Pump

Pump Basics
Basics
CAVITATION,
NPSHR,
& NPSHA
 Cavitation?
Higher pressure, but Volute Wall
still moving fast =
Kinetic energy
Moving slowly,
now highest
Sharp speed pressure
increase due to (Potential)
centrifugal force.
Slight pressure
increase. Bubbles Higher than
start to implode, Vaporization
releasing Threshold, but
damaging energy lower than
NPSHA
Vaporization
starts to occur Minimum NPSHA must be > NPSHR
here + a safety factor
CAVITATION

• Occurs in the impeller and

chamber. Sounds like sand going
through the pump.
• Cause - Liquid vaporizes as it
enters the eyelet of the impeller if
the inlet pressure is too low.
These vapor bubbles collapse
(implode) under increased
pressure during their exit from the
impeller.
 CAVITATION
• Damage Caused - The implosion
releases energy which erodes the
impeller and bearings, leading to
reduced efficiency and possible
pump failure.
• How to Avoid Cavitation - Ensure
that the NPSHA is greater than
the NPSHR! What does this
mean?
 NPSH
• NPSH - Stands for Net Positive Suction Head.
It is the measure of the amount of energy at the
pump suction available to exert pressure on the
fluid (head is energy, measured in feet).
• Net = Result of adding some positives and
some negatives.
• Positive = + (always positive)
• Suction = The inlet of the pump
• Head = Energy in feet, absolute (Includes
atmospheric pressure)
+
 NPSHR
• NPSHR - Stands for Net Positive Suction Head Required.
• Cavitation occurs when the Available Suction Head is less than
Required for a specific pump. When Suction Pressure is too
low, fluid vaporizes. The created bubbles collapse as they
encounter increased pressure while exiting the impeller,
resulting in Cavitation
 NPSHR

• NPSHR Is Unique - The Net Positive Suction Head Required

is unique for each pump design. It is a function of the
geometric design and RPM.
• NPSHR is a Given! - Manufacturers provide graphs which
illustrate the NPSHR for each pump model at the full
spectrum of GPM range. As GPM increases, NPSHR
increases.
NPSHR Curve
 NPSHA
• NPSHA - Net Positive Suction Head Available is unique for each specific
application and operating condition.
• NPSHA - Consists of 5 variables.
1. Gas Pressure - Atmospheric or closed system - (Positive, Pa)
2. Distance of the fluid source above (positive) or below (negative) the pump
suction inlet (He)
3. Suction plumbing friction loss (Negative, Hf)
4. Vapor Pressure (Liquid Temperature Sensitive) - (Negative, Pv)
5. Specific Gravity (S.G.)
• Positives prevent cavitation
• Negatives promote cavitation
 NPSHA
• 1. Gas Pressure (Air, Vapor, etc.) acting on the fluid surface.
Its absolute pressure is always positive (although gauge
pressure may be negative).

Elevation
– a. For an Open System, determine the atmospheric
pressure based on the elevation of the site above
seal level (e.g. 14.7psi at sea level multiplied by 2.31 =

Pressure
to convert psi to feet of head = 33.4 feet). Consult
charts which supply this data.
– b. For a Closed System, gauge pressure, plus
atmospheric pressure based on the elevation above
sea level. Multiply by 2.31 to convert psi to feet of
head.
 NPSHA
• 2. Distance of the liquid source
above or below the pump inlet,
measured in feet: can be positive
OR negative. Positive suction
head occurs when the top of the +
water source is above the suction
Inlet of the pump. Negative
elevation refers to suction lift (like
from a pond, tank lower than the
pump, etc.)

-
 Friction loss in
• 3. Suction plumbing friction loss - It is pipes
always Negative. It is the friction loss for
all components prior to the pump inlet.
As flow increases linearly, friction
increases exponentially. Friction loss is
calculated from friction charts for pipe,
fittings, valves, and other special fluid
carrying devices. The Grundfos
Engineering Catalog and the
Plumbing/Heating, Sump, Sewage &
Effluent Handbook include this Friction
information.

Friction Loss
Flow Linear

Exponential
=
 NPSHA

Cold
• 4. Vapor Pressure, at any given temperature is
always Negative. Vapor Pressure reduces the
positive effect of NPSH variable number 1, Gas
Pressure, by lowering the gas density as

Hot
temperature rises. “Vapor Pressure” sounds like
it should be “positive” but it is the result of
“vaporization” due to higher temperature.
Remember it as “Vaporizing” (Negating) the
Atmospheric Pressure effect.

Affect of
Temperature
On Inlet Pressure
 NPSHA

• 5. Specific Gravity - If the specific gravity is < or > 1.0, the atmospheric
pressure - vapor pressure must be adjusted.

2.31 * (Pa – Pv)

Specific Gravity
 NPSHA

NPSHA = 2.31 * (Pa – Pv) +/- He – Hf

Specific Gravity
 NPSHR, NPSHA, & CAVITATION
An Example

• A pump is required to produce 45 gpm at a TDH of 324 feet. The

pump is fed by a reservoir which is at an elevation of 20 feet above
the inlet of the pump. The system is located at an elevation of
2,000 feet above sea level. The water is 50 degrees F. The friction
loss in the plumbing leading from the tank to the pump inlet is
calculated at 3 feet of head.
 CR8-80
500.00
Actual 46 GPM
@ 336 Ft.
400.00

Check It
Desired 45 GPM With WinCAPS!
300.00
Feet of Head

@ 324 Ft.

200.00

100.00

0.00

0.00 20.00 40.00 60.00

GPM
NPSHR Curve
Atmospheric Pressure Adjusted for Elevation
Properties of Water
 CAVITATION, NPSHR, & NPSHA
An Example - The Answer
• 1. Pump Size - 45 GPM at 324 feet of TDH. Select CR8-80.
• 2. NPSHR - At 45 GPM, the CR8 submittal data NPSH(R) Curve
indicates a minimum of 3.5 feet of NPSH is required to avoid
cavitation.
• 3. NPSHA
– 1. Gas Pressure (Open air or closed?) - In this case, an open system.
The elevation chart indicates an atmospheric pressure of + 13.7 psi at an
elevation of 2,000 feet.
– 2. Elevation from the pump inlet to the top of the feed water. Given = +
20 feet (since it was above the inlet).
 CAVITATION, NPSHR, & NPSHA
An Example - The Answer
– 3. Friction loss - Given in this case, 3 feet of head. If not given, calculate
losses in the pipes, fittings, and valves from the feed source to the pump
inlet flange. Include losses in the tank discharge port. Friction charts are
available to calculate losses in pipes and fittings. Manufacturers can
supply friction loss values for special components.
– 4. Vapor Pressure - Reading from the “Properties of Water” chart, the
Vapor Pressure loss at 50 degrees F is 0.18 psia
– 5. Specific Gravity = 1.001 at 50 degrees F
– Total NPSHA = 2.31* (13.7psia - 0.18psia)/1.001 + 20 ft. - 3 ft. = +48.2 ft.
• NPSHR = 3.5 ft.
• NPSHA > NPSHR = A good application
• Approximately how long could the feed pipe be extended if the lost per 100 feet
of the 2” pipe was 3.9 feet? What could you do to increase the distance and
not cause cavitation?
 CAVITATION, NPSHR, & NPSHA
Summary

• NPSHA > NPSHR = OK

• NPSHA < NPSHR = CAVITATION