Power and Efficiency

Brake Horse Power (BHP)                            

The work performed by a pump is a function of the total head and the weight of the liquid pumped in a given time period. Pump input or brake horsepower (BHP) is the actual horsepower delivered to the pump shaft. Pump output or hydraulic or water horsepower (WHP) is the liquid horsepower delivered by the pump. These two terms are defined by the following formulas.

where: Q = Capacity in gallons per minute (GPM) HT = Total differential head in feet Efficiency = Pump efficiency in percent	Eq. (12)
where: Q = Capacity in gallons per minute (GPM) HT = Total differential head in feet	Eq. (13)

The constant 3960 is obtained by dividing the number or foot-pounds for one horsepower (33,000) by the weight of one gallon of water (8.33 pounds). BHP can also be read from the pump curves at any flow rate. Pump curves are based on a specific gravity of 1.0. Other liquids' specific gravity must be considered. The brake horsepower or input to a pump is greater than the hydraulic horsepower or output due to the mechanical and hydraulic losses incurred in the pump. Therefore the pump efficiency is the ratio of these two values.

Eq. (14)

Best Efficiency Point (BEP)

The H, NPSHr, efficiency, and BHP all vary with flow rate, Q. Best Efficiency Point (BEP) is the capacity at maximum impeller diameter at which the efficiency is highest. All points to the right or left of BEP have a lower efficiency.

BEP as a measure of optimum energy conversion

When sizing and selecting centrifugal pumps for a given application the pump efficiency at design should be taken into consideration. The efficiency of centrifugal pumps is stated as a percentage and represents a unit of measure describing the change of centrifugal force (expressed as the velocity of the fluid) into pressure energy. The B.E.P. (best efficiency point) is the area on the curve where the change of velocity energy into pressure energy at a given gallon per minute is optimum; in essence, the point where the pump is most efficient.

BEP as a measure of mechanically stable operation

The impeller is subject to non-symmetrical forces when operating to the right or left of the BEP. These forces manifest themselves in many mechanically unstable conditions like vibration, excessive hydraulic thrust, temperature rise, and erosion and separation cavitation. Thus the operation of a centrifugal pump should not be outside the furthest left or right efficiency curves published by the manufacturer. Performance in these areas induces premature bearing and mechanical seal failures due to shaft deflection, and an increase in temperature of the process fluid in the pump casing causing seizure of close tolerance parts and cavitation.

BEP as an important parameter in calculations

BEP is an important parameter in that many parametric calculations such as specific speed, suction specific speed, hydrodynamic size, viscosity correction, head rise to shut-off, etc. are based on capacity at BEP. Many users prefer that pumps operate within 80% to 110% of BEP for optimum performance.

Specific Speed

Specific speed (N_s) is a non-dimensional design index that identifies the geometric similarity of pumps. It is used to classify pump impellers as to their type and proportions. Pumps of the same Ns but of different size are considered to be geometrically similar, one pump being a size-factor of the other.

Specific Speed Calculation

The following formula is used to determine specific speed:

where: Q = Capacity at best efficiency point (BEP) at maximum impeller diameter in gallons per minute (GPM) H = Head per stage at BEP at maximum impeller diameter in feet N = Pump speed in RPM

Eq. (15)

The understanding of this definition is of design engineering significance only, however, and specific speed should be thought of only as an index used to predict certain pump characteristics.

As per the above formula, it is defined as the speed in revolutions per minute at which a geometrically similar impeller would operate if it were of such a size as to deliver one gallon per minute flow against one-foot head.

Specific Speed as a Measure of the Shape or Class of the Impellers

The specific speed determines the general shape or class of the impellers. As the specific speed increases, the ratio of the impeller outlet diameter, D2, to the inlet or eye diameter, D1, decreases. This ratio becomes 1.0 for a true axial flow impeller. Radial flow impellers develop head principally through centrifugal force. Radial impellers are generally low flow high head designs. Pumps of higher specific speeds develop head partly by centrifugal force and partly by axial force. A higher specific speed indicates a pump design with head generation more by axial forces and less by centrifugal forces. An axial flow or propeller pump with a specific speed of 10,000 or greater generates its head exclusively through axial forces. Axial flow impellers are high flow low head designs.

Specific speed identifies the approximate acceptable ratio of the impeller eye diameter (D1) to the impeller maximum diameter (D2) in designing a good impeller.

Ns: 500 to 5000;D1/D2 > 1.5 -radial flow pump

Ns: 5000 to 10000;D1/D2 < 1.5 -mixed flow pump

Ns: 10000 to 15000; D1/D2 = 1 - axial flow pump

Specific speed is also used in designing a new pump by size-factoring a smaller pump of the same specific speed. The performance and construction of the smaller pump are used to predict the performance and model the construction of the new pump.

Suction Specific Speed (Nss)

Suction specific speed (Nss) is a dimensionless number or index that defines the suction characteristics of a pump. It is calculated from the same formula as Ns by substituting H by NPSHr.

In multi-stage pump the NPSHr is based on the first stage impeller NPSHR. Nss is commonly used as a basis for estimating the safe operating range of capacity for a pump. The higher the Nss is, the narrower is its safe operating range from its BEP. The numbers range between 3,000 and 20,000. Most users prefer that their pumps have Nss in the range of 8000 to 11000 for optimum and trouble-free operation.