Lakos Submersible Pump Protection Separator, 5 - 12 GPM

Lakos is a submersible pump protection separator that removes sand and other abrasive particles from water before they enter the pump. For homeowners with wells, agricultural property owners, light commercial managers, and contractors servicing submersible pump systems, this overview explains what this Lakos separator does, where it is used, and the key specifications and benefits that help protect residential, agricultural, and light commercial water systems. Sand abrasion is a leading cause of pump wear, motor strain, lost efficiency, and costly failures, so using a Lakos separator helps reduce sand damage, extend pump life, lower energy costs, and improve system reliability.

• Reduces sand abrasion wear to pump impellers and other components, extending the pump life 5 years or more.

• Helps maintain optimum pump yield.

• Saves on pump energy costs with higher operating efficiency.

• Minimizes critical pump breakdowns.

• Improves flow past the pump motor, helping to cool the motor.

SKU# SUB-12-5-K

Model #: SUB-12-5-K

Warranty: 1 Year

Shipping Weight: 14 lbs

Specifications: Submersible Pumps and Troublesome Sand

Maximum Particle Size: 1/4 inch Maximum Particle Concentration: 500 ppm Minimum Depth of Well Below Separator Setting: 20 feet Minimum Submergence of Separator: 30 feet below pumping draw down water level

Where Does the Troublesome Sand Go in Submersible Pumps?

According to a study conducted by Ohio University and under the direction of the National Water Well Association, purged sand from a pump protection separator creates the following conditions:

1. Purged sand begins to accumulate in the bottom of the well, blocking some of the casing perforations and changing the incoming flow characteristics.

2. Forced to take a less direct path into the well, the incoming flow velocity is reduced, making it less likely that the water will carry sand into the well.

3. An "equilibrium" is achieved, keeping excessive sand from entering the well.

4. The natural movement of underground water just as easily moves some sand out of the well as it does into the well. As a result, larger particles are more likely to settle out and be removed below the separator rather than re-enter the pump intake.

Overview of Submersible Pumps

Defend your submersible pump and water system from the abrasive, damaging, and costly effects of sand with a Lakos SUB-K Pump Protection Separator. Lakos is a liquid-solid separation technology brand, and the SUB-K is a pump protection separator that removes sand and other abrasive particles from water before they enter a submersible pump, reducing wear and often extending pump life by 5 years or more. Using controlled centrifugal force, the separator can remove up to 98% of particles 74 microns and larger without filter elements before they reach the pump, protecting impellers and other vital components while maintaining low pressure loss during operation. For homeowners with wells, agricultural property owners, light commercial managers, contractors, and anyone running submersible pumps, this means fewer pump failures, lower energy costs, better motor cooling, and more reliable water system performance.

Manufactured using state-of-the-art injection molding techniques and industrial strength composite materials, the SUB-K provides efficient solids removal and equipment protection, and higher specific gravities lead to finer levels of filtration. It features no internal moving parts, eliminating wear points and mechanical failure risks, plus no screens or filter elements to clean or replace, which helps reduce operational downtime because cleaning can be done without shutdown. Trouble-free and effective, Lakos SUB-K Separators are easy to install into water wells as small as 6" I.D. This overview explains the separator's features, specifications, and operating benefits, including how it reduces sand abrasion, improves pump efficiency, minimizes failures, supports continuous operation without routine maintenance, and shows that 1% solids loading equals 1 gallon of solids per minute. Examples of use cases include residential wells, agricultural systems, and light commercial water setups; refer to the specifications for a clear answer on application limits if needed. Aqua Science, founded in 1985 for water treatment, offers these systems for residential, agricultural, and light commercial water applications, with a company history dating back to 1985. That fact is supported by proven operating results in the field.

How Submersible Pumps Work:

The separator uses centrifugal action to create a high-speed spinning vortex around a center for particle separation, removing sand, silt, grit, and heavy suspended solids from the incoming water as water flow and centrifugal force act on the particles, with separation depending in part on the product of rotational speed and particle position in the spinning flow, before it reaches the pump. In simple terms, the spinning flow can cancel some of the particles’ tendency to remain in the main stream, improving separation effect over time. Flow conditions and particle size also influence separator performance. Purged sand settles below the separator at the bottom of the well, helping reduce future sand intrusion into the pumping system. Solids volume can affect separator efficiency and maintenance intervals. In irrigation applications, Lakos separator series help protect equipment from sand and grit. In industrial settings, centrifugal separators are also used to filter process liquids and help prevent fouling and scale in heat exchangers and chillers. This separator handles solids removal, while downstream treatment may be added when needed, such as reverse osmosis, which removes up to 99% of contaminants. UV treatment is another addition that effectively kills 99.99% of bacteria. Submersible pumps are commonly used in water wells and sewage systems, typically have a waterproof casing, and include types such as well pumps and sewage pumps.