COMMON PUMPING MISTAKES
Slow Down, You’re Moving Too Fast
(Maybe), Part 2 of 2
JIM ELSEY | Summit Pump Inc.
In part 1 of my column in the November
2022 issue, we covered the first parts of
making a decision if you should buy a
slower pump. We hit on measuring, the
decision process and more.
Specific Speed (Ns) & Suction
Specific Speed (Nss)
Specific speed (Ns), in its simplest
definition, addresses impeller geometry,
including vane angles and the number of
vanes. In the pump, both dynamic and
static forces and their ratio are functions of
specific speed (F dynamic ÷ F static).
Note that specific speeds of
approximately 3,000 will yield the most
efficient pump, and, in a head coefficient
versus specific speed comparison, it peaks
around 1,000. You can generate pump head
easier at lower specific speeds but not as
efficiently at higher specific speeds.
As suction specific speed (Nss)
increases, the stable/allowable operating
envelope for the pump decreases. The
pump suction condition is really the
most important factor to examine when
considering pump speed. While NPSH
margin is paramount, you can do yourself
a favor by determining the allowable pump
operating region (window of stability)
for your selection from proposed sample
performance curves. From that, you can
estimate the maximum suction specific
speed you decide to operate with. Knowing
the maximum suction specific speed, you
can then determine the maximum speed
for the pump utilizing the suction specific
speed formula solved algebraically for
speed (N). For example, assume a maximum
suction specific speed of 8,500. Do not
confuse the suction specific speed of 8,500
as a maximum; this is just an example.
Mitigating & Dynamic Forces
Suction energy (SE) is another often
overlooked parameter. SE is, in essence, a
16 PUMPS & SYSTEMS DECEMBER 2022
NSS Relation w/ Pump Speed
Pump Toolbox
Given NPSHA = 45 feet …select a pump
with a safe satisfactory operating range.
For the example: 60 to 120 % of BEP
Note NPSHR = 30 feet
Then from the chart see that range fits for
8500 Nss .The Nss for the pump selected
is also within the margin of acceptable
NPSHR margin
Jim Elsey
Cart-Graph credit
Lobanoff & Ross
IMAGE 1: Example of suction specific speed’s relation with pump speed (Images courtesy of the author)
measurement of the liquid momentum
at the impeller eye. Column space does
not allow for a full explanation here, so
please refer to my May 2020 column for
more details.
While looking at the liquid velocity
on the suction, also look at the velocity
at the discharge nozzle and 6 diameters
downstream. See American National
Standards Institute (ANSI)/Hydraulic
Institute (HI) standard 9.6.6 for best
practices, but know that over 8 to 10
feet per second on the suction side is
approaching potential issues. Here, slower
is better. I appreciate that impeller vane tip
speeds would be similar for either case (a
larger, slower pump versus a smaller, faster
one), but I am suggesting the alternate idea
that it may be better to add another stage
to the pump, if you require additional head,
and to change the impeller width, if you
need more flow. Another solution could be
two pumps in series.
Nominal limits for maximum impeller
diameter are normally 27 inches for
4 pole and 13 inches for 2-pole speed limits.
This limiting factor is independent of the
liquid properties and is based more on the
material strength of the impeller (shrouds
and vanes). Excess tip speed will manifest
as unacceptable vibration. The radial forces
are a function of the impeller geometry
for a given casing design and will increase
directly with speed. Radial forces will have
a direct impact on shaft deflection that
directly affects bearing and mechanical
seal life. Note that a deflecting shaft at
4-pole speeds will deflect 3,550 times per
minute and 7,100 times per minute at
2-pole speeds. The quality of the impeller
manufacturing process will affect both
hydraulic and mechanical balance. Bearing
wear, mechanical seal life and driver
alignment will all become more critical with
increased speed.
Axial forces are a function of impeller
geometry, suction pressure, clearances
and developed head. Deleterious effects
from axial forces can be exacerbated by a
loose fit of the impeller to the shaft. Axial
thrust increases proportional to speed.
Frequencies of the rotor dynamic forces
depend on speed and flow and react
proportionally.
Inertia
Pumps with larger impellers and a larger
rotating mass will possess higher inertia.
Higher inertia translates to both a longer
coast down on loss of power and a longer
COMMON PUMPING MISTAKES

Nss α maximum operating speed centrifugal pump

Nss = 8500 NPSHR = 30’ Flow = GPM (Q) = 918 gpm. Solve equation for speed… N` combustion engine (must be derated in
0.75
many cases)?
(N`)(GPM)0.5 (8500) (NPSHR)
Nss = 0.75
∴ N` =
Q
0.5
• Is the pump driven by sheaves/belts or
chains (shaft is side loaded)?
(NPSHR)
• How close is the brake horsepower (BHP)
per 100 rpm limits of the shaft and
bearing system?
(8500) (12.82) • What is the site elevation above and or
N` = = 3596 rpm = Suggested Max below sea level?
(30.3) • Is the pump end suction OH1 type or
Jim Elsey

Note: Suction Specific Speed (Nss) is based on maximum impeller diameter
and flow (GPM) (Q) at BEP for single eye impeller.
N` = speed (rpm), Nss = Suction specific speed, Q = flowrate in gpm,
NPSHR = Net Positive Suction Head Required
IMAGE 2: Suction specific speed of a maximum operating speed centrifugal pump
time to reach full speed during startup.
This delayed reaction property is beneficial
for controlling transient system pressures,
as the pump will slowly decelerate after a
pump trip or control valve repositioning,
yet it will continue to move the fluid. The
slower reaction of hydraulic change will
minimize column separation in downstream
piping that reduces water hammer and
other negative related actions.
Other Factors
What are some basic parameters and
questions to consider when deciding on
pump speed? I do not have the space to
explain how each of these factors will affect
the pump speed decision, but the following
list is considered worthy of examination:
• A rheology overview which includes all
of the liquid properties and especially
the amount of solids. The more solids
present, the more you need to slow
down. Also note abrasiveness, shape and
size of the solids.
• Viscosity is a liquid property many
people overlook, so I highlight it with
its own category. Higher viscosity
requires a larger pump for the same
hydraulic conditions.
• Is the fluid Newtonian or non-
Newtonian? Think shear and shear rate
factor. Many non-Newtonian liquids do
not react well to higher speeds.
• In consideration of the actual duty
cycle, it is important to quantify the
cost of power (at some cost per
kilowatt hour).
• Suction conditions were discussed
earlier, but also consider if it is a
flooded suction versus a suction lift
situation or if there are multiple pumps
piped in parallel or series. The level
of sophistication for the design of
the suction system piping geometry
is important to consider for critical
submergence, turbulent flow, suction
energy, suction nozzle velocity and
NPSH margin.
• Another important subset of suction
conditions is if the pump is a self-
primer. Note that the priming time on
high-speed applications will heat the
liquid in both the seal and priming
chambers 8 to 10 times faster.
The following questions will also affect
your choice of pump speed:
• What is the head and flow for the pump?
• Where on the performance curve relative
to best efficiency point (BEP) is the
condition point?
• Where does the system curve intersect
the pump curve?
• What are the future system
requirements?
• How will the system curve change
with age?
• What is the minimum flow rate?
• How large is the safe operating
envelope/the allowable operating area?
• The type of pump will have a big
influence on the speed decision. Is the
pump ANSI, API or other?
• Is the pump of a special design,
such as low flow, high head or
recessed impeller?
• Is the pump variable speed?
• Is the pump driven by an internal
between bearing (BB1)? Does the shaft
interfere with the impeller eye area?
• Is the pump horizontal or vertical?
• Does the pump have dual or single
volute or a diffusor?
• Is the pump impeller centerline
concentric/congruent with the casing
centerline?
• What is the pump impeller inlet tip
speed, the amount of vane overlap and
the liquid’s specific gravity?
• How many stages in the pump?
• Does the pump have a robust base and
foundation?
• Is the pump properly grouted?
• How much pipe strain or nozzle loading
is present?
• What type of lubrication system does
the pump use?
• What type of bearings are used?
• Does the pump experience rapid
temperature change?
• Does the pump operate a high or low
temperatures?
• If the pump fails, what are the effects
on the plant?
General Summary
Where did the urban myths relative to
pump speed initiate? Many of the initial
designs for high-speed pumps of the 1960s
were based on the lower-speed models that
simply had their speed increased to meet
market demands. After some operational
time, these pumps were frequently found
unreliable. Why? Because many of the
older pump models were not originally
designed to operate at higher speeds.
The subsequent failure events skewed
the reliability data, so the common line
of thinking that slower must be better
prevailed. However, in the 1970s, the
pumps that were redesigned and properly
maintained to operate at higher speeds

18 PUMPS & SYSTEMS DECEMBER 2022

were often found to be just as reliable as
slower-speed pumps from the previous
design generations.
The caveat is that later model, high-
speed pump designs come with added
baggage in that they must be operated AGGRESSIVE CUTTER
and maintained at superior standards.
Higher levels of precision maintenance PUMP FOR RAGGING
are required for pump reliability at faster
speeds, such as proper rotor balance and
operational clearances in conjunction with
mitigation of pipe strain, establishing and
maintaining precision alignments and
other industry best practices.
As system head requirements increase,
the laws of physics will force you into
higher-speed pumps. However, I have
witnessed several applications where a
1,750 rotations per minute (rpm), two-stage
pump was the better choice over a single-
stage, 3,550 rpm pump.

Caution: You can also operate a pump too

slowly and have issues with hydrodynamic
stability or overheating the motor due to
cooling fan issues. I do not recommend
operating most pumps below 600 rpm for
any length of time unless the pump was
designed or approved for those conditions.
Check with the OEM in all cases, including
the motor OEM.
In closing, I suggest a scenario where
sometimes the road (think pump system)
to your destination is built for multiple
lanes of high-speed traffic. Think German
autobahn (Bundesautobahn). However,
sometimes there are just two lanes that
can be approached slow and steady to
get the job done with high reliably and The WASTE WARRIOR offers an aggressive solution for ragging,
enjoyment. Think 17 Mile Drive, Pebble plugging, and fouling. Stationary and rotating blades extend
Beach, California. through the suction inlet, maximizing the cutting action.
SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION OR ELIMINATION OF PLUGGING
References LESS DOWNTIME—MUNICIPALITIES SAVE AVERAGE OF $31K IN
1. Centrifugal Pump Hydraulic Instability EPRI MAINTENANCE COSTS PER PUMP ANNUALLY
Report CS-1445 Research Project 1266-18 by EXCELLENT EFFICIENCIES
Dr. E Mackay 1980
STANDARD TWO-YEAR WARRANTY
Check 112 on index.

Jim Elsey is a mechanical engineer with more than

CORNELL CYCLOSEAL® FLUSHLESS SEAL SYSTEM
50 years of experience in rotating equipment for
industrial and marine applications around the world. Waste Warrior is retrofitable, made of hardened material, and
He is an engineering advisor for Summit Pump, does not change the external pump dimension of Cornell models.
Inc., an active member of the American Society
of Mechanical Engineers, National Association of
Corrosion Engineers and the Naval Submarine CORNELL PUMP COMPANY · +1 503-653-0330
League. Elsey is also the principal of MaDDog Pump
Consulting LLC. He may be reached at
© CORNELL PUMP COMPANY 2022
jim@summitpump.com.
Cornell Pump Company is an ISO 9001:2008 Registered Company

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