Appendix D-4: Pump Selection Guide

D-4.1 Introduction

The selection of a pump set should be made according to the actual

characteristics and conditions of the plant.
The required data for a correct selection are the following:

D-4.1.1 Operation Point

After calculating the designed flow rate and pressure head, a pump catalogue is
then consulted to choose the pump as follows:

-The Operating Point (Design head and flow rate) is super-imposed on the
pump graph for pressure (head) against flow rate.

-The pump with the operating point near the bottom end of the performance
curve is selected so that the pump will not be operating at its maximum
capacity, thus allowing little room for margin.

D-4.1.2 Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH)

A net positive suction head is required to cause enough pressure at the pump
suction for proper operation.

The available Net Positive Suction Head (NPSHa) can be expressed as the
difference between the Suction Head (hs) and the Liquid’s Vapor Head (hv):

NPSHa = hs–hv = (ho± he - hf) – hv

Where:

• ho: Head at the free water surface and is expressed as po/γ.

For an open tank the head at surface can be expressed as:

ho= po / γ = patm / γ

(Patm = 101.33 kN/m2; Specific weight of water, γ= 9.80 kN/m3)

• he: Geometric head at the pump inlet, and its value is negative if the
pump is installed above the free water surface.

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 • hf : Frictional head loss associated to pipe length, valves & fittings (Refer
to section 4.3.2.5.2.3)

• hv : Liquid vapour head is expressed as pv / γ.

(Note: The vapour pressure in fluids depends on temperature. Pv for

water = 3.2 kN/m2 at 25°C)

Figure D-4.1: Pump Operation

Hence, once the pump has been selected according to the required flow and
head, the available Net Positive Suction Head (NPSHa) shall be determined and
compared with the suction capability of the pump (NPSHr).

The available NPSHa of the system should always exceed the required NPSHr
of the pump to avoid vaporization and cavitation of the impellers eye. The
required NPSHr for a pump is in general determined experimentally by the
pump manufacturer and forms part of the documentation of the pump.

It’s always possible to increase the NPSHa by lowering the pump. However, if
the final result is negative, it is possible to adjust flow via a gate valve on the
delivery side, in order to restore correct pump operating conditions.

D-4.1.3 Efficiency

The manufacturer usually indicates the pump efficiency variation on the

performance charts for various models. It is therefore recommended to examine
all such charts and select the most efficient pump set.

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D-4.1.4 Construction Material

Vital parts of a centrifugal pump must be made in appropriate materials so that

they can withstand the operating conditions.

The table D-4.1 gives an overview of typical pump components alongside their
respective acceptable construction materials.

Table D-4.1: Pump Construction Materials

Components Materials
Pump Casing Cast Iron/ Bronze/ AISI 304
Impeller Cast Iron/ Bronze/ Brass/ AISI 304 or 316
Shaft AISI 304 /316/420/430 (Hardened and Tempered)
Bearing & Bolts AISI 304
Mechanical Seal Silicon Carbide / Ceramic Alumina/ Nitrile Butadiene Rubber
Wear Ring PTFE (Poly Tetra Fluoro Ethylene)
Motor Shield Brass

Generally, pump materials made in Cr-Ni AISI 304 steel is suitable for clean
liquids (e.g. potable water) whereas Cr-Ni-Mo AISI 316 steel is recommended
for aggressive fluids (e.g. sea water, chlorinated water, etc.).

D-4.2 Pump Selection

The pump set for the new prison shall consist of 3 pumps connected in parallel
(similar to figure D-4.2).

Figure D-4.2: Pump Set Assembly

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Each pump shall have a minimum delivery of 15 m3/h at a manometric head of
40 m. Two pumps shall operate in cascaded mode and one as standby.

This means that we shall have two operating points:

Point A (when flow rate ≤ 15 m3/h): H = 40 m and Q = 15 m3/h

Point B (when 15 <flow rate (m3/h) ≤ 30): H = 40 m and Q = 30 m3/h.

The figure D-4.3 shows the operating points (A & B) super-imposed on the
characteristic chart of two pumps that will start in cascade sequence.

Figure D-4.3: Performance Chart (CALPEDA, Model: 2MXH 16)

Note that the pump set shall be operating in ‘Positive suction head’, thus the
NPSH shall not be a major issue and can therefore be safely ignored.

Moreover, critical components of the pump are made in AISI 304 stainless steel,
thus, making it appropriate for potable water supply.

Hence, the pump set of model 2MXH-1605 and make CALPEDA shall be an
appropriate choice for this project.

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