Pump Selection

and Specification
Department Editor: Kate Torzewski

PUMP SELECTION belong to a greater category of kinetic pumps.

A simple way to narrow down pump styles is to determine the

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n choosing a pump, it is important to match a pump’s capabili- required capacity that your pump must handle. Based upon a
ties with system requirements and the characteristics of the liquid required capacity in gal/min. and a pressure in lbf/in.2, the pump
being processed. These factors include the inlet conditions, coverage chart below can help engineers focus their selection to a
required flowrate, differential pressure and liquid characteristics. just a few pump styles.
Generally, the quality of the liquid should remain unchanged after    
passage through a pump. Therefore, material compatibility, viscos-

ity, shear sensitivity and the presence of particulate matter in a
liquid are important considerations in pump selection. 
Most engineering applications employ either centrifugal or
positive displacement (PD) pumps for fluid handling. These pumps    
function in very different ways, so pump selection should be based

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The most widely used pump in the chemical process industries for  
liquid transfer is the centrifugal pump. Available in a wide range of

sizes and capacities, these pumps are suitable for a wide range of
applications. Advantages of the centrifugal style include: simplic-

ity, low initial cost, uniform flow, small footprint, low maintenance
expense and quiet operation.  
              
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PD pumps provide a high efficiency under most conditions, thus Adapted from Perry’s Chemical Engineers’ Handbook
reducing energy use and operation costs.
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PUMP SPECIFICATIONS
These two main pump styles respond very differently to various
Based on the application in which a pump will be used, the pump
operating conditions, so it is essential to evaluate the requirements
type, and service and operating conditions, the specifications of a
of a process prior to choosing an appropriate pump. Table 1 il-
pump can be determined.
lustrates the mechanical differences between these pumps, as well
as the effects of pressure, viscosity and inlet conditions on flowrate • Casting connection: Volute casing efficiently converts velocity en-
and pump efficiency. ergy impacted to the liquid from the impeller into pressure energy.
A casing with guide vanes reduce loses and improve efficiency
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Pump styles range far beyond simply PD and centrifugal pumps. head pumps
PD pumps encompass many specific styles, including a variety of • Impeller details: Closed-type impellers are most efficient. Open-
reciprocating, rotary and blow-cover pumps. Likewise, centrifugal type impellers are best for viscous liquids, liquids containing solid
pumps encompass radial, mixed, and axial flow styles, which all matter, and general purposes
• Sealings: Rotating shafts must have proper sealing methods to
PUMP COMPARISON CHART prevent leakage without affecting process efficiency negatively.
Centrifugal Positive displacement Seals can be grouped into the categories of noncontacting seals
Pump pump
and mechanical face seals. Noncontacting seals are often used
The pump captures
The pump imparts a
confined amounts of
for gas service in high-speed rotating equipment. Mechanical face
velocity to the liquid, seals provide excellent sealing for high leakage protection
liquid and transfers
resulting in a pressure
Mechanics them from the suction • Bearings: Factors to take into consideration while choosing a
at the outlet.
to discharge port.
Pressure is created bearing type include shaft-speed range, maximum tolerable shaft
Flow is created and
and flow results misalignment, critical-speed analysis, loading of compressor
pressure results
Flow varies with Flow is constant with impellers, and more. Bearing styles include: cylindrical bore; cy-
Performance
changing pressure changing pressure lindrical bore with dammed groove; lemon bore; three lobe; offset
Viscosity
Efficiency decreases Efficiency increases with halves; tilting pad; plain washer; and taper land
with increasing viscosity increasing viscosity
• Materials: Pump material is often stainless steel. Material should
Efficiency peaks at the
be chosen to reduce costs and maintain personnel safety while
best-of-efficiency point.
Efficiency increases avoiding materials that will react with the process liquid to create
Efficiency At higher or
with increasing pressure
lower pressures, corrosion, erosion or liquid contamination
efficiency decreases
Liquid must be in the 3FGFSFODFT
Negative pressure is
pump to create a pres- 1. “Perry’s Chemical Engineers’ Handbook,” 7th ed. New York: McGraw
Inlet created at the inlet port.
sure differential. A dry Hill, 1997.
conditions A dry pump will prime
pump will not prime on 2. Petersen, J. and Jacoby, Rodger. Selecting a Positive Displacement Pump,
on its own
its own Chem. Eng. August 2007, pp. 42–46.