1. Pump head Head Suction head, Discharge head Total head Friction head Operating point
2. NPSH Cavitation NPSH
Head The height at which a pump can raise water up. Head The height at which a pump can raise water up. Head is affected by suction condition. : Head is proportional to suction level Head Capacity to do a job. (Compared in the same suction level) Independent of the type of fluid. (When viscosity is relatively low and similar to water)
Head H = 2.31 p SG H : head(ft) P : pressure(psi) SG : Specific gravity of fluid being pumped Suction head, Discharge head Suction head : vertical distance between the pump datum and the liquid surface in suction well.
Discharge head : vertical distance between the pump datum point and the liquid surface in the receiving tank. (or Discharge pipe) Suction head, Discharge head Total head Vertical distance between the level of the source of the supply and the surface of the discharge liquid. Manufacturers use this term to show the performance of their product. Total head = Discharge head Suction head
Total head When the liquid level is below the pump datum, then suction head has a negative value. In the case, suction head is also called suction lift. Total head = Hd + Hs Friction head loss of head that occurs in pipe flow due to viscous effect. No flow With flow Total head = Hd Hs + Friction head Operating point Performance curve : total head vs flow
System curve : total of friction head losses vs flow
Operating point : The point where two curves intersect.
: Pump cannot work without adjusting system.
: Pump capacity is bigger than system requirement
Cavitation Formation of gas bubbles in a flowing liquid.
Occurs when the pressure in the pump inlet drops below the vapor pressure of the liquid.
Cavitation Loud noise Loss of capacity Damage NPSH Net Positive Suction Head. Must be calculated before using pump to prevent cavitation. NPSHa and NPSHr
NPSHr and NPSHa NPSHr Required Minimum pressure required at the suction port of the pump to keep the pump from cavitating. Depends on the pump. Given. NPSHa Available Absolute pressure at the suction port of the pump. Depends on the system. CALCULATE. NPSHa > NPSHr 1.3 NPSHa : calculation NPSHa = Ha Hz Hf Hvp Term Definition Ha Absolute pressure on the surface of the liquid in the supply tank Hz Vertical distance between the surface of the liquid in the supply tank and the centerline of the pump Hf Friction losses in the suction piping (Values can be found at the friction chart) Hvp Absolute vapor pressure of the liquid at the pumping temperature (Liquid types and temperature of the system should be considered) NPSHa : example & selection of pump Given Ha : 10m Hz : 3m Hvp : 0.2m Hf : 0.5m
NPSHa = 10+3-0.2-0.5 = 6.3 6.3 / 1.3 = 4.85
Thus, we need a pump with the NPSHr smaller than 4.85