WILO SE
9F Unit 905, Pearl Bank Centre
146 Valero Street, Salcedo Village,
Makati City Philippines
T : 02- 533 - 4016 ([Link])
Centrifugal Pump Curves
Darwin S. Ibanez
[Link]@wilo-philippi
[Link]
0917 865 3046
Centrifugal Pump Curves
HEAD
H-Q
CAPACITY
The performance of a centrifugal pump is graphically represented on a
head-capacity curve
The pump design determines the shape of the curve
The pump will always run along its curve either producing more
pressure (head) or more flow (capacity)
81.2: BEP
DESIGN HEAD
12.32: Impeller dia
END OF CURVE
Minimum Head Maximum Flow
DEAD HEAD
DESIGN FLOW
No Flow - Maximum
Head
118 HP: Brake HP
80.82%: Eff
19.1ft: NPSHr
Centrifugal Pump Curves
The H-Q curve for a particular pump is a function of:
The impeller diameter
And the speed of
operation
Look at the size
of that thing!
Centrifugal Pump Curves
HEAD
1800 rpm
CAPACITY
Holding speed constant, the H-Q curve for any given pump can
be shifted by varying the impeller diameter
Smaller diameter impellers produce less head and capacity
Centrifugal Pump Curves
HEAD
3450 rpm
8 Diameter
2400 rpm
CAPACITY
Holding impeller diameter constant, the H-Q curve for any given
pump can be shifted by varying the pump speed
Slower motor/shaft speeds produce less head and capacity
This is the property used by variable speed drives like the Wilo VFD
Centrifugal Pump Curves
HEAD
5 bhp
3 bhp
CAPACITY
Pump curves typically show the brake horsepower required
to operate the pump at various points along its HeadCapacity curve.
Centrifugal Pump Curves
HEAD
5 bhp
3 bhp
CAPACITY
The brake horsepower shown on the curve is based on pumping water (S.G. = 1.0)
The actual brake horsepower must be corrected for specific gravity
Brake Horsepower Correction
Simply multiply the brake horsepower shown on the curve
by the specific gravity of the liquid being pumped
For example, if it takes 5 bhp to pump water it will take
5 x .72 = 3.6 bhp
to pump the same amount of gasoline at the given head
since the specific gravity of gasoline is 0.72.
Centrifugal Pump Curves
HEAD
52%
56%
62%
65%
6
56%
CAPACITY
Centrifugal pump curves typically show hydraulic efficiency points
The best efficiency point (BEP) is the highest efficiency point on the
curve
Centrifugal Pump Curves
HEAD
H-Q
30
NPSHR
20
IN
10
FEET
CAPACITY
Pump curves typically show the Net Positive Suction Head Required to
operate the pump at each point along its Head-Capacity curve.
NPSHR increases with capacity
The NPSHR value for a particular application is determined at the designed flow rate
NPSH Requirements
The NPSH required by the pump must always be lower than
the NPSH available in your hydraulic system. In general, a
safety margin of two feet is preferred.
Elevation and temperature must be carefully considered when
calculating NPSH available.
Pumps which require more NPSH than is available will self
destruct
12
Centrifugal Pump Curves
HEAD
1800 rpm
Priming
lift
25
22
19
CAPACITY
Self-priming pump curves typically provide information
on the suction lift capability of the particular pump
System Curve
Flow Range
0-120 GPM
Static +
Friction
150 FT
70
GPM
Static
Head
FLOW (GPM)
The system curve represents the effect of the hydraulic system on head
and flow and accounts for both static head and friction loss
14
And The Two Shall Become One...
HEAD
System Curve
Operating Point
H-Q Curve
CAPACITY
A centrifugal pump will operate at the point of intersection between
the pumps H-Q curve and the System curve
15
Pump Curve With System Curve
6.0
5.0
4.0
70% 75%
78%
Efficiency
7.5HP
5HP
70 GPM @ 150 FT
3HP
FLOW (GPM)
16
Efficiency And Horsepower
Pump Efficiency Is A Function Of Pump Design For Service Intended
A Measure Of Hydraulic Losses Through The Pump At Various Flows
Horsepower Is The Work Performed By The Pump To Meet Conditions
Considering Total Head, Desired Flow, Liquid Weight (SG), And Pump
Efficiency
Brake Horsepower (BHP)
Example:
BHP =
BHP =
Flow (GPM) X Head (FT) X SG
3960 X Efficiency
70 X 150 X 1.0
3960 X 0.65
4.08 HP
Selecting A Pump
In order to properly select a pump you need to
know the facts:
Liquid characteristics
Pumping system design
TDH
Capacity
NPSHA
Interrogation may be
required!!
Mental Note
The first rule of
centrifugal pump
selection:
HEAD DETERMINES CAPACITY
Selecting A Pump
HEAD
100
90
80
8
6
70
60
50
40
30
20
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
30
NPSHR
20
IN
10
FEET
CAPACITY
Condition Of Service = 130 gpm @ 70 TDH, NPSHA is
20
Selecting A Pump
HEAD
100
90
80
8
6
70
60
50
40
30
20
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
30
NPSHR
20
IN
10
FEET
CAPACITY
COS = 130 gpm @ 70 TDH, NPSHA is 20
Selecting A Pump
HEAD
100
90
80
70
60
58% 62%
67%
67%
62%
72%
50
40
30
20
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
30
NPSHR
20
IN
10
FEET
CAPACITY
COS = 130 gpm @ 70 TDH, NPSHA is 20
Selecting A Pump
HEAD
100
90
80
8
6
70
60
50
5 bhp
40
30
3 bhp
20
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
30
NPSHR
20
IN
10
FEET
CAPACITY
COS = 130 gpm @ 70 TDH, NPSHA is 20
Applications - Rules of Thumb
Size motors for End of Curve
horsepower
Select pumps such that the COS are
to the left of BEP
Always recommend suction piping be
as short, straight and large as
possible
Learn as much as you can about the
system and you will always select the
right pump.
THANK YOU!
