Predicting Your Pump’s Performance (Part 1)

Centrifugal Pump
Centrifugal Pump

This is the first part of a two-part series on how pressure affects centrifugal pumps

For many operations, premium pump performance translates into more efficient production. In other words, when pumps aren’t operating to the best of their abilities, it can slow everything down.

The keys to pump efficiency, in most cases, are flow rate and pressure. Determining maximum flow rate with pressure constraints in a setup can be tricky. For example, with peristaltic pumps, the maximum flow rate is dependent on several variables, including tubing formulation and size, along with the viscosity of the fluid to be pumped. The equation between flow rate and pressure is not an easy one to determine without considering the contributing variables.

However, with centrifugal pumps, the relationship between maximum flow rate and pressure is much more predictable. When the setup is a straight, open path without obstacles or turns, the maximum flow rate should be what is stated for the size of centrifugal pump purchased. This may be, for example, 100L/min. No pressure is generated in this setup, so the pump has an unobstructed path.

Yet, in many facilities this is not possible. The pump setup may be any of the following:

  • Pump is positioned on the floor and pumping into a 20 ft tall tank. Pumping up will create pressure and slow the pump rate down
  • Pumping into a filter, which generates pressure, which slows the pump down
  • Pumping across a long horizontal distance (perhaps 50-60 feet) with loss of pressure due to friction
  • Setup with loops, which create intermittent pressure

Because each of these conditions affects the output of the pump, it may not deliver the maximum flow rate stated.

How do you compensate for these centrifugal pump setups? Read our next blog.

Be the first to comment on "Predicting Your Pump’s Performance (Part 1)"

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

%d bloggers like this: