Pump Family Tree
Pump Selection
William G. Beazley, PhD
Copyright ©, 2010
All Rights Reserved
Dynamic Pumps
Clip of Pump Impeller
(Source: Charles Thomas)
• Dynamic:
– Impart Kinetic Energy by Increasing Fluid Velocity, then
– Convert to Pressure (Potential) Energy by Decreasing
Fluid Velocity
• Positive Displacement:
– Increase Pressure (Potential) Energy by Doing Work on
the Fluid
– i.e., Push Directly on Fluid with Piston, Plunger, etc.
Examples of
Centrifugal
Pumps
(Source: Bausebacher
and Hunt)
http://www.armstrongpumps.com/
Centrifugal Pump
(Source: DOE)
http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/ndwc/articles/OT/SU03/TB_SU03.html
1
 Centrifugal Pump Parts Single and Double Volutes
(Source: US Dept of Energy) on Centrifugal Pumps
(Source: US Dept of Energy)

Centrifugal Pump Diffussor Vanes Centrifugal Pump Impeller Types

(Source: US Dept of Energy) (Source: US Dept of Energy)
• Stationary vanes surrounding impeller
• Increases efficiency by allowing more gradual expansion and controlling • Open consists only of blades attached to a hub
turbulence • Semi-open constructed with a circular plate (the
• Designed so liquid exiting impeller encounters an ever increasing flow area
– Causes a reduction in flow velocity web) attached to one side of the blades
– Converts kinetic energy into flow pressure • Enclosed (shrouded) has circular plates
attached to both sides of the blades

Radial Flow Pump

Centrifugal Pump Flow Classification
(Source: US Dept of Energy)
(Source: US Dept of Energy)
• How fluid flows through the pump
• Determined by the design of the pump
casing and the impeller.
• Three types of flow:
– radial flow
– axial flow, and
– mixed flow

• Liquid enters at Impeller Center

• Exits along impeller blades at
right angles to shaft.

2
 Axial Flow Pumps Mixed Flow Pumps
(Source: US Dept of Energy)
(Source: US Dept of Energy)

• Impeller pushes the liquid in a • Liquid enters at center of impeller

direction parallel to the pump shaft
• Sometimes called propeller pumps • Exits along impeller blades at right
angles to pump shaft.

8000 HP Magnetic Bearing Centrifugal Pump Double Suction Pump

(Source: YORK Process Systems)
(Source: Adam Lukenbach, Dow)

http://www.york.com/Products/Ref/PROCESSSYSTEMS/Default.asp#

Double Suction Pump

(Source: Adam Lukenbach, Dow)

http://www2.valero.com/apps/plant/investmentrecovery/

Vertical Pumps
(Valero)

3
 Variable Speed Cooling Tower Pumps API Pump Classification Type Identification
(Tony Dafft, Rohm and Haas) (ANSI/API Std 610-2004)

http://texasiof.ces.utexas.edu/texasshowcase/sessions.html#c

API Pump Overhung Type

(ANSI/API Std 610-2004) API Pump
Between
Bearings Type
(ANSI/API Std
610-2004)

Typical Pump Standard

API Pump Vertically SuspendedType
(ANSI/API Std 610-2004) ANSI B73.1 End-Suction Pump Dimensions

4
 Problem with Pump Standards
(McNally Institute) Centrifugal Pump Physical Summary
• The impeller contains rotating vanes that impart a radial and rotary motion
• Written for pumps equipped with jam to the liquid.
• The volute collects the liquid discharged from the impeller at high velocity
packing and gradually causes a reduction in fluid velocity by increasing the flow
area, converting the velocity head to a static head.
• Shafts too long for mechanical seals • A diffuser increases the efficiency of a centrifugal pump by allowing a more
gradual expansion and less turbulent area for the liquid to slow as the flow
area expands.
• Packing material provides a seal in the area where the pump shaft
penetrates the pump casing.
• Wearing rings are replaceable rings that are attached to the impeller and/or
the pump casing to allow a small running clearance between the impeller
and pump casing without causing wear of the actual impeller or pump
casing material.
• The lantern ring is inserted between rings of packing in the stuffing box to
receive relatively cool, clean liquid and distribute the liquid uniformly around
the shaft to provide lubrication and cooling to the packing.

http://www.mcnallyinstitute.com/02-html/2-4.html

Packing and Mechanical Seals Installation of Typical Oil Seal

(Source: US Dept of Energy) (Garlock)

http://www.garlock.com/
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/industry/bestpractices/for_technical.html

Typical Cartridge Seal Centrifugal Pump Design Considerations

(Garlock)
• May require:
– Flush for Lubrication, Cooling
– Inert Gas to Spread Seals
• Centrifugal pumps can operate
– Barrier liquid to isolate process fluids. continuously for months or even years
– Quench to dilute leaks or dissolve solids • Often rely on working fluid for cooling and
lubrication
• API 682 has • Damage from:
standard plans to – Flow is stopped while pump is still operating,
supply seal fluids
the pump will no longer be adequately cooled
– Pumping a liquid whose temperature is close
to saturated conditions.

http://www.garlock.com/

5
 Internal Slip Cavitation
(Source: Charles Thomas) (Source: US DOE
lidingo)
• Leakage Allows Pump to
Rotate with Valve Closed
• Heat and Pressure Build Up

http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/5810/rvc/swift.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Cavitation_bubble_implosion.png
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/industry/bestpractices/for_technical.html

Cavitation Cavitation Process

(Source: Lawrence Pumps Inc.)
• Flow area at eye of pump impeller usually
Constricted
• Liquid entering impeller eye increases flow
velocity with accompanying decrease in
pressure
• Liquid may flash to vapor when the local
pressure falls below the saturation pressure
• As pressure increases along the impeller vanes
vapor bubbles abruptly collapse
http://www.lawrencepumps.com/newsletter/news_v04_i2_july.html
http://www.lawrencepumps.com/newsletter/news_v04_i2_july.html

Cavitation Effects
• Degrades pump performance, resulting in
fluctuating flow rate and discharge pressure.
• Destructive to pump’s internal components
– Bubble collapse causes a physical shock to the
leading edge of the impeller vane.
– Creates small pits on leading edge of the impeller
vane
– Cumulative effect can destroy a pump impeller in
hours.
• Excessive pump vibration, which could damage
pump bearings, wearing rings, and seals
Cavitation: Tolerate or Eliminate?
• A small number of centrifugal pumps are
designed and maintained to withstand
small amount of cavitation
• Most centrifugal pumps are not designed
to withstand sustained cavitation.
• Indications:
– Noise - A cavitating pump can sound like a
can of marbles being shaken
– Fluctuating discharge pressure, flow rate, and
pump motor current

6
 Cavitation Damage to a Francis Turbine
(Wikipedia)
Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH)
• Operating parameter
• Difference between pressure at suction of
pump and saturation pressure for liquid
being pumped
• To avoid cavitation in centrifugal pumps:
– Pressure of fluid must remain above
saturation pressure
– The net positive suction head required
(NPSHR) is the minimum NPSH necessary
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Turbine_Francis_Worn.JPG

Static, Dynamic and Lost

Head Selected
(US Army)
Vapor
Pressures
(Milton Beychok)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:AmineTreating.png
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/policy/army/fm/10-67-1/APPC.HTML

Stopping Cavitation: Increase NPSHA

NPSHA ≥ NPSHR
• Increase the pressure at suction of pump
• NPSHA = Psuction – Psaturation – Example - Taking suction from enclosed tank:
• Example: • Raise level of the liquid in the tank
• Increasing the pressure in space above liquid
– A centrifugal pump is taking suction from a tank or • Decrease temperature of pumped liquid:
other reservoir. Pressure at suction of pump – Decreases the saturation pressure
(Psuction) is sum of: – Example: Large steam condensers usually subcool
• Absolute pressure at surface of liquid in tank (Pa) condensate to less than saturation temperature (condensate
depression) to prevent cavitation in condensate pumps
• Plus Pressure due to elevation difference between
surface of tank liquid and pump suction(Pst) • Reduce Head Losses in Piping
• Less head losses due to friction in the suction line from – increase pipe diameter,
the tank to the pump (hf). – reduce number of elbows, valves, and fittings,
– decrease pipe length
• NPSHA = Pa + Pst - hf – Psat

7
Stopping Cavitation: Decrease NPSHR Pump Laws for Centrifugal Pumps
• Reducing the flow rate through a pump by throttling a
discharge valve
• Flow rate or capacity is directly
• Reduce the speed of a variable speed centrifugal
pump (Within system needs) and or start additional proportional to the pump speed;
parallel pumps, if available.
• Better pump design to change: • Discharge head is directly
– type of impeller inlet, proportional to the square of the
– impeller design,
– pump flow rate,
pump speed;
– impeller rotational speed, and
– type of liquid being pumped. (The manufacturer typically
• Power required by the pump motor
supplies curves of NPSHR as a function of pump flow rate is directly proportional to the cube of
for a particular liquid (usually water) in the vendor manual for
the pump.) the pump speed.

Important Characteristic Curve Terms Centrifugal Pump Characteristic Curves

(Source: Haman, Zazueta, Izuno)
• Shutoff head - maximum head developed by
centrifugal pump operating at a set speed.
• Four curves relate:
• Pump runout - maximum flow developed by – head,
centrifugal pump without damaging the pump. – efficiency,
• Centrifugal pumps must be protected from pump – power, and
runout or operating at shutoff head. – net positive suction head
…required to pump capacity
• Developed by testing
• Depend on geometry and
dimensions of pump's
impeller and casing.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE004

Centrifugal Pump Dead-Head Protection from Runout:

Protection
• Runout can:
• Centrifugal pump is when operated with no flow:
– Lead to cavitation
– With a closed discharge valve
– Against a seated check valve.
– Cause overheating of the pump's motor due
to excessive currents
• Protecting the pump from running dead-headed:
• Protection: Always ensure adequate flow
– Provide a recirculation line from the pump discharge
line upstream of the discharge valve, back to the resistance at the pump discharge to
pump's supply source prevent excessive flow through the pump
– Automatic flow control device – place an orifice or a throttle valve immediately
downstream
– Properly designed piping systems

8
 Gas Binding Combining Head & Efficiency Curves
• Gas binding (Source: Haman, Zazueta, Izuno)
– Centrifugal Pump casing filled with gases or vapors and
impeller cannot contact enough fluid to function correctly
– Can lead to cooling problems for the pump's packing and
bearings.
– Pumps in systems containing dissolved gases that are not
designed to be self-venting should be periodically vented Head vs Capacity Efficiency vs Capacity
(H-Q) (H-Q)
manually
• Priming Centrifugal Pumps
– Most centrifugal pumps are not self-priming
• Locat below level of the source from which pump takes its suction.
• Supply liquid to pump suction under pressure supplied by another
pump in suction line
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE004

Operating Point Head Gains & Losses in A System

(Source: Haman, Zazueta, Izuno) • Add the
Head
• Pump Head Gains and
equals System Losses on
“Resistance” Each Side
Head at Flow
• May be Several
“Operating
Points”

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE004

Pumps in Series Multi-Stage Pumps

(Source: Haman, Zazueta, Izuno) (Source: US Dept of Energy)

• Each impeller = One Stage

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE004 • Up to 150 PSI Differential Per Stage

9
 Pumps in Parallel Affinity Laws
(Source: Haman, Zazueta, Izuno)
• Express the mathematical relationship
between the several variables involved in
pump performance. ( ~ = “Proportional to”)
– N = Pump Speed, RPM
– D = Impeller Diameter
– Q = Capacity, GPM ~ D & ~ N
– H = Total Head, Feet ~ D2 & ~ N2
– BHP = Brake Horsepower ~ Q x H ~ D3 & ~ N3
• Applies to all types of centrifugal and axial
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AE004 flow pumps.

Affinity Laws: Affinity Laws:

Impeller Diameter D Held Constant: Pump Speed N Held Constant:

N = Pump Speed, RPM N = Pump Speed, RPM

D = Impeller Diameter D = Impeller Diameter
Q = Capacity, GPM ~ D & ~ N Q = Capacity, GPM ~ D & ~ N
H = Total Head, Feet ~ D2 & ~ N2 H = Total Head, Feet ~ D2 & ~ N2
BHP = Brake Horsepower ~ Q x H ~ D3 & ~ N3 BHP = Brake Horsepower ~ Q x H ~ D3 & ~ N3

Centrifugal Pump Operation Centrifugal Pump Operation

Summary
• Cavitation is the process of the formation and
subsequent collapse of vapor bubbles in a pump
• Three effects of pump cavitation are:
– Degraded pump performance
– Excessive pump vibration
– Damage to pump impeller, bearings, wearing rings,
and seals
• Three indications that a centrifugal pump is
cavitating.
– Noise
– Fluctuating discharge pressure and flow
– Fluctuating pump motor current
Summary (cont’d)
• Steps to stop pump cavitation include:
– Increase the pressure at pump suction
– Reduce the temperature of the liquid.
– Reduce head losses in the pump suction piping
– Reduce the flow rate through the pump.
– Reduce the speed of the pump impeller
• To avoid pump cavitation, the net positive suction head
available must be greater than the net positive suction
head required.
• Net positive suction head available is the difference
between the pump suction pressure and the saturation
pressure for the liquid being pumped.

10
 Centrifugal Pump Operation
Summary (cont’d)
• Gas binding of a centrifugal pump is a condition
where the pump casing is filled with gases or
vapors to the point where the impeller is no
longer able to contact enough fluid to function
correctly.
• The greater the head against which a centrifugal
pump operates, the lower the flow rate through
the pump. The relationship between pump flow
rate and head is illustrated by the characteristic
curve for the pump.
POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT
PUMPS
• Positive displacement pumps operate on a different
principle than centrifugal pumps.
• Positive displacement pumps physically entrap a
quantity of liquid at the suction of the pump and push
that quantity out the discharge of the pump.
http://www.gardnerdenverproducts.com/index.aspx
Examples of Rotary Pumps
(Source: Bausebacher and Hunt)
Centrifugal Pump Operation
Summary (cont’d)
• Shutoff head is the maximum head that can be
developed by a centrifugal pump operating at a set
speed.
• Centrifugal pumps are protected from dead-heading by
providing a recirculation from the pump discharge back
to the supply source of the pump..
• Pump runout is the maximum flow that can be developed
by a centrifugal pump without damaging the pump
• Centrifugal pumps are protected from runout by placing
an orifice or throttle valve immediately downstream of
the pump discharge and through proper piping system
design.
Examples of Positive Displacement Pumps
(Source: Gardener Denver)
a. Single-Acting Plunger Pump b. Double-Acting Piston Pump (for viscous
(for very high pressure with liquids and
moderate flows and high efficiency) slurry service)
PD (e.g. Piston) Pump Operation
• Check Valves Insure Direction of Flow
• Stoke Moves Fixed Volume of Fluid
11
 Direct-Acting & Indirect-Acting Pumps
Reciprocating Pump Categorization (Diagram: The Hydraulic Institute)

• direct-acting or indirect-acting; • Some reciprocating pumps are powered by prime movers that
also have reciprocating motion, e.g. reciprocating steam piston
• simplex or duplex; • Direct-acting pump plunger is directly driven by piston of
power end
• single-acting or double-acting; and • Indirect-acting pumps driven by beam or linkage connected to
• power pumps power piston rod

Horizontal simplex direct acting (steam) pump

http://www.pumps.org/content_detail.aspx?id=2194

Single, Double Acting

Simplex and Duplex Pumps
• Simplex pump (single pump) has a single
liquid (pump) cylinder
• Duplex pump is equivalent of two simplex
pumps placed side by side on same
foundation
– One piston on upstroke when other piston on
downstroke and vice versa
– doubles the capacity
– Reduces vibration

<Rotary> Power Pumps

• Convert rotary motion to low speed reciprocating
motion by reduction gearing, a crankshaft,
connecting rods and crossheads.
• Rod and piston construction, similar to duplex
double-acting steam pumps, is used by the liquid
ends of the low pressure, higher capacity units
• Electric motors or turbines drives
Reciprocating • Higher pressure units are normally single-acting
plungers, and usually employ three (triplex)
Mud Pumps plungers.
(OSHA) • Three or more plungers substantially reduce flow
pulsations relative to simplex and even duplex
• A large reciprocating pump used to circulate the pumps.
mud (drilling fluid) on a drilling rig
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/oilandgas/illustrated_glossary/mud_pump.html

12
 Power Pump Advantages
• Typically have high efficiency
• Capable of developing very high
pressures
• Eliminates high steam requirements
of direct-acting steam pumps in
continuous duty service
• Differential pressure generated is
independent of fluid density: Depends
entirely on piston forces
Power Pump Disadvantages
• In general, effective flow rate
decreases as pumped fluid viscosity
increases because pump speed must
be reduced
• Vs centrifugal pumps
– Relatively expensive pumps
– Rarely be justified on the basis of
efficiency over centrifugal pumps.

Simple Gear Pump

• Two meshing spur gears
revolving in opposite Gear Types
directions within a casing
– Many teeth => Discharge is
relatively smooth and
continuous
– Fewer teeth => greater
capacity for given speed
more pulsation
• No valves => less friction
losses vs reciprocating
pump
• Lower impeller velocities
=> less friction losses vs
centrifugal pump.
• Well suited for viscous
fluids e.g. fuel and
lubricating oils.

Lobe Type Pump Positive Displacement Pump: Lobe Type

(Animation-Pump World) (James F. Steffe, Ph.D., P.E.)

• Variation of simple
gear pump but with
only two or three
teeth per rotor
• Gibs
– Thin plates carried in
grooves at extremity of
each lobe in contact
with the casing.
– Promotes tightness
and absorbs radial
wear
– Some designs fitted
with replaceable gibs
http://www.egr.msu.edu/~steffe/dairyplant/dairy.htm
http://www.pumpworld.com/positive_displacement_pump_basic.htm

13
 Screw-Type Positive
Displacement Rotary Pump
• Design Variations:
– Number of intermeshing screws involved,
– Pitch of the screws
– General direction of fluid flow.
• Two common designs:
– Two-screw, low-pitch, double-flow pump
– Three-screw, high-pitch, double-flow pump
Two-Screw, Low-Pitch, Screw Pump
• Two screws on parallel shafts:
– One right-handed thread,
– Other left-handed thread
– One shaft drives other
– Rotate in closely fitting duplex
cylinders with overlapping bores.
• Herringbone timing gears:
– Maintain clearances between
screws
– Promote quiet operation.
• No actual contact between:
– Two screws or
– Screws and cylinder walls.

Three-Screw, High-Pitch, Screw Pump

Rotary Moving Vane Pump
• Three screws, oppositely • Cylindrically bored
threaded on each end housing with suction inlet
– Screw Pitch much higher
on one side and
– Center screw (power rotor)
drives two outer idler rotors discharge outlet on other
directly without timing gears • Cylindrically shaped rotor
– Eliminates unbalanced is driven about axis
hydraulic thrust
placed above cylinder
• Pedestal bearings at base centerline
support rotor weight and
maintain axial position • Rotor/Cylinder clearance
• Used for pumping viscous is small at top but
fluids, usually lubricating, increases at bottom
hydraulic, or fuel oil. • Vanes maintain sealed
spaces between rotor
and cylinder wall

Diaphragm Pumps Peristaltic Hose Pumps

(Periflo,Inc.)
• Diaphragm
– Acts as limited • Hose provides fluid
displacement piston
– Forced to reciprocate by containment
mechanical linkage,
compressed air, or • Elastomers good for
pulsating fluid
• Good for toxic or
slurries, corrosives
expensive liquids
– Eliminates contact
• Compression by roller or
between pumped liquid
and source of energy:
shoe
– No leakage • Lubricant needed in case
• Disadvantages:
– Limited head and capacity • Flows to 250 gpm
range
– Necessity of check valves
in the suction and
• Pressures to 220 psi
discharge nozzles.
http://www.periflo.com/

14
Positive Displacement Pump Positive Displacement Pump
Characteristic Curves Protection
• Deliver a definite volume • Normally fitted with relief valves
of liquid for each cycle of
pump operation on upstream side of their
• Only factor that effects
flow rate is operating discharge valves to protect pump
speed
– Flow resistance will not and discharge piping from
effect the flow rate
• Slippage - Rate at which
overpressurization if:
liquid leaks from the pump
discharge to its suction as –Pump discharge valve is shut
the discharge pressure
increases during pump operation or
–Any other occurrence such as a
clogged strainer blocks system flow

Positive Displacement Pumps Positive Displacement Pumps

Summary Summary (Cont’d)
• Centrifugal vs PDP: • Positive displacement pumps types:
– Flow delivered by centrifugal pump –Reciprocating piston pump
during one revolution of impeller
depends upon head against which pump –Gear-type rotary pump
is operating –Lobe-type rotary pump
– PDP delivers a definite volume of fluid –Screw-type rotary pump
for each cycle of pump operation
regardless of the head against which the
–Moving vane pump
pump is operating. –Diaphragm pump

Positive Displacement Pumps

Summary (Cont’d)
• As liquid viscosity increases, maximum (proper)
operating speed decreases & maximum flow rate
decreases
• Characteristic curve (head versus flow) for PDP at Motive Power for Pumps
constant speed is a vertical line
• Slippage is the rate at which liquid leaks from the
discharge of the pump back to the pump suction
• PDP’s are protected from overpressurization by a
relief valve on the upstream side of the pump
discharge valve.

15
Typical Pump & Motor Arrangement
(Source: Bausebacher and Hunt)

Clip of Pump, Coupling and Motor

AC Motor Components
Understanding Drivers (Source: Charles Thomas)

• Turbines
– Trend is to use turbines because excess
steam is available
– Piping and other issues add expense
– Water turbines also used
• Electric Motors
– Simpler
– Can cause explosions

NEMA Frame Sizes NEMA HP & Speed Ratings

(LightmyPump .com)

http://www.lightmypump.com/pump_glossary.htm http://www.lightmypump.com/pump_glossary.htm

16
 Power Transmission
(Source: Charles Thomas)
Fixed Speed
Couplings:
Rigid and
Flexible
(Source:
Charles
Thomas)

• Must Have Perfect Alignment

Millwrights Shaft Alignment

calculates shim
corrections on
Pump Alignment
(Local 1906)

http://www.philamillwrights.com/mwp2003.html

Millwrights Align Pump & Motor

Questions

http://www.semocarpenters.org/

17
 Centrifugal Pump
(Source: AWWA)

http://www.nesc.wvu.edu/ndwc/articles/OT/SU03/TB_SU03.html

18