Pump calculations

The mechanical balance equation:

∆p P = ∆p + ∆ pPOT + ∆p KIN + ρh f (1)

∆H P = ∆H + ∆ H POT + ∆H KIN + H (2)

The equations can be written so that the left side of the equation describes the pump and
the right side describes the pipeline:
∆p P = ∆p + ∆ pPOT + ∆p KIN + ρh f = ∑ ∆ p (3)

∆H P = ∆H + ∆H POT + ∆H KIN + H = ∑ ∆H (4)

Both equations are functions of the flow rate of the fluid. The pump characteristics is
usually given by the pump supplier. From the pump characteristics you can usually
determine the head capacity of the pump as a function of flow rate, the efficiency, power
of the pump and the net positive suction head of the pump.
In order for a pump to work properly in a certain pipeline there are two details that need
to be filled:
i) the pump mustn’t cavitate, NPSHA ≥ NPSHR (NPSHA= Net Positive Suction Head
Available, NPSHR=Net Positive Suction Head Required)
ii) the head developed by the pump must be big enough, ∆H P ≥ ∑ ∆ H

The net positive head (available) is defined with either equation 5 or 6 depending on
which unit is used.
NPSHA = p s − pv [Pa] (5)
ps − p v
NPSHA = [m] (6)
ρg
where ps is the pressure in the suction line and pv is the vapor pressure of the fluid.
The head required can be calculated from the basic mechanical balance equation and the
head developed by pump is given by the pump supplier.

The pump operating point

The amount of liquid pumped in a certain pipeline is obtained from the pump operating
point. The operating point is the intercept of the pump curve ( ∆H p = f (V& ) or
∆p p = f (V& ) ) and the pipeline curve ( ∑ ∆ H = f (V& ) or ∑ ∆ p = f (V& ) ).

1(1)
 ∆H p

∆H p ∑ ∆H

V& V&

Picture 1. The pump operating point

The affinity equations for centrifugal pump

The affinity equations determine how a change in rotation speed (N) or in the impeller
diameter (D) affects in flow rate, developed head (H) and input power (PB). With the help
of affinity equations a new characteristic curve for the pump can be calculated and
drawn.
1. Change in rotation speed and/or impeller, the same pump
2
V&1 N1  D1 
=   (7)
V&2 N 2  D2 
3 3
PB ,1 N   D1 
=  1    (8)
PB ,2  N2   D2 
2 2
H p ,1 N   D1 
=  1    (9)
H p, 2  N2   D2 
2. Affinity equations for pumps that are geometrically similar but differ in size
3
V&1 N1  D1 
=   (10)
V&2 N2  D2 
3 5
PB ,1  N1   D1 
=    (11)
PB , 2  N 2   2
D
2 2
H p ,1 N   D1 
=  1    (12)
H p, 2  N2   D2 
2 2
NPSH 1  N1   D1 
=    (13)
NPSH 2  N 2   D2 

Coupling of centrifugal pumps

Two or more pumps can be coupled either in parallel or series.

2(2)
 I

II

III I II III
Picture 2a. Connection in parallel Picture 2b. Connection in series

For parallel connection, if the pumps are similar in size:

V& = V&I + V&II + V&III (14)
H p = H p , I = H p ,II = H p , III (15)

For connection in series, if the pumps are similar in size:

V& = V&I = V&II = V&III (16)
H p = H p , I + H p, II + H p , III (17)

Calculating the power of the pump

The input power of the pump, PB, is obtained with the following equation:
1 ∆p p 1
PB = m
& W p = m& = m& g∆H p
ηp ρ ηp
(18)
1 1
= V&ρW p = V& ∆p p = V& ρg∆H p
ηp ηp
and the electric power with the following equation:

PB m& W p m& ∆p p m& ∆p p V& ⋅ ∆p p

PE = = = = = (19)
ηE ηE η Eη p ρ η TOT ρ η TOT

Where Wp is the work done by the pump, η E is the efficiency of the engine, η p the
efficiency of the pump and ηTOT the total efficiency (η E ⋅ η p )

3(3)