NAME-409

Marine Engineering -II

Slide prepared by:
CDR Golam Mohiuddin, (E), BN

Pumps: Type, Characteristics

 Pumping Characteristics

Pump Head
The head of a pump can be expressed with Bernoulli's
equation:
h = (p2 - p1)/(ρg) + (v22- v12)/(2g) + (z2-z1)      
where
h = total head developed (m) 
p2 = pressure at outlet (N/m2)
p1 = pressure at inlet (N/m2)
ρ =   density of liquid (kg/m3)
g = acceleration of gravity (9.81)  m/s2
v2 = velocity at the outlet (m/s)
 Pumping Characteristics
• Head
• Resistance of the system
• Sum of two components static and
friction
• Static head destination
• Difference in height between source Static
head
and destination
• Independent of flow
source

• Static head consists of:

• Static suction head (hS): lifting liquid
relative to pump center line Static
head
• Static discharge head (hD) vertical
distance between centerline and liquid
surface in destination tank

Flow
 Pumping Characteristics
• Friction head
• Resistance to flow in pipe and fittings
• Depends on size, pipes, pipe fittings, flow rate, nature of liquid
• Proportional to square of flow rate
• Closed loop system only has friction head
(no static head) System
curve

Friction System head

head
Friction
head

Static head

Flow Flow

In most cases:
Total head = Static head + friction head
 Different Types of Pump Head
Total Static Head -  Total head when the pump is not running
Total Dynamic Head (Total System Head) - Total head when the
pump is running
Static Suction Head - Head on the suction side, with pump off, if
the head is higher than the pump impeller
Static Suction Lift - Head on the suction side, with pump off, if
the head is lower than the pump impeller
Static Discharge Head - Head on discharge side of pump with the
pump off
Dynamic Suction Head/Lift - Head on suction side of pump with
pump on
Dynamic Discharge Head - Head on discharge side of pump with
pump on
Total Suction Head (HS): The suction reservoir pressure
head (hpS) plus the static suction head (hS) plus the velocity head
at the pump suction flange (hvS) minus the friction head in the
suction line (hfS).
HS = hpS + hS + hvS – hfS
The total suction head is the reading of the gauge on the suction
flange, converted to feet of liquid.

Total Discharge Head (Hd): The discharge reservoir pressure head

(hpd) plus static discharge head (hd) plus the velocity head at the
pump discharge flange (hvd) plus the total friction head in the
discharge line (hfd).
Hd= hpd + hd + hvd + hfd
The total discharge head is the reading of a gauge at the discharge
flange, converted to feet of liquid.
 Net Positive Suction Head-NPSH
Pumps cannot pump vapors!
The satisfactory operation of a pump requires
that vaporization of the liquid being pumped
does not occur at any condition of operation.

As the liquid passes suction line to the eye of impeller, the velocity
increases and the pressure decreases. There are also pressure
losses due to shock and turbulence as the liquid strikes the impeller.
The centrifugal force of the impeller vanes further increases the
velocity and decreases the pressure of the liquid.
Net Positive Suction Head Required, NPSHR
The NPSH required is the positive head (absolute pressure)
required at the pump suction to overcome the pressure drops in
the pump and maintain the liquid above its vapor pressure.

Net Positive Suction Head Available, NPSHA

NPSH Available is a function of the system in which the pump
operates. It is the excess pressure of the liquid absolute over its
vapor pressure as it arrives at the pump suction, to be sure that the
pump selected does not cavitate.
Significance of NPSHr and NPSHa
The NPSH available must always be greater than the NPSH required
for the pump to operate properly.
It is normal practice to have 2 to 3 feet of extra NPSH available at the
suction flange to avoid any problems at the duty point.
 NPSHr is a function of pump design
• NPSH required is a function of the pump design and is determined
based on actual pump test by the vendor.
• As the liquid passes from the pump suction to the eye of the
impeller, velocity increases and pressure decreases.
• There are also pressure losses due to shock and turbulence as the
liquid strikes the impeller.
• The centrifugal force of impeller vanes further increases the
velocity and decreases the pressure of liquid.
• The NPSH required is the positive head required at the pump
suction to overcome these pressure drops in the pump and
maintain the majority of liquid above its vapor pressure.
• The NPSH is always positive since it is expressed in terms of
absolute fluid column height.
• The term "Net" refers to the actual pressure head at the pump
suction flange and not the static suction head.
 NPSHr increases as capacity increases
• The NPSH required varies with speed and capacity within any particular
pump.
• The NPSH required increase as the capacity is increasing because the
velocity of the liquid is increasing, and as anytime the velocity of a liquid
goes up, the pressure or head comes down.
• Pump manufacturer's curves normally provide this information.
• The NPSH is independent of the fluid density as are all head terms.

• Note: It is to be noted that the net positive suction head required (NPSHr)
number shown on the pump curves is for fresh water at 20°C and not for
the fluid or combinations of fluids being pumped.
 Pump performance curve: H vs Q
• Relationship between head
and flow
• Flow increase system resistance Head
increases
• Head increases flow decreases
to zero
• Zero flow rate: risk of pump
Flow
burnout
Performance curve for
centrifugal pump

What is pump capacity (flow)?

Pump capacity (Flow) is the quantity (volume) travelling at a
particular position per unit time. Mathematically: Q= V/t = Av
Performance on Type of Impeller
 Pumping Characteristics

Pump operating point

• Duty point: rate of flow at
certain head (pressure)
• Pump operating point: Pump performance curve
intersection of pump curve
and system curve

Pump operating point

Head
(Pressure) System curve
Static head

Capacity (Flow)
Head Vs Flow Rate & Selection of Operating Point

H f  K1  K 2Q 2
Performance curves for centrifugal pump
Two stage pumps
Two stage pump in volume
(Parallel)
Two stage pump in pressure (Series)
 PUMPS Running Parallel

                                   
Discharge Manifold
The water being
discharged from the
pump is forced into a
manifold; the junction
for all discharge lines

The manifold has all of

the discharge valves
that are controlled from
the pump panel
 Using the relief valve

Relief Valves are Excess pressure is

Used to sharp increases dumped into the
in pressure from going intake side of the
all the way through the pump
attack lines and
harming the nozzle
crew
Using the relief valve
Using the relief valve
Two Basic Requirements for Trouble-Free
Operation of Centrifugal Pumps

- No cavitations of the pump occurs throughout the

broad operating range.
- A certain minimum continuous flow is always
maintained during operation of pump around loops.
 Centrifucal Pump Problems
There are several conditions that can reduce
the life or destroy the pump;
- Running the pump with nothing flowing or circulating
- Cavitating the pump
- Running the pump dry
Pump Running, but not Discharging
Water that is held in closed lines
and in the pump will be warmed
by the friction of the running
pump

If let go long enough, the water can

boil and cavitate the pump

Check to see if your hoselines are

warm or hot
Pump Cavitation
This occurs when there is too much
air in the pump, or there is more
water being discharged than is
coming into the pump

Sounds like gravel rolling around on

the inside of the pump casing
 Cavitation
Cavitation is defined as the phenomenon of formation of
vapor bubbles of flowing liquid in a region where the
pressure of the liquid falls below its vapor pressure and the
sudden collapsing of this vapor bubbles in a region of higher
pressure. When the vapor bubbles collapse, a very high
pressure is created. The formation and the collapse of a great
number of bubbles on the surface produce intense local
stresses that damage the surface by fatigue. It may occur at
the entry to pumps or at the exit from hydraulic turbines in
the vicinity of the moving blades.
 Pump Cavitation
Normally the bubbles are moving to an area of decreasing pressure.
Now, if the pressure of liquid falls below the saturated vapor pressure
at the prevailing temperature ( Ps< Pv of liquid), small vapor bubbles
begin to form and the dissolved gases are evolved. The vapor bubbles
are caught up by the following liquid and swept into a region of
higher pressure, where they condense. Condensation takes place
violently, accompanied by a tremendous increase in pressure, which
has the character of water hammer blows. So, cavitations occur.
Other reasons for cavitation can be a rise of fluid temperature, a low
pressure at the suction side or an increase of delivery height.
Cavitations in centrifugal pumps mainly occur at the impeller
leading edges, but also at the impeller vane, wear rings and thrust
balance holes.
To avoid cavitation, it is important to deliver sufficient NPSH and
to keep fluid temperature low.
 Pump Cavitation
• As the liquid flows onto the impeller of the pump it is
accelerated and initially its pressure falls (Bernoulli).
• The pressure subsequently increases as the fluid leaves the
impeller and as the kinetic energy is recovered in the volute
chamber.
• If the pressure of the liquid falls below the vapour pressure, Pv,
the liquid boils, generating vapour bubbles or cavities-
cavitation.
• The bubbles are swept into higher pressure regions by the liquid
flow, where they collapse creating pressure waves and cause
mechanical damage to solid surfaces.
• Moreover, pump discharge head is reduced at flow rates above
the cavitation point.
• Operation under these conditions is not desirable and damages
the equipment.
Pump Cavitation
Pump Cavitation
 Running the Pump Without Water

Pumps need the water for

cooling, lubrication, and
to swell the packing

Without water in the pump,

the heat from friction will
quickly destroy a pump
Pump Performance/Efficiency

• Pump shaft power (Ps) is actual horsepower

delivered to the pump shaft
Pump shaft power (Sp):
Sp = Hydraulic power (Hp) / pump efficiency (ηPump)
Pump Efficiency (ηPump):
ηPump = Hydraulic Power (Hp) / Pump Shaft Power (Sp)

• Pump output/Hydraulic horsepower (Hp) is the liquid

horsepower delivered by the pump
Hydraulic power (Hp):
Hp = Q (m3/s) x Total head, {hd – hs} (m) x ρ (kg/m3) x g (m/s2) watt

hd - discharge head hs – suction head,

ρ - density of the fluid g – acceleration due to gravity
 Pump Efficiencies
1- Hydraulic Efficiency (ζh)
Pump' s Total Head ( H )
h 
Euler Head ( H e )
gH Nnormal value varies between 60% -90%
h 
Vw 2U 2

2- Mechanical Efficiency (ζm): It is due to losses in the shaft, coupling,

and other operation losses as vibration
Power in to impeller
m 
Power at shaft
The normal value is 95% - 98%
 (Q  Q ) Vw 2 U 2
m 
T .
3 -Volumetric Efficiency (ζv)
Q
v  The normal value lies between 97% to 98%
Q  Q
 4 - Overall Efficiency (ζo)

Pout QH
o   The normal value is 71% - 86%
Pin T .

Prove that:  o   m   v   h

Power Required to Drive a Centrifugal Pump:

QH
P
o
 Selecting the Right Pump
performance curve for centrifugal pump
1. TITLE BOX

2. FLOW

3. HEAD

4. IMPELLER TRIM

5. HORSEPOWER

6. NPSHR

7. EFFICIENCY

8. MINIMUM FLOW
 Selecting the Right Pump
performance curve for centrifugal pump
1. TITLE BOX

2. FLOW

3. HEAD

4. IMPELLER TRIM

5. HORSEPOWER

6. NPSHR

7. EFFICIENCY

8. MINIMUM FLOW
 Selecting the Right Pump on
performance graph
1. TITLE BOX
The title box provides information about the pump model, size, speed, and other identifying
criteria specific to the pump. If checking the performance of an existing pump, confirm that
you are matching the pump to the associated curve.  
2. FLOW
To start your selection, identify the amount of flow you require from the pump. For this
example, we have chosen 300 gpm. Flow is indicated across the bottom horizontal axis of
the curve.
3. HEAD
You will also need to know the total head the pump is required to overcome at the specified
flow. For this example, we will use 100 ft. Head is indicated in increments along the vertical
axis. Follow 100ft across the curve intersects your flow line which indicates your
performance point.
4. IMPELLER TRIM
To accommodate different performance points, centrifugal pumps have the capability of
trimming impellers. By reducing impeller size, the pump can be limited to specific
performance requirement. The impeller diameters are listed on the left side of the curve and
the performance for each trim is shown across as a bold line. Let, our selection is between
10” and 11” , so a trim of 10.5” is appropriate.
 Selecting the Right Pump on
performance graph
5. HORSEPOWER
Now that you have your performance point, we can determine the amount of
horsepower required. Horsepower is indicated across the curve as a dotted line in this
case at a downward angle. Our performance point is between the 10hp and 15 hp lines,
we estimate this selection to require 12 hp.
6. NPSHR
Net positive suction head required is important for proper pump operation. This is the
minimum amount of pressure on the suction side of the pump to overcome pump
entrance losses. If sufficient NPSH is not met the pump will cavitate which will affect
performance and pump life.
7. EFFICIENCY
When selecting the best pump for an application, efficiency many times is an important
factor. The higher the efficiency, the less energy required to operate for a specific
performance point.
8. MINIMUM FLOW
A centrifugal pump requires a minimum amount flow to be moving through the pump to
dissipate heat created. On the left side of the curve, minimum flow is indicated by a
vertical bold line; operation to the left of this line is not recommended and can
significantly decrease the life of the pump. 
 Selecting the Right Pump

• Oversized pump
• Requires flow control (throttle valve or by-pass line)
• Provides additional head
• System curve shifts to left
• Pump efficiency is reduced
• Solutions if pump already purchased
• VSDs or two-speed drives
• Lower RPM
• Smaller or trimmed impeller