The available Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) is obtained from the following equation:

NPSH =
g {
1 ( Pa −P v )
ρ }
−h f −h1

Where, Pa – pressure in the suction tank; Pv – vapor pressure of liquid in the pump; h f –
frictional losses in the suction line; and h1 – height of the pump from the liquid level in the
suction tank (h1 is positive if the pump is below the liquid level in the suction tank and negative
if the pump is above the liquid level in the suction tank. Therefore, in the process diagram below,
the NPSH equation will be as follows:

NPSH =
g {
1 ( Pa −P v )
ρ }
−h f + h1