Affinity laws of pump

Background
While dealing with centrifugal pumps, we are typically most concerned with the three primary
performance characteristics: flow, head, and power. These three characteristics all vary in an orderly
manner with changes in impeller speed, following very simple equations. These equations are known as
the pump affinity laws and allow for the prediction of pump performance at varying speeds. Given flow,
head, and power at one speed for a specific pump, one can determine new values for those parameters at
a different speed.

Total dynamic head (or total head), discharge and power of a pump are related to the speed of an impeller
(i.e., pump speed). These relations can be developed by using fundamental equations of pumps. As we
know, the peripheral velocity of the impeller (u) is given as:

Where, D = diameter of the impeller, and N = speed of the impeller or pump.

Pump affinity laws 1
The first pump affinity law deals with flow or pump capacity. The flow varies in direct proportion with the
impeller speed. If the impeller speed for a particular pump is increased by 10%, the flow from that pump
increases by 10%. Likewise, if the impeller speed is reduced by 20%, the flow is reduced by 20%. The
affinity law equation for flow is:
Q1/Q2 = N1/N2
Where N1 = Original speed, Q1 = Original flow, N2 = New speed, Q2 = New flow. Rearranging we get, Q2 =
Q1 x N2/N1
The second pump affinity law deals with fluid head. The head that a particular pump generates varies with
the square of the proportional speed change. For the head, when the impeller speed is increased by 10%,
the head is increased by 21%, and so on. The affinity law equation for the head is:
H1/H2 = [N1/N2]2
Where N1 = Original speed, H1 = Original head, N2 = New speed, H2 = New head. Rearranging we get, H2 =
H1 x [N2/N1]2
The third pump affinity law deals with hydraulic power. The power that a particular pump generates varies
with the cube of the proportional speed change, and thus is most impacted by speed adjustments. The
affinity law equation for power is:
P1/P2 = [N1/N2]3
Where N1 = Original speed, P1 = Original power, N2 = New speed, P2 = New power. Rearranging we get, P2
= P1 X[N2/N1]3

Pump affinity laws 2

Thus, similar to the impact of change in pump speed on pump performance, we obtain three equations
that relate the impact of change in impeller diameter to changes in pump performance. If D1 and D2 are
the two impeller diameters, and Q1, Q2; H1, H2 and P1, P2 are respectively discharges, heads and powers
corresponding to the impeller diameters D1 and D2, the three equations relating the discharge, head, and
power with the impeller diameter are as follows
Q1/Q2 = [D1/D2]
H1/H2 = [D1/D2]2
P1/P2 = [D1/D2]3
The above three equations are known as Affinity Law II, which suggests that the discharge varies linearly
with a change in the impeller diameter, the head varies as the square of the ratio of the two impeller
diameters, and the power varies as the cube of the ratio of the two impeller diameters.
Note that the applicability of the Affinity Law II is limited to less than 20% changes in the original outer
diameter of the impeller
Example
Problem: A centrifugal pump requires 5 kW power when it runs at 1450 rpm and delivers water against a
head of 10 m. If the pump is operated at 1750 rpm, calculate the head developed and the power required
by the pump.
Solution: From the question, N1 = 1450 rpm, N2 = 1750 rpm, H1 = 10 m, and P1 = 5 kW. The head
developed by the pump (H2) and the power required (P2) at 1750 rpm can be calculated by using the
Affinity Law I.
From the Affinity Law I, we have:
H2 = H1 x [N2/N1]2 = 10 x [1750/1450] = 14.57 m
From affinity law 1
P2 = P1 x [N2/N1]3 = 5x [1750/1450] = 8.79 kw