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Home > Forums > Electrical / Electronic Engineers > Activities > Electric motors & generators engineering > FAQs

Electric motors & generators engineering FAQ

Load characteristics

How does hp change with flow for a "centrifugal pump" by electricpete
faq237-1543
Posted: 13 May 09 (Edited 28 Feb 19)

Most people think increased flow on a centrifugal pump always means increased current. It is true for radial flow centrifugal pumps, but not for mixed flow or axial flow pumps (which sometimes called "centrifugal" pumps, even though that terminology is dubious).

In general (there are exceptions - see manufacturer's curve for highest assurance):
* for a radial flow centrifugal pump, opening up on a system throttle valve will increase BHP demand and current draw.
* for an axial flow centrifugal pump, opening up on a system throttle valve will decrease BHP demand and current draw.
* for mixed flow centrifugal pump, the curve is non-monotonic. As a very rough thumbrule peak BHP is near BEP so current increases when adjusting flow in a direction toward BEP.

The following link provides more info on pump BHP vs flow for these three kinds of pumps:
http://www.gouldspumps.com/cpf_0009.html

Which type pump do you have? The best answer is to check the documentation... however some general thumbrules:
Single-stage high dp pumps, low flow pumps are typically pure radial flow design.
Single stage low-dp, high flow pumps are typically pure axial flow design.
Multi-stage pumps may be mixed flow (high flow pumps) or radial flow (high dp, low flow pumps).

By the way the pump laws and the above behavior for radial and axial flow pumps also applies to fans IF the system pressure is close to atmospheric and the dp is small (several inches water). In this case the change in pressure is only a small fraction of the total pressure... and considering that density is proportional to pressure the gas will act like incompressible fluid if this assumtpion is met.

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