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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Cavitation
If the pressure energy falls below the vapor pressure of a liquid, then
vapor is formed.
Increase in volume from liquid to vapor depends on the liquid,
temperature, and vapor pressure.
1 ft of water,, evaporated
p
at 212F and 14.696 p
psia,, becomes
1606 ft of dry saturated steam, (vapor).*
Vapor bubbles on their way through the pump re-condense or collapse
when they reach regions of higher pressure

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Cavitation
Vaporization and the collapse of that vapor within a pump
Reduces pump performance.
Sustained Cavitation can cause damage to a pump.

79

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH)
NPSHA, is the head available in the system, taking into account friction
loss in suction piping, valves, fittings etc. NPSHa should always be
given in absolute values.
In all cases the NPSHA must exceed the NPSHR in order to push the
liquid into the pump.

VaneTopEdge

CavitationBubbles

ImpellerOutterDiameter
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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Net Positive Suction Head Available
Vapor pressure, absolute, ft
Net Positive
Suction Head
Available

Static suction head, ft

Friction loss,, suction side,, ft

Surface pressure, ft

Atmospheric pressure, ft

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

NPSHa on a System in Operation

Suction gauge
pressure, ft

Elevation of gauge
above pump
centerline, ft

Suction velocity
head, ft

Vapor pressure,
absolute, ft

Atmospheric
pressure, ft

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH)
NPSHR is the head required by the
pump to cover the losses in the
pump suction - that is shown on the
pump characteristic curve.

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Net Positive Suction Head Required
Varies with pump design, size, and operating conditions.
Requires testing for accurate determination.

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Classical Cavitation
Classical cavitation occurs when the absolute pressure of a moving
liquid is reduced to, or even below the vapor pressure of the liquid in
the impeller eye.
Bubbles are formed in the impeller eye.

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Classical Cavitation
Somewhere along the low pressure side of the impeller vane, the
pressure may once again exceed the vapor pressure and cause the
bubbles to collapse.

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

The difference between NPSHA and NPSHR must be sufficiently
large to reduce the formation of cavitation.
There should be a reasonable margin between NPSHA and NPSHR
9 General guidelines are that NPSH margin should be 5 ft. or
20% whichever is greater
9 HI has come up with a more specific guideline chart which is
based on pump type and suction energy level

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Factors affecting NPSHA of a Piping System
NPSH available should always be determined during the design of a
pumping system.
1.When the pump is installed an appreciable height above the liquid level
2.When the pump takes suction from a tank under vacuum
3.When the liquid has a high vapor pressure

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Factors affecting NPSHA of a Piping System
NPSH available should always be determined during the design of a
pumping system.
4.When the suction line is unusually long
5.When the pumping system is at an altitude considerably above sea
level ((lower atmospheric
p
p
pressure))

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Methods to Increase NPSHa
Maintain a higher level of liquid at suction source
Physically raise the suction source tank
Artificially increase the pressure on the surface of the liquid at the
suction source

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Methods to Increase NPSHa
Reduce the vapor pressure of the liquid by cooling the suction source
Change the suction side piping
9 Pipe size
9 Valve types
9 Gaskets

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Methods to Reduce NPSHr
Reduce pump speed
Use pump with double suction first stage impeller
Use a vertical turbine type pump

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Recirculation Cavitation

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Recirculation Cavitation
Damage is influenced by:
Impeller inlet tip speed
Degree to which recirculation is taking place
NPSH margin
Characteristics of the pumped liquid
Pump energy level
Materials of construction

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Real World Examples

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Centrifugal Pump Basics

Real World Examples

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Q&A

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