PUMPS APPLICATION

SPECIFIC SPEED
Specific speed is a function of the pump capacity, head and rotational speed at peak
efficiency. For a given pump and impeller configuration, the specific speed remains essentially
constant over a range of flow rates and heads.
Theoretically, specific speed is the speed in revolution per minute (RPM) at which a
homologous pump would have to turn in order to put out 1.0 gallon per minute at 1.0 foot
total head.
Specific speed is used as a guide to select the most efficient pump type.

English System S.I. System

𝑵 𝑸Τ𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝟔. 𝟔𝟔𝑵 𝑸Τ𝒔𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏

𝑵𝒔 = 𝑵𝒔 =
𝑯Τ𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝟑Τ𝟒 𝑯Τ𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝟑Τ𝟒
where:
where:
N = RPM N = RPM
N = RPM N = RPM
Q = GPM Q = m3/min
H = feet H = meter THELMA T. OBILLO
PME 005074
 PUMPS APPLICATION

SPECIFIC SPEED VERSUS IMPELLER TYPE

APPROXIMATE RANGE OF IMPELLER IMPELLER TYPE

SPECIFIC SPEED (RPM)

500 – 1 000 Radial Vane

2 000 - 3 000 Francis (Mixed) flow

4 000 - 7 000 Mixed Flow

9 000 and above Axial Flow

THELMA T. OBILLO
PME 005074
 PUMPS APPLICATION

SPECIFIC SPEED APPLICATIONS:

PROBLEM No. 1
Determine the specific speed of The following single pump and specify the type of pump
which would probably used for each

PUMP N (RPM) Q (GPM) HEAD, H

1 1 150 3 500 100

2 855 12 000 15

3 675 20 000 50

PROBLEM No. 2
A six stage pump delivers 1,500 gallons per minute of water against a net pressure rise
of 4.83 MPa. What is the Specific speed if it rotates at 1,750 RPM?

THELMA T. OBILLO
PME 005074
 PUMPS APPLICATION

AFFINITY LAWS

AFFINITY LAWS FOR CENTRIFUGAL PUMP

General Equations:
𝑸𝟐 𝑵𝟏 𝑫𝟑𝟐
𝑸 ∝ 𝑵𝑫𝟑 =
𝑸𝟏 𝑵𝟐 𝑫𝟑𝟏

𝟐 𝟑
𝑯𝟐 𝑵𝟐𝟐 𝑫𝟐𝟐 𝒅𝟐
𝑯 ∝𝑵 𝑫 = 𝟐 𝟐
𝑯𝟏 𝑵𝟏 𝑫𝟏 𝒅𝟏

𝟑 𝟓
𝑩𝑷𝟐 𝑵𝟑𝟐 𝑫𝟓𝟐 𝒅𝟐
𝑩𝑷 ∝ 𝑵 𝑫 = 𝟑 𝟓
𝑩𝑷𝟏 𝑵𝟏 𝑫𝟏 𝒅𝟏
where:
Q1 and Q2 = Capacity of first and second pump.
N1 and N2 = RPM of first and second pump.
BP1 and BP2 = Brake power delivered in the first and second pump.
D1 and D2 = Impeller diameter of first and second pump.
d1 and d2 = Densities.
THELMA T. OBILLO
PME 005074
 PUMPS APPLICATION

AFFINITY LAWS

PUMP SIMILARITIES
Similar pumps will have the same specific speed and cavitation number.

TO DETERMINE THE IMPELLER DIAMETER, D

• Peripheral Speed

𝝅𝑫𝑵
𝑽= (m/sec)
𝟔𝟎
• Potential Energy = Kinetic Energy

𝒎𝑽𝟐
𝒎𝒈𝑯 =
𝟐
𝑽= 𝟐𝒈𝑯

THELMA T. OBILLO
PME 005074
 PUMPS APPLICATION

AFFINITY LAWS

• Equating (i) and (ii),

𝝅𝑫𝑵
= 𝟐𝒈𝑯
𝟔𝟎

𝟔𝟎 𝟐𝒈𝑯
𝑫=
𝝅𝑵
• If the peripheral speed factor is considered,

𝟔𝟎 ∅ 𝟐𝒈𝑯
𝑫=
𝝅𝑵
where:
∅ = Peripheral speed factor
∅ = 0.80 to 1.20
If not given, use ∅ = 1.0
𝒈 = 9.80665 m/sec2
𝑯 = Head in meters
THELMA T. OBILLO
𝑵 = RPM PME 005074
 PUMPS APPLICATION

AFFINITY LAWS APPLICATIONS:

PROBLEM No. 1
A model centrifugal pump with a 3 in. diameter impeller delivers 600 gpm of 60°F water at
a total head of 350 ft when operating at 1,750 rpm. Find the diameter of a geometrically
similar pump that will deliver 1,000 gpm when operating at 3,500 rpm. What will be the total
head of the 3,500 gpm pump when it is delivering 1,000 gpm?

PROBLEM No. 2
A centrifugal pump delivers 300 gpm of water or 1,000 meters total head when operating
at 3,500 rpm.
1. At what speed must a geometrically similar pump operate to deliver 200 gpm at the
same total head?
2. What must be The diameter of the impeller for This new pump if the diameter of the
3,500 rpm is 3 cm?

THELMA T. OBILLO
PME 005074
 PUMPS APPLICATION
AFFINITY LAWS APPLICATIONS:
PROBLEM No. 3
GIVEN:
Initial condition
Q1 = 300 GPM
N1 = 750 RPM
BP1 = 7.5 HP
H1 = 50 m
If rotates or new speed of 650 rpm, what will be the capacity, the heod and the
brakepower?

PROBLEM No. 4
A centrifugal pump with a 7.6 cm. impeller diameter rotating at 1,150 rpm delivers 300 gpm
of water at 76.22 m total head. Find the impeller diameter of a geometrically similar pump
rotating at 1,750 rpm and delivering 500 gpm of water. Find also the new head.

THELMA T. OBILLO
PME 005074
 PUMPS APPLICATION

AFFINITY LAWS APPLICATIONS:

PROBLEM No. 5

A centrifugal pump designed for a 1,800 rpm operation and a head of 60.90 m has a
capacity of 189.3 liters/sec with a power input of 130.6 kW. What effect with a speed
reduction to 1,200 rpm have on head, capacity and power input to the pump? What will be
the change in this variables if the impeller diameter is reduced from 304.6 mm to 254 mm
while the speed is held constant at 1,800 rpm?

THELMA T. OBILLO
PME 005074