128| Components

• Base-mounted, horizontal or vertical split-case, double-suction pump

(medium to large size system application);
• Base-mounted, horizontal split-case, multistage pump (medium to large size
system application);
• Vertical in-line pump;
• Vertical in-line split-coupled pump; and
• Vertical turbine, single or multistage, sump-mounted pump.

A selection of these pump types are shown in Figure 7.14 and are described in
more detail in Chapter 44, “Centrifugal Pumps,” of ASHRAE Handbook—HVAC
Systems and Equipment (2016c).
There is a substantial amount of data required to ensure the optimum pump
selection. The designer should consider the following when selecting a pump:

• Design flow, including minimum and maximum flows

• System pressure at maximum and minimum flows
• Pressure drop required for the most resistant loop
• Type of control valve: two-way or three-way
• Continuous or variable flow
• Pump environment, e.g., wet, explosive, etc.
• Number of pumps and standby
• Configuration: singular, parallel, in series
• Electric voltage, current, service, and starting limitations
• Water treatment, water conditions, and material selection

7.5.2 Net Positive Suction Head

To eliminate cavitation, a certain minimum net positive suction head (NPSH)
must be maintained at the inlet of a pump. The required NSPH for a specific
pump is available from the manufacturer—either from catalog data or on request.
Although usually given as a single number, NPSH increases with flow. The
required NPSH can be considered as the pressure required to overcome pump
inlet losses and to keep water flowing into the pump without the formation of
vapor bubbles, which are the cause of cavitation. A piping system will produce an
available NPSH that reflects its design and installation conditions. For satisfac-
tory pump operation, the available NPSH must always exceed the required
NPSH; if it does not, bubbles and pockets of vapor will form in the pump. The
results will be a reduction in capacity, loss of efficiency, noise, vibration, and
cavitation. The available NPSH in a system is expressed by

available NPSH = Pa + Ps + V2/2g – hvpa – hf (7.1)

where
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(a)

(b) (d)

(c) (e)

Figure 7.14 Examples of centrifugal pumps: (a) centrifugal pump; (b) close-cou-
pled single-stage end-suction pump; (c) frame-mounted end-suction pump on
base plate; (d) base-mounted, horizontal (axial), split-case, single-stage, double-
suction pump; and (e) base-mounted, vertical, split-case, single-stage, double-suc-
tion pump.
 Air-Conditioning System Design Manual |131

Figure 7.15 Pump with suction lift.

Pa = atmospheric pressure at elevation of installation, ft (kPa)

Ps = water pressure at pump centerline, ft (kPa)

V2/2g = velocity pressure at pump centerline, ft (kPa)

hvpa = absolute vapor pressure at pumping temperature, ft (kPa)
hf = friction and entrance head losses in the suction piping, ft
(kPa)

NPSH is not normally a concern in closed systems. It also is not ordinarily a

factor in open systems unless hot fluids are pumped, the suction lift is large, a
cooling tower outlet and its pump inlet are at approximately the same elevation,
or there is considerable friction in the pump suction pipe. Insufficient available
NPSH can occur because of undersized piping, too many fittings, if a valve in the
suction line is throttled, or if the mesh of a strainer on the suction side of a pump
becomes clogged.
Example 7.1. The pump in Figure 7.15 has a NPSH of 22.4 ft (67 kPa) of
water. The pressure loss in the suction piping is 4.6 ft of water (13.8 kPa), and L
equals 12 ft (3.7 m). Determine the additional lift available from the pump.
Solution: The additional lift equals the NPSH minus the suction head and
piping pressure losses. Additional lift = 22.4 – 4.6 – 12 = 5.8 ft of water
(17.3 kPa).