Fluid Mechanics

Nomenclature

atm
A
BHP
c
CC
D
0
D
f
F
g
h
fs
h
gs
h
ss
h
vs
h
H
K
m
M
(NPSH)a
NPSH)r
N
p
P
PC
PP
Q
Re
s
V
z






atmospheric pressure
area
brake horsepower; hp
speed of sound
capital charge constant, 1/yr
diameter
diameter of the pipe wall

friction factor
friction heating per unit mass
gravity constant
head
suction friction head

gauge reading at the suction flange of a pump
static suction head

velocity head at point of gauge attachment
total dynamic head
bulk modulus
mass flowrate
Mach number
available net positive suction head
required net positive suction head
impeller rotational speed, rpm
vapor pressure
pressure
pumping cost constant, $/(hp-yr)
purchasing price constant, $/in., (dia.) x feet (of length)
volumetric flowrate
Reynolds number
specific gravity
velocity
position in the direction opposite that of gravity
pipe length
pipe roughness
fluid viscosity
density




Energy Relationships (incompressible flow)

Bernoullis Equation:


2 2
1 1
2 1 2
2
1
2
V A
P P F
A


=









Diffuser and sudden expansions:


2
1
2 1
2
V
P P F =


Friction Heating in a Pipe:


4
0
128
F Q
D

Torricellis Equation:
(For flow from the bottom of a vessel)


2
2 V g = h

Pressure-Depth Relationship:
(Constant density)


2 1 2 1
( ) P P g z z =

Reynolds Number:

Re
D V

=

Friction Factor (f):

( )
0.9 1 0.27
4log 7/ Re
D f

= = +



Re 4000
Mach number:

/ M V c =

Speed of Sound:


K
c

=

A) Pump, Compressor, and Pipe Equations

Economic Pipe Diameter:



1/6
3 2 2
10 (4/ ) (1/ )
econ
PC m f p
D
CC PP

=

Pump Power Output:


5
/3.670 10 kW H Q =
(H in ; Q in ; / N m kg
3
/ m h in )
3
/ kg m


6
/3.599 10 kW H Q =
(H in Pa; Q in )
3
/ m h


3
/3.960 10 hp H Q s =
(H in ; Q in gal/min) /
f
lb ft lb
m


3
/1.714 10 hp H Q =
(H in ; Q in gal/min)
2
/
f
lb in

Net Positive Suction Head*:
(Be sure to convert pressure units to head)

( )
ss fs
NPSH a h h p =

For an existing installation:

( )
gs v
NPSH a atm h p h = + +
s


* To avoid cavitiation, (NPSH)a (NPSH)r

Head-Flow Relationship:
(pumps)


2
2 2
2
1 1
( )
( )
Q h
Q h
=

Specific Speed ( )**:
s
N


0.5
0.75 s
N Q
N
H

=
(Q in gal/min; H in /
f m
ft lb lb )

** For compressors, H is adiabatic head

Suction Specific Speed (S):



1/2
3/4
( )
N Q
S
NPSH

=


Specific Diameter (
s
D ):
(Compressors)


0.25
0.5 s
D H
D
Q

=
0.25
0.5 s
D H
D
Q

=

Flow Coefficient ( ):
(Compressors)


3
Q
N D
=

Pressure Coefficient ( ):


2 2
H
N D
=

The Affinity Laws (pumps)

Capacity: Constant Impeller Dia. Constant Impeller Speed
(D =impeller dia.)


1
2 2
Q N
Q N
=
1

1 1
2 2
Q D
Q D
=

Head: Constant Impeller Dia. Constant Impeller Speed
(D =impeller dia.)


2
1 1
2
2 2
( )
( )
H N
H N
=
2
1 1
2
2 2
( )
( )
h D
h D
=

Break Horsepower: Constant Impeller Dia. Constant Impeller Speed
(D =impeller dia.)


3
1 1
3
2 2
( )
( )
BHP N
BHP N
=
3
1 1
3
2 2
( )
( )
BHP D
BHP D
=


LaBour Pump Company 901 Ravenwood Drive, Selma, Alabama 36701

Ph: (317) 924-7384 - Fax: (317) 920-6605 - www.labourtaber.com

A Product of Peerless Pump Company Copyright 2005 Peerless Pump Company