Centrifugal Pump Basics

Affinity Laws
System conditions may dictate that the pump operate at a speed other
than the current operating speed of the pump.
A new performance may be obtained by changing speed or impeller
diameter.
The affinityy laws may
y be used to p
predict the p
performance at another
speed or another impeller diameter.

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Affinity Laws - Capacity Changes
Due to diameter changes

Due to speed changes

Where Q = capacity, n = speed, d = diameter

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Affinity Laws - Head Changes
Due to diameter changes

Due to speed changes

Where H = head , n = speed, d = diameter

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Affinity Laws - Power Changes
Due to diameter changes

Due to speed changes

Where BHP = horsepower , n = speed, d = diameter

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Affinity Laws

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Exercise
Bryce has a pump that he uses for beer production. He would like to
make more beer and found a larger impeller in the warehouse for his
pump that has a 10 diameter.
What would the new flow, head, and HP be?
Current conditions:
flow 1500 gpm
head 50 feet
motor 30 hp
impeller diameter 8.75

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Brake Horsepower
The input horsepower required at the pump shaft for a given capacity,
head, and specific gravity at the speed shown on the performance
curve

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Brake Horsepower Exercise
Using the below graph, determine the BHP using the equation for the
following conditions.
Head = 60 feet.
Flow = 400 GPM.
Efficiency = 70% (use 0.70)
Specific Gravity = 1

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