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

Impeller Rotation Liquid into impeller eye from pump suction

Centrifugal Pump Basics Centrifugal Pump Curve

Centrifugal Pump Basics Centrifugal Pump Curve

Centrifugal Pump Basics Basic Fluid Facts

1 Gallon of water (U.S. @ 60DegF) weighs 8.33 lbs 1 cubic foot of water contains 7.48 gallons
1 1

2.31 ft

Specific Gravity (Sp Gr) of a fluid is the relationship of the density (lbs/ft3) to that of water (62.3 lbs/ft3)

1 psig

WATER COLUMN

Centrifugal Pump Basics Specific Gravity

WATER 1.0 sp gr GASOLINE 0.8 sp gr BRINE 1.2 sp gr

231 ft

100 psig

80 psig

120 psig

Pump head (ft) = psig*2.31 sp gr

hp = gpm*hd*sp gr*100 3960*Pump Eff Pump Shut-off Head 231ft

Centrifugal Pump Basics BASIC FLUID FACTS

1 inch square column of air, the height of the earths atmosphere (From Sea Level) weights 14.7 lbs
1 1

0 psig

Air Column

14.7 psia

Centrifugal Pump Basics Basic Centrifugal Pump Equations

For variations in impeller diameter, at constant speed: D1 = Q1 = D2 Q2

H1 H2

BHP1 = D13 BHP2 D23

For variations in speed, with constant impeller diameter: S1 = Q1 = S2 = Q2 H1 H2 BHP1 = S13 BHP2 S23

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 System Resistance

Friction Loss for Water in Commercial Steel Pipe (Schedule 40)

Centrifugal Pump Basics Open & Closed Systems

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

Centrifugal Pump Basics Closed System

Balancing Valve 3-Way Isolating Control Valve Valve
LOAD

LOAD

BUILDING HEIGHT

LOAD

LOAD

EXPANSION

SOURCE

Centrifugal Pump Basics Closed System Resistance Curve

System Resistance Curve Friction Losses

CAPACITY

Centrifugal Pump Basics Open System

Static Head

Static Suction Head

CONDENSER

Centrifugal Pump Basics Open System Resistance Curve

System Head Curve

Friction Losses

HEAD

Total Static Head

CAPACITY

Centrifugal Pump Basics Closed System with Minimum Maintained Pressure

BALANCING VALVE 2 WAY CONTROL ISOLATING VALVE VALVE

LOAD

LOAD

BUILDING HEIGHT

LOAD

LOAD

EXPANSION

SOURCE

Centrifugal Pump Basics Closed System Resistance Curve with Minimum Maintained Pressure

System Head Curve

Friction Losses

HEAD

Minimum Maintained Pressure

CAPACITY

Centrifugal Pump Basics

Terms commonly used in the pumping industry