Pump curve
Pump curve
(OP)
Hello Experts:
I need an expert opinion: I have a centrifugal pump running in thermic fluid service. The original design data sheet indicates the pump was sized for 300 GPM at 171 feet of diff head. The design of the pump is based existing and future expansion project. The expansion is yet to come. Having said that, the pump was put into service and the pump operated at 650 gpm at 100 feet of head. This was beyond the maximum allowable the pump could handle. The pump was operating very far right hand side of the curve. This resulted in shaft deflection and mechanical seal failures. The problem was diagnosed and the pump was put back on curve. Now the pump is operating at 480 GPM and 150 feet of head and very close to BEP. Currently the pump operation is very quiet and running smooth as a silk
Questions -
1) Is there any advantage in moving pump more towards the left hand side of the curve more closer to 300 GPM, the original design
2) If Nothing was done and the pump kept churning around 480 GPM; is there any concern with respect to higher velocity in the pipes and cavitation due to higher pressure drop in the suction. Since the piping size and the NPSH requirement is based on 300 GPM but in reality the output is 480 GPM
Thanks in advance for all your help
Araza
I need an expert opinion: I have a centrifugal pump running in thermic fluid service. The original design data sheet indicates the pump was sized for 300 GPM at 171 feet of diff head. The design of the pump is based existing and future expansion project. The expansion is yet to come. Having said that, the pump was put into service and the pump operated at 650 gpm at 100 feet of head. This was beyond the maximum allowable the pump could handle. The pump was operating very far right hand side of the curve. This resulted in shaft deflection and mechanical seal failures. The problem was diagnosed and the pump was put back on curve. Now the pump is operating at 480 GPM and 150 feet of head and very close to BEP. Currently the pump operation is very quiet and running smooth as a silk
Questions -
1) Is there any advantage in moving pump more towards the left hand side of the curve more closer to 300 GPM, the original design
2) If Nothing was done and the pump kept churning around 480 GPM; is there any concern with respect to higher velocity in the pipes and cavitation due to higher pressure drop in the suction. Since the piping size and the NPSH requirement is based on 300 GPM but in reality the output is 480 GPM
Thanks in advance for all your help
Araza
Asif Raza





RE: Pump curve
If you are running at the BEP, that is the optimum operating point and you will obtain satisfactory results with the pump.
The piping is probably 4-Inch or 6-Inch. Likely 6-Inch. In either case, the velocities do not seem to be extreme.
If cavitation was a problem with the existing pump and piping, the effects would already have been observed. The cavitation will have a more costly effect on the pump than the piping.
Since cavitation does not seem to be a problem and the pump is operating near the BEP, there will be limited opportunities to improve the system.
RE: Pump curve
It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)
RE: Pump curve
Asif Raza
RE: Pump curve
However, you could impose a bit more head by closing down on a discharge valve and shifting the flow to the left if considered necessary.
It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)
RE: Pump curve
It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)
RE: Pump curve
In answer to your points
1) If your service is Ok at 300 GPM, then you would reduce power consumption by about 5bhp / 3 kW
2) Not really an issue. NPSHR only increases by about 2 feet and if it runs well now then its all ok.
Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
RE: Pump curve
It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)
RE: Pump curve
I throttled valves at the outlet of the heat exchangers and closed the pressure control valves (bypass valve) at the end of the header. This way the discharge pressure went up and the pump was put back on the curve. Currently pump is riding very close to its BEP
Kind Regards,
Araza
Asif Raza
RE: Pump curve
RE: Pump curve
Be careful just doing changes without thinking them through.
Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
RE: Pump curve
what you would do in this scenario?
I require about 330 GPM at 130 feet of head
I'm thinking of trimming the impeller. Once i get the new curves I'll post it for discussion
Asif Raza
RE: Pump curve
What about your future expansion?
Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
RE: Pump curve
With the current setup the requirement is 220 GPM at 100 feet of head. With the expansion project, the requirement will increase to 330 GPM at 130 feet.
So I can trim the impeller, this way I can reduce flow
Araza
Asif Raza
RE: Pump curve
Have you got any experience operating a centrifugal pump in hot oil service. The temp is 380 Deg c with Therminol 72
I'm operating a high temp Dean Pump with a dual pressurized mechanical seal. And I'm having issues with seal leak
Araza
Asif Raza
RE: Pump curve
http://www.mcnallyinstitute.com/03-html/3-5.html
RE: Pump curve
I've recalculated the head through the system and it is 100 feet of head at 220 GPM
I've obtained new pump curves using a VFD which is enclosed herewith..
I'm thinking of utilizing a VFD to reduce the flow and head. This gives me flexibility of increasing flow and head if needed for future expansion project
Please give me your opinion in using a VFD
Thanks
Araza
Asif Raza
RE: Pump curve
RE: Pump curve
Do you only need 220 gpm right now?
Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
RE: Pump curve
Curve enclosed
Current demand is 220 gpm at 100 of head and the future demand could be 330 gpm at 120 feet of head max
Araza
Asif Raza
RE: Pump curve
If the system curve is the thin line starting at 0 and going up then its showing at 120ft you only have about 240 gpm.
Or to get 330 gpm you need a pressure of over 200ft which is more than the pump can supply.
The pump is still basically the wrong one for the duty as the BEP is around 550 gpm. If your max flow is 330 then you're always going to be quite inefficient and if this is a continuous duty or heavy duty pump then you'll loose a lot of power compared to the right pump.
However if the line is just drawn wrong and your figures are correct (330 gpm @ 120ft) then the VFD is a bit better, but the pump is still just too big.
Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
RE: Pump curve
It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)