CENTRIFUGAL PUMP HYDRAULIC

DISTURBANCE
INTRODUCTION

Liquid disturbance in centrifugal pumps are major

cause of reduction in pump reliability.

Cavitations caused pump component failures :

Bearing

Seals

Impeller

Shaft

Wear Ring
COMPONENT DAMAGE AND CAUSES AS FUNCTION OF OPERATION POINT

Low Velocity
(temperature rise ) Suction Recirculation
Cavitations (Cavitations)
Discharge
Recirculation
H (Cavitations)
E He
the art o
A cu f BEP
(- 5 rve
D Impeller (Suction
0%
-
BE 1
side), wear rings; P) 0 %
bearing; seals; High Velocity
possible shaft Cavitations
breakage
Impeller (pressure
side), wear rings; Impeller (suction
bearing; seals; side); wear rings;
possible shaft shaft
breakage

FLO
W
COMPONENT DAMAGE AND CAUSES AS FUNCTION OF OPERATION POINT

 Low flow velocities at any location within the

impeller can cause separation of flow stream lines
and lead to low pressure area (cells) inside impeller.

 A fluid will remain a liquid as long as its vapor

pressure is less then the pressure action on the
liquid.

 CAVITATION is the result of released energy when

an increase of pressure surrounding the fluid
cause the saturated vapor to change back to a
liquid.

 Preventing cavitations : preventing vapor

formation within a pump.
PREVENTING HYDRAULIC DISTURBANCES

At project design phase :

Some of parameter/concept must be reviewed and
presented:
1. Specific Speed (NS)

Non Dimensional values as function of pump

speed, flow and head. (for double suction impeller,
Q=Q/2)
IMPELLER SHAPE VS SPECIFIC SPEED

Optimum Geometry as a function of BEP

specified speed (for single stage rotors)
PREVENTING HYDRAULIC DISTURBANCES

2. Net Positive Suction Head Available (NPSHA)

(cont)
NPSHA is characteristic of the process suction
system.
o Energy above the vapor pressure of the liquid.
o Measured at the suction flange of the pump
o This parameter defined by User/Process Team
PREVENTING HYDRAULIC DISTURBANCES

2. Net Positive Suction Head Available (NPSHA)

(cont)
PREVENTING HYDRAULIC DISTURBANCES

2. Net Positive Suction Head Available (NPSHA)

PREVENTING HYDRAULIC DISTURBANCES

3. Net Positive Suction Head Required (NPSHR)

NPSHR is actually pressure drop from the suction
flange to the impeller vane inlet.
This parameter is defined by Vendor/Manufacturer.

4. Suction Specific Speed (NSS)

The same equation with NS; but substitutes NPHR
for H (head Pump)
PREVENTING HYDRAULIC DISTURBANCES
5. Accurately defining process requirements
 Define operating range of application

 Accurately define liquid characteristic.

 Vapor pressure
 Pumping temperature
 Viscosity
 Perform hydraulic calculation for all requirement flow rates, to
determine:
 Head required
 NPSHA.
GUIDELINES FOR SELECTING PUMPS FREE OF HYDRAULIC DISTURBANCE

STEP ACTION
1. Confirm NPSHA>= NPSHR at max operation flow. If margin
less than two (2) feed, witnessed NPSHR test. If margin
minus :
 Increased NPSHA by :

 Increasing suction drum level

 Decreasing pumping temperature

 Decreasing Suction line losses.

 Reselect Pump (if Possible)

 Select Canned Pump.

GUIDELINES FOR SELECTING PUMPS FREE OF HYDRAULIC DISTURBANCE (CONT)

STEP ACTION
2. For the pump selected calculate NSS based on pump
BEP conditions. If Double suction first stage impeller,
use ½ of BEP flow.

3. IF NSS > 8000 contact pump vendor and require

following data for actual pump fluid and conditions.
 Predicted onset flow of cavitations caused by
recirculation for actual fluid condition.
 Reference list of proposed impeller (field experience)
GUIDELINES FOR SELECTING PUMPS FREE OF HYDRAULIC DISTURBANCE (CONT)

STEP ACTION
4. Compare cavitations flow to minimum operation flow. If
this value is within 10% of minimum operation flow:
 Reselect pump if possible
 Install minimum flow by pass
 Consider parallel pump operation.
5. Calculate liquid temperature rise at minimum operation
flow. If value > 5% of pumping temperature:
 Calculate NPSHA based on Vapor pressure at calculate
pumping temperature. IF NPSHA < NPSHR.
 Install minimum flow By Pass
 Consider parallel pump Operation.
GUIDELINES FOR SELECTING PUMPS FREE OF HYDRAULIC DISTURBANCE (CONT)

Sample picture problem