Pump Performance curve

Pump performance curves are the least used,

least consulted, least appreciated, and least
understood aspect of the world of industrial
pumps.
In reality, the performance curve is easy to
understand. It isnt rocket science.
The performance curve indicates that the pump
will discharge
A certain volume or flow (m3/hr) of a liquid,
At a certain pressure or head (H).
4 E 4 O4CO C
4E M 4E O4
4 4 O4MOE E + 4 4 EM CE+
4 4 ME4 O O * O4CO
+ 4 O4 + M4 44 4
O 4E OE 4 M 4 4 E
4 O4 M + 4 O MC 4 E CEM
+ 4 E
By definition, the pump is a machine designed to
add energy to a liquid with the purpose of
elevating it or moving it through a pipe. The
pump can elevate a liquid in a vertical tube up to
a point where the weight of the liquid and gravity
will permit no more elevation.
Theres a language barrier between the pump
manufacturers and the pump users.
They use different terminology.
Pump users, operators and mechanics, use
pressure gauges that read in bar, kg/cm2 etc.
The pump manufacturer denotes pressure in
meters of head ( mlc).
mlc : meters of liquid
column
Therefore when we operate a centrifugal pump
we have to calculate the Total head of the pump.
Using the following formula
Manometric pressure is the difference of
discharge and suction manometers.
Keep in mind always :
If suction gauge is below zero (vacuum)
Manometric pressure = Discharge + suction
If suction gauge is above zero (positive suction)
Manometric pressure = Discharge - suction
Easy formulas
But in LPGs things are WORSE
[ (PD - PT) + PL] x 10,2
SG
+ HM - HL
Total head calculation in LPG ship
Pump discharge pressure calculation
in LPG ship
[ (TH - HM) + HL] x SG
10,2
+ PT - PL
Given :
PD = Discharge gauge pressure ( bar ) = 7,5 bar
PT = Tank pressure ( bar ) = 0,03 bar
PL = Pump column losses ( bar ) = 0,2 bar
SG = Specific gravity ( kg/dm3 ) = 0,6815 @ -33,2 C
HM = Discharge pressure gauge height ( mtrs ) = 18,3 mtrs
HL = Tank Sounding level ( mtrs ) = 13,5 mtrs
Required :
TH
=
120
mlc
TH = Total Head ( mlc )
[ (PD - PT) + PL] x 10,2
SG
TH =
+ HM - HL
[ (7,5 0,03) + 0,2] x 10,2
0,6815
TH =
+ 18,3 13,5
BEP
Q= m3 /hr
T
H
=

m
l
c
The pump is designed for a discrete value of
flow rate, differential head, and speed.
This is the Best Efficiency Point of operation.
B E P
However,
in practical applications, the pumps are rarely
operated at the operating parameters for which
the pump has been designed.
Given :
TH = Total Head ( mlc ) = 120 mlc
PT = Tank pressure ( bar ) = 0,03 bar
PL = Pump column losses ( bar ) = 0,2 bar
SG = Specific gravity ( kg/dm3 ) = 0,6815 @ -33,2 C
HM = Discharge pressure gauge height ( mtrs ) = 18,3 mtrs
HL = Tank Sounding level ( mtrs ) = 13,5 mtrs
[ (TH - HM) + HL] x SG
10,2
+ PT - PL
Required :
PD =
PD = Discharge gauge pressure ( bar )
[ (120 18,3) + 13,5] x 0,6815
+ 0,03 0,2 PD =
10,2
PD
=
7,53
bar
In the final analysis,
Pumps should be operated at or near
their BEP.
These pumps will run for years without
giving problems.
The pump curve is the pumps control
panel, and it should be in the hands of
the personnel who operate the pumps
and understood by them.
In case you have understand what we just said
Then you can use my application to calculate the
Total head and required gauge pressure.
Thank you