Booster Pump

and Ejector Nozzle

Selection
Introduction:
Hydro Instruments offers a standard nozzle for each of our ejectors. However, we also offer alternate
nozzle choices for each ejector. Each NOZZLE
nozzle will have
SIZING different
CHART operation requirements for water flow
(5 kg/hr)
and pressure. Each installation
10
will have different hydraulic conditions and the site specific conditions
must be understood and considered
9
when selecting the ejector and nozzle. A booster pump may or
may not be required in order 8to operate the ejector.
Vacuum
7
Regulator
Back Pressure (bar)

6 86
.3 86
t – .3
5 r oa t –
Th roa
4
00 Th
.3
le
– 50
3
zz .2
–
No le
2 zz
No Ejector
1

0 Booster
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Pump Ejector Inlet Pressure (bar)
P1 = Supply P2 = Back
Pressure Pressure
40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Ejector Inlet Flow (lpm) .300 Nozzle – .386 Throat
P3 = Main Pipeline Pressure
30 40 50 60 70 80
Ejector Inlet Flow (lpm) .250 Nozzle – .386 Throat
Q = Flow rate in the main
pipeline to be treated

NOZZLE SIZING CHART (10 kg/hr)

10

7
6
.38
Back Pressure (bar)

6 a t–
T hro
5 0
30
e –. .38
6
4 zzl t–
.56
2 No hro
a
t– T
3 roa 25
0
Th e –.
2 5 zzl
. 37 No
l e–
1 zz
No
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
Ejector Inlet Pressure (bar)

60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140

Ejector Inlet Flow (lpm) 0.375 Nozzle – 0.562 Throat

50 60 70 80 90 100 110
Ejector Inlet Flow (lpm) 0.300 Nozzle – 0.386 Throat

30 40 50 60 70 80
Ejector Inlet Flow (lpm) 0.250 Nozzle – 0.386 Throat

PROUDLY

INSTRUMENTS MADE IN USA

600 Emlen Way, Telford, PA 18969 • Telephone: (215) 799-0980 • Fax: (215) 799-0984
BULLETIN BP Rev. 7/10 Toll Free in the U.S.: 1 (888) 38-HYDRO • www.hydroinstruments.com • sales@hydroinstruments.com
Booster Pump and Ejector Nozzle Selection

Table of Contents
Sections Page
I. Terms and Units Conversions 3
II. Site & System Information Required 3
III. Using Ejector Performance Curves 4
IV. Consider hydraulic conditions 4
V. Ejector maximum back pressure 4
VI. Booster Pumps 5
VII. Specific Examples 6

Figures
1. Injection into pressurized pipe with booster pump 3
2. Booster Pump diagram and performance curve 5
3. Typical water well installation with booster pump 6
4. EJ-1000 Ejector performance curve (1000 gr/hr) 7
5. EJ-5000 Ejector performance curve (10 kg/hr) 7
6. Open tank installation with booster pump 8

2
 Booster Pump and Ejector Nozzle Selection

I. Terms and Unit Conversions

NOTE: Consider the following drawing for the locations of P1, P2, and P3.
P1 – We refer to this as the “supply pressure” because this is the water pressure at the inlet of
the ejector.
P2 – We refer to this as the “back pressure” because it is the water pressure at the exit of the
ejector.
P3 – We refer to this as the “process pressure”.
Q – Process Water Flow Rate

Figure 1: Injection into pressurized pipe with booster pump

Vacuum
Regulator

Ejector

Booster
Pump
P1 = Supply P2 = Back
Pressure Pressure

P3 = Process Pressure

Q = Process Water
Flow Rate

Unit Conversions:
1. Pressure:
14.5 PSI = 1 bar = 1 kg/cm2
2. Volume:
1 m3 = 1,000 liters
1 gallon = 3.78 liters

II. Site & System Information Required

1. P3 Process Water Pressure – This is different for every site and this information can only be
obtained from the site.
2. Length of pipe between the ejector and the injection point. This information also is different
for every site and must be obtained from the site. Also, consider the size of piping, number
of elbows, and any check valves or other items that might be installed in this section of pipe.
This information must be obtained and used to estimate the back pressure (P2).
3. Ejector capacity – The ejector capacity required must be determined after knowing the
maximum flow rate in the process water to be treated (QMAX) and the required maximum
dosage of chlorine in the treated water (“Dosage” in terms of PPM). Using this information
use the following equation to determine the ejector capacity required:
[QMAX(m3/hr)] x [Dosage (PPM)] x [1/1000] = Chlorine Gas Feed Rate (kg/hr)
3
Booster Pump and Ejector Nozzle Selection

III. Using the Ejector Performance Curves to Determine Ejector Requirements

(Determine P1 ejector supply pressure and ejector water flow.)
1. Knowing the required ejector capacity, find the correct ejector performance curve from
Hydro Instruments CD-ROM or Instruction Manual. (Meaning – if the ejector is a 10 kg/hr
ejector, then find the 10 kg/hr ejector performance curve.)
2. Use the estimated ejector back pressure P2 to find the required minimum ejector supply
pressure P1 and the required minimum water flow through the ejector.
3. If a lower supply pressure P1 or a lower ejector water flow rate is required, then consider
using an alternate nozzle selection with a larger or smaller nozzle size. Larger nozzles
will require lower supply pressure, but higher water flow rates. Smaller nozzles will require
higher supply pressure, but lower water flow rates.

IV. Consider Hydraulic Conditions (Booster Pump or Water Supply

Requirements)
NOTE: The piping at every installation is different. Some installations require a booster pump
and others do not.
1. Consider all possible ways to provide the required minimum supply pressure and flow to the
ejector that was calculated in the above section. Sometimes there might be water available
on site with high enough pressure that it could be used instead of a booster pump.
2. Consider if it is possible to reduce the back pressure because this would also reduce the
required supply pressure. In general, moving the ejector closer to the injection point or
increasing the diameter of the pipe in this section are the two main ways that this can be
achieved.
3. Consider using alternate nozzle sizes. See Section III.3. above.

V. Ejector Maximum Back Pressure

1. Standard ejectors are mostly rated up to a back pressure (P2) of 10 bar (150 PSI).
2. For all ejectors up to 10 kg/hr, Hydro Instruments also offers optional “high pressure
ejectors” that can handle back pressures up to 20 bar (300 PSI).
3. Be sure to confirm that the ejector you select is rated to a pressure that matches or exceeds
the maximum back pressure that might be experienced.

4
 Booster Pump and Ejector Nozzle Selection

VI. Booster Pumps

1. There are many types and sizes of booster pumps available. Booster pumps that are de-
signed for continuous long term operation should be used. Centrifugal multi-stage designs
are the most common choice. The materials selected should be based on the booster
pump manufacturer’s suggestion and the customer’s specifications.
2. Booster pumps are sized by the power limitation. Each booster pump will have a perfor-
mance curve that shows the pressure boost at a given water flow rate. As the water flow
rate through the pump increases, the pressure boost will decrease. The pump manufacturer
should be consulted to confirm the operating condition (pressure and flow) to be used.
IMPORTANT: The output pressure of the booster pump is calculated as the pump inlet
water pressure plus the pressure boost of the pump.
3. Booster pumps will have a maximum inlet pressure limitation. Consult the pump manufac-
turer for this information.

Figure 2: Multi-stage centrifugal booster pump diagram and performance curve

H
(ft) CR 5-18
Q = 29.9 US gpm
400 H = 266 ft
Pumped liquid = Water

360

320

280

240

200

160

120

80

40
Eff pump = 63.1%
Eff pump & mtr = 54.4%
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Q (US gpm)
P
(HP)

4
P1

P2
3

P2 = 3.19 HP
P1 = 2.76 kW
0

5
Booster Pump and Ejector Nozzle Selection

VII. Specific Examples

1. Pressurized Water Pipe injection (such as a water well):

Figure 3: Typical water well installation with booster pump

Vacuum
Regulator

Ejector

Booster
Pump
P1 = Supply P2 = Back
Pressure Pressure

P3 = Process Pressure

Well pump – ON/OFF operated

with water flow

NOTE: In this type of installation, the booster pump will be set to turn on and off with the
well pump. In this way, the chlorine gas feed is also turned off and on with the well pump.
a. Typically the back pressure P2 is only slightly higher than the main line pressure P3.
b. In this example, P3 = 4 bar. Therefore, we will estimate P2 = 4.2 bar.
c. In this example, Q = 400 m3/hr and Dosage = 2 PPM. Therefore, the required chlorine
gas feed rate is 800 gr/hr because:
[400 (m3/hr)] x [2 PPM] x [1/1000] = 0.8 kg/hr = 800 gr/hr
Therefore, we could select a 1000 gr/hr Model EJ-1000 ejector.
d. Looking at the 1000 gr/hr ejector performance curve (See Figure 4 below) with the
standard #2 nozzle, using the back pressure P2 = 4.2 bar, we can see that the minimum
required supply pressure P1 = 7 bar and the minimum water flow rate is 35 liters/minute
(2.1 m3/hr).
e. Since the booster pump inlet pressure P3 = 4 bar and the required supply pressure
P1 = 7 bar, the booster pump requirement is 3 bar (= 7 bar – 4 bar). The booster pump
must produce a pressure boost of at least 3 bar when the booster pump flow rate is
2.1 m3/hr.

6
 Booster Pump and Ejector Nozzle Selection

Figure 4: Standard ejector performance curve for the EJ-1000 Ejector (1000 gr/hr).

NOZZLE SIZING CHART (1000 gr/hr)

17 NOZZLE SIZING CHART (5 kg/hr)
16
10
15
914
13
8
12
711
Back Pressure (bar)
Back Pressure (bar)

10
6 86
9 .3 86
t – #2 .3
58 r oa zzle t –
Th No ro
a
47 0 Th
0
6 .3
le
– 50
3
5 z z .2
o –
N le
24 o zz
N
3
1
2
01
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
0 Ejector Inlet Pressure (bar)
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Ejector Inlet Pressure (bar)
40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Ejector Inlet Flow (lpm) .300 Nozzle – .386 Throat
10 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75
Ejector Inlet Flow (lpm)
30 40 50 60 70 80
Ejector Inlet Flow (lpm) .250 Nozzle – .386 Throat

Figure 5: Standard ejector performance curve for the EJ-5000 Ejector (10 kg/hr).

NOZZLESIZING
NOZZLE SIZINGCHART
CHART(2000
(10 kg/hr)
gr/hr)
17
10
16
915

814
13
7
12 6
38
Back Pressure (bar)

611 t –.
roa
Back Pressure (bar)

10 Th
5 0
9 – .30 6
le 38
48 #2 Nozz t –.
.562 zle roa
t– z Th
3
7
a No 0
6 T hro –.
25
e
25 5 zzl
.37 No
–
14 le
zz
3 No
0
02 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
1 Ejector Inlet Pressure (bar)
0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140
Ejector Inlet
Ejector Pressure
Inlet (bar)
Flow (lpm) 0.375 Nozzle – 0.562 Throat

10 20 50
25 60
30 70
35 40 80 45 90 50 55100 60 65 110
70 75
Ejector Inlet
Ejector Inlet Flow
Flow (lpm)
(lpm) 0.300 Nozzle – 0.386 Throat

30 40 50 60 70 80
Ejector Inlet Flow (lpm) 0.250 Nozzle – 0.386 Throat

7
Booster Pump and Ejector Nozzle Selection

2. Injection into an open tank (such as a contact chamber in a surface water plant):

Figure 6: Typical open tank installation with booster pump

OV-110 Omni-Valve

Vacuum
Regulator

Ejector

Booster
Pump
P1 = Supply P2 = Back
Pressure Pressure

P3 = Main Pipeline Pressure

Contact Chamber

a. It is best to locate the ejector as close as possible to the contact chamber so that the
back pressure P2 is as low as possible. Also, the installation will be safer if this section
of pipe is shorter because the pipe contains highly concentrated chlorine under pressure.
b. In this example, P3 = 1 bar, the contact chamber pressure is zero, and we will assume
that the ejector is located within 10 meters of the contact chamber (therefore, we esti-
mate that the back pressure P2 = 0.3 bar).
c. In this example, Q = 4,000 m3/hr and Dosage = 2 PPM. Therefore, the required chlorine
gas feed rate is 8 kg/hr because:
[4,000 (m3/hr)] x [2 PPM] x [1/1000] = 8 kg/hr
Therefore, we could select a 10 kg/hr Model EJ-5000 ejector.
d. Looking at the 10 kg/hr ejector performance curve (See Figure 5 above) with the standard
0.300 nozzle, using the back pressure P2 = 0.3 bar, we can see that the minimum
required supply pressure P1 = 4.5 bar and the minimum water flow rate is 65 liters/
minute (3.9 m3/hr).
e. Since the booster pump inlet pressure P3 = 1 bar and the required supply pressure
P1 = 4.5 bar, the booster pump requirement is 3.5 bar (= 4.5 bar – 1 bar). The booster
pump must produce a pressure boost of at least 3.5 bar when the booster pump flow
rate is 3.9 m3/hr.
f. From the ejector performance curve you can see that there are two other nozzle options
that would have two different booster pump requirements. Therefore, there are three
choices:
0.250 Nozzle – Booster Pump requirements = 4 bar @ 3.0 m3/hr
0.300 Nozzle – Booster Pump requirements = 3.5 bar @ 3.9 m3/hr
0.375 Nozzle – Booster Pump requirements = 1 bar @ 4.2 m3/hr