CAVITATION AND
PIPE FRICTION
Cavitation is a hydraulic condition which can
exist in any type of pump. It is primarily a situation in
which the pump is discharging less liquid than its
rated capacity due to a reduction or lack of liquid
supply to the pump intake. “Excessive suction lift,
insufficient Npsh, or operation at too high a speed
are common causes of cavitation. Pitting, vibration,
and noise are common troubles stemming from cav-
itation. While severe cavitation is usually accompa-
nied by excessive noise and damage to the pump,
mild cavitation may produce nothing more than a
small reduction in pump efficiency and moderate
wear of pump parts.”*
Diaphragm pumps, like other pumps, “do not
suck in liquids; they reduce pressure in the suction
chamber, and external pressure, usually atmospher-
ic, pushes the liquid into the pump. For any pump
with a given size suction line, capacity or maximum
speed is fixed by the existing net positive su
head (Npsh)."? A diaphragm pump can be particu-
larly vulnerable to a “starved suction” condition
because generally pumping a viscous, solid-
laden slurry. In fact, most cases of low flow rates can
be traced to starved suction conditions due to either
too high a static lit, too long a suction line, or a com-
bination of both.
It is likewise possible to experience cavitation
even though the pump may have a “flooded suc-
tion.” In this case it is due to trying to discharge
more than can be pulled in through a suction line
that is too long and/or too small in diameter. If a
slurry is quite “thick’ it will only be possible to pump
a much smaller amount than the pump’s full
capacity.
Cavitation is harmful to diaphragm life because
on the suction stroke the diaphragm is being pulled
mechanically by the shaft connected to the pressur-
ized diaphragm. There is an “unbalanced” pressure
on the diaphragm equal to the amount of suction
produced. Cavitation makes the “unbalanced” pres-
sure on the suction stroke higher. The lower the suc-
tion lift condition imposed on the diaphragm, the
less the unbalanced mechanical load, and the
longer the diaphragm life. Every diaphragm has a
given number of flexes before failure. If the pump is
cavitating, less liquid is being pumped per flex;
therefore, diaphragm cost per gallon is increased
Cavitation can be eliminated in the Wilden air-
operated double-diaphragm pump easier than with
any other type of pump. Start the pump slowly by
controlling the volume of compressed air to the
pump by the use of a gate or globe vaive. After the
unit starts pumping, the throttling valve can be
‘opened to increase capacity. The point at which fur-
ther opening of the valve increases cycling rate
without an increase in discharge rate will be the
cavitation point, and the valve should be closed
slightly. Further attempts to increase capacity
should be oriented around a larger suction intake
line, larger pump, reduced lift condition and/or a
combination of these conditions.
Under conditions of limited flow due to cavita-
tion, damage to the Wilden double-diaphragm
pump most likely will be limited only to the
diaphragms, in comparison to numerous expensive
parts in other types of pumps.
“Tier G. Hicks and Theodore W. Edwards, Pump Application
Engineering, page 87
“Tyler G. Hicks and Theodore W. Edwards, Pump Application
Engineering, page 81,
ILDEN
Ain OPERATED DOUSLE DIAPHRAGM PUMPS
4 RESOURCES COMPANYHIGH VISCOSITY
PIPE FRICTION
Viscosity is that property of a liquid which resists
free flow. The most common method of expressing
viscosity is in SSU (Saybolt Seconds Universal)
Water has a SSU viscosity of 81.5.
Centrifugal pumps can handle viscosities up to
500 SSU. Beyond 500 SSU, a positive displacement
pump must be used to move a liquid. Most pipe
friction tables are based on water or at most go to
liquids of up to 500 SSU. The Wilden air-operated
double-diaphragm pump is capable of pumping
viscous slurries. On page 3 and 4 is a Pipe Friction
Chart showing line loses at viscosities up to
500,000 SSU.
NOTE: These friction tables give the loss in
Pounds per Square Inch. The losses at the very
high viscosities (100,000 SSU and up) are great.
Note also that all friction loses in these tables
must be multiplied by the specific gravity of the
slurry being pumped.
With the high friction losses observed at these
high viscosities, suction conditions become ultra
critical. At best there will only be a maximum of 144
available at sea level to push liquid into the pump.
For example, the friction loss in 100' of 2" pipe
of a 100,000 SSU liquid at a flow rate of 7 gpm is
280#. (See chart.) Through 10' of 2" pipe the loss
would be 234, well above the 14# available. It would
only be possible to pull approximately 3. gpm
through 10' of 2" pipe due to friction alone.
No static lift would be possible.
The fact is that no pump can exert force on a lig-
id until it is in the pump. The only force able to
act on the suction side is the earth atmospheric
pressure of 14.7 psi at sea level. Once the liquid is,
in the pump, the Wilden pump can push with as
much pressure as the air supply pressure available.
Typical “in plant” air supply pressures are sel-
dom over 100 psi. Therefore, any calculated friction
loss approaching this figure calls for either a shorter
pipe, a larger pipe size, or a reduction in the amount
of elbows. This will reduce the amount of friction
loss.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR SPECIFYING A
WILDEN AIR-OPERATED DOUBLE-DIAPHRAGM PUMP.
+ Gallons per minute (GPM):
or output.
* Specific Gravity: The ratio of a tluid’s density to
that of water. Water equals 1.0.
* Viscosity: A measure of a fiuid’s tendency to
resist a shearing force. Viscosity is not a con-
stant, fixed property of a fluid, it varies with the
conditions of the fluid and the system.
fequired flow rate
* Temperature: The temperature of a fluid at the
pump inlet is usually of greatest concern,
* Vapor Pressure: The absolute pressure (at a
given temperature) at which a liquid will change
to vapor.
* Static Suction Lift: The vertical distance from
the center line of the pump down to the free
level of the liquid source.
* Static Suction Head: The vertical distance from
the center line of the pump up to the free level of
the liquid source.
* Static Discharge Head: The vertical elevation
from the center line of the pump to the point of
free discharge.
* Dynamic Discharge Head: Static discharge
head plus friction head
* Pipe Diameter, Pipe Length and the number
of Elbows are needed to calculate friction head.ENGINEERING DATA: PIPE FRICTION — VISCOUS LIQUIDS
LOSS IN POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH PER 100 FEET OF NEW STEEL PIPE
BASED ON SPECIFIC GRAVITY 1.0
wo a _
a = VISCOSITY — SAYBOLT SECONDS UNIVERSAL
cpm
FIPE | 100 | 200 | 300 | 400 | s00_| 1000 | 1500 | 2000 | 2500 | s000 | 4000 | 5000 | 6000 | 7000 | 8000 | 9000 | 10,000 | 15,000,
% [11.0] 23 | 35 | 48 | 60 | 120 | 122 | 240 | 300 | 265 | 475 | 600 720 | s40 | o60 | - | - 5
3| x |37| 77 |i] 158 | 105 78 | 96 | 117 | 160 | 195| 237 | 273 | st2 | 351 585
i {44 | 30 | 45 | 60 | 74 | 375 | 45 | 60 | 75 | 90 | 106 | 120 | 195 228
x Te2 | 13 | 20 [25s | a3 65 | 196 | 266 | 300 [596 | 462 | 526 | coe 320
s|1]23| 5 | 74 | 100/125 625 | 74 | 100 | 125} 150 | 175 | 200 | 205 375
1x fova| 17 | 25 | 33 | a2 at | 25 | 34 | a2 | 50 | 58 | 66 | 75 25
% | 87 | 8 275] 37 | 46 ‘2s | Bao | 370 | 460] S52 | Gad | 7a6 | a2 =
7] 4] 33 | a9 |105| 44 [175 [a5 | 59 ‘a9 | 106 | 142 | 178 | 213 | 249 | 284 | 320 538
ac | 41 | 23 [35 | 47 [58 |it5 | 175 zo | 35 | a7 ‘at | 93 | 108 173
1150] 10] 15 | 20 | 2 | ot | 76 eB | 155 | 208 a7 | 408 | 459 765
to | | 16 |s3 | 50] 67) 8s | 167 | 25 42 | 50 | 66 117 | 134 | 150 250
1% [oaa| 18 |27| 36 | 45 | 90 | 135 23 | 27 | 36 63 | 72 | at 435,
1 [110] 15 | 22 | 90 |a75| 76 | 114 90" | 228 | 308 5x2 | 60s | o0e
| | 27 | 49 | 76 |100] 125 | 25 | 75 es | 75 | 100 175 | 200 | 225 375
as | 42 | 27 | 40 | 54 | 68 | 135 | “20 3a_| at | 54 95 | 108 | 122 203
+ [20 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 100 | 150 "250 | 300 | 400 700" | 800" | 900 z
20 | 1% | 23 | 38 |54|72 | 90 | 18 | 275 46 | 5 | 72 426 | 144 | 162 270
2 |oss| 13 | 20 | 27 | 33 | 67 | 10 |135| 17 | 20 | 27 47 | 55 | 60 400
aw} as [4s 67 [eo |irs| 23 | 34 [46 | sr | es | 90 Ter | tea | 207 | 230° | 345
as | 2 |10| 17 |25| 33 |42 | aa [125 | 185 | 215 | 25 | 39 so | ea | 76 | a4 | 126
| 2% |ow2| oa |12 | 46 | 20 | 0 [60 | a0 | 10 | 12 | 16 28 | 32 | 36 | 40 | 60
ie }so]sa [80 iio /ias | 27 | 41 | 54 | 69 | @1 | 108 | 195| te2 | 19 | 216 | eas | 270 | 405
a0 | 2 | 14| 20} 30] 40] 50 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 20 | 40 | 50| 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 100 | 150
2% |osoloss|15 | 19 | 24 | 4a | 72 | 8 | 12 |145| 10 | 24 | 20 | 34 | 33 | a3 | as | ve
Tt [a0 | 90 [tots] 18 | s7 | s5 | 73 | a2 | 111 | 148 | tas | 220 | a50 | 206 | aa [G70 | ses
40 | 2 |26|27|39|53 | 67 |135| 20 | 27 | 34 | a0 | 54 | 68| a2 | 95 | 108 | 122 | 135 | 209
au | 41 | 13 | 20 | 26 | 33 | 65 | 97 | 13 | 165 | 19 |255| a2 | as | 45 | 2 | so | 65 | 08
tz [140 [140 [140] 180] 23 | 48 | 8 | 90 | 115 | 138 | tea | 230] 76 | Goo | aew | 4a | 260 | G00
so | 2 |38|40|50|67 | 84 | 17 |255| a4 | 43 | 51 | 08 | a5 | 102 | 119 | 196 | 153 | 170 | 255
2 | ie | 47 |24 | 32 |40 | a0 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 24 | x2 | a0] a | 55 | os | v2 | 80 | 120
[2 [sa [se [se | 0 |100| 20 | 20 | a | s2 | 61 | 80 | t00| 120 | 140 | 160] 10 | 200 | 300
oo | «| 23 | 24/29/38 |48 | a6 | 145/195 | 24 | 20 | a8 | 49| se | 67 | 77 | 96 | 96 | 144
3 {oa jos |12| 17 |21 | 41 | 61 | as | 10 |125| 165 | 205|245| 23 | 33 | a7 | a1 | o2_|
zi f2a fae faa faster |i | a7 | 23 | 26 | [ae | 55 | 66 | 77 | 8a | 99 | 110 | 165
w|s io] ia |ia} 19 foe |as | 71 faz | t2 |ias| 19 | 24| 29 | a4 | oo | ao | 48 | 72
4 [027 [032 {02a |oes |oao | 16 | 24 | 32 | 41 | 49 | 66 | at] to |r2| 13 | 144 | te | 24
Be] 87 [4s [43 | 52 ya [ies] 26 | a3 | 39 | s2 | 05 | 78 | 91 [tor] 117 | 130 | 195
eo | 3 [43 |44]47|22|20 | ss | a2 | 11 |135| 17 | 22 | 275] 33 |sas| a4 | so | 55 | a3
4 [036 [096 |os4|o74]oae| 18 | 27 | a7 | 47 | se] 75 | 93\115|126|144| 162 | 18 | 27
Be] 55 [67 |e7 |o7 | 80 | 165 | 245 |o25| 41 | 48 | e4 | 60 | OG | 112 | toa | 144 | 160
soo| ‘3 | 19] 22|22|28/as | ee | 10 | 14 | 17 | 21 |ors| 34 | a1 | aa | 54 | 61 | 68
4 |053|057|o03 [092/12 | 23 | 34 | 45 | 5a | 70 | 95 | 115| 14 | 164 | 185 | 207 | 23°
MULTIPLY VALUES IN THIS TABLE BY SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF LIQUID
Example —30GPM. Viscosity 1000 SSU. Speci Gravity 0.90 200 Feet of 2" pipe Loss = 10.x 0.80 x 2s 18 Lb/Sq. in.
Caution — Since vscosiy increases greatly with a litte reduction in temperature, its wise to be liberal In estimating pipe ticton
IF VISCOSITY IS GIVEN IN CENTIPOISES: CONVERT TO SSU BY MULTIPLYING BY 4.6.
ILDEN'
AIR OPERATED DOUBLE DIAPHRAGM PUMPSENGINEERING DATA: PIPE FRICTION — VISCOUS LIQUIDS
LOSS IN POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH PER 100 FEET OF NEW STEEL PIPE
BASED ON SPECIFIC GRAVITY 1.0
= 7 VISCOSITY — SAYBOLT SECONDS UNIVERSAL
Pu
GPM | PE | ano | | sna | s0an0| soso | sno | a000 | eoow | soa | ron00n | 12500 | ssoo% | v7son0 | 20n00 | sooo
2 | 20 | 2 | % | «0 | so | oo | 7 | eo | 2 | to | tas | ts | 175 | 200 | soo
| 2x | a7 |121 | ie | 194 | 289 | 201 | s40 | sas | as | 485 | o07 | 728 | 48 | 70 | 249
3 | «|'s |e |’ | to | 12 | “Se | “te | “te | 20 | os | ao | os | a | 100
2 | w] a2} 50] S63] es [os | 16] iss | ia0 | 108) 08 [20s | a0 —aae [829
s | 2x | 82 | 209 | 243 | 524 | aos | aas | sor | ota | 729] s.r | tor | 22 | 142 | 162 | 05
3 | 68 | 6 | 02 | 1a6| t70 | 204 | 250 | 272 | 06 | a40 | as | sto | sos | oso | 170
2] 46] 86] 70 | 2 | tis | 108) 161 | 104 | 207 | 230 | 2a | a4 | 40a | 460]
7| 2% | 203 | ase | 905 | 406 | sos | as | 710 | ai2 | 913 | toe | ter | 152 | 178 | 209 | sor
3 | 95 | 119 | 43 | 190 | ana | 29s | ao2 | seo | 427 | a7s | soa | 712 | oor | 050 | ax7_|
ar] we] | a) 6 | 00 | 96 | 112 | 126 | 148] 160 | 200 | 20 | 290 | 320 | a00
10} 3 | 136 | 170 | 204 | er2| a40 | aoe | 47s | sea | or2 | es | 2 | 109 | t19 | 196 | oo
4 | 45 | 87 | 70 | 92 | 15 | 138 | t61 | tas | 207 | 230 | zea | os | ao2 | ao | 115_|
ar] a | 60 | 72 | 6 | 120 | 14a [tes] 102 [ate | 280 [300 | 360 420 490 | -
1s| 2 | 20 | 2 | 3 | «| 80 | 60 | 70 | e0 | 90 | 100 | 125 | 150 | 175 | 200 | 500
4 | &7 | a6 | 105 | 137| 170 | 204 | 230 | 272 | soe | sso | 42s | sto | sos | os | 170
3 [aro sar | 405 [540 | 75] 810 | 945 | toa] 122) 105 | 169 | 202 | 296 | 270 | 675
zo] 4 | 90 | 118 | 140 | tea | 290 | 2re | s22 | o66 | aia | 450 | srs | eo | aos | ozo | 220
é | sa | 23 | 27 | se | 20 | ss | os | 75 | ‘a2 | or | t4 | to7 | 159 | 122 | a55
SM [es] st] a |e | 102 | 119 | te] 103 | 170 | 21s | 256 | zor [a4 | 050
as| a | sta |44s Jars | 23 | cae | as | 403 | 451 | sis| srs | 72 | asa | tor | 115 | 2a
@ | 22 | 2a | 22 | 44 | ‘55 |e | 77 | ee | oa | 110 | 138 | ws | a | 22 | 5
=] 4] 80} 60 | 80 | 100 | 120 | ido] 160] iao™}200 | —as0 | ~00 | 880 ~a00
so} 4 |ias| i | 2 | 23 | cea] ata | 4a2 | ss1| 2 | ose | oe | 103 | tr | 198 | aia
|" 6 | Ze aa | ao | 62 | es | Fe | or | tou | 7 | 130 | tes | 105 | 228 | 26 | os
| Psy seers] et] ioe | tas | i02 [tes | 216 | 24s [270 [337 | 405 [are [sa
w| 4 | te |e | 29 | ar | 46 | e52 | ots | 706 | 2a] ce | 155 | 190 | 101 | tee | 400
3 | 3s | 4s | 53 | 70 | ae | tos | v9 | 0 | 157 | 75 | 219 | 252 | soo | oso | ors
aes] | | 4 [75] 6 | os] se) oe ms | v4 | 73 [a1 | 290 | 575 | —~
so| 6 | 4 |se | 6 | ae |s0| 192 | 154 | 176 | 198] 2 | ars | so | a5 | 44 | 110
8 | i549 | 29 | a0 | 97 | 45 | 53 | co | eo | 75 | oa | 113 | tas | 150 | vs |
|-a| er | oe] ae | saa] 605 | e22 | oa | aio] 123 | as7_| 171 [208 | 240 274 | 685
co} 6 | 53 | 67 | 80 | ie | 193 | 160 | 186 | 213 | 239 | 266 | os2 | goo | aes | saz | 199
8 | ts | 23 | 2a | 36 | ts | 55 | oa | Za | as | oz | 115 | tas | 101 | toa | aso
2 |e] a | 4 | «| a | 96 | 112 | we | i4a] too | 200 [240 | 200 | —a20 | 600
wo | 6 | 61 | 78 | 93 | 124] 15 | se | 217 | 288 | 279 | sto | ses | 465 | saz | 62 | 155
8 | 21 | 27 | 32 | da | sa | oa | 7a | es | os | 06 | 199 | 159 | we | a2 | 50
6 | 70] 80 | 17 | uz] we pes] ee [wea] TO [aes | 4a | sas | e2t | 7 | 178
w| 8 | 24| 30 | 30 | 4a| eo |72 | es | o6| tos] 2 | ws | 1s | 1 | 2 | oo
to [oa | i2 | 48 | 49 | 24 | a0 | a5 | so | a5 | so | 63 | 75 _| 88 | 10 | 25
6 | 79] 88 [Hs] 8] 07 | a7 | we] oe | as | sos | aoa | sos | oat | 700 | 197
oo | 8 | 27| 34] 41 | s4| 6a | e2 | ee | t10| 23 | 137 | t71 | 206 | 240 | 274 | cas
to | t1 | ta | 47 | 22 | 27 | a5 | a0 | sa | 50 | 55 | ce | es | 96 | 110 | 275
Ie} aa fito [sz Fire} 220 | 264 | 208 | 52] aos | a4 | ss | 08 | 77 | 08 | 220
wo] 8 | 30| 32 | 45 | sa | 75 | 90 | 105 | 120| 135 | 150 | ws | 225 | 26a | soo | 75
to | 12 | 15 | 18 | 24 | 30 | a7 | 42 | ve | 54 | eo | 75 | eo | 105 | 120 | 90
MULTIPLY VALUES IN THIS TABLE BY SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF LIQUID
Example—50.GPM. Viscosity 100,000 SSU, Specific Gravity 11.900 Feetof 6" pipe Loss = 22x 1.1 x9 = 726 Lb/Sq.in.
‘Caution — Since viscosty increases greatly with a litle reduction in temperature, itis wise to be liberal in estimating pipe riction.
IF VISCOSITY IS GIVEN IN CENTIPOISES: CONVERT TO SSU BY MULTIPLYING BY 4.6.
ILDEN .
AIR OPERATED DOUBLE DIAPHRAGM PUMPS
22069 Van Buren Street, Grand Terrace, CA 92313-5607 * Telephone (909) 422-1730 * FAX (909) 783-3440
www. wildenpump.com
A SDOVER) nesounces company