Select A PD Pump In 10 Steps

By Jim Mayer, Viking Pump, Inc.

This article first appeared in printed form in World Pumps, April 1995, pp. 34 - 38.

Choosing the right positive-displacement pump is even harder (than choosing a centrifugal pump). To start with, one
has to choose the correct type of PD pump, and there are plenty of those to choose from. Then there are all sorts of
variations in drive, sealing, lobe design, gear numbers, etc., within one generic pump type, and after we have waded
through that process, we still haven't sized the pump or decided on materials of construction.
-- Editorial from World Pumps, March 1994

As accurately stated in the above editorial from this journal, many variables contribute to the positive-displacement
(PD) pump selection process. Despite the number of variables, however, this process has become quite standardized
for each pump manufacturer. Thanks to more than 100 years of PD performance data, engineers and pump
purchasers largely unfamiliar with rotary pump fundamentals can select PD pumps with a minimum of effort when
working with a pump manufacturing representative. Of course, some knowledge of rotary pump principles should be
acquired (e.g., head, vapor pressure, viscosity, horsepower, and efficiency) to enhance the selection process but once
learned, selecting a PD pump is relatively easy.

The following article is an abbreviated version of Viking Pump's PD pump selection process and discusses how and
why certain application data is utilized during the selection process. The specific mathematical calculations for each
step are beyond the scope of this overview but warrant discussion in future articles -- in fact, each step of the process
contains enough information to be an article unto itself. And although this is the Viking Pump selection process, the
basic steps and data requirements are similar for all PD pump manufacturers.

STEP 1: Determine The Capacity Required

In order to select the correct size pump and motor, the amount of liquid to be pumped in a given time period needs
to be determined for all applications, including batch metering and transfer applications. While there are many
standard units of measure, converting from one system to another may be necessary in order to accommodate the
manufacturer's publis hed information. View a table of common conversion formulas.

STEP 2: Determine The Liquid Viscosity At The Lowest Pumping Temperature

If not accounted for during the selection process, high-viscosity liquids can damage pumps, significantly increase a
system's energy requirements, and compromise pumping capacity. One reason PD pumps are popular is their ability
to handle high-viscosity liquids as Table 1 demonstrates.

Maximum Viscosity Handled

Rotary Centrifugal Reciprocating

1,500,000 cSt 1,000 cSt 660 cSt

6,800,000 SSU 4,550 SSU 3,000 SSU

Table 1

Although rotary pumps as a class can handle higher-viscosity liquids than other types of pumps,
not all rotary pumps can handle extremely high viscosities. By knowing the lowest and highest

Viking Pump, Inc. l A Unit of IDEX Corporation l Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613 U.S.A.
system temperature, the entire viscosity range is known and an appropriate pump can be selected.
Again, converting from one viscosity system to another may likely be in order to accommodate a
pump manufacturer's published data. Table 2 gives approximate viscosities and specific gravities
of common liquids.

Approximate Viscosities & Specific Gravities

Of Common Liquids

Specific Temp. Viscosity

Liquid Temp. (F)
Gravity (F) (SSU)
Asphalt Virgin* 1.03 60 7,500 250
2,000 300

Asphalt Blended

RC-1, MC-1, 1.0 60 3,700 100

or SC-1* 1,100 122

RC-3, MC-3, 1.0 60 9,000 122

or SC-3* 3,700 140

RC-5, MC-5, 1.0 60 55,000 140

or SC-5* 4,500 180

Gasoline .71 70 31 70

Glucose* 1.4 60 70,000 100

7,500 150

Glycerine 1.25 70 3,000 70

800 100

Glycol

Propylene 1.04 70 240 70

Triethylene 1.13 70 190 70

Diethylene 1.12 70 150 70

Ethylene 1.13 70 90 70

Milk 1.03 70 33 70

Molasses

"A" 1.43 60 12,000 100

4,500 130

"B" 1.45 60 33,000 100

9,000 130

"C" 1.48 60 130,000 100

(Blackstrap) 40,000 130

Petroleum Oils

Crude (PA)* .82 60 130 60

60 100

Viking Pump, Inc. l A Unit of IDEX Corporation l Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613 U.S.A.
 Specific Temp. Viscosity
Liquid Temp. (F)
Gravity (F) (SSU)

Crude (TX, OK)* .85 60 400 60

120 100

Crude (WY, MT)* .87 60 650 60

180 100

Crude (CA)* .85 60 2,600 60

380 100

No. 1 Fuel Oil* .88 60 37 70

34 100

No. 2 Fuel Oil* .88 60 43 70

37 100

No. 3 Fuel Oil* .88 60 40 100

36 130

No. 5A Fuel Oil* .88 60 90 100

60 130

No. 5B Fuel Oil* .88 60 250 100

175 130

No. 6 Fuel Oil* .88 60 1,700 122

500 160

SAE No. 10* .91 60 200 100

105 130

SAE No. 30* .91 60 490 100

220 130

SAE No. 50* .91 60 1,300 100

90 210

SAE No. 70* .91 60 2,700 100

140 210

SAE No. 90 .91 60 1,200 100

(Trans.)* 400 130

SAE No. 140 .91 60 1,600 130

(Trans.)* 160 210

SAE No. 250 .91 60 Over 130

(Trans.)* 2,300 210
Over 200

Vegetable Oils

China Wood .94 160 1,400 70

600 100

Cocoanut .93 60 140 100

80 130

Viking Pump, Inc. l A Unit of IDEX Corporation l Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613 U.S.A.
 Specific Temp. Viscosity
Liquid Temp. (F)
Gravity (F) (SSU)

Corn .92 60 140 130

50 212

Cotton Seed .90 60 170 100

100 130

Linseed, Raw .93 60 140 100

90 130

Olive .92 60 200 100

110 130

Palm .92 60 220 100

125 130

Peanut .92 60 200 100

110 130

Rosin .98 60 1,500 100

600 130

Sesame .92 60 190 100

110 130

Soya Bean .94 60 170 100

100 130

Turpentine .86 60 33 60
32 100

Syrups

Corn* 1.43 100 250,000 100

30,000 130

Sugar 1.29 60 230 70

(60 Brix) 90 100
1.30 60 300 70
(62 Brix) 110 100
1.31 60 450 70
(64 Brix) 150 100
1.32 60 650 70
(66 Brix) 200 100
1.34 60 1,000 70
(68 Brix) 280 100
1.35 60 1,700 70
(70 Brix) 400 100
1.36 60 2,700 70
(72 Brix) 650 100
1.38 60 5,500 70
(74 Brix) 1,150 100
1.39 60 10,000 70
(76 Brix) 2,000 100

Viking Pump, Inc. l A Unit of IDEX Corporation l Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613 U.S.A.
 Specific Temp. Viscosity
Liquid Temp. (F)
Gravity (F) (SSU)

Tar

Coke Oven* 1.12 60 5,000 70

1,000 100

Gas House* 1.24 60 150,000 70

11,000 100

Road

RT-2* 1.07 60 250 122

60 212

RT-6* 1.09 60 1,500 122

110 212

RT-10* 1.14 60 40,000 122

300 212

Water 1.0 60 32 70
*Values given are average values and the actual viscosity may be greater or less
than the value given.

Table 2

STEP 3: Select The Pump Size

Once the required capacity and viscosity ranges are known, the pump size can then be chosen. To
do so, please refer to Diagram 1. The zone in which the capacity and viscosity lines intersect
denotes the correct size Viking pump for the application. If the point of intersection is to the right
of solid vertical line A-A, a steel-fitted pump or one of equal strength must be used. Intersection
points to the left of line A-A indicate a pump of standard construction may be used.

STEP 4: Select The Type And Class Of Pump

Application requirements and the nature of the liquid largely determine the type and class of pump
and pump features. For example, the system pressure, pump speed, abrasiveness of liquid, product
end-shape requirements, space limitations, and accessibility to seals are a few of the factors that
must be taken into account when specifying a pump and its features.

Internal gear pumps are separated into broad categories based on user requirements. General
purpose pumps are designed for normal operation cycles with low to average viscosities, while
heavy-duty pumps are recommended for continuous-duty and/or high-viscosity applications

Liquid requirements may necessitate sanitary pumps for food, dairy, and beverage applications.
Propane gas requires LP gas pumps. Mechanical seals are generally specified for clean liquids of
low to medium viscosities at low to medium temperatures. Specially packed pumps are
recommended for applications involving high temperatures and viscosities. Pumps with wear-
resistant features are available for handling liquids. containing abrasive particles.

Viking Pump, Inc. l A Unit of IDEX Corporation l Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613 U.S.A.
 Pump Size Selection

Diagram 1

STEP 5: Determine The Size Of The Suction Piping

Having ample -sized suction piping is a prime requirement for a successful installation, especially for viscous liquids.
A pipe diameter that is too small increases energy consumption and system pressure, thereby promoting wear on the
pump and system. On the other hand, larger-diameter pipe is considerably more expensive, and selecting the correct
size diameter of pipe is the key balance between performance and costs.

Understanding the concepts of Net Positive Suction Head Available (NPSHa) and Net Positive Suction Head
Required (NPSHr) are critical in determining the appropriate size of the suction piping. NPSH is the energy that
forces liquid into the pump. NPSHa is the total energy available in a particular system. The NPSHr is the amount of
NPSH required for proper operation of the pump. The NPSHa should always exceed the NPSHr. If not, lower than
expected capacity, noisy operation, and accelerated wear due to cavitation may result.

If the NPSHa is too low and a marginal or unacceptable suction condition results, larger diameter suction piping will
increase the NPSHa and overcome high-frictional line loss. Oversize ports on the pump are one way to minimize the
NPSHr.

Viking Pump, Inc. l A Unit of IDEX Corporation l Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613 U.S.A.
Despite the wide variety of pump sizes, speeds, viscosities, and pressures, most manufacturers have NPSHr data on
their pumps for almost every application. This data, when compared against the NPSHa, will indicate the correct
size for the suction piping and port.

STEP 6: Determine The Size Of The Discharge Piping

It is quite common and cost-efficient to have discharge piping of a smaller diameter than the suction side piping.
Again, the idea is to accommodate pressure requirements while balancing the cost of the pipe with the cost of energy
operation. Overly large pipe increases costs unnecessarily. Pipe that is too small increases operational costs and the
chance of damage to the pump, drive equipment, or motor.

STEP 7: Determine The Horsepower Required

The single greatest cost incurred by any pumping

application is the cost of the energy needed to
power the Therefore, it is important to determine
how much horsepower will be required to operate
a system. Pump manufacturers have performance
curves and other published information to help
determine the BHP (brake horsepower) required
of the pump. Such performance curves generally
cover a variety of viscosities and pump speeds in
order to best match the application at hand. Figure
1 is an example of a PD pump performance curve
at a given viscosity.

Figure 1.

STEP 8: Select The Materials Of Construction

A number of specific factors may affect the materials of construction of a pump, including the system temperature,
acceptability of liquid contamination, and the concentration of the liquid. Regardless, all product-wetted pump
components must be compatible with the liquid.

Many manufacturers, including Viking Pump, have a liquid list detailing the materials of construction required for
the pump, bushing, and seal based on each liquid. Of course, the recommendations found on liquid lists are general
and may need to be changed depending on the specific factors mentioned above. For liquids not found on any liquid
list, call the pump manufacturer for assistance.

Viking Pump, Inc. l A Unit of IDEX Corporation l Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613 U.S.A.
STEP 9: Consider The Liquid Temperature

Special pump considerations may need to be made for extreme temperature conditions. Extreme ambient conditions
can severely alter the temperature of the pump and liquid and can ultimately lead to premature system failure.

Liquids are heated to make them less viscous, thereby offering users higher allowable speeds for greater capacities
and/or lower power requirements. Gaskets, idler pins, bushings, seals, and relief valve springs are all available in
materials specifically designed for satisfactory performance at elevated temperatures.

STEP 10: Select The Mounting And Drive Arrangement

A number of factors determine mounting and drive arrangements, including: adaptation to an existing drive or
system, desired quietness of operation, desired speed, and amount of acceptable downtime due to maintenance.

Drive arrangements include unmounted, direct coupled to a motor, motor coupled with a gear reducer, or motor
coupled with belt drive. A variety of gear reducer sizes are available, and the choice is dependent upon the required
shaft speed and amount of horsepower.

In conclusion, selecting the right PD pump involves some work. But by following a standardized process and by
working with a pump manufacturer representative, engineers and other pump purchasers unfamiliar with PD pumps
and rotary pumping principles will be able to routinely select the best PD pump for their particular applications.

Article reprinted with permission from Viking Pump Inc. 1995 Viking Pump, Inc. A Unit of IDEX Corporation

Viking Pump, Inc. l A Unit of IDEX Corporation l Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613 U.S.A.