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The ability to read pump curves is essential to long-term pump performance. In new applications, they aid in the selection of a pump that meets performance requirements. In troubleshooting applications, they help engineers and operators evaluate conditions and solve performance problems.
If you are new to pumps and fluid processing, reading a pump curve can be a daunting, confusing task. Just when you think you understand curves, you realize that different types of pumps (centrifugal, positive displacement, air-operated diaphragm, etc.) have different types of curves as well. In this post, we'll break down the anatomy of a centrifugal pump curve.
A centrifugal pump imparts energy on a liquid, and based on the system, has flow and head characteristics. The amount of required pressure the pump must overcome dictates where the performance point will be on the curve and how much flow is produced. As pressure increases, the flow decreases moving your performance point to the left of the curve. As pressure decreases, the performance point runs out to the right of the curve and flow increases.
When looking at curves for a new application, there are many factors to consider. But in most cases, a selection should be made as close to the Best Efficiency Point, or BEP, as possible. The BEP is an operating point along the performance curve that shows the highest efficiency point for the impeller diameter of the pump.
Ideally, pumps run at this point for their entire lives. But in real-world applications, system upsets and fluctuating demand cause pumps to operate outside ideal conditions. Here are some common terms you might hear when describing a pump running off its best efficiency point:
If you are new to pumps and fluid processing, reading a pump curve can be a daunting, confusing task. Just when you think you understand curves, you realize that different types of pumps (centrifugal, positive displacement, air-operated diaphragm, etc.) have different types of curves as well. In this post, we'll break down the anatomy of a centrifugal pump curve.
A centrifugal pump imparts energy on a liquid, and based on the system, has flow and head characteristics. The amount of required pressure the pump must overcome dictates where the performance point will be on the curve and how much flow is produced. As pressure increases, the flow decreases moving your performance point to the left of the curve. As pressure decreases, the performance point runs out to the right of the curve and flow increases.
When looking at curves for a new application, there are many factors to consider. But in most cases, a selection should be made as close to the Best Efficiency Point, or BEP, as possible. The BEP is an operating point along the performance curve that shows the highest efficiency point for the impeller diameter of the pump.
Ideally, pumps run at this point for their entire lives. But in real-world applications, system upsets and fluctuating demand cause pumps to operate outside ideal conditions. Here are some common terms you might hear when describing a pump running off its best efficiency point:
- Operating away from BEP - the pump is operating at flows greater than or less than the best efficiency point
- Operating to the right of BEP - operating at a higher flow rate than the best efficiency point
- Operating to the left of BEP - the pump is operating at flows less than the best efficiency point
Why does it matter?
Running a pump off its best efficiency point, one way or another can add, energy costs, but the biggest consequence of running off the BEP is an increased chance for failure.
Operating the pump to the left or right of BEP means the door is open to challenges like:
Having a pump that won’t work, loses its efficiency, or is slow to work? Ask us about it at water pump dubai We gladly provide technical assistance to businesses and commercial.
Operating the pump to the left or right of BEP means the door is open to challenges like:
- Cavitation
- Excessive vibration, leading to premature wear of seals, shafts, impellers, and bearings
- Increased operating temperature caused by suction or discharge recirculation, vibration, or breakdown of lubricants
- Repeated failures that cost money and time to repair
Having a pump that won’t work, loses its efficiency, or is slow to work? Ask us about it at water pump dubai We gladly provide technical assistance to businesses and commercial.
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