Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics
Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 1

Basic Hydraulics
•  Agenda:
•  Basic Pump Hydraulics 45 Min.
•  Pump Performance Curves 20 Min.
•  Net Positive Suction Head 30 Min.
•  Cavitation 20 Min.
•  Speed & Impeller Changes 30 Min.
•  System Friction Curves 20 Min.
•  Parallel & Series Operation 20 Min.
•  Field Testing 60 Min.

Basic Hydraulics
•  Agenda - Other Topics:
•  Impeller Design 30 Min.
•  Casing Design 30 Min.
•  Specific Speed 30 Min.
•  Best Efficiency Point Operation 30 Min.
•  Suction Specific Speed 45 Min.
•  Suction Energy / NPSH Margin 60 Min.
•  Viscosity Correction Factors 30 Min.
•  High Suction Pressure 60 Min.

Basic Hydraulics
•  Basic Pump Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics
•  This is an overview of the various aspects of

Centrifugal Pump Hydraulic Performance and the
Curves used to describe it.

Basic Hydraulics
•  Upon completion participants will be able to:

–  Understand how a Centrifugal Pump works
–  Identify information shown on Pump Performance
Curves.
–  Interpret Information shown.
–  Define Terms Best Efficiency , NPSH , Bhp , etc.
–  Define and Apply Affinity Laws To Specify Speed
Changes and Impeller Diameter Cuts.

Basic Hydraulics
The Centrifugal
Pump works by
increasing the
velocity of the
liquid.
Much of the
velocity energy is
then converted into
pressure energy.

Basic Hydraulics
Velocity
•  Velocity is the Key:
•  Impeller increases the Liquid s Velocity
•  Casing converts Velocity to Pressure or Head
•  Head in the Casing increases as you travel around
the perimeter
•  Larger the Impeller or the Faster the Shaft Speed
the higher the Velocity
•  More Velocity equals higher head

Basic Hydraulics
•  Like this:

Basic Hydraulics
Casing
Impeller
Single Stage End

Suction Pump

Basic Hydraulics
• Theliquid is
Cutwater
accelerated along
the Impeller
Vanes and
Discharged into
the Casing.
• Theincreasing
cross sectional
area of the casing
converts the
Velocity to
Pressure.

Basic Hydraulics
Pump Performance Curve

•  The Pressure the Pump produces and Flow Rate
at that pressure can be shown on a Graph.
•  That Graph is called a Pump Performance Curve
•  Curves can show performance with different
diameter impellers or speeds

Basic Hydraulics
•  Typical Centrifugal Pump Performance
HEAD- FEET / METERS BEP

TOTAL HEAD
EFFICIENCY
POWER
NPSHR
FLOW – GPM / M3 / HR

Basic Hydraulics
Common Units of Measurement

Basic Hydraulics
Pressure
•  Pressure = Force per Unit Area
•  PSI - Pounds per square inch
•  Kg/cm2- Kilograms per square centimeter
•  kPa – 1000 Pascals
•  Atmospheres
•  BAR

Basic Hydraulics
Pressure
•  Gauge Pressure = pressure above or below the

surrounding atmospheric pressure (i.e. tire
pressure).
•  Absolute Pressure = pressure above an absolute
vacuum. (i.e. barometric pressure).

Basic Hydraulics
Pressure
•  The absolute pressure at sea level is about 14.7

psi
–  1.03 kg/cm²
–  101.35 kPa
–  1.01 BAR
–  1.00 ATMOS.

Basic Hydraulics
Pressure

Basic Hydraulics
Head
•  Head is the elevation of a column of liquid.
•  the physical height above a reference point
•  measured in feet or meters

Basic Hydraulics
Pressure / Head

Basic Hydraulics
Head Vs. Pressure
•  The diameter of the of the column makes no
difference
100 Ft. = 43 PSI 100 Ft. = 43 PSI

Basic Hydraulics
Head Vs. Pressure
•  Specific Gravity:
•  The density of the liquid, how heavy it is, is called it s
Specific Gravity (SG)
•  All Liquids and Solids have a Density (SG)
–  Water at 72º F (22º C) has a SG of 1.0
–  Chunk of Coal has an SG of ≈ 1.5
–  Chunk of Maple has a SG of ≈ 0.53
–  Vegetable Oil is ≈ 0.91
–  Ice is ≈ .90
•  Do you see a Trend here?

Basic Hydraulics
Head Vs. Pressure

•  Pressure:
•  Equals the Height of Liquid in Feet or Meters Multiplied by

the Density of the Liquid (SG), Divided by 2.31 for Feet
•  Pressure in PSI = Elevation X SG

2.31
•  A Column of Liquid with a (SG) of 1.0, 2.31 Feet High

generates the equivalent of 1 PSI

Basic Hydraulics
Head Vs. Pressure
•  Head is the ability of the Pump to move a column

of liquid vertically and is not dependent on SG.
•  Head is the preferred method of Specifying

performance over Pressure because of this

Basic Hydraulics
Head Vs. Pressure
•  The Head a pump produces is not influenced by

the Specific Gravity of the liquid.

Basic Hydraulics
Effect of Specific Gravity on Static Head

Basic Hydraulics
Effect of Specific Gravity on Static Head

Basic Hydraulics
Effect of Velocity
•  The Pump produces not only the head you
measure with a Gauge but also Velocity Head.
•  Velocity Head (hv) is the energy a liquid retains as

a result of its motion at some velocity V, it s
Momentum or Inertia, and is part of the total head
calculation.

Basic Hydraulics
Effect of Velocity
•  Example:
•  Water shoots out the top of a vertical pipe a
certain height (drinking fountain)
•  Head in the pipe can be measured with a Gauge.
•  The height it shoots out of the pipe cannot.
•  That height above the pipe is roughly the Velocity
Head.

Basic Hydraulics
Effect of Velocity
•  Rule:
•  Head Values on the suction side are always
subtracted from the discharge side.
•  Therefore, if the suction diameter & discharge
diameter are the same the Velocity Head cancels
out
•  If not, the Velocity head component must be
considered.

Basic Hydraulics
Effect of Velocity
•  Example:
•  Given: 3 X 3 – 10 pump at 200 GPM.
•  Vel. Hd., 3 Ø @ 200 GPM = 1.17 Ft.
•  Vel. Hd. Discharge = 1.17 Ft.
•  Vel. Hd. Suction = 1.17 Ft.
•  1.17 Ft. – 1.17 Ft. = 0 Ft.

Basic Hydraulics
Effect of Velocity
•  Example:
•  Given: 2 X 3 – 10 pump at 200 GPM.
•  Vel. Hd., 2 Ø @ 200 GPM = 5.68 Ft.
•  Vel. Hd., 3 Ø @ 200 GPM = 1.17 Ft.
•  Vel. Hd. Discharge = 5.68 Ft.
•  Vel. Hd. Suction = 1.17 Ft.
•  5.68 Ft. – 1.17 Ft. = 4.50 Ft.

Basic Hydraulics
Effect of Velocity
•  5.68 Ft. – 1.17 Ft. = 4.50 Ft.
•  That s 4-1/2 Ft. of Head the pump produces

which is NOT measured by the Gauges

Basic Hydraulics
Questions?

Basic Hydraulics
Pump Performance Equations
The Following Slides present some Useful Formulas in

Calculating Pump Performance and other Hydraulic
Considerations of the System.

Basic Hydraulics
Head vs. Pressure
•  The Head produced by the Pump remains constant with
liquids with a viscosity similar to water
•  Head = V2 = (ft / s)2 = ft2 / s2 = ft.
2g ft / s2 ft / s2
•  Process system losses (feet)
•  K = V2 = (ft / s)2 = ft2 / s2 = ft.
2g ft / s2 ft / s2
•  Elevation in Feet or Meters
•  Tank Elevation is XX ft. or Meters

Basic Hydraulics
•  Total Dynamic Head (TDH)
TDH = (Hd - Hs) + Hv
SG
– Hd = Discharge Head (feet or meters)
– Hs = Suction Head (feet or meters)
– SG = Specific Gravity of Fluid
– Hv = Velocity Head

Basic Hydraulics
•  Velocity Head (Hv)
Hv = .002594 x Q2
(Dd4 - Ds4)
Where:
– Dd = Discharge Pipe Diameter (inches)
– Ds = Suction Pipe Diameter (inches)
– Q = Flow (gpm)

Basic Hydraulics
Effect of Velocity
Velocity head (hv) is the energy of
a liquid as a result of its motion at
some velocity V. It is part of the
total head calculation.
Suction Velocity Head=
hvs = Vs2 = .00259 Q2
2g Ds 4
Discharge Velocity Head =
hvd = Vd2 = .00259 Q2
2g Dd 4

Basic Hydraulics
•  Brake Horse Power Required - Pump
BHP = H x Q x SG
3960 x EFF
Where:
– H = Head in Ft.
– Q = Flow in GPM
– SG = Specific Gravity
– EFF = Efficiency as a Decimal
– BHP = Brake horse power to pump

Basic Hydraulics
•  Efficiency of the Pump (EFF)

EFF = H x Q x SG
3960 x BHP
Where:
– BHP = Brake horse power to pump

Basic Hydraulics
•  The Maximum Head a Pump can Produce or the
Impeller Diameter Required can be Estimated as
shown in the Following Slides.

Basic Hydraulics
•  Example:
•  How large an Impeller is need to generate about
100 Ft. of Head at 1750 RPM?

Basic Hydraulics
Pump Performance
Terminal Equations
Velocity of a Falling Body
Terminal Velocity (H) = V2
2g
Therefore: V = H X 2g
V= 100 X (2 X 32.2)
V = 80.25 Ft./Sec.

Basic Hydraulics

An Object falling from 100 Ft. would have a terminal
velocity of roughly 80.25 Ft. / Sec.
The reverse is also true. A body accelerated to that

Velocity, released straight up, would travel about 100 Ft.
up before beginning it s descent.

Basic Hydraulics

Therefore: the Maximum head a pump can Produce can be
calculated as:
H ≅ V2
2g
Where: V = Dia. X RPM
229
Typical for Medium Specific Speed Pumps

Basic Hydraulics

V = Dia. X RPM
229
100 Ft.
Dia. = 229 X V
RPM
RPM = 1750
Dia. = 229 X 80.25
1750
Dia. = 10.50

Basic Hydraulics
Gauge Height Correction
A Gauge can only measure the weight of the liquid above

it, if it is not at the Pump Centerline it will not provide
correct readings.
Basic Hydraulics
Gauge height is the distance between the center of the

gauge and the datum, usually the centerline of the pump.

Basic Hydraulics
Gauge Correction must be applied to the Gauge readings

to determine the actual Head the pump is producing.

Basic Hydraulics
Since Suction Values are always Subtracted from

Discharge Values, if the Gauges are mounted on the same
Centerline, the values cancel out.
Basic Hydraulics
•  Pump Performance Curves

Basic Hydraulics
Pump Performance Curves
•  Performance Curves are a Graphic

Representation of How Much Head (Pressure)
and Flow a Pump Can Produce along with Other
Important Aspects of a Pumps Characteristics

Basic Hydraulics
Pump Performance Curves
Information shown:
•  Pump Model, Size and Speed
•  Head vs. Capacity Curve
•  Efficiency of the Unit
•  NPSH Required
•  Approximate Brake Horsepower

Basic Hydraulics
Typical Pump Performance Curve

Basic Hydraulics
Note
Title Block

Basic Hydraulics
Head vs
Capacity

Basic Hydraulics
Iso - Efficiency Lines

Basic Hydraulics
NPSH Required

Basic Hydraulics
Brake Horsepower

Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics
Published Pump Performance Curve

Basic Hydraulics
Performance Curve Notations
•  Idealized, corrected pump performance
•  Use as a guide to select pump
•  May be test data, may be calculated
•  Not every pump tested unless Specified.
•  HI pump test tolerances
•  HI piping conditions
•  Deaerated water not user s pumpage

Basic Hydraulics
Net Positive Suction Head

(NPSH)

Basic Hydraulics

•  The Head on the Suction Side of the pump
needed to provide adequate flow into the pump
operating at a given flow rate.
•  Roughly equal to Barometric Pressure plus or
minus Static Head less Friction Losses in the
Piping and Vapor Pressure of the liquid.

Basic Hydraulics
Atmospheric
Pressure

Basic Hydraulics
Atmospheric
Pressure

Basic Hydraulics

Atmospheric Pressure provides the force:
•  14.7 PSI at Sea Level = 33.9 Ft. of Head
•  14.7 X 2.31 Ft / PSI = 33.957 Ft.
•  As the Pump Impeller reduces the pressure in the
eye atmospheric pushes the water into the pump.

Basic Hydraulics
Static Lift Condition:

•  Level below the centerline of the pump. Losses
include the Lift, Friction and Vapor Pressure of
Liquid.
Static Head Condition:
•  Level above the pump. Static helps, Friction and
Vapor Pressure hurts.

Basic Hydraulics

Vapor Pressure
•  The pressure below which a liquid will change
phase from a liquid to a gas.
•  Is influenced by Temperature.
•  Example:
•  Water at 212 Deg. F has a V.P. of 14.679 PSI
•  At 80 Deg. F it has a V.P. of .500 PSI

Basic Hydraulics
Vapor Pressure
•  To boil water (change phase) you can heat it to
212 Deg. F or reduce the pressure on it to about .
5 PSI. The result is the same:
•  The Water Boils… changing phase from a liquid to
a gas. That gas is called Water Vapor, if we can
see it it s called steam.

Basic Hydraulics

•  Vapor Pressure
Temp. F Temp. C SG Vapor

Pressure
70 21 .999 0.36
160 71 .979 4.71
212 100 .959 14.69
400 204 .860 247.31

Basic Hydraulics
Vapor Pressure
•  If the pressure drop at the center of the impeller is
great enough, the liquid changes phase in the eye
of the impeller, a bubble of vapor is created, blinds
off the impeller and the pump stops pumping; it is
said to have Lost it s Prime .
•  Called Flow or Column Separation

Basic Hydraulics

Vapor Pressure
•  If you shut the pump off the bubble escapes from
the center of the impeller, is replaced by liquid and
turning the pump back on causes it to pump once
again.

Basic Hydraulics

•  How Is NPSHR Determined On The Test Stand?
•  Typically based on test methods per Hydraulic
Institute Test Standards. Based upon a 3% drop
in total head.
•  Note the published NPSHR is after you ve already
lost 3% of the the Discharge Head!

Basic Hydraulics
T
o
t
a
l
Constant Flow
H
e of Total
a Head
d
F
e
e
t
Ex. hgs. 3% = 8 ft.

Basic Hydraulics

NPSHR = (hatm + hgs, 3% - hvp) + Zs + hvs
SG
Where:
hatm = Barometric pressure, ft.
hgs, 3% = Suction gauge pressure @ 3% drop in
head, ft.
hvp = Vapor pressure, ft.
Zs = Suction gauge height, ft.
Hvs = suction velocity head, ft.
SG = Specific gravity

Basic Hydraulics
Cavitation

Basic Hydraulics
Cavitation
•  If the NPSH Available in the System drops to or
below the NPSH Required by the pump the Pump
will Experience Cavitation.
•  It is the continuous formation and collapse of
Vapor Bubbles in the Impeller or Casing and
causes damage.

Basic Hydraulics
Cavitation
•  Pressure at the eye of the Impeller or elsewhere

drops to below the Vapor Pressure of the Liquid
and Bubbles form.
•  As the bubble moves through the Pump the
Pressure increases and the Bubble collapses.
•  It is in the collapse the Damage is Done.

Basic Hydraulics
Cavitation
Low Velocity / High

Pressure
Inc. Vel. / Pressure Drop

Basic Hydraulics
Cavitation

Basic Hydraulics
Cavitation

Basic Hydraulics
Cavitation
•  Bubble collapse creates intense pressure, up to
10,000 psi and severe shock waves.
•  Pressure and shock near metal surfaces exceed
material strength and fatigue metals.
•  Fatigued metal breaks away creating pitted
surfaces.
•  Pitted areas become concentration points for
further collapse of bubbles.

Basic Hydraulics
Cavitation
Suction head required

to prevent vaporization at the
impeller inlet.
2) The sum of all head losses /
reductions between the pump inlet
(A) and point of lowest pressure in
the pump (D).

Basic Hydraulics
Cavitation

Basic Hydraulics
Cavitation
•  Cavitation can only be avoided by having
adequate -
–  NPSH Margin
–  The difference between NPSH available and NPSH
required by the pump.
–  Changes with Flow Rate - High flows require higher
NPSHa

Basic Hydraulics
Cavitation
NPSH Margin
•  Rule of Thumb -
–  The NPSH Margin should be at least 3 Ft. or 10 % of the
NPSHr greater than the Required.
–  Within reason More is Better
–  Watch for High Suction Specific Speed Pumps

Basic Hydraulics
System Friction Curves

Basic Hydraulics
A Graph which represents the Head that a pump

must produce to deliver various quantities of liquid
to a given location in the System.

Basic Hydraulics
Consists of:
•  The Static Head (elevation difference)
•  The Frictional Head (resistance to flow)

Basic Hydraulics
The System

Basic Hydraulics
STATIC HEAD
•  physical difference in elevation between the
surface of liquid on the Suction and the surface of
the liquid on the Discharge Side of the Pump in
Feet or Meters.
•  May change due to level variations in sumps, etc.

Basic Hydraulics
•  FRICTIONAL HEAD
•  Head that the Pump must produce to overcome
the resistance to flow through the Pipes and
Fittings in the System in Feet or Meters.
•  Changes as flow rate changes.
•  Larger Pipe Offers Less Resistance.
•  Values Obtained from Various Sources

Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics
•  FRICTIONAL HEAD
•  Losses in Various Fittings Need to be Calculated
Using K Values.
•  Elbows, Tee s, Valves, Strainers, etc. All Offer
Resistance to Flow.
•  Changes as Flow Rate changes.
•  Larger Fittings Offer Less Resistance.
•  Values Obtained from Various Sources

Basic Hydraulics
Typically:
•  Bell
Shaped Entrances
Offer the Least
Resistance
• Long Radius Fittings
Offer Less Friction
•  No.of Fittings Should
be Kept to a Minimum,
Especially on Suction
Side.

Basic Hydraulics
Typically:
•  Gate Valves Offer Much
less Frictional Loss Than
Globe
• Knife Valves Even Less
• Ball Valves Even Better
• Discharge into Tank Also
Has Friction.

Basic Hydraulics
•  TOTAL DYNAMIC HEAD
•  The Sum of Both the Static Head and Frictional
Head in the System in Feet or Meters.
•  To correctly size a pump The TDH (total dynamic
head) at a specific flow rate must be known.
•  In this case 400 GPM is desired flow

Basic Hydraulics
The System

Basic Hydraulics
STATIC HEAD
•  Surface of Suction to CL Pump….…....6 Ft.
•  CL Pump to CL Disc.Pipe……………200 Ft.
•  CL Disc. to surface of Water………... 10 Ft.
•  216 Ft.

Basic Hydraulics
FRICTIONAL HEAD
•  Two Pipe Sizes, 3 Discharge & 4 Suction.
•  Various Lengths
•  Elbows
•  Valves
•  Entrance Loss
•  Exit Loss

Basic Hydraulics
FRICTIONAL HEAD - SUCTION:
•  Protruding Entrance to the Pipe
•  24 Ft. of 4 Pipe
•  4 Flanged 90º Elbow
•  4 Flanged Gate Valve.

Basic Hydraulics
FRICTIONAL
•  CHARTS:
Protruding
Entrance
K = 1.0
90° El K = .3

Basic Hydraulics
FRICTIONAL
•  CHARTS:
Flanged Gate
Valve:
K = 0.15

Basic Hydraulics
FRICTIONAL TABLES: 4 Std. Steel Pipe

Basic Hydraulics

•  From Tables find 4 pipe @ 400 GPM
•  8.47 Ft. Friction Loss per 100 Ft. Pipe.
•  Velocity of 10.1 Ft./Sec.
•  V²/2g (Velocity Head) is 1.58 Ft.
•  Note Critical Carrying Velocity for Slurry
Applications.

Basic Hydraulics
•  PIPE FRICTION
24 Ft. of Pipe X 8.47 Ft. of Loss per 100 Ft., since
24 Ft. is less than 100 – that would be 24/100:
8.47 x .24 = 2.03 Ft.

Basic Hydraulics

•  LOSSES IN THE FITTINGS
•  Calculate Friction through the Fittings using the
K Values
•  K Value changes with type of fitting
•  K Values are found in Tables

Basic Hydraulics
•  CALCULATION
•  Velocity Head at Flow Rate x K Value = Head
Loss Through Fitting:
•  Frictional Loss = V²/2g x K

Basic Hydraulics
•  CALCULATION:
•  K Value from Tables:
•  Protruding Entrance…………….…………1.00
•  4 Flanged Regular Radius Elbow………0.30
•  4 Flanged Gate Valve………….………...0.16
•  From Table, Velocity Head for 400 GPM through a
4 Pipe is 1.58 Ft.

Basic Hydraulics
•  Multiply K Constants x Velocity Head
•  Fitting Type K Val. x Velocity Head = Head
•  Entrance: 1.00 x 1.58 = 1.580
•  Elbow: 0.30 x 1.58 = 0.474
•  Gate Valve: 0.16 x 1.58 = 0.253
•  Total Losses in Fittings 2.307Ft.

Basic Hydraulics
•  Sum All the Friction Losses:
•  Pipe Friction Losses…………….2.03 Ft.

•  Losses in the Fittings………….. 2.31 Ft.
•  Total Suction Side……………….4.34 Ft.

Basic Hydraulics
FRICTIONAL HEAD - DISCHARGE
The Discharge Pipe System consists of:
–  214 Ft. of 3 Std. Steel Pipe
–  3 Flanged Std. Radius Elbow
–  3 Flanged Swing Check Valve
–  3 Flanged Gate Valve
–  Sudden Enlargement

Basic Hydraulics
•  FRICTIONAL TABLES:

Basic Hydraulics
•  From Tables Loss / 100 Ft. Pipe...33.9 Ft.
•  Liquid Velocity………..…………....17.4 Ft / Sec.
•  Velocity Head……………..………. 4.68 Ft.
•  PIPE FRICTION:
•  214 Ft. of 3 Std. Steel Pipe @ 400 GPM =
33.9 Ft./100 Ft. X 2.14 = 72.5 Ft.

Basic Hydraulics
Discharge Pipe Fitting Losses
Fitting Type K Value x Velocity Head = Hd
3 Elbow ………… 0.35 x 4.68 = 1.64
3 Check Valve … 2.00 x 4.68 = 9.36
3 Gate Valve …... 0.22 x 4.68 = 1.03
Enlargement ……. 1.00 x 4.68 = 4.68
Total Friction Disc. ……………….. 16.71 Ft.
Note: Velocity of the liquid in the tank is nearly Zero, Sudden
Enlargement loss equal to the Velocity Head of the Liquid.

Basic Hydraulics
•  Discharge Pipe Fitting Losses
•  Sum the values:
–  Pipe Friction Losses ……………. 72.50 Ft.
–  Losses in the Fittings …………... 16.71 Ft.
–  Total Discharge Side ……………. 89.21 Ft.

Basic Hydraulics
•  Sum all the Losses
–  Static Head ………………………. 216.00 Ft.
–  Suction Losses …………………….. 4.34 Ft.
–  Discharge Losses ………………... 89.21 Ft.
–  Total Dynamic Head ………...….. 309.55 Ft.
–  That s at 400 GPM

Basic Hydraulics
TOTAL DYNAMIC HEAD -
•  The correct size Pump for this Customers
Application would be one who s Performance
Curve shows that it produces 310 Feet of Head at
400 GPM.

Basic Hydraulics
TOTAL DYNAMIC HEAD -
•  All that for just ONE Point!
•  To Create a System Curve Repeat for a couple
of Other Flow Rates

Basic Hydraulics
•  TOTAL DYNAMIC HEAD -
500 GPM
400 GPM
300 GPM
200 GPM
100 GPM

Basic Hydraulics
•  NPSH Available Calculation
•  Information required is already available:
–  Suction Lift Elevation in Feet
–  Frictional Losses in Feet
–  Barometric Pressure in Feet
–  Vapor Pressure in Feet Absolute
•  Calculation is simple
•  Consider only the Suction Side

Basic Hydraulics
•  NPSH AVAILABLE:
•  Given Data:
•  Water at 70° F at Sea Level
•  Vapor Pressure = 0.3631 PSIA (0.839 Ft. A)
•  29.90 / Hg Barometric Pressure (33.9 Ft. A)
•  6 Ft. Suction Lift
•  4.34 Ft. Friction Loss

Basic Hydraulics
•  NPSH AVAILABLE (NPSHA ) :
•  NPSHA at the Suction of the Pump would be equal
to the Barometric Pressure in Ft. Plus the Suction
Head Minus the Sum of the Vapor Pressure and
the Frictional Losses on the Suction Side.
•  NPSHA = Atmosphere + Suction Head - ( PVAP +
Friction )

Basic Hydraulics
•  NPSHA = ATM. + SuctionHead - (PVAP + Friction )
•  NPSHA = 33.9 + (- 6) - ( .839 + 4.34 )
•  NPSHA = 27.9 - ( 5.179 )
•  NPSHA = 22.72 Ft.
•  Roughly 23 Ft. is available - a Pump requiring less
than about 20 Ft is correct

Basic Hydraulics
FRICTIONAL HEAD ESTIMATE
•  Customer Has a Unit Operating at 400 GPM at
270 Ft. He knows the Static Head is 100 Ft. but he
has no System Curve Available.
•  He wants to increase the Flow to 500 GPM but
doesn t know the Head required to be able to
select a speed, impeller or pump.
•  Can you help him?

Basic Hydraulics

•  YES YOU CAN!

Basic Hydraulics
•  Frictional Head losses increase roughly at a
Parabolic Rate
•  If you know the Static Head in the System and one
Operating Point
•  You can calculate the Parabolic Constant ( K )
•  Apply that K value to the new Flow Rate Squared
to obtain the approximate head at the New Flow
Rate.

Basic Hydraulics
H2 - H s = H1 - H s
Q22 Q1 2
H1 = Known Head
H2 = New Head
Hs = Static Head
Q1 = Known Flow
Q2 = New Flow

Basic Hydraulics
K = 270 - 100
4002
K = 170
160000
K = .0010625

Basic Hydraulics
H2 - Hs = 5002 x .0010625
H2 - Hs = 250,000 x .0010625
H2 - Hs = 265.6
H2 = 265.6 + 100
H2 = 365 Ft.
New Operating Pt. : 500 GPM @ 365 Ft.

Basic Hydraulics
•  From here you can estimate the new Impeller
Diameter or Pump Speed using the Affinity Laws.
•  In Reality you ll most likely be picking a New
Pump / Motor Combination.

Basic Hydraulics
REAL WORLD PROBLEM:

•  Customer has 3196, 2 X 3 - 6, 5.0 Imp., 10 Hp.,
3600 RPM Motor, Running at 150 GPM @ 100 Ft.
w/ 24 Ft. Static.
•  He Needs to increase flow. How much more flow
will he get going to full diameter of 6 ?

Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics
TDH: 100 – Static: 24 = 76 Friction Head
76 = 76 = .003378 This is the K

1502 22,500
Pick a flow above the Current Flow, say 250 GPM.
2502 X .003378 = 211 Ft. Friction Head

211 Ft. + 24 Ft. Static = 235 Ft.
Plot this on the Pump Curve and sketch a line connecting the
points.

Basic Hydraulics HORSEPOWER ALERT!
Selected flow: 250
New Pt. at 6.0 Ø 210 @ 155

Ft.
Original Pt: 150 GPM @ 100

Static Hd. Ft.

Basic Hydraulics
Speed & Impeller Changes

Basic Hydraulics

•  A Customers Desired Operating Point can be
marked on the Curve to Graphically show where it
falls in relationship to the Efficiency, Brake
Horsepower, and NPSH.

Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics

•  In the previous Slide the Customers Desired
Point of 200 GPM at 120 Ft. of Head falls exactly
on the Curve for a 5 - 1/2 Dia. Impeller.

Basic Hydraulics

•  What if the Desired Point were 200 GPM at 140
Ft.? How would we select the correct Speed or
Impeller Diameter?

Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics

•  As mentioned Head & Flow vary as Velocity
varies. Previously we scaled up a curve now we
have to calculate the impeller dia. To hit a point on
a curve.

Basic Hydraulics

To Pick a New Impeller Diameter you need:
•  The Desired Head and Flow
•  The Pump Performance Curve
•  A Straight Edge
•  A Calculator

Basic Hydraulics
To Pick a New Impeller Diameter you will:
•  Mark the Desired Point on the Curve
•  Draw a Straight Line Through that Point from 0
GPM and 0 Ft of head Extending Out to the
Known Curve.

Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics

•  The Head where the Straight Line Intersects the
Curve and the Desired Head is used to Calculate
the Impeller Diameter.
•  New Dia. = Orig. Dia. X Desired Pt.
Curve Pt.

Basic Hydraulics
The Calculation:
•  New Dia. = 6.06 X 140 Ft.
158 Ft.
•  New Dia. = 6.06 x 0.886
•  New Dia. = 5.70
•  Which would be rounded to 5.75

Basic Hydraulics
Picking a New Pump Speed is Slightly More
Complicated. You ll Need:
•  The Desired Point
•  The Pump Performance Curve
•  An Irregular Curve
•  A Calculator

Basic Hydraulics
To Pick a New Speed:
•  Mark the Desired Point on the Curve
•  Calculate the Parabolic Constant of that point.
•  Calculate two other Points on the Parabolic Curve.

Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics
Huh?
The Parabolic Constant is the Head Divided by the
Flow, Squared:
Parabolic K = 140
2002
K = 140
40000

Basic Hydraulics
Huh?
The Parabolic Constant is:
Parabolic K = .0035

Basic Hydraulics
Pick 3 Other flow

rates: 150, 225, 250

Basic Hydraulics
Huh?
Other Values for Flow:
1502 x 0.0035 = 79 Ft.
2252 x 0.0035 = 177 Ft.
2502 x 0.0035 = 218 Ft.

Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics
Then:
•  Use the Irregular Curve draw a Parabola
intersecting the Original Curve
•  Use Head from the Original Curve & Desired
Head, Calculate New Speed like for Imp.
Diameter

Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics
Huh?
•  Scale Up to where the Line hits the Pump
Curve we find the Head is about 155 Ft.
•  That is the Head we will use in the Calculation.
The Calculation is the same as the Impeller Cut
Calculation.

Basic Hydraulics

Huh?
•  The Head where the our line Intersects the
Curve and the Desired Head is used to Calculate
the Pump Speed.
•  New RPM = Original RPM x Desired HD.
Curve HD.

Basic Hydraulics
Huh?
The Division Yields:
New RPM = 3500 RPM x 0.903
New RPM = 3500 RPM x 0.950
New RPM = 3326 RPM

Basic Hydraulics
Affinity Laws

Basic Hydraulics
Affinity Laws
•  Head and Flow are related to the Velocity.
•  Velocity is related to Speed and / or Diameter of
Impeller.
•  Therefore, Head and Flow vary as the Speed or
the Diameter Varies.

Basic Hydraulics
Affinity Laws
The change is very Predictable using the Affinity
Laws .
Q1 = D1 or N1
Q2 D2 N2
H1 = D1 2 or N1 2
H2 D2 N2

Basic Hydraulics
Affinity Laws
Affinity Laws further state:
BHP1 = D1 3 or N1 3
BHP2 D2 N2
Horsepower goes up at the Cube of the Speed or

Diameter change. A 20% increase in speed
causes a 70%increase in Horsepower!

Basic Hydraulics
Affinity Laws
Example:
•  3175 @ 880 RPM w/ 13.5 Impeller
•  How much change in Head, Flow and Horsepower
with 14.5 Impeller?
•  This is a 7.5 % Increase in Impeller Diameter.

Basic Hydraulics
Affinity Laws
Flow: 1400 = 13.5
Q2 14.5
Q2 = 14.5 x 1400
13.5
Q2 = 1503 GPM (7.5% Inc.)

Basic Hydraulics
Affinity Laws
Head: 40 = 13.5 2
H2 14.5
H2 = 14.5 2 x 40
13.5
H2 = 46 Ft. (15% Inc.)

Basic Hydraulics
Affinity Laws
BHP: 20 = 13.5 3
HP2 14.5
HP2 = 14.5 3 x 20
13.5
Hp 2 = 25 HP( 24% Inc!)

Basic Hydraulics
Parallel & Series Operation

Basic Hydraulics
Multiple Pumps in Operation on a System can be
Parallel, Series or Separate Operation

Basic Hydraulics
Series Operation:
•  One pump discharges into the suction of a second
pump.
•  Head is cumulative, flow is constant
•  Slurry Pipelines, Vertical Multi-Stage Turbine
Pumps.

Basic Hydraulics
Series Operation:
•  Normally where one pump at a given speed can t
produce the head required multiple pumps are
used.
•  One Pump 90 Ft. of Head
•  Add a second = 180 Ft. a Third = 270 Ft.

Basic Hydraulics
Series Operation
System Curve
Two Pumps
Third Pump:
90 + 90 =
360 GPM @ 236
180 Ft.
240 GPM @ 164 Ft.
One Pump
90 Ft. Max. Head

Basic Hydraulics
Parallel Operation:
•  More than one pump draws from the same suction
source and discharges to the same discharge line.
•  Flow is cumulative, Head varies as the flow
increases.
•  Municipal Sewage and Water Supply Applications.

Basic Hydraulics
Parallel Operation:
•  If the System Curve was perfectly flat the flow
would be equally cumulative. Two Pumps would
equal twice the flow.

Basic Hydraulics
Real System Curve
One Pump Two Pumps
Flat System Curve
300 GPM 600 GPM

Basic Hydraulics
Parallel Operation:
•  Because the Friction Head goes up as the flow,
Curve becomes steeper, two pumps do not equal
twice the flow.

Basic Hydraulics
System Curve
200 3 Pipe
4 Elbows
1 Foot Valve
2 Globe Valves
One Pump
266 GPM @ 175 Ft.

Basic Hydraulics
System Curve
200 3 Pipe
4 Elbows
1 Foot Valve
2 Globe Valves
One Pump 295 GPM @ 190 Ft.
266 GPM @ 175 Ft.
Two Pumps

Basic Hydraulics
Field Testing

Basic Hydraulics
Objective: Field Testing
Become familiar with the concept and procedure for the

Collection, Correction and Plotting of Field Pump
Performance Data.

Basic Hydraulics
What you Will Learn: Field Testing
•  The type of information required

•  Proper Collection Technique
•  What Corrections Must be Applied
•  Practical Application
•  Common Problems

Basic Hydraulics
Data Collection: Field Testing
Basic Information Required Includes:
•  Suction Gauge Reading
•  Discharge Gauge Reading
•  Flow Indicator Reading
•  Pump Shaft RPM
•  Motor Amp Draw

Basic Hydraulics
Other Important Information Includes:
•  Temperature
•  Specific Gravity
•  Viscosity
•  Solids Content
•  pH
•  Abrasivity

Basic Hydraulics
Physical Information Required Includes:
•  Suction and Discharge Gauge Centerlines
•  Gauge Graduation
•  Inside Diameter of the Suction Pipe
•  Inside Diameter of the Discharge Pipe
•  Obstructions or Pipe Fittings

Basic Hydraulics
Procedures:
•  Measure from Gauge Centerlines to Pump Centerline -
Record
•  Measure I.D. of Suct. & Disc. Pipe - Record
•  Note any Obstructions or Pipe Fittings between Gauges
& Pump

Basic Hydraulics
Procedures:
•  Establish a Test Leader
–  Calls for Start & Stop
–  Calls for Readings
–  Resolves Conflicts
–  Calls for Re-Reads when Necessary
–  Records Data as Required.

Basic Hydraulics
Procedures:
•  Collect all Variables at the Same Time to reduce Error
due to:
–  Changing Levels
–  Valve Settings
–  Shaft Speeds
–  Voltage Fluctuations

Basic Hydraulics
Procedures:
•  Collect the Data you re Responsible For
•  Average Jumpy Needles
•  Interpolate Between the Marks
•  Use Common Sense

Basic Hydraulics
Data Correction: Field Testing
•  Raw Data cannot be compared to the Price Book Curve

•  Correction is Necessary
•  Without Correction Performance is Way Off Compared
to Price Book Curve.

Basic Hydraulics
Rule # 1:
•  Values on Suction Side are ALWAYS SUBTRACTED
from values from the Discharge Side.
•  Positive heads on the Suction are Help to the Pump.

Basic Hydraulics
Rule # 2:
•  Gauges can only measure the Weight of the Liquid
Above them.
•  Gauge Readings MUST be corrected to the Pump
Centerline.
•  Gauges Cannot Measure Losses in Fittings between
them and the Pump.

Basic Hydraulics
Rule # 2 (cont.):
•  Gauges cannot Measure Velocity Head.
•  Any Tubing or Piping Connecting the Gauge to the
Suction or Discharge Pipes MUST be completely filled
with Liquid.

Basic Hydraulics
Rule # 3:
•  Shaft Speed Changes as Flow Rates Increase.
Increased Horsepower Demand at Higher Flow Rates
Cause Non - Synchronous Motors and Non- VFD Driven*
Motors to slow down.
*The VFD tries to maintain a constant speed even at high loads

Basic Hydraulics
Gauge Correction:
•  Distance in Feet or Meters from Centerline of Gauge to
Centerline of Pump is Added if the Gauge is Above the
CL
•  Subtracted if it s Below the CL.

Basic Hydraulics
Gauge Correction Example:
Suct. Gauge to Pump Centerline = + 3 Ft.
Suct. Gauge Reading = 20 Ft.
Actual head at the Suction Equals 20 Ft. + 3 Ft. Correction
+ Velocity head.
Same is true for the Discharge Gauge

Basic Hydraulics
Field Testing
5 -0
3 -0

Basic Hydraulics
Gauge Correction Example:
Suct. Gauge to Pump Centerline = + 3
Disc. Gauge to Pump CL = + 5
The Gauge Correction is how much?
Remember Rule #1...

Basic Hydraulics
Gauge Correction Question:
If Suct. Gauge to Pump Centerline = + 5 Ft.

& Disc. Gauge to Pump Centerline = + 5 Ft.
What is the Actual Gauge Correction?

Basic Hydraulics
Gauge Conversion:
Disc. Gauges often Graduated in PSI (kPa or kg / cm2)
Suct, Gauges in PSI Positive and Inches (mm or cm) of
Mercury for Negative
Both need to be corrected to Feet (Meters) of Head

Basic Hydraulics
Gauge Conversion:
•  1 PSI = 2.31 Ft. of Water (H2O)
•  1 / Hg = 1.133 Ft. of H2O
•  1 Meter = 3.281 Ft.
•  1 kPa = 0.145 PSI
•  1 cm / Hg = .4461 Ft. H2O
•  1 M3 / Hr = 4.403 GPM

Basic Hydraulics
Velocity Head Correction:
Velocity Head is energy that the pump produces but it
cannot be measured with a gauge.
Related to Momentum
Think of the Garden Hose.

Basic Hydraulics
Velocity Head is Directly Related to Velocity. At
a Given Flow Larger Pipes allow lower
Velocity, thus lower Velocity Head when
Compared to Smaller Pipes.

Basic Hydraulics
Most Goulds Pumps Have Different Size Suction and
Discharge Nozzles.
IE. 4 X 6 - 9, 2 X 4 - 11, 6 X 10 - 16, etc.
Velocity Head is Different Suct. Vs Disc.
Higher on the Discharge than on the Suction.

Basic Hydraulics
Gauge Can t Measure it
Measured Head is Less than Actual Head.
Pump Fails Field Test due to less than Price Book
Performance.
How Much Less?

Basic Hydraulics
Velocity Head Correction Question:
Model 3180, 6 X 10 - 25 XL
Flow = 3000 GPM, Head = 140 Ft.
What is the Velocity Head at the Suction?
What is the Velocity Head at the Discharge?

Basic Hydraulics
Velocity Head Correction Question:
Flow = 3000 GPM
Velocity Head at the Suction = 2.32
Velocity head at the Discharge = 18.0
Difference = 15.7 Ft. Approximately 11% at the Design
Point!

Basic Hydraulics
Field Testing
  Ignoring
Vel. Hd. BEP
Produces a curve TOTAL HEAD
shown in Red
  Shut Off is OK EFFICIENCY
  HeadDroops as POWER
you go out in NPSHR
Capacity. FLOW - GPM
  Why?

Basic Hydraulics
Shaft Speed Correction:
Induction motors are given Synchronous Speed
Designations:
900, 1200, 1800, 3600 RPM.
The shaft actually turns slower.
There are Synchronous Motors that do run at the

Synchronous Speed, and most VFD s keep Speed
Constant.

Basic Hydraulics
•  Shaft Speed depends on Load.

•  Shaft Speed depends on Design.
•  Shaft Speed is influenced by Motor Efficiency.

Basic Hydraulics
•  Pump Performance depends on Shaft Speed.
•  Shaft Speed Changes as Load Changes.
•  Load Changes as Flow Rates Change.

Basic Hydraulics
•  Pump Performance Curves show a Particular Shaft
Speed.
•  Field Data has to be Corrected to that speed to be
meaningful.
•  Affinity Laws are used to Correct Data

Basic Hydraulics
Shaft Speed Correction Example:
Pump: 2 X 3 - 6 3196 STX
Customers Design Point: 300 GPM @ 86 Ft.
Shaft Speed Shown on Pump Performance Curve: 3585
RPM
Objective: Field Test the Unit to Demonstrate it Meets the
Customers Requirement and the Performance Curve.

Basic Hydraulics
Field Testing
3585 RPM, 2 X 3 - 6
120
86
Head - Ft.
0
0 Flow - GPM 300
Basic Hydraulics
Field Test Example:
Collected Data
Flow Head RPM

0 119.7 3580
99 114.7 3575
198 102.4 3561
297 72.9 3555

Basic Hydraulics
Field Test Example:
Collected Data
Flow Head RPM

0 119.7 3580
NOTE! 99 114.7 3575
198 102.4 3561
297 72.9 3555

Basic Hydraulics
Field Testing
3585 RPM, 2 X 3 - 6 Factory Test Curve
120 Field Test Curve
86
Head - Ft.
13 Ft. Short!
0
0 Flow - GPM 300
Basic Hydraulics
Field Test Example:
First, Velocity Head Correction for each test point.
Because the Flow was measured at the recorded shaft
speed the Velocity head should be the first Correction.

Basic Hydraulics
Velocity Head Correction
2 X 3 - 6, Model 3196
Suction I.D. = 3.0 , Discharge I. D. = 2.0 , Flow is 297 GPM
Velocity Head = 0.00259 x GPM 2
D4

Basic Hydraulics
Suct. I.D. = 3.0 , Disc. I. D. = 2.0 , Flow is 297 GPM
VHs = 0.00259 X (297) 2
3.0 4
VHs = 0.00259 X 88209
81
VHs = 2.82

Basic Hydraulics
VHd = 0.00259 X (297) 2
2.0 4
VHd = 0.00259 X 89700.25
16
VHd = 14.28

Basic Hydraulics
VHd = 14.28 Ft.
VHs = - 2.82 Ft.
11.46 Ft. !

Basic Hydraulics
Field Test Example:
Velocity head for each Flow Rate is Calculated and added
to the Test Values.
Flow Vel Hd RPM

0 0.0 3580
99 1.3 3575
198 5.1 3561
297 11.5 3555

Basic Hydraulics
Field Test Example:
Velocity head for each Flow Rate is Calculated and added
to the Test Values.
Flow Vel. Test Cor. RPM

Hd. Hd. Hd.
0 0.0 119.7 119.7 3580
99 1.3 114.7 116.0 3575
198 5.1 102.4 107.5 3561
297 11.5 72.9 84.4 3555
Basic Hydraulics
Operating Pt.: 300 GPM @ 86 Ft.- 3585 RPM
Test Data: 297 GPM, 84.4 Ft., 3555 RPM
Target Speed X GPM = Corrected GPM
Actual Speed
3585 X 297 = 299.5 GPM
3555

Basic Hydraulics
Operating Pt: 300 GPM @ 86 Ft.- 3585 RPM
Test Data: 297 GPM, 84.4 Ft., 3555 RPM
Target Speed 2 X Head = Cor.Head

Actual Speed
3585 2 X 84.4 Ft. = 85.8 Ft. GPM
3555

Basic Hydraulics
•  Op. Pt: 300 GPM @ 86 Ft.- 3585 RPM
•  Test Data: 297 GPM, 84.4 Ft., 3555 RPM
•  Corrected Data: 299.5 GPM @ 85.8 Ft
PRETTY CLOSE!

Basic Hydraulics
Field
Approximate Horsepower / Efficiency: Testing
If you Know:
•  The Amp Draw
•  The Voltage
•  The Motor Efficiency
•  The Motor Power Factor
•  The Recorded Head
•  The Recorded Flow

Basic Hydraulics
Field
You Can Calculate the Approximate Efficiency of the
Pump.
Calculate the Motor Output Horsepower:
3 Phase Motors Only.
HP = 1.732 X Volts X Amps X P.F. X Eff.

746

Basic Hydraulics
Field
Notes:
•  P. F. Changes as the Load Changes
•  Efficiency Changes as the Load Changes
•  Refer to Motor Speed / Torque Curve
•  Refer to Motor Nameplate Information
•  Average Voltage Readings

Basic Hydraulics
Field
If unknown, Assume:
•  .95 Power Factor
•  Nameplate Efficiency
•  Constant Nameplate Voltage
This will get you Close.

Basic Hydraulics
Field
Once Calculated you can Calculate the Pump Efficiency.
Pump Eff. = Flow X TDH X SG

3960 X Brake H.P

Basic Hydraulics
In Summary:
Test Data to be Corrected for the Following:
•  Gauge Corrections
•  Gauge Conversions
•  Velocity Head
•  Test Speed Vs Target Speed, Affinity Laws
•  Horsepower Approximation

Basic Hydraulics
Field Testing
QUESTIONS?

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
Impeller Design:
•  Open
•  Closed
•  Semi Open
•  Double Suction
•  Balance Holes
•  Wiper Vanes
•  Rings, Eye Area, Knife Edgeing, Under Filing, Over Filing,
Inducers, etc.

Basic Hydraulics
Impeller Design: Other Topics
Need Section

Basic Hydraulics
Casing Design: Other Topics
•  Volute
•  Concentric
•  Semi-Concentric
•  Double Volute Design
•  Diffuser
•  Multi-Stage
•  Cut Water Design
•  Nozzle Design

Basic Hydraulics
Casing Design: Other Topics
Need Section

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
Specific Speed

Basic Hydraulics
Specific Speed: Other Topics
•  Unit - less Number used to Classify Pump Impeller
Designs
•  High Specific Speed = Low Head / High Flow
•  Low Specific Speed = High Head / Low Flow
•  Examples: 3196 LF and Ashland AF Pump

Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics
Specific Speed can be calculated Using the Following
Formula:
NS = N Q
H3/4
•  N = Pump Speed RPM
•  Q = Flow at BEP
•  H = Head per Stage at BEP

Basic Hydraulics
Specific Speed Example: Other Topics
Goulds Model 3196, 2 X 3 - 10, 1750 RPM
Ns = N Q
H3/4
NS = 1750 X 200
95 3/4
NS = 24749
30.43
NS = 813

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
Best Efficiency Point

Operation

Basic Hydraulics
Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:
•  Understand why BEP is only at one flow
•  Explain why low flow operation reduces centrifugal
pump life.
•  Explain why runout operation reduces pump life.

Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics
Low flow pump operation

  Increased Discharge Pressure
  Increased Axial Loads
  Increased Radial Loads
  Increased Dynamic loading
  Increased Recirculation
  Increased Vibrations

Basic Hydraulics
100% BEP 25% BEP

The above computational fluid dynamic (CFD)
models show the increased and unstable
pressure fields at low flow operation as
compared to best efficiency operation.

Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics
CHANGES IN PUMP VIBRATION LEVEL

WITH OFF BEP & Ns CHANGES
220
PERCENT VIBRATION LEVEL
200
180
INCREASE
160
140
120
100
80
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130
PERCENT OF BEP FLOW
Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
STATIC & DYNAMIC RADIAL

LOADS
200
190
PERCENT RADIAL
180
LOAD @ BEP
170
160 Low Radial
150 Load
140
High Radial
130
120
Load
110
100
90
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
%OF BEP FLOW

Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics
Other
Runout Flow Pump Operation Topics
•  Decreased Discharge Pressure
•  High/Steep NPSHr Curve
•  Increased Radial Load
•  Increased Dynamic load
•  Increased Vibration

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
NPSHr Values @ High Flows
35
30
25
NPSHr (ft.)
20
15
10
0
0 400 800 1200 1600
Flow (gpm)
Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics
PSI
RMS DYNAMIC PRESSURE PULSATIONS
12
10
8
BEP
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 GPM

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
Suction Specific Speed

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
•  Unit-less Value Used to Determine The NPSH Required by a
Specific Pump Design
•  Is Constant, does not Change with Pump Speed
•  Similar to Pump Specific Speed
•  Can Help in Making the Correct Pump Selection
•  Can Identify Problem Applications Before the Sale

Basic Hydraulics
Suction Specific Speed Other Topics

•  9000 - Reasonable Value Based on Experience
•  Pumps with a Specific Speed of 9000 are Readily
available
•  Lower the Number the Better

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
SS = N ( GPM ) 1/2
NPSH 3/4
SS = Suction Specific Speed
N = RPM
GPM = Flow at Best Efficiency Point
NPSH = NPSH required at Best Efficiency
Point.

Basic Hydraulics
OtherExample:
Suction Specific Speed Topics
Calculate the NPSH Required:
SS = N ( GPM ) 1/2
NPSH 3/4
9000 = 3550 x (2000) 1/2
NPSH 3/4
NPSH 4/3 = 158760.82 = 17.64 Ft.
9000
NPSH = 46 Ft.
Note the Inverted Exponent...

Basic Hydraulics
OtherExample:
Calculate the Max. Speed you can run:
SS = N ( GPM ) 1/2
NPSH 3/4
9000 = N x (2000) 1/2
30 3/4
N = 9000 X 30 3/4
2000 1/2
N = 2579 RPM

Basic Hydraulics
OtherExample:
•  At 2579 RPM the Pump may not Develop the Required Head
•  In the Suction Specific Speed Calculation the Flow is Halved
when using a Double Suction
•  Could that help Achieve Higher Heads?

Basic Hydraulics
OtherExample:
With a Double Suction What Max. RPM you can run:
SS = N ( GPM ) 1/2
NPSH 3/4
9000 = N x (2000 / 2) 1/2
30 3/4
N = 9000 X 30 3/4
1000 1/2
N = 3648 RPM

Basic Hydraulics
OtherExample:
Can a Double Suction Design Allow you to Run at a
Higher Speed for Increased Head?
-YES!-
•  Single Suction Pump Max. = 2579 RPM
•  Double Suction Pump Max. = 3648 RPM
•  Over 1000 RPM Higher

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
Pump Suction Energy Level and NPSH Margin

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
NPSH Margin
•  Design of Impeller / Casing Influences NPSHR
•  Eye Diameter / Length of Throat
•  Vane Entrance Configuration
•  No. of Vanes, Thickness, Spacing, Shape, etc.

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
NPSH Margin
•  Exceeding NPSHR shown on curve is not a
guarantee of acceptable pump performance.
•  Cavitation can exist when NPSHA > NPSHR!

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
NPSH Margin
•  NPSHR DEFINITION Per H. I.
•  NPSHR is when you sustain a 3% loss in head at a
constant flow rate. Incipient Cavitation begins well
before that point is reached.
•  Enough so that you have already lost 3% of the
Discharge Head due to Vapor Bubble Formation.

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
NPSH Margin
•  NPSHR DEFINITION

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
NPSH Margin
•  Margin between NPSHA and NPSHR required to suppress
incipient cavitation to an acceptable level:
•  NPSH Margin = NPSHA - NPSHR
•  NPSH Margin Ratio = NPSHA / NPSHR
•  NPSHA required to completely suppress incipient cavitation

can be up to 20 times that shown on published performance
curve!!!

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
NPSH Margin
•  With such huge margins required to suppress ALL cavitation
many pumps do not have sufficient NPSH margin and are
cavitating.
•  But, many of these pumps have acceptable pump and
mechanical seal life.
•  QUESTION: How does one predict applications that will
have problems and result in a reduced pump life?
•  ANSWER: Suction Energy Level

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
Suction Energy Level
•  The Momentum of the liquid in the eye of the
Impeller.
•  Calculate using the following formula:
•  Suction Energy Level = DE x N x S x SG

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
•  Suction Energy Level = DE x N x S x SG
•  DE = Eye Diameter (inches)
•  N = Pump Speed (RPM)
•  S = Suction Specific Speed = RPM x (GPM)0.5 /(NPSHR)0.75
•  SG = Specific Gravity of Pumpage
•  GPM and NPSHR are @ BEP for Max. Dia. Imp.
•  GPM for Double Suction Pumps = GPM / 2
•  End Suction Pumps ≈ 90% Of Suction Nozzle Dia.
•  For Double Suction Pumps ≈ 75% Of Suction Nozzle Dia.

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
•  Suction Energy Level is a measure of momentum, mass and
velocity of the liquid in the impeller eye.
•  High Suction Energy Levels = High Fluid Momentum
•  High Fluid Momentum = Greater Noise / Vibration
∴ High S. E. Levels = Greater Noise / Vibration
•  Especially When Cavitation is Present
•  Requires Greater NPSH Margin to Keep Noise and Vibration
at Acceptable Levels.

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
Suction Energy Level - Low
•  End Suction Pumps & 3410:
–  Less Than 160,000,000
•  For Other Double Suction Pumps
–  Less Than 120,000,000
•  NPSH margin/NPSH margin ratio is not critical for

pumps operating at these levels unless there is
very low NPSH margin/NPSH margin ratio.

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
Suction Energy Level - High
–  > 160,000,000 S. E. Level < 240,000,000
•  Double Suction Pumps
–  > 120,000,000 S. E. Level < 180,000,000
•  NPSH margin/NPSH margin ratio is becoming

more critical for pumps operating at these levels.

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
Suction Energy Level - High
•  Pumps In This Range May Exhibit Noise,
Vibration, and / or Minor Cavitation Damage if
Insufficient NPSH margin / NPSH margin ratio is
present.
•  Leading To Reduced Pump & Seal Life.
•  High Suction Energy Pumps Are More Susceptible
to Problems from Poor Suction Piping Design.

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
Suction Energy Level - Very High
–  > 240,000,000
•  Double Suction Pumps
–  > 180,000,000
•  Proper NPSH margin/NPSH margin ratio is Critical

To pumps operating at these levels.

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
Suction Energy Level - Very High
•  Will Exhibit Severe Noise, Vibration and Erosion
Damage If Appropriate NPSH Margin / NPSH
Margin Ratio is Not Provided.
•  Damage Even With Cavitation Resistant Materials
Such as Stainless Steels.
•  Significantly Reduced Life Expectancy.
•  Very Susceptible To Poor Suction Piping Design.

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
NPSH MARGIN RATIO GUIDELINES
Minimum NPSH Margin Ratio (NPSHA/NPSHR) Guidelines
Application Low High Very High
Petroleum 1.1 (a) 1.3 (c) --
Chemical 1.1 (a) 1.3 (c) --
Electric Power 1.1 (a) 1.5 (c) 2.0 (c)
Nuclear Power 1.5 (b) 2.0 (c) 2.5 (c)
Cooling Tower 1.3 (b) 1.5 (c) 2.0 (c)
Water/Waste Water 1.1 (a) 1.3 (c) 2.0 (c)
General Industry 1.1 (a) 1.2 (b) --
Pulp and Paper 1.1 (a) 1.3 (c) --
Building Services 1.1 (a) 1.3 (c) --
Slurry 1.1 (a) -- --
Pipeline 1.3 (b) 1.7 (c) 2.0 (c)
Flood Water 1.2 (b) 1.5 (c) 2.0 (c)
(a) Or 0.6 M (2 FT), whichever is greater.

(b) Or 0.9 M (3 FT), whichever is greater.
(c) Or 1.5 M (5 FT), whichever is greater.

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
•  NPSH MARGIN RATIO GUIDELINES
–  Pumps outside preferred operating range (i.e. below min.
flow / significantly beyond BEP) may require greater
NPSH margin as recirculation may magnify effects of
cavitation.
–  NPSH margin/NPSH margin ratio - not critical to life of
low suction energy pumps.
–  High and very high suction energy pumps operating
within guidelines normally have what is considered to be
acceptable pump and seal life, but not necessarily
optimal.

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
•  NPSH MARGIN RATIO GUIDELINES
–  Phenomenon can occur in ANY MANUFACTURER S
centrifugal pump.
–  See suction energy module in Goulds Pumps Hydraulic
Selection Software (HSS) at www.gouldspumps.com .
–  See Goulds Application Newsletter # 88 and ANSI/
Hydraulic Institute Standard 9.6.1-1998 for a more
detailed discussion of this topic.

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
•  NPSH MARGIN RATIO GUIDELINES EXAMPLE:
–  Size 10x14-20 double suction type pump operating at
1800 RPM
–  Rated point is 8,000 GPM @ 400 TDH
–  What is suction energy level (assume ambient
temperature water)?
–  Per HI/ANSI standards, what is appropriate NPSH
margin/NPSH margin ratio required for cooling tower
service?

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
–  Suction Energy Level = DE x N x S x SG
–  DE = 14 In. x 0.75 = 10.5 In.
–  N = 1785 RPM
–  S = (1785 x (8,000 GPM/2)0.5)/(26 FT)0.75 = 9,805
–  S.G. = 1.0
–  Suct. Energy Level = (10.5) x (1785) x (9,805) x (1.0)
–  Suction Energy Level = 184,000,000

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
–  Suction Energy Level = 184,000,000
–  Considered VERY HIGH for double suction pump--
recommend twice what is shown on curve, or
approximately 52 NPSHR

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
Questions?

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
Viscosity Correction
Factors

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
Viscosity Correction Factors
Need Section

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
Viscosity Correction Factors
Questions?

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
Gas Entrainment
Considerations

Basic Hydraulics
Gas Entrainment Considerations
Purpose
•  User Oriented Presentation
•  Provide Application Guidance for Proper Pump
Selection
•  Provide Solutions to Common Industrial Pumping
Problems

Basic Hydraulics
Sources of Entrained Gas:

•  Part of the Process (Floatation Cell)
•  Leaky Pipe Gaskets or Faulty Components
•  Vortices

Basic Hydraulics
Symptoms / Characteristics
•  Increased Noise
•  Decreased Noise
•  Reduced Head Performance
•  Loss Of Prime

Basic Hydraulics
Reasons for Performance Reduction

•  Gas Accumulates at the Impeller Inlet
•  Pressure drop at impeller Causes Bubbles to Expand
•  Closes off Flow Area
•  Creates Additional Hydraulic Losses

Basic Hydraulics
Corrective Action / Design Considerations

•  Use Open Impeller Pumps
–  Leakage Path Across Vanes Reduces Pressure Drop
–  Creates Turbulence to Break up Accumulation
•  Increase Impeller Diameter
•  Increase Pump Size
•  Or Both

Basic Hydraulics
Corrective Action / Design Considerations

•  Use of Inducer
•  Special Design Pump
–  Vortex or Recessed Impeller
–  Air Extraction

Basic Hydraulics
Application Information Requirements:

•  Desired Head and Capacity
•  Expected Amount of Entrained Gas
•  Suction conditions Including Suction Pressure and
Piping Schematic
•  Liquid Characteristics

Basic Hydraulics
Pump Selection Guidelines:

•  0-4%: Increase Impeller Diameter or Larger Pump
•  5-10%: Larger Pump, Remachine Impeller, Inducer
•  10-20%: Vortex / Recessed Impeller

Basic Hydraulics
Guidelines:
•  Suction Nozzles < 8 in.,Use 2 or 3 Vane Impellers
•  Suction Nozzles>=8 use>= 4 Vane Impellers
•  Impeller Trim>=85% of Max. Dia.
•  Capacity Between 50 and 100% BEP
•  >= 5 Ft. of Suction Head

Basic Hydraulics
Conclusions
•  Reduce Gas Volume Whenever Possible
•  Increase Suction Pressure fro Improved Performance
•  Use Open Impellers
•  Normal Clearances 0 - 4% Gas
•  Increased Clearances 5 - 10 % Gas

Basic Hydraulics

•  Use Special Designs for >10 %Gas
•  For Small Pumps Use Impellers with 2 - 3 Vanes
•  Request Factory Testing when Experience Cannot be
Validated

Basic Hydraulics
Other Topics
Questions?

Basic Hydraulics

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Basic Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 1

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 2

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 3

• Basic Pump Hydraulics

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 4

• This is an overview of the various aspects of

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 5

• Upon completion participants will be able to:

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 6

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 7

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 8

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 9

Single Stage End

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 10

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 11

Pump Performance Curve

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 12

• Typical Centrifugal Pump Performance

HEAD- FEET / METERS BEP

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 13

Common Units of Measurement

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 14

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 15

• Gauge Pressure = pressure above or below the

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 16

• The absolute pressure at sea level is about 14.7

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 17

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 18

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 19

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 20

100 Ft. = 43 PSI 100 Ft. = 43 PSI

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 21

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 22

Head Vs. Pressure

• Equals the Height of Liquid in Feet or Meters Multiplied by

• Pressure in PSI = Elevation X SG

• A Column of Liquid with a (SG) of 1.0, 2.31 Feet High

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 23

Head Vs. Pressure

• Head is the ability of the Pump to move a column

• Head is the preferred method of Specifying

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 24

• The Head a pump produces is not influenced by

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 25

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 26

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 27

• Velocity Head (hv) is the energy a liquid retains as

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 28

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 29

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 30

• 1.17 Ft. – 1.17 Ft. = 0 Ft.

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 31

• 5.68 Ft. – 1.17 Ft. = 4.50 Ft.

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 32

• That s 4-1/2 Ft. of Head the pump produces

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 33

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 34

The Following Slides present some Useful Formulas in

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 35

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 36

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 37

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 38

Basic Hydraulics Shanghai SFO Pump School l 12 Sept 2007 l 39

•  Basic Pump Hydraulics

•  This is an overview of the various aspects of

•  Upon completion participants will be able to:

•  Typical Centrifugal Pump Performance

•  Gauge Pressure = pressure above or below the

•  The absolute pressure at sea level is about 14.7

•  Equals the Height of Liquid in Feet or Meters Multiplied by

•  Pressure in PSI = Elevation X SG

•  A Column of Liquid with a (SG) of 1.0, 2.31 Feet High

•  Head is the ability of the Pump to move a column

•  Head is the preferred method of Specifying

•  The Head a pump produces is not influenced by

•  Velocity Head (hv) is the energy a liquid retains as

•  1.17 Ft. – 1.17 Ft. = 0 Ft.

•  5.68 Ft. – 1.17 Ft. = 4.50 Ft.

•  That s 4-1/2 Ft. of Head the pump produces

•  Efficiency of the Pump (EFF)

•  Pump Performance Curves

•  Performance Curves are a Graphic