NPSH

CALCULATION
INPROCESS BOOSTER TRAINING
BY JEFERSON COSTA – CHEMICAL PROCESS ENGINEER
Content

1. Why NPSH Calculation

2. What is NPSH Required
3. What is NPSH Available
4. NPSH Equation
5. NPSH Calculation
6. NPSH on Aspen Hysys
7. References

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WHY NPSH CALCULATION

You must avoid formation and collapse

of bubbles at pump impeller.
NPSHa > NPSHr

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WHY NPSH CALCULATION

Centrifugal pump damage because of cavitation

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WHAT IS NPSH REQUIRED

The minimum total suction absolute head, at the suction

nozzle, referred to the standard datum, minus the liquid vapor
absolute pressure head, at flowing temperature, required to
avoid cavitation.
In absence of the manufacturer’s characteristics, NPSHR (in m)
for centrifugal pumps may be estimated from the following
empirical equation:

Where n is speed of rotation in rpm, Sn specific speed (rpm)

and QR (m3/hr) is the rated flow rate.

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WHAT IS NPSH AVAILABLE

The total suction absolute head, at the suction nozzle, referred to the
standard datum, minus the liquid vapor absolute pressure head, at
flowing temperature available for a specific application.

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WHAT IS NPSH AVAILABLE

Pump selection must match with pump specification

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NPSH EQUATION

NPSHa depends on environment and

process conditions.

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NPSH EQUATION

NPSHa is influenced by HMB, P&ID,

Plot Plan/Plant Layout and Isometrics.

Ludwig's Applied Process Design for Chemical and Petrochemical Plants Volume 1

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NPSH CALCULATION

Reservoir below pump elevation.

Vapor pressure of water at 30 C is 4.2 kPa (0.615 psia).
Density of water at 30 C is 995 kg/m3 (62.1 lb/ft3).
Which is NPSHa?

Rules of Thumb for Chemical Engineers. 5th ed.

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NPSH CALCULATION

Reservoir above pump elevation.

Vapor pressure of n-butane at 38 C is 356 kPa (51.6 psia).
Specific gravity of n-butane at 38 C is 0.59.
Which is NPSHa?

Rules of Thumb for Chemical Engineers. 5th ed.

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NPSH ON ASPEN HYSYS

NPSHa can be explicitly calculated from

the flowsheet conditions by clicking the
Calculate Head button. The NPSHa is
calculated as follows:

EXAMPLE ON
VIDEO

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VIDEO PRESENTATION AND EXAMPLE
RESOLUTION

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

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REFERENCES

 Rules of Thumb for Chemical Engineers. 5TH ed.

 Ludwig's Applied Process Design for Chemical
and Petrochemical Plants Volume 1
 Chemical Engineering Design. 5TH ed.
 GPSA Electronic Databook 12th ed

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SHORTCUT TO CHEMICAL PROCESS
ENGINEERING AND PLANT DESIGN

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