I -

2015-2016

Pump performance

Pump performance
The only solid indicator of a pumps performance lies in
extensive testing.
The general principles and the presentation of data are
exactly the same for centrifugal, mixed-flow and axialflow pumps.
Performance charts are almost always plotted for
constant shaft-rotation speed n (in r/min usually).
The basic independent variable is taken to be discharge
Q.
The dependent variables, or output, are taken to be
head H, brake horsepower (bhp), and efficiency.
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Typical performance curves

The head is approximately constant at low discharge and
then drops to zero at Q=Qmax.
At this speed and impeller size, the pump cannot deliver
any more fluid than Qmax.
The efficiency is always zero at no flow and at Qmax, and it
reaches a maximum, 80% to 90%, at about 0.6Qmax. This
is the design flow rate Q* or best efficiency point (BEP).
It is desirable that the efficiency curve be flat near max, so
that a wide range of efficient operation is achieved.

Typical performance curves (CP)

design point
= efficiency
H, Head

P = Power

*Q

Typical performance curves- Axial vs. CP

Comparison of
performance
characteristics for a
centrifugal pump and
an axial-flow pump,
each rated 42,000
. gal/min at a 17-ft head

Iso-efficiency Curves - steps

Order of drawing

1
2
3
4
5
6

H-Q
-Q
constant
verticals
iso
Max line

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Characteristic curves for different rotational speeds

Iso-efficiency Curves

Hydraulic Parameter- NPSH

NPSH Net Positive Suction Head
It is the head required at the pump inlet to keep
the liquid from cavitating or boiling.
The pump inlet or suction side is the lowpressure point where cavitation will first occur.
It is of extreme importance for reliable pump
operation.
Two types of NPSH can be defined : NPSHr
and NPSHa
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Definition of NPSHr (required)

It is the energy in the liquid required to overcome the
friction losses from the suction nozzle to the eye of the
impeller without causing vaporization.
It is a characteristic of the pump and is indicated on the
pump's curve. It varies by design, size, and the operating
conditions.
It is determined by a lift test, producing a negative
pressure in inches of mercury and converted into meters
(or feet) of required NPSH.
An easy way to understand NPSHr is to call it the
minimum suction pressure necessary to keep the
pumped fluid in a liquid state.
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Definition NPSHa (available)

This is the energy in the fluid at the
suction connection of the pump over and
above the liquids vapor pressure.
It is a characteristic of the system and we
say that the NPSHa should be greater
than the NPSHr.
NPSHa > NPSHr
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Hydraulic Parameter
NPSH is defined as follows:

where Pi = pump inlet pressure Pv = vapor

pressure of fluid

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Hydraulic Parameters
Energy equation between the fluid surface and
the pump inlet

For a pump installation with this configuration to

operate as intended, the right hand-side of the
above equation must be > the NPSH value for
the operating flow rate for the pump.

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Comparison of NPSHa and NPSHr (+ve H)

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Comparison of NPSHa and NPSHr (-ve H)

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Vapor pressure vs. temperature

Vapor pressure vs. temperature

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Example of cavitation

This picture shows the damage to the impeller that

can result from cavitation
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Pumping Systems
&
Pump Selection

System Curve (Hsys)

Pumps provide the head required in a piping
system to deliver a flow rate
In a piping system, the static head (due to
elevation) remains constant, but the frictional
and minor losses to be overcome increase
roughly as V2 (Or Q2)
By definition, the system head curve
shows the head required by the
system at various flow rates

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Pump selection
The selection of a pump for a piping system design
should result in a pump for which the pump head hp at
the design flow rate Qdes is equal ( or very close) to the
head requirements hsys of the piping system at the same
flow rate, and this should occur at or near the point of
maximum efficiency for the chosen pump

It is noted that pump selection should occur such that the

operating point of the selected pump should occur on the
pump curve near or at the BEP.
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Pump selection
Other operating and performance requirements (such as
NPSH) are obviously also a part of the selection criteria for a
pump.
From the energy equation, the system head is typically
expressed as

Ki represents losses due to various

fittings (valves, unions, elbows,
tees, etc.)..
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Pump selection
Last equation will be reduced if p1=p2 and v1=v2.

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Pump: Operating Point

The head delivered by a pump decreases with increasing flow

rate as seen in the pumps head vs. capacity curves

The point of intersection of the required and delivered head

curves of a piping system indicates the operating point

If it is desired to decrease the

flow rate in a piping system, a
valve can be closed, which
increases K, thus increasing
the required system head. This
means that the intersection
point (operating point) moves
to the left => lower flow rate
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Pumps Configurations: Parallel and Series

For some piping system designs, it may be
desirable to consider a multiple pump system to
meet the design requirements. Two typical
options include parallel and series
configurations of pumps. Specific performance
criteria must be met when considering these
options.

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Pumps in series
Assuming that the pumps are identical, each
pump must provide the following:
Q(pump) = Qdes
h(pump) = 0.5 hdes

Performance of two pumps

combined in series
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Pumps in Parallel
Assuming that the pumps are identical, each
pump must provide the following:
Q(pump) = 0.5 Qdes
h(pump) = hdes

Performance of two pumps

combined in Parallel
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Solution where curves intersect

Pumps in Parallel Add Discharge

Pumps in Series Add Head

System Head Curves - Critical Concerns

What will happen if the pump wears so head is

down 5%?
What will be the effect of a change in pressure in
the tank into which the pump is pumping?
What will happen if deposits form in the piping?
What will happen at Max/Min levels in the
suction tank?
Look for answers

Affinity Laws : Important dimensionless terms

The flow coefficient or specific capacity is

defined by (Q/(ND3) and indicates the volume
flow rate of fluid through a pump of unit
diameter impeller, operating at unit speed. It is
constant for similar impellers.

The head coefficient : The term (gH/N2D2)

4. The specific speed = Q1/2/(gH)3/4 evaluated at

= max

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Specific Speed
The specific speed determines the general
shape of a centrifugal pump impeller.
As the specific speed increases, the ratio of the
impeller outlet diameter to the inlet of the eye
diameter decreases.
This ratio becomes 1.0 for an axial flow pump.
Radial flow impellers develop head through
centrifugal force.
Radial impellers are low flow high head designs.
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Specific Speed
Pump of higher specific speeds develop head
partly by centrifugal force and partly by axial
force.
A higher specific speed indicates a pump design
with head generation by axial forces and less by
centrifugal forces.
An axial flow or propeller pump with a specific
speed of 10,000 or greater generates its head
exclusively through axial forces.
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Specific Speed
Axial flow impellers are high flow low head
designs.
Specific speed (Ns) identifies the approximate
acceptable ration of the impeller eye diameter
(D1) to the impeller maximum diameter (D2) in
designing an impeller:
Ns 500 to 5000 D1/D2 > 1.5 - radial flow pump
Ns 5000 to 10000 D1/D2 < 1.5 - mixed flow pump
Ns 10000 to 15000 D1/D2 = 1 - axial flow pump
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Specific Speed curves

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Specific Speed Curves

Order of drawing

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