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/ HOW DOES A PUMP CURVE CHANGE WITH SPECIFIC
GRAVITY

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 Simon Hooton

 14 September 2020

    

How does a pump curve

change with specific gravity
What is Speci!c Gravity?
Speci!c Gravity is a ratio of the density or mass of a
substance compared to the density of water.

Water has a density of 1, with "uids having a higher or

lower speci!c gravity depending on its density. If a "uid
has a speci!c gravity higher than 1, it will sink in water
for example Sand), if less than 1 then it will "oat on
Water for example Oil.

Units are expressed in Kg/M³, which is the mass of the

"uid per Metre cubed of volume being a ratio to water
and is measured using a hydrometer.

Density is di%erent to the weight of a substance, as the

mass is calculated according to volume, as opposed to
weight which considers the e%ect of gravity on the "uid.
This is calculated by multiplying mass by gravity. It is not
related to "uid viscosity.

As mass considers speci!c gravity, if we apply the same

unit of volume across a variety of "uids we can see how
the weight is a%ected by SG:

1 litre of Water weighs 1Kg

1 litre of Sand weighs approximately 1.53Kg

How does a pump curve change with

speci!c gravity?

Speci!c Gravity a%ects a pump curve as "ow rate is a

volumetric "ow rate and will thus be directly a%ected by
the density of a liquid.

Pump curves are calculated based on water which has an

SG of 1. If a "uid has a higher speci!c gravity than water,
then the head will show the same, but the pressure will
increase since Pressure is a function relative to "uid
calculated by multiplying Head x Speci!c Gravity.

If a "uid has a lower speci!c gravity then the pressure

displayed will be less, and the absorbed power will be
less meaning a smaller motor can be !tted.

The presence of solids will also e%ect the absorbed

power. Wastewater which contains sewage is typically
assumed to have an SG of 1 due to the large ratio of
water to solids. However slurries or sludges can have a
density 2 or 3 times higher, a%ecting the motor power
accordingly.

The following graph shows the e%ect of varying

densities on a centrifugal pump curve.

HowSpecificGravityAffectsAbsorbedPower

MOLYBDENUM
SPECIFICGRAVITY

MUD

°CONCRETE

FLOCCULANT •POWERABSORBED(Kw)

15 18 27

*DataabovebasedonFlowrateof50MSH,and20MHead

Pump curve adjustment for speci!c

gravity or pump curve speci!c gravity
correction
To adjust a pump curve to account for speci!c gravity
perform the following:

Speci!c Gravity Pressure Calculation:

The pressure supplied by a pump for each application is

"uid dependent and relative to "uid density thus
pressure will change according to the "uid’s speci!c
gravity

To obtain the pressure in Bar - multiply 0.0981 by the

Head in Metres displayed at duty point, by the Speci!c
Gravity of the Fluid. The formula of which is expressed
as:

p=0.0981*h*SG

Speci!c Gravity Absorbed Power Calculation:

Density and pressure directly a%ect the power absorbed

by the motor during operation. The amount of power
absorbed by a motor during operation is multiplied by
the SG to calculate the power absorbed.

Multiply the Power Absorbed at duty point and end of

curve by the speci!c gravity to ensure any motor
selected will suit the required application.

Speci!c Gravity and NPSH

Care must be taken where a pump curve shows a high

NPSH is required. A "uid with a low speci!c gravity,
must be checked against the NPSH required carefully.

Cavitation can occur if the inlet pressure is below that

required by the pump, which can arise when the SG of
the "uid is not accounted for correctly, when
determining the NPSH available.

Positive Displacement Pump Curve

A PD Pump curve will not be a%ected in the same way as
a centrifugal pump curve by the speci!c gravity of a
"uid, as "ow rate will remain constant. However, the
absorbed power will increase, with the pressure
produced remaining "uid dependent.

To understand more about the e%ects of head and

pressure read our guide

Table of Fluids with Example SG’s

Fluid Speci!c Gravity

Alcohol 0.77-0.99

Beer 1-1.01

Bitumen 0.97-1.02

Brine 1-1.2

Butter 0.86

CO² 1.555

Coagulants 1.05-1.3

Concrete 2.2-3.2

Diatomaceous Earth 2.33

Diesel 0.82 – 0.89

Flocculants 0.7-1.15

Glycol 1.005 – 1.16

Glue 0.561

Heavy Fuel Oil 1-1.3

Hydrogen 0.069

Ice 0.91

Ink 1.5-3

Jet A1 Fuel/Kerosen 1.2-1.3

e

Honey 1.032-1.43

Lava 3.1

Lime 0.849

Milk 1.028-1.033

Molasses 1.35-1.45

Molybdenum 8.6-9.01

Mud 1.1-4.2

Paint 1.5-3

Potash 1.2

Resin 1.1-1.25

Sand 2.65 – 2.67

Seawater 1-1.02

Syrup 1.1-1.5

Water 1

Yogurt 1.042-1.063

Wax 0.80-0.920

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