of this method.

The YOKOTA Suction Pump has also been used in construction work as follows:

	Elevated foundation work for the Tohoku to Joetsu Shinkansen (bullet train) line, opened in succession in 1982
	Foundation work for large-scale underground LNG tanks in various areas from 1980 to 1990
	Foundation work for the "Tokyo Shiodome District Redevelopment Project", which began actual construction in 1995
	Foundation work for the "Shinagawa Shinkansen Station" opened in 2003

The pump was used in many other large-scale public works projects, playing an inconspicuous, yet vital role.

What is the reverse circulation construction method?

In accordance with the increase in construction of underground structures and the demand by the public for the elimination of environmental degradation, methods for eliminating noise and vibration during underground excavation were developed.
In the reverse circulation construction method, wall faces are stabilized using hydrostatic pressure (2 meters or more) and, instead of raising and lowering buckets, boring is continuously done using drill bits, earth and sand are then discharged using circulating water through the drill pipe.

Reverse circulation construction method

This water circulation method employs two types of suction systems, pump suction and air-lift.
The pump suction system employs a pump to pump out bored earth and sand, and this system provides wider, more general applicability under all conditions.

Why has the YOKOTA Suction Pump been chosen?

YOKOTA Suction Pumps, the largest type in our Enhanced Self-Priming Pump (PAT.) series, are outfitted with all the necessary equipment in a modular design that facilitates transfer to the construction site.
The mud, sand and earth siphoning main pump is connected directly to the bleed pump (vacuum pump) to discharge air mixed in the pump. Both are set up on a base plate with the operation control panel.

As for conventional pumping devices used in the past for the reverse circulation construction method, mud, sand and earth penetrating the vacuum pump caused damage or pump stoppage. However, mud, sand and earth do not penetrate YOKOTA Suction Pumps because they are equipped with a "continuous bleeding mechanism" (Intl. PAT.). As a result, assured, continuous operation is possible without breakdown or pump stoppage.
Moreover, based on this "continuous bleeding", excellent suction efficiency provides continuous, safe operation even at suction head of -8 meters.
This is the main reason why YOKOTA Suction Pumps have received such high marks.

Furthermore, thanks to "continuous bleeding", a receiver tank is unnecessary, and the resulting compact size requires half the installation area of conventional reverse circulation construction method pumping devices.

Model:	UPS-80-2520N
Main pump:	8m³/min x 15m x 550rpm x 45kW
Vacuum pump:	7.5kW

1:	Main pump	6:	Trap
2:	Main pump motor	7:	Operation control panel
3:	Vacuum pump	8:	Base plate/water tank
4:	Vacuum pump motor	9:	Air Intake valve
5:	Vacuum pump base plate	10:	Air intake pipe
		11:	Receiver tank

Comparison of the installation space

YOKOTA Suction Pump

Conventional reverse circulation construction method pumping devices

YOKOTA Suction Pump (Enhanced Self-Priming Pump) with continuous bleeding mechanism (PAT.)

YOKOTA Suction Pump (Enhanced Self-Priming Pump) with continuous vacuum mechanism (PAT.)

1:	Suction inlet
2:	Main impeller
3:	Water-air separating impeller
4:	Return passage
5:	Vacuum pump

The water-air separating impeller (3) is installed between the centrifugal pump and the vacuum pump.
When operation is started, the main impeller (2) of the centrifugal pump runs idle and the vacuum pump (5) operates, eliminating the air in the suction pipe.
When the air is completely eliminated, the pumping liquid flows into the pump casing, and is discharged by the main impeller (2).
The mixture of water and air in the center is drawn by the vacuum pump (5), and goes to the water-air separating impeller (3) from behind the main impeller.
The water-air separating impeller (3) separates the water from the air instantly by centrifugal force.
The water returns to the suction inlet (1) through the return passage (4), and only the air collected in the center of the water-air separating impeller (3) is drawn out by the vacuum pump (5).
Accordingly, the centrifugal pump always operates under maximum vacuum and bleed amount conditions, and is not blocked by the incoming air at the pump suction inlet or the main impeller. This results in stable, high-level pump performance.
Moreover, because the movement of the water-air separating impeller prevents penetration of mud, sand and earth in the vacuum pump, pumping efficiency is ensured and it is safe.

Other unique features

	This innovative pump can continuously suction and transport even high-viscosity liquid, muddy water mixed with gravel, and other liquid containing air bubbles and solid matter (i.e., gas-solid-liquid multiphase flow).
	An enhanced self-priming pump that never requires a single drop of priming water.
	The intake piping can be constructed in many ways such as with waved pipes or across embankments.
	A wide variety of materials are available, including YOKOTA's corrosion and wear resistant special stainless steel casting (YST).

Example applications and installations of the YOKOTA Suction Pump

Bridge pier construction above river

For details of this product, please refer to Enhanced Self-Priming Pump UPM, UPS types.