Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH)

NPSHr (required) is normally specified by the pump manufacturer.

Hence, NPSH calculation usually refers to the calculation of available
NPSH (NPSHa). Calculation of available NPSH or NPSHa is important
for deciding the line sizes on suction side of a centrifugal pump.
Selecting a large enough line size is crucial for avoiding cavitation in
the pump…
Sample Problems:
Calculate the Net Positive Suction Head for a pump
handling 100,000 kg/hr flow of water coming from an
atmospheric storage tank. The water temperature can be
taken as 25 deg C The line size of pump suction line is 6"
and the suction line is 20m long. The pump suction nozzle
is 0.4 m above ground level. The tank is elevated on a 1 m
high platform. The minimum liquid level in the tank is 300
mm.
Estimate the NPSHA (Net Positive Suction Head Available) for a pumping system which is
designed to pump 200,000 kg/hr of water. The water stream is available from a storage
tank which operates at atmospheric pressure and 250C.Minimum liquid level in the storage
tank above pump suction nozzle is kept as 3m. Suction line is 6″ in size and 10m long.The
discharge from pump is to be sent to another vessel with a top connection for water inlet.
The maximum height for the 6″ discharge line above the pump discharge nozzle is 12m. The
discharge vessel operates at a pressure of 3 barg. There is no control valve in the discharge
line. Discharge line to be assumed 100m long considering all the fittings and valves.