Methods to Improve Pump Operation Page 1 of 5

Published on Pumps & Systems (https://www.pumpsandsystems.com)

Home > Methods to Improve Pump Operation

Methods to Improve Pump Operation

Pump System Improvement
by Ray Hardee

In my two most recent Pumps & Systems columns (read them here), we discussed methods for
sizing pumps according to the design scenario.

In many applications, the normal flow rate is less than the design flow rate for pump selection.
Previously, we discovered that the flow rate through the sample system operates as outlined in
Table 1, below.

Table 1. Load profile showing flow rates and percentage of time at each operating condition.
(Graphics courtesy of the author)

This system was designed to meet maximum flow conditions of 400 gallons per minute (gpm), but
as we can see from Table 1, this occurs in 5 percent of the operation. The remainder of the time,
the flow rate through the system varies from 200 gpm to 80 gpm.

Our system controls consist of the pump starting on high-tank level and stopping on low-tank
level. In this column, we will simulate the operation of the entire system. This will allow us to
optimize the system under the full conditions outlined in Table 1. Further, we will assume the
system will be in operation for 8,000 hours per year.

Simulations
Normally, one must wait for the system to be placed in operation to see how the total system
operates. Using the methods outlined in previous columns, we can simulate how the system will
operate during the design process.

Advertisement

https://www.pumpsandsystems.com/print/pumps/july-2017-methods-improve-pump-operati... 8/4/2017
Methods to Improve Pump Operation Page 2 of 5

Since the maximum inflow of the system is 400 gpm, the transfer pump was sized for 500 gpm at
approximately 22 hp. This allows the collection tank to be pumped down.

Table 2. Pump characteristics for various inlet conditions with existing transfer pump.

The collection tank is a vertical cylinder with a 10-foot diameter and 12-foot height. The pump
starts with a high tank level of 11 feet, and shuts off when the tank level reaches one foot. The
inflow in the tank is based on the operating conditions outlined in Table 2.

Figure 1. This graphic shows the system with a single pump and varying operational flow rates.

https://www.pumpsandsystems.com/print/pumps/july-2017-methods-improve-pump-operati... 8/4/2017
Methods to Improve Pump Operation Page 3 of 5

The system controls have the pump start at a high level in the collection tank, and shut off on a
low tank level.

A simulation was performed on the design condition, and the level in the collection tank was
calculated. Figure 2 shows how the level changes with a 400 gpm influx.

Figure 2. Collection tank level with one main pump and inflow of 400 gpm.

We can see it takes 15 minutes to fill the collection tank before the high-level control is activated.
The pump starts and runs for 58 minutes until the level in the collection tank returns to the low
level. This takes one hour and 13 minutes (or 1.2 hours) to cycle completely through a tank
operation. At 1.2 hours per tank cycle, the pump goes through 338 pump starts per year under
maximum flow conditions.

Figure 3. Collection tank level with two pumps and inflow at 400 gpm.

Evaluating Two-Pump Operation

In the next example, we will evaluate the same system with changes to the pumping
characteristics.

Rather than a single pump, there are two identical pumps sized so each provides a design flow of
210 gpm with 100 feet of head.

https://www.pumpsandsystems.com/print/pumps/july-2017-methods-improve-pump-operati... 8/4/2017
Methods to Improve Pump Operation Page 4 of 5

The system controls are set up so the first transfer pump starts on a level in the collection tank of
10.5 feet, with the second transfer pump starting slightly higher at 11 feet. The pumps are both
stopped when the one foot liquid level is reached in the collection tank.

After performing the system simulation, the multiple pump scenario results are displayed in Table
3.

Table 3. Pump characteristics for various inlet conditions while operating two pumps in parallel.

Notice how using the design conditions with the maximum inflow of 400 gpm, both pumps are
required to lower the tank level, resulting in a cycle time of 3.4 hours as seen in Table 3. Looking
at the normal flow condition of 200 gpm, only one pump is running with a tank cycle time of 1.1
hours.

This system with multiple pumps operates for a longer time, but generally with just one smaller
pump. When using just one pump there are additional power savings. Each of the smaller
transfer pumps consumes 12.35 hp when operating compared to the larger pump at 22.3 hp.
Further, since the controls alternate pump starts between the two pumps, the total number of
starts for each pump is less than the operation of the larger single pump.

Conclusion
When comparing the operation of the system with one large transfer pump and the system with
two small transfer pumps, their performance is similar in the design case of maximum flow.
However, this only occurs during 5 percent of the operating hours. Commonly in these types of
systems, most operating hours are spent well below the maximum designed flow rate.

When operating at lower flow rates, the system with smaller pumps consumes less power for the
operation. Additionally, the single pump system goes through more pump starts than the two-
pump system.

The cost of the second pump and driver will most likely add to the initial cost. Knowing how the
total system will operate we can see that the two smaller pumps will consume less power and
have fewer pump starts.

This will save energy and maintenance costs each year.

In the past, one would have to wait until the system was designed, built and placed in operation
to look for ways to improve that system. Then it is already too latechanges are difficult and
costly after the plant is already operating.

Using the simulation techniques discussed in this series, users can analyze how a system will
operate over a wide range of expected conditions during the design phase and, ultimately,
discover ways to improve the system.

https://www.pumpsandsystems.com/print/pumps/july-2017-methods-improve-pump-operati... 8/4/2017
Methods to Improve Pump Operation Page 5 of 5

For more Pumps System Improvement columns, click here.

About the Author
Ray Hardee is a principal founder of Engineered Software, creators of PIPE-FLO and PUMP-FLO
software. At Engineered Software, he helped develop two training courses and teaches these
courses internationally. He may be reached at ray.hardee@eng-software.com.

Topics
Home
Piping
Compressors

Tools
E-Newsletters
Webinars
Videos
Magazine
Digital Edition

Pumps & Systems

About
Contact
Advertise
Subscribe
Editorial

Source URL: https://www.pumpsandsystems.com/pumps/july-2017-methods-improve-pump-operation

https://www.pumpsandsystems.com/print/pumps/july-2017-methods-improve-pump-operati... 8/4/2017