Centrifugal Pump Basics

Terms commonly used in the

pumping industry
Centrifugal Pump Basics
Centrifugal, (Sen-trif-u-gal)
Tending to fly from a center
Thrown from a center
Centrifugal pump impeller does just that
Water drawn into impeller eye, accelerated
down the blades and thrown against pump
casing that directs flow out of discharge
Centrifugal Pump Basics
Centrifugal Pump
Liquid into
impeller eye from
pump suction
Impeller Rotation
Centrifugal Pump Basics
Centrifugal Pump Curve
Centrifugal Pump Basics
Centrifugal Pump Curve
Centrifugal Pump Basics
1 Gallon of water
(U.S. @ 60DegF) weighs
8.33 lbs
1 cubic foot of water
contains 7.48 gallons
Specific Gravity
(Sp Gr) of a fluid is
the relationship of the
density (lbs/ft3) to that of
water (62.3 lbs/ft3)
WATER COLUMN
1 psig
2.31 ft
1
1
Basic Fluid Facts
Centrifugal Pump Basics
WATER
1.0 sp gr
GASOLINE
0.8 sp gr
BRINE
1.2 sp gr
hp = gpm*hd*sp gr*100
3960*Pump Eff
Pump head (ft) = psig*2.31
sp gr
231 ft
120 psig 80 psig 100 psig
Pump Shut-off Head 231ft
Specific Gravity
Centrifugal Pump Basics
1 inch square
column of air, the
height of the
earths atmosphere
(From Sea Level)
weights 14.7 lbs
Air Column
14.7 psia
0 psig
1
1
BASIC FLUID FACTS
Centrifugal Pump Basics
Basic Centrifugal Pump Equations
For variations in impeller diameter, at constant speed:

D1 = Q1 = H1 BHP1 = D1
3

D2 Q2 H2 BHP2 D2
3


For variations in speed, with constant impeller diameter:

S1 = Q1 = H1 BHP1 = S1
3

S2 = Q2 H2 BHP2 S2
3


Where: D = Impeller Diameter (Ins / mm)
H = Pump Head (Ft / m)
Q = Pump Capacity (gpm / lps)
S = Speed (rpm / rps)
BHP = Brake Horsepower (Shaft Power - hp / kW)


Centrifugal Pump Basics
Friction Loss for Water in Commercial Steel Pipe (Schedule 40)
System Resistance
Centrifugal Pump Basics
A Closed hydronic system is one
that has only one interface with air
or flexible membrane

An Open hydronic system is one
that has more than one interface
with air or a flexible membrane
Open & Closed Systems
Centrifugal Pump Basics
LOAD
LOAD
LOAD
SOURCE
EXPANSION
BUILDING
HEIGHT
Balancing
Valve
3-Way
Control Valve
Isolating
Valve
LOAD
Closed System
Centrifugal Pump Basics
System Resistance Curve
CAPACITY
Friction
Losses
Closed System Resistance Curve
Centrifugal Pump Basics
Static
Suction Head
CONDENSER
Static Head
Open System
Centrifugal Pump Basics
H
E
A
D

System Head Curve
CAPACITY
Friction
Losses
Total
Static
Head
Open System Resistance Curve
Centrifugal Pump Basics
LOAD
LOAD
LOAD
SOURCE
EXPANSION
BUILDING
HEIGHT
BALANCING
VALVE
2 WAY CONTROL
VALVE
ISOLATING
VALVE
LOAD
Closed System with
Minimum Maintained Pressure
Centrifugal Pump Basics
H
E
A
D

System Head Curve
CAPACITY
Friction
Losses
Minimum
Maintained
Pressure
Closed System Resistance Curve with
Minimum Maintained Pressure
Centrifugal Pump Basics
Terms commonly used in the
pumping industry