3/23/2020 How to Read a Centrifugal Pump Performance Curve - Mechanical Engineering Site

BASICS TECHNOLOGY AUTOMOBILE NEWS INDUSTRIAL MACHINES JOBS

QUIZ ONLINE CALCULATION

How to Read a Centrifugal Pump

Performance Curve
Last updated May 3, 2018

In this article, we will discuss How to read a centrifugal pump performance Curve. Before we start rst we
will understand the basics of Centrifugal pump performance curve.

To read pump system curve and operating points click here

Understanding of centrifugal pump performance curve is very important for select a proper pump for the
required application. The centrifugal pump performance curve consists of four set of curves.

1. Head Vs Flow Curve

2. Brake Power Vs Flow Curve
3. E ciency Vs Flow Curve
4. NPSHr Vs Flow Curve

Contents [hide]

0.1 Centrifugal pump performance is represented by multiple curves indicating either:

www.mechanicalengineeringsite.com/how-to-read-a-centrifugal-pump-performance-curve/ 1/11
3/23/2020 How to Read a Centrifugal Pump Performance Curve - Mechanical Engineering Site

1 Head Vs Flow Curve (H/Q)

2 Brake Power Vs Flow Curve (P/Q)
3 E ciency Vs Flow Curve (e/Q)
4 NPSH(r) Vs Flow Curve(N/Q)
5 How to read a Centrifugal Pump Performance Curve
5.0.1 1. Pump Rated Flow:
5.0.2 2. Rated Head:
5.0.3 3.Shut-off head:
5.0.4 4.Minimum Continuous Stable Flow:
5.0.5 5. E ciency:
5.0.6 6. Brake Power:
5.0.7 7. NPSH(r):
6 Conclusion:

Centrifugal pump performance is represented by multiple curves

indicating either:
Various impeller diameters at a constant speed.
Various speeds with a constant impeller diameter.

In this article, we will see only various impeller diameters at a constant speed.

Head Vs Flow Curve (H/Q)

In this curve, the Head is on the vertical axis and Flow rate on the horizontal axis. With an increase in pump
ow rate, the head developed by the pump start decreases. The pump develop maximum head at zero ow
it is called shutoff point or shutoff head and the corresponding pressure is called shutoff pressure. Normally
the shutoff pressure is 1.25 time of pump discharge pressure.

The line continues to the right, with head reducing and ow increasing until the “end of the curve” is
reached, (this is often outside the recommended operating range of the pump). Flow and head are linked,
one cannot be changed without varying the other. The relationship between them is locked until wear or
blockages change the pump characteristics

Brake Power Vs Flow Curve (P/Q)

In this curve, the Break power is on the vertical axis and Flow rate on the horizontal axis. As we seen from
the curve, some braking power is required at zero ow rate, this power is required to overcome the pump
inertia and friction losses. From this curve, for the required pump ow, the corresponding brake power is
obtained.

E ciency Vs Flow Curve (e/Q)

www.mechanicalengineeringsite.com/how-to-read-a-centrifugal-pump-performance-curve/ 2/11
3/23/2020 How to Read a Centrifugal Pump Performance Curve - Mechanical Engineering Site

The e ciency curve is raising as ow rate increase (refer gure). Then the curve reaches the maximum
point and starts decreasing. The maximum point is called Best E ciency Point(BEP). It is always preferred
to run the pump at best e ciency point(BEP), but in the practical case, we are not able to match the
required pump operating point with pump BEP.

If the pump run at or near to BEP, not only we get higher e ciency and also the vibration of the pump is
minimum.

NPSH(r) Vs Flow Curve(N/Q)

NPSH needs two different sets of axes to describe it fully. The lower curve (ref. gure ) shows the NPSH(r)
curve rises with increasing of ow rate. Note, however, that this curve is not obtained directly from the H/Q
test.

NPSH(r) value at pump rated point should be minimum of 1m less that NPSH ‘available’. It is called NPSH
margin.

NPSHmargin = NPSH(a) – NPSH(r)

Normally NPSH test is carried out when the NPSH’margin’ less than 1 meter.

It is made up of four to ve points, each point being obtained from a separate NPSH test at a different
constant ow. This is normally carried out after the above-mentioned tests.

www.mechanicalengineeringsite.com/how-to-read-a-centrifugal-pump-performance-curve/ 3/11
3/23/2020 How to Read a Centrifugal Pump Performance Curve - Mechanical Engineering Site

How to read a Centrifugal Pump Performance Curve

Now consider a centrifugal pump is required to pump  water from one vessel to another vessel, the pump
parameters are as follows

Rated Flow = 40m3/hr

Rated Head = 157 m

Liquid Speci c Gravity = 1

www.mechanicalengineeringsite.com/how-to-read-a-centrifugal-pump-performance-curve/ 4/11
3/23/2020 How to Read a Centrifugal Pump Performance Curve - Mechanical Engineering Site

NPSH available = 4m

1. Pump Rated Flow:

The point 1, represent the rated ow(40m3/hr)of the pump.

2. Rated Head:
Point 2 represent the Rated head (157m). Now the intersection section point of Rated Flow and Rated head
in the impeller curve is called “Rated Impeller”. In our example the “Rated Impeller” diameter is 370mm.

3.Shut-o head:
The maximum head produced by the pump at rated impeller is called “Shut off head”. The corresponding
pressure at the shut-off head is called “Shut off Pressure”. The shut-off pressure is very important for pump
downstream system design pressure. Always Downstream design pressure is greater than Shut off
Pressure for safe design.

Downstream design pressure > Shut off Pressure.

4.Minimum Continuous Stable Flow:

The Minimum Continuous Stable Flow(MCSF) is the lowest ow at which the pump can operate without
exceeding the vibration limits speci ed for the pump model.  If the pump operates at minimum ow, the
pump is heated up due to recirculation of pumping liquid and also witness severe vibration.

MCSF is the minimum ow developed by the pump at rated impeller. Below MSCF it is not advisable to run
the pump.

As a thumb rule, Minimum Continuous Stable Flow is 25% of “BEP Flow”.

5. E ciency:
The rated ow of pump intersect at the e ciency curve, the corresponding e ciency in the Y-axis is called
pump “Rated E ciency”. Refer “5a” in the curve represented the rated e ciency.

As we seen the e ciency cure, from pump zero ow the curve starts rising and reach a maximum point and
start decreasing with increase in ow rate.

The maximum point of the e ciency curve is called “Best E ciency Point (BEP)”.Refer “5b” in the curve
represented the Best E ciency Point. The ow corresponding to the BEP is called “Best E ciency Flow”.
The pump vibration level is low at BEP. It is always preferred to select a pump whose rated ow is near to
Best E ciency Flow.

www.mechanicalengineeringsite.com/how-to-read-a-centrifugal-pump-performance-curve/ 5/11
3/23/2020 How to Read a Centrifugal Pump Performance Curve - Mechanical Engineering Site

As per API 610, the rated ow shall be within the region of  80 to 110% of BEP ow.Pumps shall have a
preferred operating region of 70 % to 120 % of best e ciency ow rate (Refer gure it highlighted in “light
blue color”)

6. Brake Power:
The brake power or rated power of the pump is power required run the pump to deliver the rated ow at the
rated head.

The rated ow of the pump intersect at the Brake power curve and corresponding power in the Y-axis is
called “Rated power of the pump” (Refer gure “6a”). For our example, the rated power is 35kW.

If the pump is required to start at open discharge valve or auto start condition. In such case, the power is
required for the pump, power corresponding to the “End of the curve” of brake power curve. (Refer gure
“6b”)

Based on the brake power required, motor kilowatt or hp will be selected.

7. NPSH(r):
The rated ow line intersect with NPSH(r) curve and the corresponding NPSH(r) for the rated ow condition
is obtained in the Y-axis. In our case, the NPSH(r) is 2.5m.

NPSH margin (NPSH m) = NPSH(a) – NPSH(r)

In this example the NPSH(a) is 4m.

NPSH margin = 4 – 2.5

NPSH margin = 1.5 m

Conclusion:
As discussed, please remember the below-mentioned points to be check in centrifugal pump performance
curve for proper pump selection

1. Pump Rated Flow

2. Pump Rated Head
3. Rated impeller Diameter
4. Pump BEP ow
5. Shut-off head
6. E ciency
7. Pump rated power
www.mechanicalengineeringsite.com/how-to-read-a-centrifugal-pump-performance-curve/ 6/11
3/23/2020 How to Read a Centrifugal Pump Performance Curve - Mechanical Engineering Site

8. Pump End of Curve power

9. NPSH required
10. Preferred Operation Range
11. Allowable Operation Range

To know Centrifugal Pump Performance Test procedure click here.

Please follow and like us: 13 20 20

Filed Under: Pumps

Tagged With: Centrifugal Pump, Centrifugal pump performance Curve, How to read a centrifugal pump performance
Curve

Comments

vijay gohil says

March 16, 2017 at 7:25 pm

Pls give details of pump performance curve

Reply

admin says
March 16, 2017 at 9:18 pm

Hi Vijay,
What details you required. Please speci c so that it may improve this post.
You can also contact us through our email id
mechanicalengineeringsite2017[at]gmail[dot]com.

Reply

Balaji says
November 9, 2017 at 3:55 pm

www.mechanicalengineeringsite.com/how-to-read-a-centrifugal-pump-performance-curve/ 7/11
3/23/2020 How to Read a Centrifugal Pump Performance Curve - Mechanical Engineering Site

Very interesting post. Pl. note that rated e ciency “5a” in the curve is marked corresponding to 35
m3/hr. Actually, it should be marked corresponding to 40 m3/hr.

Reply

admin says
January 10, 2018 at 3:37 pm

Hi Balaji,
Thanks for pointing out it. I will update the pump curve.

Reply

mohammad says
February 28, 2018 at 11:32 am

BEP is located on the left side of rated ow or right side? please advise.

Reply

admin says
March 16, 2018 at 6:31 pm

Always preferred BEP shall be located right side of pump rated point. In the case of a very
small pump, BEP located on the left side of rated ow is acceptable.

Reply

Trackbacks
Pump System Curve and Pump Operating Point - Mechanical Engineering Site says:
May 3, 2018 at 4:56 pm

www.mechanicalengineeringsite.com/how-to-read-a-centrifugal-pump-performance-curve/ 8/11
3/23/2020 How to Read a Centrifugal Pump Performance Curve - Mechanical Engineering Site

[…] The pump performance curve is represented the total head in the y-axis and the ow in the x-axis, which
is graphically shown in the below pump characteristic curve. As per the curve, the head gradually decreases
with increasing ow. To read about pump performance curve Click Here […]

Pump Suction Speci c Speed - Mechanical Engineering Site says:

May 4, 2018 at 6:29 pm
[…] speed of the pump must always be calculated for the conditions corresponding to the capacity at Best
E ciency Point (BEP) of the pump at maximum impeller diameter. (Refer below the gure for suction
speci c speed […]

How to read the Speed Torque Curve - Mechanical Engineering Site says:
November 25, 2018 at 5:18 pm
[…] To read about Pump Performance Curve Click Here […]

Leave a Reply
Your email address will not be published. Required elds are marked *

Comment

Name *

Email *

Website

POST COMMENT

www.mechanicalengineeringsite.com/how-to-read-a-centrifugal-pump-performance-curve/ 9/11
3/23/2020 How to Read a Centrifugal Pump Performance Curve - Mechanical Engineering Site

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWS LETTER

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay

updated on the latest posts and
features on the website.

E-Mail Address

GO

It's Free!!!
www.mechanicalengineeringsite.com/how-to-read-a-centrifugal-pump-performance-curve/ 10/11
3/23/2020 How to Read a Centrifugal Pump Performance Curve - Mechanical Engineering Site

ARCHIVES

September 2018

August 2018

June 2018

May 2018

April 2018

March 2018

February 2018

January 2018

May 2017

April 2017

March 2017

February 2017

January 2017

Copyright © 2018 - Mechanical Engineering Site

About | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer

www.mechanicalengineeringsite.com/how-to-read-a-centrifugal-pump-performance-curve/ 11/11