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The margin of pressure over vapor pressure, at the pump suction nozzle, is Net
Positive Suction Head (NPSH). NPSH is the difference between suction pressure
(stagnation) and vapor pressure. In equation form:
NPSH = Ps - Pvap
Where:
NPSH = NPSH available from the system, at the pump inlet, with the pump running
Ps = Stagnation suction pressure, at the pump inlet, with the pump running
Pvap = Vapor pressure of the pumpage at inlet temperature
Since vapor pressure is always expressed on the absolute scale, suction pressure must
also be in absolute terms. In U.S. customary units, both pressures must be in psia.
Gauge pressure is converted to absolute pressure by adding atmospheric pressure. In
equation form:
absolute pressure = gauge pressure + atmospheric pressure
The above equation provides an answer in units of pressure (psi). This can be
converted to units of head (feet) by the following equation:
h = 2.31p/SG
Where:
h = Head, feet
p = Pressure, psi
SG = Specific gravity of the liquid
Problem No. 1: NPSH