GRUNDFOS

Specific Speed
by Steve Wilson
WHITE PAPER

T he term “specific speed” is much misunder-

stood in the pump industry, yet terms that
arise from specific speed discussions are used
Note on the Statement, and Calculation of
Specific Speed:
• NS of a pump is calculated using BEP of the
without full knowledge of the implications. A pump at full diameter.
basic understanding of specific speed is neces-
sary and helpful in pump selection and analysis • On multi-stage pumps, NS is computed for the
and in discussions of impeller types. This paper first stage only.
is by no means intended as a complete discourse • If asked specifically by a customer for the
on specific speed, but rather a basic overview. For NS of a pump being proposed, NS should be
the interested, further study should be made. calculated using the proposed pump’s BEP at
the proposed diameter.
DEFINITION OF SPECIFIC SPEED
Specific speed is the speed in RPM at which a SPECIFIC SPEED BASICS
given impeller would operate if reduced (or
The specific speed is largely related to the impel-
increased) proportionally in size so as to deliver
ler discharge angle, relative to the inlet. Pumps in
a capacity of one GPM at a head of one foot.
which the discharge of the impeller is directly ra-
By itself, this seems meaningless, but taken
dial to the suction; that is, where the flow transi-
into the bigger picture, the specific speed (NS)
tions “rapidly” from one plane to the other, have
becomes a dimensionless number that describes
a low specific speed and are called “radial vaned”
the hydraulic features of a pump, and more
or “radial flow impellers.” The NS will be in the
specifically of a pump’s impeller(s). Designers use
neighborhood of from 500 to 1700. These pumps
specific speed, coupled with modeling laws and
will usually exhibit a “low flow to head” ratio.
other tools such as the affinity laws to fix curve
At the “other end of the scale,” the fluid will be
shape, predict theoretical efficiencies, HP’s, etc..
discharged from the impeller along the same axis
as it enters. These impellers (or propellers) have
SPECIFIC SPEED FORMULA
high specific speeds, generally above 9000, and
The formula for specific speed is simplified as: are referred to as axial flow impellers (or propel-
lers) and have a “high flow to head ratio.”
RPM x GPM.5 N√Q
NS = or NS = Between these two extremes fall:
H.75 H3/4
• Mixed Flow Impellers, with an NS range of from
Where: around 4000 to 9000 begin to transition away
from the suction axis, but discharge between
NS = Specific Speed
the axial and radial angles, and generally
RPM = Speed in revolutions per minute exhibit a high flow to moderate head ratio.
GPM = US Gallons Per Minute • Francis Vaned Impellers, between mixed and
H = Head in feet radial flow, with NS values from around 1700
to 4000. Francis vaned impellers are frequently
N = RPM discussed in the industry, and are simply
Q = GPM impellers which have vanes curvature such
that the transition from the inlet axis to radial
axis is completed more gradually.
SPECIFIC SPEED GRUNDFOS WHITE PAPER | 2

rise as flow increases. High specific speed pumps

(propellers and mixed flow) exhibit “dropping”
HP characteristics: The HP requirement is highest
Ns
at shutoff and decreases as flow increases.
1 500
(Care must be taken in running or testing high
NS pumps at shutoff to assure motor HP is not
overloaded.) Francis vaned impellers again fall in
2 1000 between these two extremes, with power curves
that rise from shutoff but flatten out as flow
increases. Figure 2 gives a graphic illustration of
3
the relative curve shapes for both HQ and Power.
2000

4 3000

5 5000 6
300

10000
HEAD % OF NORMAL
HEAD CAPACITY CURVES
6
200 5

4
6

BRAKE HORSEPOWER % OF NORMAL

3
Figure 1. Impellers of various specific speed design 2

100
1
200
1
Figure 1 illustrates the general appearance of 2
3
4
impellers of various specific speed designs, with 5
6
inlet being at the bottom. 5 1
2
0 3
4 100
SPECIFIC SPEED AND THE PUMP CURVE
5
6
4
3
2 BRAKE HORSEPOWER CAPACITY CURVES
The specific speed of the pump will determine the 1

general (theoretical) curve slope, from shutoff to

runout. Low specific speed impellers will exhibit 0
0 50 100 150
“flat head” curves and high specific speed pumps CAPACITY - % OF NORMAL
will exhibit steeper curves. (Remember that spe- SPECIFIC SPEED CURVE
cific speed is taken for a single stage only. Many
multi-stage pumps exhibit steep curves when all Figure 2. HQ and BHP curves for various specific speeds
stages are shown together, but have a low NS.

SPECIFIC SPEED AND POWER REQUIRE-

MENTS
Just as pumps with low NS values have low HQ
curves, their power requirements will continue to
SPECIFIC SPEED GRUNDFOS WHITE PAPER | 3

SPECIFIC SPEED AND EFFICIENCY

The impact of specific speed on theoretical ef-
ficiency has been well studied and verified by
testing. Both Karassik, in the Pump Handbook
(page 2.203) and Lobanoff, in Centrifugal Pumps:
Design and Application (pages 15-18) reveal the
results of the studies: Pumps with specific speeds
from 2000-3500 (Francis Vane Impellers) will
exhibit the highest efficiencies in theory and in
test. Of course, as discussed in the “High and
Broad Band Efficiency” paper, pump construction
and configuration will cause differences between
theoretical and actual results. Further, it is not
practical or possible to utilize the same range
of specific speeds for all desired conditions of
service or installations.

CONCLUSION
Understanding specific speed in general is help-
ful in understanding curve shape, horsepower
requirements, efficiency, and pump design. It is a
basic tool of the pump designer. Understanding
the physical and hydraulic natures of flow paths
of different (or similar) NS values can be a valu-
able tool in assessing both proposed and existing
installations.
 Being responsible is our foundation
Thinking ahead makes it possible
Innovation is the essence

USA USA CANADA MEXICO

GRUNDFOS Pumps Corporation PACO Pumps – National Headquarters GRUNDFOS Canada Inc. Bombas GRUNDFOS de Mexico S.A. de C.V.
17100 West 118th Terrace Grundfos CBS Inc. 2941 Brighton Road Boulevard TLC No. 15
Olathe, KS 66061 902 Koomey Road Oakville, Ontario Parque Industrial Stiva Aeropuerto
Phone: (913) 227-3400 Brookshire, TX 77423 L6H 6C9 C.P. 66600 Apodaca, N.L. Mexico
Telefax: (913) 227-3500 Phone: (800) 955-5847 Phone: (905) 829-9533 Phone: 011-52-81-8144 4000
Telefax: (800) 945-4777 Telefax: (905) 829-9512 Telefax: 011-52-81-8144-4010

L-CBS-WP-09 • Rev. 012/09 (US)

http://cbs.grundfos.com