Dec 2006

Centrifugal Pump Basics

Prepared for:

Western Pumps, LLC PO Box 1452 Clovis, CA 93613 (877) 540-PUMP

www.westernpumpsllc.com
Terminology
„ Centrifugal Pump: A water pump that uses centrifugal force to move water and create
pressure.
„ Centrifugal Force: A force that moves something from the center to the outside of a
rotating body.
„ Head: A term used to define water pressure in vertical feet. Also used to represent the
energy content of a liquid, expressed as the height of an equivalent vertical column of
water.
{ This is expressed in feet of head
{ This can apply to both sides of a pump, suction and discharge
{ It is also used to express the total loss in a pumping system (TDH)
„ Shut-Off Head: The head created by a pump that is running against a closed discharge.
„ Atmospheric Pressure: The weight of the atmosphere at a given point on earth.
„ Vacuum: A pressure below atmospheric pressure.
„ Cavitation: The formation of vapor bubbles in areas of low pressure in liquid.
„ Cavitation Damage: The pitting or wear of a solid surface caused by the collapse of
vapor bubbles created by low pressure prior to damage.
„ Flow Rate or Capacity: The volume of liquid that passes a given point in a specified
length of time.
„ Net Positive Suction Head Required: The amount of head required by a pump to keep
a fluid in a liquid form.
Introduction
„ General Information
{ Western Pumps was established in 2006 as a manufacturer of niche industry
centrifugal pumps. The primary industries served by the Western Pumps product
line is Water Trucks and Agricultural Irrigation. Although the Western Pumps
product line certainly has application in many different industries, we’ve chosen to
specialize in these areas in order to build the best product available for these
applications, while maintaining cost effectiveness and committed industry service.

„ Helpful things to know before starting

{ To size a centrifugal pump you must know Flow, measured in GPM (gallons per
minute) and pressure, measured in TDH (total dynamic head)
„ TDH is often confusing to people because what is head compared to pressure? In fact they
are the same, just expressed differently.
{ Pressure conversion factor is 2.31 feet of Head
„ Feet of Head = PSI x 2.31
„ PSI = Feet of Head / 2.31

{ Energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only changed!

Pump Basics
„ What is a centrifugal pump

A device where water gets pushed into a big hole goes round and round and comes
flying out a small hole.

{ Bracket
„ The bracket provides a means by which to attach a driver, typically a PTO, Engine or an
electric motor. The bracket provides support for the shaft via bearings and maintains
proper alignment of reciprocating parts.
{ Volute Case
„ The volute encloses the impeller and converts the velocity generated by the impeller to
pressure energy. The snail like shape of the volute is narrowest at the tongue and begins
to expand from there to the discharge to collect the increased flow from the impeller
perimeter. The section between the discharge and the mounting flange is the diffuser,
which is conical in shape and has an increasing area from which to convert velocity energy
to pressure energy.
{ Impeller
„ The impeller is the only part that can add energy to the water being pumped. It is the
rotating part of the pump that adds and converts energy. The impeller eye creates a low
pressure region which is filled with water by the atmospheric pressure pushing water into
the suction side of the pump. Once the water enters the passages of the impeller the
rotational force of the impeller accelerates the water making the water go faster and faster
as it travels to the outer diameter of the impeller vanes. This added energy is now in the
form of water velocity.
Basic Hydraulics
„ Head
{ As indicated previously, the impeller is the only source of additional energy and
therefore generates head. The energy, in the form of velocity, is directly related to
the speed of the vane tip. Therefore, a change in head is the result of a change in
velocity from either a change in impeller speed or change in impeller diameter.
„ Flow
{ Given head is the result of velocity which is the result of impeller speed and
diameter, flow is the result of impeller capacity. Capacity results from the width of
the impeller passages. As the impeller width increases, the capacity, and therefore
flow, increases while the diameter and speed remain constant.
„ BHP
{ Brake Horsepower is the energy required to operate the pump successfully for
specified conditions. To calculate:
„ BHP=(GPM x TDH x Specific Gravity) / (3960 x Efficiency)
„ Efficiency
{ The effective gain resulting from the energy applied. Calculated as follows:
„ Efficiency=(GPM x TDH x Specific Gravity) / (3960 x BHP)
„ BEP
{ Best Efficiency Point results where the greatest input horsepower converts to the
maximum flow and head. This is observed on a pump efficiency curve at its peak.
Basic Hydraulics - continued
„ Affinity Laws
{ Given the relationships between velocity, flow, and head, we can
predict with relative accuracy the change one will have on the
others. Most common application for this law is predicting the
effect resulting from a change in speed, using the following:
„ New Speed / Known Speed = Constant
„ Known Capacity x Constant = New Capacity
„ Known Head x Constant x Constant = New Head
„ Known Horsepower x Constant x Constant x Constant = New
Horsepower
Example: Change speed from 1800 to 3600 RPM where performance at
1800 is 700GPM @ 80’ TDH and 20 BHP.
Performance at 3600 will be:
{ 3600/1800 = 2 (Constant)
{ 700GPM x 2 = 1400GPM
{ 80’TDH x 2 x 2 = 320’TDH
{ 20BHP x 2 x 2 x 2 = 160BHP
Head Loss in Systems
„ Friction Loss
{ Friction loss is the most common form of head loss in a pumping system.
There are various forms, including liquid viscosity, surface attraction
(stickiness), with the most common in water applications resulting from
plumbing. This loss in head, is the result of changes in energy occurring
within the Piping & Fittings.
„ Piping – The friction loss in piping is the result of the internal surface of the
pipe creating friction and reducing the velocity on the outer region of the water
flow and reducing the inside flowing diameter of the pipe which increases the
velocity of the inner flow, which in turn further increases friction losses.
{ Since the amount of liquid entering the pipe must equal the amount exiting the pipe,
the velocity must be equal. Since the velocity must be equal the head must be equal
and therefore the energy must come from somewhere, which is pressure. The
measured pressure entering the pipe will be greater than the pressure measured
exiting the pipe.
„ Fittings – The friction loss in fittings results from changing the direction of the
water flow. Anytime there is a direction change, resistance occurs. The
resistance is the result of the weight of the liquid in motion producing
momentum and trying to continue in a linear direction. The change in direction
resulting from a fitting forces the water to the outer edge of the fitting creating
high and low velocity regions, producing similar dynamics described above.
Head Loss in Systems - continued
„ Friction Loss - continued
{ Friction Loss Tables
„ There are many fancy formulas to calculate Friction Loss, but most
applications have already been calculated for us and are contained
in Friction Loss Tables. The most commonly used method is the
Equivalent Length of Pipe method. Using the following steps we can
calculate the friction loss within a system:
{ Find the fitting you’re using in the appropriate table
{ Find the pipe size and record the equivalent length
{ Repeat these steps for all the fittings in the system
{ Add the fitting equivalent length values to get your total equivalent pipe
length
{ Find the pipe diameter, applicable flow rate in GPM and the head loss per
100’ of pipe
{ Add the equivalent length of pipe to the actual length of pipe to obtain the
overall effective length of pipe.
{ Divide the total effective length of pipe by 100 and multiply by the head
loss per 100’ value from the table.
„ You’ve now calculated the head loss due to friction for the system!
Head Loss in Systems - continued
Sample Data – Fitting Friction Loss – Equivalent Length of Pipe
 Head Loss in Systems - continued
Friction Loss Table - Sched 40 Steel & PVC

3 in. 4 in. 5 in. 6 in.

Flow Rate Friction Loss (ft/100 ft) Flow Rate Friction Loss (ft/100 ft) Flow Rate Friction Loss (ft/100 ft) Flow Rate Friction Loss (ft/100 ft)
(gal/min) Steel Pipe PVC Pipe (gal/min) Steel Pipe PVC Pipe (gal/min) Steel Pipe PVC Pipe (gal/min) Steel Pipe PVC Pipe

Schedule 40 Schedule 40 Schedule 40 Schedule 40 Schedule 40 Schedule 40 Schedule 40 Schedule 40

50 0.7 0.2
60 1 0.2
70 1.3 0.3
80 1.7 0.4
90 2.1 0.5
100 2.5 0.6 100 0.7 0.6
150 5.3 1.2 150 1.4 1.2 150 0.5 0.4 150 0.2 0.2
200 9.1 2.1 200 2.4 2.1 200 0.8 0.7 200 0.3 0.3
250 13.6 3.2 250 3.6 3.2 250 1.2 1.1 250 0.5 0.4
300 19.8 4.4 300 5 4.4 300 1.6 1.5 300 0.7 0.6
400 34.2 5.9 400 8.7 7.5 400 2.8 2.5 400 1.1 1
500 4.3 3.7 500 1.7 1.5
750 3.7 3.3
1000 6.3 5.5
NPSH
„ NPSHR
{ Net Positive Suction Head Required – This is the pressure required at the impeller
eye to insure the water remains in a liquid state. This value is determined by the
various characteristics of the impeller size, design and configuration. This is a
given characteristic of the pump and the user can do nothing to alter this.
„ NPSHA
{ Net Positive Suction Head Available – This is the pressure available to the pump by
the connected system. This has nothing to do with the pump and is determined and
controlled by the designer and installer.
„ Flooded Suction
{ Flooded suction reduces the consideration need for NPSH, provided friction loss in
the piping system is minimal, and no other suction side restrictions occur within the
application.
{ Water Truck application are typically Flooded Suction given the water supply is in
the tank, which is above the suction side of the pump.
Cavitation
„ Cavitation is an occurrence where water is vaporized and rapidly returned to a
liquid state.
{ It is not air in the water
{ It does not happen only in pumps
{ The act itself does not cause damage
„ Cavitation Damage – damage does occur when the vapor bubbles collapse or
implode, return to liquid state, against the surface of the impeller or in some
cases the volute case.
{ The energy released when the vapor returns to liquid creates a major shock wave.
{ The shock wave is similar to hitting the surface with a hammer.
{ This work hardens the material causing the removal of material over time.
{ Brass, Stainless and other more ductile metals are not immune to cavitation, they
are simply much more tolerant. Material is more likely to dent or smear not
disappear.
 Pump Curves
Efficiency Curves

Speed Curves

NPSH Curve

Horsepower
Demand Curves

Pressure Flow Axis

Axis GPM
Ft of Head
General Maintenance
„ Lubrication
{ Liquid end of pump requires NO lubrication
{ Bearing Frame – add approximately 2 ounces of grease during quarterly inspection
„ Factory installed lubrication is Lubriplate EMB
Note: Excess Grease will cause bearings to run hot.
Note: Grease fitting in packing area is for priming only.
„ Observational Maintenance – when the pump and system is stabilized observe the
following:
{ Vibration – All rotating devices are expected to have some vibration, but if any excess vibration is
observed discontinue use and determine cause, as damage can occur from excess vibration.
{ Noise – When the unit is operating under normal conditions listen for unusual or excessive noise
and determine cause and correct.
{ Operating Temperature – During normal operation, heat is dissipated from the pump and the
driver. After a short period of time the bearing frame can become quite warm, as high as 150
degrees F, which is normal. If temperature becomes excessive discontinue use and determine
the cause. Worn Bearings and over lubrication can cause excess heat and must be corrected to
prevent damage.
{ Stuffing Box – After running for a short period of time check the packing gland area and verify it is
not hot. If hot loosen the packing gland nuts EVENLY until water is running out in Droplets
(approximately 40-60 drops per minute).
„ Packing
{ Before starting pump for the first time, loosen gland nuts and retighten finger tight, begin startup
and allow pump to leak liberally for a few moments. Then tighten gland nuts EVENLY one flat at
a time until leakage occurs at approximately 40-60 drops per minute.
{ If packing has been tightened to the limit of the packing gland travel add additional packing ring/s
as necessary.
Mega Pump Overview
Q&A
„ Question & Answer Session