How to Read a Pump Curve

Best Efficiency Point Friction Losses Reynolds Number

Friction Factor Pipe Absolute Roughness

Cole-Parmer makes every
attempt to publish a
representative flow versus
back pressure curve. In many
cases, we can also furnish
performance curves that
quantify parameters such as
NPSH
req
.
NPSH
req
: The Net Positive
Suction Head that must be
available to the pump for
cavitation-free operation.
NPSH
req
is typically expressed
in either foot of head or units
of pressure.

Best Efficiency Point
The Best Efficiency Point is the point at which effects of head
(pressure) and flow converge to produce the greatest amount of
output for the least amount of energy.
NPSH
avail
= h
a
- h
vpa
- h
st
- h
fs
when suction lifts fluid
NPSH
avail
= h
a
- h
vpa
+ h
st
- h
fs
for flooded suction
h
a
= absolute pressure (in feet of the liquid being pumped) on the
surface of the liquid supply level (this will be barometric pressure if
suction is from an open tank or sump; or the absolute pressure
existing in a closed tank such as a condenser hotwell or deareator).
h
vpa
= The head in feet corresponding to the vapor pressure of the
liquid at the temperature being pumped.
h
st
= Static height in feet that the liquid supply level is above or
below the pump centerline or impeller eye.
h
fs
= All suction line losses (in feet) including entrance losses and
friction losses through pipe, valves, and fittings.
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Friction Losses
Friction losses in pipes is commonly calculated with the Darcy-
Weisbach equation, in which:
h
f
= f x
L
x
V
2

D 2g
h
f
= friction loss in feet of liquid f = friction factora dimensionless
number which has been determined experimentally and for
turbulent flow depends on the roughness of the pipe's interior
surface and the Reynolds number. L = pipe length in feet D =
average inside diameter of pipe in feet V = average pipe velocity in
ft/sec g = gravitational constant (32.174 ft/sec
2
)
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Reynolds Number
The Reynolds number is determined by an equation in which:
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R =
VD
n
D = inside diameter of pipe in feet
V = average pipe velocity in ft/sec
n = kinematic viscosity in ft
2
/sec
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Friction Factor
In the case of a viscous (laminar) flow, in which the Reynolds
number is below 2000, the friction factor is determined by the
following equation in which:
f =
64
R
R = Reynolds number
In the case of turbulent flow, in which the Reynolds number is
above 4000, the friction factor can be determined by the following
equation developed by C. F. Colebrook:
= [-2 log
10
(

+
2.51
)]
-z
3.7D Rf
= density at temperature and pressure at which liquid is flowing in
lb/ft
2
= absolute roughness (see Pipe Absolute Roughness table below)
D = inside diameter of pipe in feet
R = Reynolds number
f = friction factor
z = absolute or dynamic viscosity in centerpoises
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Pipe Absolute Roughness
Type of pipe
Absolute Roughness
() in feet
Drawn tubing (glass,
brass, plastic)
0.000005
Commercial steel or
wrought iron
0.00015
Cast iron (asphalt dipped) 0.0004
Galvanized iron 0.0005
Cast iron (uncoated) 0.00085
Wood stave 0.0006 to 0.0003
Concrete 0.001 to 0.01
Riveted steel 0.003 to 0.03
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