PUMP KNOWLEDGE CENTER

Pump capacity, denoted by Q, is the volume of liquid a pump can move per unit of time. It is usually expressed in liters per minute (l/min) or cubic meters per hour (m³/h).

Head, denoted by H, is the maximum height against which a pump can move a liquid, measured from the inlet to the highest point of the discharge. It is usually expressed in meters.

Suction head is the vertical distance between the liquid level in the suction reservoir and the pump. It affects the required NPSH and the efficiency of the pump.

Efficiency, denoted by η, is the ratio between the useful energy delivered by the pump and the total energy consumed by the pump. It is expressed as a percentage.

Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) is the amount of pressure required at the suction side of the pump to prevent cavitation. It consists of the NPSH required by the pump (NPSHr) and the NPSH available in the system (NPSHa).

Cavitation is the formation of vapor bubbles in a liquid when the pressure drops below the vapor pressure of the liquid. This can lead to pump damage and reduced performance.

A pump curve is a graphical representation of a pump’s performance, showing the relationship between head and pump capacity.

A pump performance chart is a detailed graph that shows pump performance under various conditions, including capacity, head, and efficiency.

Viscosity is a measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow or deformation. It affects how easily the liquid can flow through the pump.

Density is the mass per unit volume of a substance, usually expressed in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³). It affects the head and the force required to move a liquid.

Flow regime describes how a liquid moves through a system. Laminar flow is smooth and orderly, while turbulent flow is chaotic and irregular.

An impeller is a rotating component of a pump that converts the motor’s energy into kinetic energy, causing the liquid to move.

Static pressure is the pressure of a stationary liquid, while dynamic pressure is the pressure resulting from the movement of the liquid. Both are essential for designing and evaluating pump systems.

The operating point is the point on the pump curve where the pump actually operates within a system. It is determined by the balance between the pump characteristics and the system characteristics.

Specific speed (Ns) is a dimensional parameter that characterizes the geometric proportions of a pump and helps in selecting the right pump for a specific application.

Priming is the process of filling the pump and suction line with liquid to remove air and prepare the pump for normal operation.

Mechanical seals and gaskets are used to prevent leakage of liquids along the pump shaft and are essential for maintaining efficiency and safety in pump systems.

Wear and corrosion are forms of damage to pump components caused by mechanical wear or chemical reactions, which can lead to reduced performance and service life.

Vibration analysis is a technique used to measure and analyze vibration levels of a pump. It helps identify issues early and prevent failures.