1

General Pump Selection

1.3
NPSH value

NPSHa ^ NPSH r , NPSH r = NPSH3% + safety allowance

(9)

The NPSH value (Net Positive

Suction Head) is significant in
assessing the suction
characteristics of a centrifugal
pump: It describes the minimum
inlet pressure required by each
centrifugal pump for reliable
and cavitation-free operation
[1.13]. We need to distinguish

The safety allowance is defined in

accordance with ATV (German
Association for Water, Waste
Water and Waste) and HI
(Hydraulic Institute) as 30 % of
NPSH3% of the pump. NPSHa can
be calculated using equation (10a).

between the permissible

cavitation, which causes the
developed head of the pump to

pe + pb - pD

NPSHa = ze +

ve2
2g

- HI
(10a)

drop by 3 percent (also referred

to as NPSHr = required) and the
NPSH value of the system (also

This equation can be simplified

practically impossible to measure.

referred to as NPSHa =

for an open system installed at

As the NPSH3% value changes

available).

altitudes up to 3300 ft AOD and

in relation to the flow rate it is

a fluid temperature of 86 F:

entered as a function of the

Cavitation-free pump operation

flow rate NPSH r = f(Q). This

generally requires the following

value describes the pressure head

condition to be met:

in meters or feet required above

NPSHa = ze + 10 m
(10b)

the vapor pressure of the fluid

at the impeller inlet (reference

To be able to document the

point for NPSH = intersection

NPSH3% value of a pump in the

of pump shaft axis and the

sales literature, pump manufac

perpendicular plane through

turers conduct a test run in a test

the extremities of the vane

field using a special dry pump

leading edge, sometimes

installation. In a wet installation

referred to as the impeller eye,

this NPSH value is

see Fig. 1.3).

P S'

P S'

P S'

P S'

P S'

P S'

Fig. 1.3: Position of the reference point Ps for various impeller types (Source: KSB publication Selecting Centrifugal Pumps)