Self-priming pump or submersible pump, which one suits your application? The answer depends on factors such as installation type, maintenance access, solids handling capability and Total Cost of Ownership. In this article, we compare both pump types on the criteria that matter in practice, so you can make an informed decision.
Quick answer: when to choose which pump?
Choose a self-priming pump if you want to install the pump above ground and dry, if ease of maintenance is important, or if you work with fluctuating liquid levels. The pump independently evacuates air from the suction line and does not need to be submerged in the liquid.
Choose a submersible pump if the pump is placed in the liquid, above-ground space is limited, or if the investment in a dry-installed pump chamber is not desired. Keep in mind that maintenance must then take place in the sump or below liquid level.
How does a self-priming pump work vs a submersible pump?
A self-priming centrifugal pump is installed above liquid level. The pump creates a pressure drop at the suction side, causing atmospheric pressure to push the liquid into the pump via the suction line. After the initial fill, the pump can automatically re-prime when interrupted.
A submersible pump is placed directly in the liquid — usually in a wet well or pump sump. The motor is housed in a watertight casing. Because the pump is positioned below liquid level, priming is not required.
Comparison table: the key differences
| Criterion | Self-priming pump | Submersible pump |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Above ground, dry installed | In the liquid (wet well) |
| Priming | Self-priming via suction line | Not required (submerged in medium) |
| Maintenance | Accessible above ground | In the sump, often below liquid level |
| Trouble shooting | Easy through suction- and discharge readings | Difficult – only discharge pressure can be monitored |
| Solids handling | Up to 100 mm (depending on series) | Varies by model |
| Safety | No confined space required | Confined space entry required |
| Motor cooling | Air-cooled or separate | Cooled by surrounding medium |
| Flexibility | High (mobile/stationary) | Limited to fixed location in sump |
| Noise | Audible (above ground) | Muffled (below liquid level) |
Advantages and disadvantages per pump type
Self-priming pump
The main advantages are accessibility for maintenance, flexibility in installation and the ability to reach the pump safely and dry. A service-friendly design — with inspection cover and shimless adjustment — reduces maintenance time and lowers downtime. Disadvantage: above-ground space is required and the suction line must be correctly sized to bridge the suction lift.
Submersible pump
A submersible pump takes up little space above ground and is relatively quiet in operation. Purchase costs are sometimes lower. Disadvantage: maintenance takes place in the sump, requiring additional safety measures (confined space, lifting facilities). Failures therefore often lead to longer downtime and higher maintenance costs.
Maintenance and Total Cost of Ownership compared
The purchase price is only one part of the total cost. In practice, maintenance costs, downtime and service life determine a large part of the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
With a self-priming pump, maintenance is simpler and faster to perform. Components are accessible without hoisting the pump from a sump. This translates into shorter maintenance stops and lower labour costs over the service life. With a submersible pump, maintenance operations are more complex: the pump must be raised, cleaned and replaced after service.
Want to learn more about the total cost structure? Read the article on costs and TCO of self-priming pumps.
Which pump for which application?
| Application | Recommendation | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Sewage pump station (permanent) | Self-priming | Safe maintenance, lower TCO long-term |
| Temporary construction dewatering | Self-priming (mobile) | Quickly deployable, flexibly relocatable |
| Small basement sump | Submersible pump | Limited space, simple installation |
| Industrial wastewater | Self-priming | Service-friendly with solids handling requirements |
| Flood control | Self-priming | High flow rates, above-ground access |
Not sure which pump best suits your situation? Use the selection guide by application or view the overview of self-priming pumps.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Self-priming pumps such as the Super T-Series® handle solids up to 76 mm thanks to the Eradicator® system. The solids handling capability depends on the chosen series and configuration. Some PAV series self priming pumps can even handle solids up to 100 mm
In purchase sometimes yes, but over the full service life not necessarily. The TCO of a self-priming pump is often lower due to simpler maintenance and shorter downtime.
Then a submersible pump may be an option. But also consider a compact above-ground pump station — the advantages of above-ground installation (safety, maintenance) are then preserved.
Not sure which pump is the best fit? Our pump specialists will help you choose based on your application details. Contact us for obligation-free advice.
The oil & gas value chain requires pumps that keep running with changing fluids, fluctuating suction conditions, and high requirements for safety and uptime. This article provides a practical selection guide: which pump fits exploration, processing, bulk storage, and transfer, and what to check before selecting a series or configuration.
Quick selection guide
- Exploration and drilling sites
Choose (wet- or dry-installed) self-priming pumps if you handle oil, drilling mud, and wastewater and need fast start-up without complicated priming procedures - Bulk storage and transfer
Consider Roto Prime or 0-series pumps for clean, non-abrasive petroleum products when you want to load/unload safely and strip hoses - Viscous media and dosing
Gear pumps are a logical choice when you need a constant, pulse-free flow and accurate dosing for oil, lubricants, or chemicals - General process water flows
Standard centrifugal pumps are often the cost-efficient baseline choice for general applications, depending on material selection and sizing - Rapid deployment
Consider a pump set if you want a complete unit that can be installed quickly, mobile or stationary
What we mean by pumps for oil & gas
Pumps for oil & gas are used across multiple phases of the value chain, from exploration and production to processing, storage, and delivery. They often need to cope with air entrainment, contamination, fluctuating flows, and sometimes viscous liquids. That is why you typically see multiple pump types operating side by side in this sector, each with its own role.
Where pumps are used in the value chain
Exploration and production
At drilling sites, self-priming solutions are used to pump oil, drilling mud, and wastewater. Self-priming is practical here because you do not need to refill manually every time the suction line drains.
Processing and utilities
During processing, pumps are used for fluid transfer across different process steps. The best pump depends mainly on your liquid, your required flow, and the degree of contamination or air in the line.
Bulk storage, loading and unloading
In bulk storage and when unloading railcars, Roto Prime pumps are cited as a solution for transferring oil and fuels. They are designed for clean, non-abrasive petroleum products and automatically discharge air and vapour. This is useful for loading, unloading, and stripping hoses.
The main pump types for oil & gas
1) Self-priming pumps
Self-priming pumps are designed to pump liquids that may contain air, solids, and debris. They keep working even when the suction line is empty. A further advantage often highlighted is above-ground installation, because maintenance is easier and you spend less time working in confined spaces. Common fit
- Wastewater and process water with air entrainment
- Situations with fluctuating suction conditions
- Locations where maintenance must be fast and accessible
2) Dry self-priming pumps
Dry self-priming pumps automatically remove air from the suction line, enabling immediate start-up without manual priming. They are positioned as suitable for heavy-duty applications where reliability and rapid deployment matter, focusing on high flows, solids handling capability, and suction performance. Practical fit
- Temporary setups and rapid interventions
- Contaminated water and slurries, depending on the configuration
- Scenarios where you do not want to lose time during start-up
Note: This category also includes Roto Prime RD and RS series designed for petroleum products, chemicals, and solvents, with automatic priming for efficient handling of fuels and chemical liquids.
3) Standard centrifugal pumps
Centrifugal pumps use rotating impellers to create a continuous liquid flow. They are often presented as a cost-efficient solution due to their simple design and limited number of moving parts. Material selection and execution determine whether they fit your medium. Practical fit
- General pumping applications with relatively stable fluid properties
- Process flows where simplicity and maintainability matter
4) Gear pumps
Gear pumps deliver a constant, pulse-free flow and are suitable for controlled liquid displacement. They are explicitly mentioned as a good fit for thick, viscous liquids such as oils, lubricants, paints, and chemicals. Because they operate on the positive-displacement principle, they are suitable for accurate dosing. Practical fit
- Viscous media
- Dosing and mixing
- When a continuous, predictable flow is required
5) Pump sets
If you need fast deployment and do not want to build everything yourself (engine, frame, connections), pump sets are a logical route. They are positioned as fully assembled solutions in mobile or stationary configurations: electric, diesel, or battery-powered. Practical fit
- Temporary projects, maintenance shutdowns, or turnarounds
- Remote sites where you need to be operational quickly
- Capacity buffer for peak demand
Selection criteria: how to avoid a misfit
Use this checklist before locking in a series or type.
Fluid and contamination
- Is the liquid clean and non-abrasive? Then a solution like Roto Prime or 0-series fits many transfer duties
- Does it contain air, debris, or solids? Then you are often better served by (dry) self-priming variants explicitly designed for that
Viscosity and dosing
- Do you need to move viscous liquids or dose accurately? Then a gear pump is often the most direct match
Suction conditions and start-up
- Can the suction line run empty, or do you have air entrainment? Self-priming prevents operational standstill due to start-up issues
Maintenance and accessibility
- Does the pump need to be installed above ground for safer and faster maintenance? Self-priming setups are often used above ground for exactly that reason
Common mistakes with pumps in oil & gas
- Selecting based only on flow and pressure, while your medium, contamination, and suction conditions often determine real reliability
- Forgetting that transfer and hose stripping require air and vapour handling. This is exactly why Roto Prime is cited in that context
- Trying to run a viscous liquid on a pump not intended for constant displacement and dosing. Consider gear technology instead
- No plan for maintenance access. Above-ground installation can make a real difference for safety and downtime
Practical checklist: what you want defined upfront
- Which fluid are you pumping, and is it clean, contaminated, abrasive, or viscous
- Are there solids present, and if so, how large and how often
- Is there air entrainment, or can the suction line drain
- Required flow and required head
- Fixed installation or must it be mobile
- Maintenance approach and required access speed
- Biggest risks: clogging, leakage, downtime, safety
- Do you also need to include loading/unloading or hose stripping in scope
Conclusion and next step
Pumps for oil & gas are not a one-size-fits-all category. In practice, you combine pump types per process step: self-priming for sites with air and contamination, Roto Prime for clean petroleum products in transfer duties, gear pumps for viscous media and dosing, and pump sets when you need rapid deployment. If you want to map this to your situation, make a short list of your fluids, suction conditions, and your flow/head range. That lets you make a targeted selection and avoid a misfit.
FAQ about pumps for oil & gas
For transferring oil and fuels, Roto Prime pumps are mentioned, among other reasons because of automatic discharge of air and vapour, and suitability for loading, unloading, and hose stripping.
Dry self-priming pumps automatically remove air from the suction line, allowing them to start immediately without manual priming.
Dry self-priming pumps automatically remove air from the suction line, allowing them to start immediately without manual priming.
For general applications with continuous flow where a simple design and maintainability are important, a centrifugal pump is often a cost-efficient choice.
If you want to be operational quickly with a complete, assembled solution, mobile or stationary, a pump set often fits better than building it yourself.
When it comes to pump rental, it’s rarely just “rent a pump and you’re done”. On site, you deal with variable inflow, solids, elevation differences, hose friction losses, noise or emission requirements and often time pressure too. If the duty point and the installation don’t match, you end up with unnecessary breakdowns, extra supervision, and delays.
That’s why we created ArchyRental.com: a platform that lets you select, reserve, rent, and manage pumps for your project.
When do you choose pump rental?
Pump rental is often the most practical option for:
- Temporary dewatering on construction sites and civil projects
- Emergency and maintenance situations such as wastewater or sewer bypass pumping
- Temporary process or utility jobs in industry and government
- Test or pilot setups before final specification
With a rental setup you can move fast, adjust capacity, and configure the installation on a project basis.
Which pump types do you typically see in pump rental?
Within Archy you’ll find mobile pump sets such as:
- Self-priming centrifugal pumps
- Diaphragm pumps
- Electric or engine-driven options
You can also filter the range by product group (such as centrifugal pumps, submersible pumps, booster pumps, diaphragm pumps, and vacuum pumps).
The 6 data points you need upfront (this determines whether it’s right “first time”)
Pump rental can solve a lot—but it’s not something you want to guess. This input makes the difference:
1) Flow and head (duty point)
- Required flow in m³/h
- Required head in metres of water column (mWC)
- Consider friction losses from hose length, bends, and couplings
In the Archy pump selector, you enter flow and head directly to find suitable options.
2) Fluid
Think about:
- Clean water
- Wastewater or sewage
- Abrasive liquid
- Bentonite
3) Solids and solids handling (free passage)
- Type of solids (sand, stones, silt, fibres)
- Maximum size
The selector lets you steer on maximum free passage (input range up to 150 mm).
4) Suction conditions and (self-)priming
A centrifugal pump does not actively “suck”; it creates a pressure drop at the suction side, so atmospheric pressure pushes the fluid into the pump. In practice this means:
- Keep suction hose length limited and prevent air ingress
- Choose the right priming approach (wet self-priming, dry self-priming, non-self-priming)
5) Drive type and on-site constraints
- Diesel, electric, or petrol selection options
- Noise requirement (sound-attenuated or extra-quiet electric)
6) Logistics: pick-up or delivery
Depending on planning and site access, you can choose to collect the unit or have it delivered.
How pump rental works via Archy (in practice)
Archy is designed to keep the process short and manageable:
- Select via filters or the pump selector
- Reserve online or by phone
- Rent and manage your pump(s) within the same platform
You can use our locations in Waardenburg (NL) and Suarlée/Namur (BE).
Common mistakes in pump rental (and how to avoid them)
- Underestimating the duty point by ignoring hose friction losses
- Solids larger than expected leading to the wrong pump selection
- Air ingress on the suction side due to couplings or excessive suction hose length
- Cavitation (imploding vapour bubbles) due to poor suction conditions or excessive resistance
Quick checklist for your request
If you share the items below, we can advise efficiently—or verify your selection in Archy:
- Flow (m³/h) and head (mWC)
- Fluid and temperature
- Solids + required free passage
- Installation: suction lift, pipe/hose lengths, dry/wet setup
- Drive type and noise preference
- Pick-up or delivery