Chapter One

Introduction and Definitions

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Pump is a mechanical device used to add energy to the fluid to move it from
one point to another. This is achieved by creating a low pressure at the inlet and
the high pressure at the outlet of the pump. However, work has to be done by
prime mover to enable it to impart mechanical energy to the liquid which ultimately
converts into pressure energy.

Basically a pump is doing three basic functions:

1- Move liquid from lower level to higher level.

2- Move liquid from lower pressure to higher pressure.

3- To increase the flow rate of the liquid as shown in the figure 1.1.

Figure 1.1: Three basic functions of a pump.

1.2 IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS RELATED TO PUMPING

1.2.1 Pressure

Pressure is defined as the force acting on a unit area

F
i.e. P 
A

1.1
 Where unit of force (F) is Newton (N) or pound and

Unit of area (A) is square meter (m2) or square inch (inch2).

 Units of pressure (P) is N/m2 or Pascal (Pa) or pound/inch2 (PSI)

1.2.2 Standard Atmospheric Pressure

Standard atmospheric pressure is the force acting due to the weight of air
on a unit area. The value of this pressure is calculated at sea level and is 101325
Pa or 1.01325 bar or 14.7 psi.

1.2.3 Boiling Point

Boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which a liquid changes into its
gas form.

E.g. boiling point of water is 100C or 2120F at atmospheric pressure.

This means that water will change into steam at 100°C or 2120F when the
pressure is 1 atmosphere (1.01351 bar or 14.7 PSI).

1.3 TERMS USED IN PUMPING SYSTEMS

Figure 1.2: Showing Static Heads in a Pumping System Where the Pump is Located Above the
Suction Tank.

1.2
1.3.1 Static Suction Lift and Head

Suction lift, is the vertical distance from the center line of the pump down to
the free level of the liquid. Static suction head, exists when the surface of liquid
supply is above the center of the pump. Suction lift must be added to the total
head in meters, while suction head must be subtracted from the total head.

1.3.2 Friction Discharge Head

This is the pump pressure required to overcome the friction loss or

resistance to flow.

1.3.3 Static Discharge Head

The static discharge head is the vertical elevation from the center line of the
pump to the point of the free discharge.

1.3.4 Dynamic Suction Lift (DSL)

DSL = Static suction lift + friction loss in suction.

1.3.5 Dynamic Suction Head

This includes the suction head minus the friction head minus the velocity
head.

1.3.6 Total Discharge Head

Vertical height from pump to highest point in the system + friction losses +
system pressure.

1.3.7 Total Dynamic Head

This includes the dynamic discharge head plus the dynamic suction lift or
minus the dynamic suction head.

1.3.8 Velocity Head

This is the head needed to accelerate the liquid.

1.3