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Understanding NPSH: NPSH Definitions: Page 2 of 2

Written by: Terry Henshaw, P.E.
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is again in equilibrium. This is what happens in the suction passage of a pump. Cavitation will cool the liquid and stop the cavitation. Otherwise, all the liquid would flash to vapor. NPSH Available: A System Characteristic NPSHA stands for NPSH Available from the system. It can be calculated by measuring suction pressure at the pump suction nozzle, correcting to datum, adding atmospheric pressure, adding velocity head and subtracting vapor pressure. In equation form: NPSHA = P sg + P z + P atm + P vel - P vap Where: NPSHA = NPSH available to the pump, psi Psg = Gauge pressure measured at suction nozzle, psig Pz = Elevation of gauge above pump centerline, converted to pressure units, psi Patm = Atmospheric pressure, psia Pvel = Velocity head, convened to pressure units, psi Pvap = Vapor pressure of the pumpage, at the pump suction nozzle, psia If desired, all units can be convened to head (feet) prior to plugging into the equation.

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If the system has not been built, it is necessary to calculate the NPSHA by starting with the pressure in the suction tank. Add atmospheric pressure, add (or subtract) the liquid level above (below) datum, subtract all losses from the tank to the pump and subtract vapor pressure. With reciprocating pumps it is also necessary to subtract acceleration head, a term which will be explained later. In equation form: NPSHA = P t + P atm + P zt - P f - P vap Where: Pt = Tank pressure, psig Pzt = Elevation of liquid in suction tank, converted to pressure units, psi Pf = Friction losses at tank exit and in suction line, converted to pressure units, psi

Problem No. 2: NPSHA

A suction gauge with its centerline 2-ft below the centerline of a centrifugal pump reads 152-psig. Atmospheric pressure is 14.0-psia. The pipe is 3-in standard weight steel. Capacity is 100-gpm. Vapor pressure is 163-psia. SG is 0.5. Calculate the NPSHA in feet. Because the desired answer is in feet, rather than PSI, we will convert all pressure units to feet. Flow Area of Pipe = 3.14 x 1.5
2

= 7.07 square inches

VEL = 0.321 x Q/A = 0.321 x 100/7.07 = 4.54 feet/sec Hvel = V /2G = 4.54 /64.4 = 0.3 feet NPSHA = H sg + H z + H atm + H vel - H vap = (p sg + p atm p vap)(2.31/SG) + H z + H vel = (152 + 14.0 163)(2.31/0.5) + ( 2) + 0.3 = 13.9 2 + 0.3 = 12 feet [Note: A new 300-psi gauge, used to measure the suction pressure, normally has an accuracy of 1 percent of full scale, or 3-psi (14-ft). Therefore, the error in the gauge could be more than the calculated NPSHA.] [Also note that the velocity head was negligible, and could have been ignored.] NPSH Required: A Pump Characteristic The letters NPSHR stand for the NPSH required by the pump. This characteristic must be determined by test. Test methods and acceptance criteria for different types of pumps will be discussed later. System Requirement For proper operation of the pump, it is necessary that NPSHA > NPSHR. The system must provide more NPSH than the
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Understanding NPSH: NPSH Definitions: Page 2 of 2 | Pumps & Syste...

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pump requires. Pumps & Systems, March 2009 Author Bio: Terry Henshaw is a retired consulting engineer who designs centrifugal pumps, reciprocating pumps and related high-pressure equipment and conducts pump seminars. For 30 years, he was employed by Ingersoll-Rand and Union Pump. Henshaw served in various positions in the Hydraulic Institute, including chairman of the Reciprocating Pump Section and chairman of the Metrication Subcommittee. He also served as a member of ANSI Subcommittee B73.2, chairman of the API 674 manufacturers' subcommittee and a member of the ASME Performance Test Code Committee PTC 7.2. He authored a book on reciprocating pumps, several magazine articles and the two sections on pumps in Marks' Handbook (11th Edition). He has been awarded six patents. Henshaw is a registered professional engineer in Texas and Michigan, is a life follow of the ASME, and holds engineering degrees from Rice University and the University of Houston. Tags: Centrifugal Pumps March 2009 Issue NPSH net positive suction head
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