Maximum speed of a reciprocating pump

The pressure in the cylinder during suction stroke or delivery stroke,

must not be allowed to fall below the vapour pressure of liquid,
flowing through suction or delivery pipe. If the pressure in the cylinder
is below the vapour pressure, the dissolved gasses will be liberated
from that liquid and cavitation will take place. And the continuity of
flow of liquid will not exist which means the separation of liquid will
take place. The pressure at which separation takes place, is called
separation pressure and corresponding pressure head is called
separation pressure head. Separation pressure head is denoted by
ℎ𝑠𝑒𝑝 . The limiting value of ℎ𝑠𝑒𝑝 for water is 7.8 m below atmospheric
pressure head or 10.3 – 7.8 = 2.5 m abs. The separation may take place
during suction stroke or delivery stroke. The maximum speed of the
reciprocating pump during suction and delivery stokes is calculated as :
 (a) Maximum speed during suction stroke
Let’s consider the suction stroke. During suction stroke, the value of absolute pressure head is
minimum at the beginning of the stroke. So, the separation may take place at the beginning of
the stroke only. So, in the limiting case, the abs. pressure head in the cylinder at the beginning of
the stroke will be equal to separation pressure head (ℎ𝑠𝑒𝑝 ).
So, ℎ𝑠𝑒𝑝 = 𝐻𝑎𝑡𝑚 - (ℎ𝑠 + ℎ𝑎𝑠 ) (abs.)
ℎ𝑎𝑠 = 𝐻𝑎𝑡𝑚 - ℎ𝑠 - ℎ𝑠𝑒𝑝 ……………………..(i)
Where 𝐻𝑎𝑡𝑚 = atmospheric pressure head, ℎ𝑠 = suction head, ℎ𝑎𝑠 = pressure head due to
acceleration at the beginning of suction stroke
We know,
𝑙 𝐴
ℎ𝑎𝑠 = 𝑠 X 𝜔2 r …………………………………….(ii)
𝑔 𝑎𝑠
Where symbols have usual meanings.
Equating the value of ℎ𝑎𝑠 from Equation (i) and equation (ii)
𝑙 𝐴
𝐻𝑎𝑡𝑚 - ℎ𝑠 - ℎ𝑠𝑒𝑝 = 𝑠 X 𝜔2 r………………....(iii)
𝑔 𝑎𝑠
From this equation (iii), the value of 𝜔 can be calculated. From this value of 𝜔, the speed N can
be calculated, which will be the maximum speed of the reciprocating pump during suction stroke
without separation.
 (b)Maximum speed during delivery stroke
Let’s consider the delivery stroke. During delivery stroke, the value of absolute pressure head is
minimum at the end of the stroke. So the separation may take place at the end of the stroke only.
So, in the limiting case, the abs. pressure head in the cylinder at the end of the stroke will be
equal to separation pressure head (ℎ𝑠𝑒𝑝 ).
So, ℎ𝑠𝑒𝑝 = (𝐻𝑎𝑡𝑚 + ℎ𝑑 ) - ℎ𝑎𝑑 (abs.)
ℎ𝑎𝑑 = (𝐻𝑎𝑡𝑚 + ℎ𝑑 ) - ℎ𝑠𝑒𝑝 ……………………..(iv)
Where 𝐻𝑎𝑡𝑚 = atmospheric pressure head, ℎ𝑑 = delivery head, ℎ𝑎𝑑 = pressure head due to
acceleration at the end of the delivery stroke
We know,
𝑙 𝐴
ℎ𝑎𝑑 = 𝑑 X 𝜔2 r ……………………………………….(v)
𝑔 𝑎𝑑
Where symbols have usual meanings.
Equating the value of ℎ𝑎𝑑 from Equation (iv) and equation (v)
𝑙 𝐴
(𝐻𝑎𝑡𝑚 + ℎ𝑑 ) - ℎ𝑠𝑒𝑝 = 𝑑 X 𝜔2 r ………………….(vi)
𝑔 𝑎𝑑
From this equation (vi), the value of 𝜔 can be calculated. From this value of 𝜔, the speed N can be
calculated, which will be the maximum speed of the reciprocating pump during delivery stroke
without separation.
The minimum of the two speeds given by the above two cases (a) and (b),
is the maximum speed of the reciprocating pump without separation
during suction and delivery strokes.