dimensionless characteristic parameter while retaining the same numerical value by using Y Qopit the definition in the right-hand version of the following equa sion [2] agen SSemt | 35-q VRe 0" Tp ig Fopd oY here Qope in m'/s Qopein mls = Flow rate at Nope Henin Honinm — =Developed head 3 toe 2 nap a ingels = Pump speed ng in metric units | ng z For multistage pumps the devel ‘oped head Hope at best efficiency for a single stage and for double cotry impellers, the optimum flow rate Qopc for only one im. paller half are to be used. [As the specific speed ng in- creases, there isa continuous change from the originally radial exits ofthe impellers to Approximate reference values: hg upto approx. 25 upto approx. 40 upto approx. 70 160 400 up to approx. approx. from 14 Dimensionless parameter Gravitational constant 9.81 m/s? nixed flow” (diagonal) and eventually axial exits (see Fig. 2) The diffuser clements of radial pump casings (e.g. volutes) be- come more voluminous a¢ long. as the flow can be carried off sadially, Finally only an axial exit of che flow is possible (e.g. as ina tubular casing) Radial high head impeller Radial medium head impeller Radial low head impeller Mixed flow impeller Axial flow impeller (propeller) High head Magen head Lownead — Mxeatow Axa fw Impaler impeler mee impeller” proper rgupte25 upted0—upto70-— upto 60. 140t0 409 rpm Fig. 2: Effect of the specific speed ng on the design of centrifugal pump impellers. The diffuser elements (casings) of single stage pumps are outlined. 2 Specific Speed Using Fig. 3 itis possible to de termine ng graphically, Further types of impellers are shown in Fig. 4: Star impellers are used in self priming pumps. Periph- eral impellers extend the speci: fic speed range to lower values down to approximately ng = 5 (peripheral pumps can be de- signed with up to three stages) For even lower specific speeds, rotary (for example progressive cavity pumps with ng = 0.1 t0 3) ‘reciprocating positive dis: placement pamps (piston pumps) are to be preferred. ‘The value of the specific speed is one of the influencing para meters required when convert= ing the pump characteristic curves for pumping viscous or solids-laden media (see sections 4and 6) In English-language pump lit- crature the true dimensionless specific speed is sometimes des- ignated as the “type number K". In the US, the term Nis used, which is calculated using gal- lonsimin (GPM), feet and pm, The conversion factors are K =ng/52.9 Ny=ng/S16 ®Specific Speed «Impeller Types - Characteristic Curves Ww 24h 2-43 iz]: boa. Povacetcann ee see id 888 0 o © § © ia Fig. 3: Nomograph to determine specific speed ny (enlarged view on p. 80) Example: Qope = 66 mth = 18.3 ls; = 1450 rpm, Hopy = 17-5 me Found: mq = 23 (metric units). 3.16 Pump Characteristic Curves Unlike positive displacement pumps (such as piston pumps), centrifugal pumps deliver a var- iable flow rae Q (increasing with decreasing head H) when operating a constant speed. They are therefore able to ac- commodate changes in the system curve (see section 3.2.2). The input power P and hence the effcrney 9 a8 wel a8 the ISH, (se section 3.5.4) are dependent on the flow rate. Fig. 4 Impeller types for clear liquids 43