42 Pumps and Blowers a higher value (18 degrees) is preferred. Reduction of f below these values does not reduce NPSH values and may reduce the eficisncy. A further reduction of NPSH is possible by reducing the radial velocity a by increasing the impellereye diameter, which means higher valves ofthe R; factor. However, this is done at the expense of pump efficiency. Values of R, = 1.80 are quite common and a value of Ry = 2.C is occa sionally found in low NPSH pumps. ‘The physical meaning of such values is thatthe impeller suetion and inlet is designed for a larger pump and iis operated at partial capacities with e smaller output pump 33. GENERAL NPSH EQUATIONS ‘The following equations enter into the development of the expression for NPSH in terms ofthe design elements: Ry and f,. From Fig. 3.3, Ryemalty = 100 Py es = —8pm x 0321 785(D; — D, Where D, is the impellershub diameter, Fig. 3.2, cai’ is the velocity chrough the eye, and f > .0is a ratio of the area at impeller vane to the net impeller-eye area 86) fo—Pade 0785(D,* — D,) Eliminating D, between equations (3.5) and (3.6) and rearranging we obtain A (gpm) _ sia7Ryeity Adgpm) _ SIATR SL” 37 (ma'/28) a en, where F= | — Dj'/Dj* is the ratio of the free eye area to the gross impeller-eye area, 0.78533. Solving equation (5) and (3.6 for Dy and rearranging yiels fom _ FftanAy oi nD! 93.7R, G70) Equation (3.7a) permits a direct determination of D, when Ry and i, are selected, Expressing NPSH in terms of cq, at which cavitation appears we obtain NPSH = Kicgst/2g G8) where K, > 1 is a numerical constant accounting for the presiure drop from the suction nozzle to the low-pressure zone where cavitation appears. Cavitation Criterion for Dissimilar Pur Its value depends upon and 6. Making use of equation (3.8) @.7) can be given the form sa nlgpm)t _ s1a7RPiiyt (NPSH) tan 2,(K.)” or making use of equation (3.4) gives SLATES Huy (KC Equations (3.9) and (3.92) connect the impelle-inlet design (Bu Ry F.f) and the cavitation characteristics of the impelle Ky 8). s 34 CAVITATION FACTOR &, From test data on a great many pumps of different performar speed, including axial flow pumps and inducers it has been f the cavitation factor K; in equation (3.8) can be conveniently by the following relationships: Kau @; Kem & hence . z= ‘Then equation (3.8) takes the form NPSH = M 4S 2 where M is a numerical multiplier for centrifugal impellers « from the empirical relationship MSIF! = 13,000 For pumps of the overhung impeller construction F'= 1.0. 1 with the shaft through the eye SIFM = 8" where will be termed the “adjusted” suctionspesific sp impeller having the same impelle-eye diameter D, and no she the eye, It is assumed that capacity increases in direct rat increase, ie. 1/F, and the suction specific speed in the ratio 1/