Appendix D

Selected Performance
Curves for Pumps
and Fans
Introduction D.1
Many firms, worldwide, manufacture fluid machines in numerous standard types and
sizes. Each manufacturer publishes complete performance data to allow application of
its machines in systems. This Appendix contains selected performance data for use in
solving pump and fan system problems. Two pump types and one fan type are
included.
Choice of a manufacturer may be based on established practice, location, or cost.
Once a manufacturer is chosen, machine selection is a three-step process:
1. Select a machine type, suited to the application, from a manufacturer’s full-line
catalog, which gives the ranges of pressure rise (head) and flow rate for each
machine type.
2. Choose an appropriate machine model and driver speed from a master selector
chart, which superposes the head and flow rate ranges of a series of machines on
one graph.
3. Verify that the candidate machine is satisfactory for the intended application, using
a detailed performance curve for the specific machine.
It is wise to consult with experienced system engineers, either employed by the
machine manufacturer or in your own organization, before making a final purchase
decision.
Many manufacturers currently use computerized procedures to select a machine
that is most suitable for each given application. Such procedures are simply automated
versions of the traditional selection method. Use of the master selector chart and the
detailed performance curves is illustrated below for pumps and fans, using data from

803
804 Appendix D Selected Performance Curves for Pumps and Fans

one manufacturer of each type of machine. Literature of other manufacturers differs

in detail but contains the necessary information for machine selection.

D.2 Pump Selection

Representative data are shown in Figs. D.1 through D.10 for Peerless1 horizontal split
case single-stage (series AE) pumps and in Figs. D.11 and D.12 for Peerless multi-
stage (series TU and TUT) pumps.
Figures D.1 and D.2 are master pump selector charts for series AE pumps at 3500
and 1750 nominal rpm. On these charts, the model number (e.g., 6AE14) indicates the
discharge line size (6 in. nominal pipe), the pump series (AE), and the maximum
impeller diameter (approximately 14 in.).
Figures D.3 through D.10 are detailed performance charts for individual pump
models in the AE series.
Figures D.11 and D.12 are master pump selector charts for series TU and TUT
pumps at 1750 nominal rpm. Data for two-stage pumps are presented in Fig. D.11,
while Fig. D.12 contains data for pumps with three, four, and five stages.
Each pump performance chart contains curves of total head versus volume flow
rate; curves for several impeller diameters—tested in the same casing—are presented
on a single graph. Each performance chart also contains curves showing pump effi-
ciency and driver power; the net positive suction head (NPSH) requirement, as it
varies with flow rate, is shown by the curve at the bottom of each chart. The best
efficiency point (BEP) for each impeller may be found using the efficiency curves.
Use of the master pump selector chart and detailed performance curves is illus-
trated in Example D.1.

E
xample D.1 PUMP SELECTION PROCEDURE
Select a pump to deliver 1750 gpm of water at 120 ft total head. Choose the appropriate pump model and driver
speed. Specify the pump efficiency, driver power, and NPSH requirement.

Given: Select a pump to deliver 1750 gpm of water at 120 ft total head.
Find: (a) Pump model and driver speed.
(b) Pump efficiency.
(c) Driver power.
(d) NPSH requirement.
Solution:
Use the pump selection procedure described in Section D-1. (The numbers below correspond to the numbered steps
given in the procedure.)
1. Select a machine type suited to the application. (This step actually requires a manufacturer’s full-line catalog,
which is not reproduced here. The Peerless product line catalog specifies a maximum delivery and head of
2500 gpm and 660 ft for series AE pumps. Therefore the required performance can be obtained; assume the
selection is to be made from this series.)

1
Peerless Pump Company, P.O. Box 7026, Indianapolis, IN 46207-7026.
 D.3 Fan Selection 805

2. Consult the master pump selector chart. The desired operating point is not within any pump contour on the 3500
rpm selector chart (Fig. D.1). From the 1750 rpm chart (Fig. D.2), select a model 6AE14 pump. From the per-
formance curve for the 6AE14 pump (Fig. D.6), choose a 13-in. impeller.
3. Verify the performance of the machine using the detailed performance
chart. On the performance chart for the 6AE14 pump, project up from This com
the abscissa at Q 5 1750 gpm. Project across from H 5 120 ft on the ple
for this p tes the selection
ordinate. The intersection is the pump performance at the desired ump. On process
experien es
operating point: ced syste hould consult wit
that the m engine h
sys ers to ve
η  85:8 percent 3  64 hp has been tem operating co rify
predicted ndition
pump ha accurate
s been s ly and th
From the operating point, project down to the NPSH requirement elected c e
orrectly.
curve. At the intersection, read NPSH  17 ft.

Fan Selection D.3

Fan selection is similar to pump selection. A representative master fan selection chart is
shown in Fig. D.13 for a series of Howden Buffalo2 axial-flow fans. The chart shows the
efficiency of the entire series of fans as a function of total pressure rise and flow rate.
The series of numbers for each fan indicates the fan diameter in inches, the hub diameter
in inches, and the fan speed in revolutions per minute. For instance, a 54-26-870 fan has a
fan diameter of 54 in., a hub diameter of 26 in., and should be operated at 870 rpm.
Normally, final evaluation of suitability of the fan model for the application would
be done using detailed performance charts for the specific model. Instead, we use the
efficiencies from Fig D.13, which are indicated by the shading of the different zones on
the map. To calculate the power requirement for the fan motor, we use the following
equation:

QðcfmÞ 3 Δpðin: H2 OÞ
3ðhpÞ 5
6350 3 η
A sample fan selection is presented in Example D.2.

E
xample D.2 FAN SELECTION PROCEDURE
Select an axial flow fan to deliver 30,000 cfm of standard air at 1.25 in. H2O total pressure. Choose the appropriate
fan model and driver speed. Specify the fan efficiency and driver power.

Given: Select an axial flow fan to deliver 30,000 cfm of standard air at 1.25 in. H2O total head.
Find: (a) Fan size and driver speed.
(b) Fan efficiency.
(c) Driver power.
Solution:
Use the fan selection procedure described in Section D-1. (The numbers below correspond to the numbered steps
given in the procedure.)

2
Howden Buffalo Inc., 2029 W. DeKalb St., Camden, SC 29020.
806 Appendix D Selected Performance Curves for Pumps and Fans

1. Select a machine type suited to the application. (This step actually requires a manufacturer’s full-line catalog,
which is not reproduced here. Assume the fan selection is to be made from the axial fan data presented in Fig.
D.13.)
2. Consult the master fan selector chart. The desired operating point
is within the contour for the 48-21-860 fan on the selector chart
(Fig. D.13). To achieve the desired performance requires driving the
fan at 860 rpm. This com
pletes th
3. Verify the performance of the machine using a detailed performance cess. Ag e fan sele
ain, one ction pro
experien s h o -
chart. To determine the efficiency, we consult Fig D.13 again. We ced syste uld consult with
estimate an efficiency of 85 percent. To determine the motor power that the m engine
sys ers to ve
requirement, we use the equation given above: has been tem operating co rify
predicted ndition
fan has b accurate
een sele ly and th
Q 3 Δp 30;000 cfm 3 1:25 in: H2 O cted corr e
ectly.
35 5 5 6:95 hp
6350 3 η 6350 3 0:85

700 3500 rpm

650

600

4AE12 6AE12
550

500

5AE12
450
Total head, H (ft)

400
5AE11
350 2AE11

300

250
3A
E

4AE10
9
G

200 3AE9

150
5AE8 N
4AE10 G
100

50
100 200 300 400 500 700 900 1500 2500 3500
600 800 1000 2000 3000 4000
Volume flow rate, Q (gpm)
Fig. D.1 Selector chart for Peerless horizontal split case (series AE) pumps at 3500 nominal rpm.
 D.3 Fan Selection 807

500 1750 rpm

400
8AE20
6AE18 10AE20
300

250
6AE16 8AE17

200
10AE16
3AE14 5AE14

150
8AE15
Total head, H (ft)

4AE12 6AE12 6AE14

120

3
4

E1
100

E1
4AE11

8A
6A
90
10AE14 (G)
80
2AE11 4AE11 G
70
8AE12
60
6AE11 10AE12
3AE9 4AE10
50
G
E9

40
3A

5AE8
N

30 4AE10G
5AE8

20
100 200 300 400 600 800 1000 1500 2500 4000 6000 8000
500 700 900 2000 3000 5000 7000
Volume flow rate, Q (gpm)
Fig. D.2 Selector chart for Peerless horizontal split case (series AE) pumps at 1750 nominal rpm.
808 Appendix D Selected Performance Curves for Pumps and Fans

D1  11.25 in.; D2  10.25 in.; D3  9.25 in.; D4  762 in.

90

80
150
70

Efficiency (%)
60
Head (ft)

100 50

D1 40

30
50
20
D4

10

20
NPSH (ft)

15

10

30
Power (hp)

20

10

0 500 1000
Flow (US gpm)
Fig. D.3 Performance curve for Peerless 4AE11 pump at 1750 rpm.
 D.3 Fan Selection 809

D1  12.12 in.; D2  11.00 in.; D3  10.00 in.; D4  9.50 in.; D5  8.50 in.

90

80
150
70

Efficiency (%)
60
Head (ft)

100 50

D1 40

30
50

D4 20

10

10
NPSH (ft)

20
Power (hp)

15

10

200 400 600 800

Flow (US gpm)
Fig. D.4 Performance curve for Peerless 4AE12 pump at 1750 rpm.
810 Appendix D Selected Performance Curves for Pumps and Fans

D1  12.12 in.; D2  11.00 in.; D3  10.00 in.; D4  9.50 in.; D5  8.50 in.

90

80
600
70

Efficiency (%)
60
Head (ft)

400 50

D1 40

30
200
D5 20

10

25

20
NPSH (ft)

15

10

150
Power (hp)

100

50

500 1000 1500 2000

Flow (US gpm)

Fig. D.5 Performance curve for Peerless 4AE12 pump at 3550 rpm.
 D.3 Fan Selection 811

D1  14.00 in.; D2  13.00 in.; D3  12.00 in.; D4  11.00 in.; D5  10.38 in.; D6  10.00 in.

90

200 80

70

60

Efficiency (%)
150
Head (ft)

50
D1
100 40

30

50 20
D6
10

30
NPSH (ft)

20

10

80
Power (hp)

60

40

20

500 1000 1500 2000 2500

Flow (US gpm)
Fig. D.6 Performance curve for Peerless 6AE14 pump at 1750 rpm.
812 Appendix D Selected Performance Curves for Pumps and Fans

D1  20.00 in.; D2  19.00 in.; D3  18.00 in.; D4  17.00 in.; D5  16.00 in.; D7  14.00 in.
90

400 80

70

300 60

Efficiency (%)
Head (ft)

50

200 40

30

100 20

10

40
NPSH (ft)

30

20

10

300
Power (hp)

200

100

1000 2000 3000 4000 5000

Flow (US gpm)
Fig. D.7 Performance curve for Peerless 8AE20G pump at 1770 rpm.
 D.3 Fan Selection 813

D1  12.00 in.; D2  11.00 in.; D3  10.00 in.; D4  9.00 in.

90

80
150
70

Efficiency (%)
60
Head (ft)

100 50

D1 40

30
50
20
D4
10

30
NPSH (ft)

20

10

100
Power (hp)

50

1000 2000 3000 4000 5000

Flow (US gpm)
Fig. D.8 Performance curve for Peerless 10AE12 pump at 1760 rpm.
814 Appendix D Selected Performance Curves for Pumps and Fans

D1  18.00 in.; D2  17.00 in.; D3  16.00 in.; D4  15.00 in.

90

80
60
70

Efficiency (%)
60
Head (ft)

40 50

D1 40

30
20
D4 20

10

20
NPSH (ft)

15

10

80
Power (hp)

60

40

20

2000 4000 6000 8000 10,000

Flow (US gpm)
Fig. D.9 Performance curve for Peerless 16A18B pump at 705 rpm.
 D.3 Fan Selection 815

D1  18.00 in.; D2  17.00 in.; D3  16.00 in.; D4  15.00 in.

90

80

70
100

Efficiency (%)
60
Head (ft)

50

40
50
D1 30

20
D4
10

25
20
NPSH (ft)

15
10
5

150
Power (hp)

100

50

0 5000 10,000 15,000

Flow (US gpm)
Fig. D.10 Performance curve for Peerless 16A18B pump at 880 rpm.
816 Appendix D Selected Performance Curves for Pumps and Fans
1000 1750 rpm
900
800
700
8TU17
600
10TU22C
500
1
3TU13 2_ 6TU168
400
5T
U
15 8TU16
300
2TU12 4TU14

3
Total head, H (ft)

3TU1
200

2TU10

10
0
2TU8

U1

4TU
100

3T
90
80
70 11_ TU7
2
60
50
40

30

20
30 40 60 80 100 200 300 400 600 8001000 2000 3000 5000
Volume flow rate, Q (gpm)
Fig. D.11 Selector chart for Peerless two-stage (series TU and TUT) pumps at 1750 nominal rpm.

1000 1750 rpm

900
800
5TUT168
700
3 Stg.
600
500
4TUT14
400
3TUT13 3 Stg.
3 Stg.
300
4TUT10
2TUT8 3TUT9 4 Stg.
Total head, H (ft)

200
4 Stg. 4 Stg.
1 1_ TUT7
2
4 Stg.

1 1_ TUT7
2
100
90 3 Stg.
80
70
60
50
40

30

20
15 20 30 40 50 60 80 100 200 300 400 600 800 1000 2000
Volume flow rate, Q (gpm)
Fig. D.12 Selector chart for Peerless multi-stage (series TU and TUT) pumps at 1750 nominal rpm.
 References 817

15
60 - 30 -
60 - 30 -1700 1700MM
MM
54-26-
1770
1 MM 66 - 30 - 1700
23¼ - 17½ 48 - 26 -1770 MM
9 3450 27¼ - 14-
23¼ - 14- 3450 MM
8 3450 54-26- 84 - 30 - 1700MM
54-26- 1770MM
7
18-14–3450 45 - 26 -1770 1770
48-26-
6 MM
1770
78-30-1177MM
Total pressure (in. WG.@ 0.075 lb./ft3 density)

5 66-26- 72-26-
1770MM 1170MM
38 - 21 -1750 84-30-
1700MM
4 36 - 21 -1750
54-26-1770 66-26-1770
78-30-870
3 MM
32 - 17½ -1750 54-26- MM
-870
870MM
-30
27¼ - 14-1750
42¼-21- 84
1150
23¼ - 17½–1750 60-26-870
2 38-21-1150 84-30-690MM
78-30-
36-21- 690MM
54-26-870
1150
1.5
32-17½-
1150 42¼-21-
860
38-21-
1.0 27¼-14-1150 860 48-21-860
36-21-860

0.8
32-17½-860 Total Efficiency Bands
0.6 80–88%
27¼-14-860
0.5 75–80%
70–75%
0.4 60–70%

0.3

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 15 20 30 40 50 60 80 100 150 200 250 300

Capacity (cfm  1000)
Fig. D.13 Master fan selection chart for Howden Buffalo axial fans.

References
1. Peerless Pump literature: 2. Buffalo Forge literature:
 Horizontal Split Case Single Stage Double Suction  Axivane Axial Fan Optimum Efficiency Selection Chart,
Pumps, Series AE, Brochure B-1200, 2003. n.d.
 Horizontal Split Case, Multistage Single Suction Pumps,
Types TU, TUT, 60 Hertz, Performance Curves, Bro-
chure B-1440, 2003.
 RAPID v8.25.6, March 2007.