CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS can be categorized into different groups:

• Radial flow pumps,
• mixed flow pumps, and
• axial flow pumps.

Radial flow pumps and mixed flow pumps are the most common
types used.
SPECIFIC SPEED OF
CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
SPECIFIC SPEED OF
CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
• Specific Speed (𝑁𝑠 ) is the speed in rpm at which geometrically
similar pump impellers operate to develop one foot of head
when discharging one gallon per minute.
• an index used to predict desired pump or turbine performance
• Used to determine pump classification
• an important factor used in the design and selection of pumps
and impellers.
SPECIFIC SPEED OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
USES OF SPECIFIC SPEED
1. To classify pumps
a. Radial type
b. Francis type
c. Mixed-flow type
d. Propeller or Axial type
2. To determine pump efficiency
 CLASSIFICATION OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
BASED ON IMPELLER TYPE

1. Radial Type Impeller Pump

• Head is developed largely by the action of centrifugal force
• Used for medium and high heads, above or about 150 ft.
• A conventional type of impeller
• Used in practically all multi-stage machines
• Range of specific speed is between 500 and 3000
• The ratio of discharge diameter to inlet eye diameter is 2.0
 CLASSIFICATION OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
BASED ON IMPELLER TYPE

2. Francis Type Impeller Pump

• Used for lower heads
• Ratio of discharge diameter to the inlet eye diameter is less than
2.0
• Operates at a speed higher than that of a conventional impeller.
• Specific Speed is from 1500 to 4500.
• May also be made double suction
 CLASSIFICATION OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
BASED ON IMPELLER TYPE

3. Mixed Flow Type Impeller Pump

• The head is developed by the centrifugal force and partly by the
push of the vane.
• Discharge is party radial and partly axial; this is the reason for the
name mixed flow.
• Mean discharge diameter is usually almost equal to the eye inlet
diameter.
• Specific Speed is between 4500 and 8000.
 CLASSIFICATION OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
BASED ON IMPELLER TYPE

4. Propeller Type Impeller (Axial flow type)

• The head is developed to the push of the vanes
• Flow is almost entirely axial
• Specific Speed is greater that 8000
• Used for low heads (3 to 40 ft)
• Not suitable for high lifts
 CLASSIFICATION OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
BASED ON IMPELLER TYPE

5. Multi-staging pump
• Used if the head developed becomes too great for a single stage
• Impellers are usually of radial type
• Specific speed is taken to be the specific speed at any stage.
• Flow through all the stages is the same.
• Total Head is usually equally divided among the stages.
Sample Problems
1. Determine the specific speeds of the following single-stage pumps
and specify the type of pump that would probably be used for each:
Example:
2. A six-stage pump delivers 1500 gpm against a net pressure rise of 700
psi. What is the specific speed if it rotates 1750 rpm?
Example:
3. Suppose 10 stages are to be used for a total head of 280 m,
capacity of 100 lps, and a pump speed of 600 rpm. What is the specific
speed in both metric and English units?