Suction Flow Velocities of Water

Recommended water flow velocity on suction side of pump

Capacity problem, cavitation and high power consumption in a pump, is often the result of the conditions on the suction side. In general - a rule of thumb - is to keep the suction fluid flow speed below the following values:

Pipe bore inches 1 2 3 4 6 8 10 12 mm 25 50 75 100 150 200 250 300 m/s 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.55 0.6 0.75 0.9 1.4

Water ft/s 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 2 2.5 3 4.5

Water Delivery Flow Velocities

Required flow velocities in water transport systems - on the delivery side of the pump
As a rule of thumb the following velocities can be used in design of piping and pumping systems for water:

Pipe Dimension inches mm m/s

Water ft/s

Pipe Dimension inches 1 2 3 4 6 8 10 12 mm 25 50 75 100 150 200 250 300 m/s 1 1.1 1.15 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 2.65

Water ft/s 3.5 3.6 3.8 4 4.7 5.5 6.5 8.5

Viscous Fluids - Recommended Suction Flow Velocity

Recommended suction flow velocity of viscous fluids
Avoid high velocities in the suction pipes. Higher velocities increases the pressure loss in the pipe and there may be a chance that the pump start to cavitating. As a rule of thumb the suction velocity in front of a pump should be below:

Pipe bore inches 1 2 mm 25 50

Viscous Liquids m/s 0.3 0.33 ft/s 1 1.1

Pipe bore inches 3 4 6 8 10 12 mm 75 100 150 200 250 300

Viscous Liquids m/s 0.36 0.4 0.43 0.45 0.5 0.5 ft/s 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.7 1.7

Recommended Delivery Flow Velocity of Viscous Liquids

Normal flow velocities on the delivery side of the pump in viscous systems
As a rule of thumb the following velocities can be used in design of piping and pumping systems for viscous liquids:

Pipe Dimension inches 1 2 3 4 6 mm 25 50 75 100 150

Viscous Liquids m/s 1 1.1 1.1 1.15 1.2 ft/s 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 3.9

Pipe Dimension inches 8 10 12 mm 200 250 300

Viscous Liquids m/s 1.2 1.3 1.4 ft/s 4 4.5 4.5

Boiling Fluids - Recommended Suction Flow Velocity

Recommended flow velocity for the pump suction side
Capacity problem, cavitation and high power consumption in a pump, is often the result of the conditions on the suction side. In general - a rule of thumb - is to keep the suction fluid flow speed below the following values: Pipe bore inches 1 2 3 4 6 8 10 12 mm 25 50 75 100 150 200 250 300 Boiling Liquids m/s 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.35 0.38 0.45 0.45 ft/s 1 1 1 1 1.1 1.2 1.5 1.5

Boiling liquids - due to the cavitation problem - may be extremely difficult to pump. If the pressure at any point within the pump falls below the vapor pressure of the liquid being pumped, vaporization or cavitation will occur. For example, water at 100oF (38oC) boils or vaporizes if exposed to a vacuum of 28 in Hg. The problem with cavitation increases with higher temperature.

Pumping Boiling Liquids - Delivery Flow Velocities

Recommended flow velocity required on the delivery side of the pump in systems with boiling liquids
As a rule of thumb the following velocities can be used in design of piping and pumping systems for boiling liquids:

Pipe Dimensions inches 1 2 3 4 6 8 10 12 mm 25 50 75 100 150 200 250 300

Boiling Liquids m/s 1 1.1 1.15 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 2 ft/s 3.5 3.6 3.8 4 4.7 5.5 6.5 6.5

Light Oils - Recommended Suction Flow Velocity

Recommended flow velocity for the pump suction side
Capacity problem, cavitations and high power consumption in a pump, is often the result of the conditions on the suction side. In general - a rule of thumb - is to keep the suction fluid flow speed below the following values:

Pipe bore inches 1 2 3 4 6 8 10 12 mm 25 50 75 100 150 200 250 300 m/s 0.5 0.5 0.5

Light Oils ft/s 1.5 1.5 1.6 1.8 2 2.3 3 3

0.55 0.6 0.7 0.9 0.9

Pumping Light Oils - Delivery Flow Velocities

Recommended flow velocity required for light oil systems on the delivery side of the pump
As a rule of thumb the following velocities can be used in design of piping and pumping systems for light oil transport:

Pipe Dimension inches mm 6 m/s

Light Oils ft/s

Pipe Dimension inches 1 2 3 4 6 8 10 12 mm 25 50 75 100 150 200 250 300 m/s 1 1.1

Light Oils ft/s 3.5 3.6 3.8 4 4.7 5.5 6.5 6.5

1.15 1.25 1.5 1.75 2 2