7/24/2018 What You Need to Know About Parallel Pump Operation (Page 2)

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What You Need to Know About Parallel Pump

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Common Pumping Mistakes

by Jim Elsey
March 24, 2016
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The stronger pump will attempt to take the full load (as presented by the
system). The stronger pump will run far right on its curve (a condition
called runout) and have issues with vibration and cavitation (net positive
suction head [NPSH] and flow angle incidence recirculation) that will
manifest as damaged impellers as well as short-lived bearings and
mechanical seals. At the same time, the weak pump will run at low to no
flow and have similar issues because it is operating at the far left side of
the curve. It is not uncommon for the stronger pump to develop
sufficient pressure to close the discharge check valve on the weaker
pump, consequently forcing it to operate at a shutoff head (zero flow
rate).

Figure 3 shows the operation of Pump 1 (Intersection Point 1) and the

subsequent parallel operation of Pump 2. A common misunderstanding is
that if you start the second pump, the flow rate will double to
Intersection Point 2. In reality, the actual operating point will be at
Intersection Point 3. In a centrifugal pump system, the pump will always
operate where the system curve dictates.

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Figure 3. Common misconception about pumps in parallel: The user expects flow at Point 2 when
starting the second pump, but it will actually be Point 3.

10 Tips to Remember
1. This article discusses two pumps in parallel, but please note that
you can have any number of pumps operating in parallel.

2. Pumps in a system that is not designed for parallel operation should

not be operated at the same time except for brief intervals during
switching operations. To do otherwise is likely to prematurely
damage both pumps.

3. Often, a good system design is to have pumps in parallel because

they can provide flexibility to match the flow to the load. This setup
is also more reliable because it provides standby protection for a
relatively high percentage of the full load in the event of one pump
loss.

4. Parallel system designs promote efficiency, because they can better

handle a range of flows when compared with using one large pump.

5. Different pump designs/models can operate together in parallel, but

it is important that they have an identical shutoff head and similar
specific speeds.

6. If the system is designed for parallel pumps, determine which pump

is the stronger one by running one at a time and measuring the
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head at various flows. As a general rule, always start the weaker

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pump first.

7. You can overcome some of the mismatches in pump and system

designs by using variable speed drives and carefully monitoring
where each pump is on the curve, changing speeds as required to
keep the load balanced.

8. When running one pump for small loads and then starting the
second pump to pick up larger loads, do not let the first pump run
out on its curve too far before the second pump is started. The first
pump may be cavitating for some time before the second pump
picks up. I see this happen often on systems designed to operate
automatically. The designer often overlooks the NPSH margins at
the right side of the curve.

9. Whether the pumps are in parallel or it is just two pumps in a one-

pump system, I always recommend installing hour meters to track
the operating hours. I have witnessed many mistakes resulting from
decisions based on someone's memory or record-keeping habits.
Hour meters are inexpensive insurance. (Do you know when to
change the oil in the pump?)

10. In a parallel pump system, whichever pump is started first must be

capable of covering the full load presented by the system curve
without overloading the driver or running out on its own curve.

To read other articles in the 'Common Pumping Mistakes' column, go here.

« first ‹ previous 1 2

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jim Elsey is a mechanical engineer who has focused on rotating equipment design
and applications for the military and several large original equipment manufacturers
for 43 years in most industrial markets around the world. Elsey is an active member
of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers,
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RESERVED.

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Corrosion
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manager for Summit Pump Inc. and the principal of MaDDog Pump Consultants
LLC. Elsey may be reached at jim@summitpump.com.

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