[" .

rLes
1,..-<.-·· ·
.....-
•

.·.· . · CAVIT ~rioN· AND

NET POSIT IVE/
. . .

SUCTI ON HEAD
INTRODUCTION

Lesson 4 tackles the cavitation problem in the operation of a centrifugal pump,

specifically its causes and effects, and solutions. It also discusses the net.positive suction
head (NPSH) which can either be available/installed or' required.
.
The application of the concept and principle of cavitation in centrifugal pumps il?
illustrated by sample problems. Additional problems for students to solve and two -sets of
self-tes\ serve as evaluative tools. ·

LESSON OBJECTIVES

At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:

• define the cavitation problem in centrifugal pumps; •
• enumer~te its causes and effects;
• determine its occurrence; .
• explain ·n et positive suction head (NPSH) of a ~entrifugal pump;
• solve the cavit~tion problem using the NPSH;
• differentiate betwee11 the available or installed NPSH and ttie pump or required
NPSH;and .
·,-; solve problems involving the concept and pri~ciple of cavitation.
- -- -- -- -- ------ -- -- -------- ..

. , DEflNITION OF CAVITATION

I • Cavi;atlon Is a phenomenon which occurs In a cent

rlfugalpump whon th1d Pre1aur1

temperature of the liquid. This r~sults

w
In the ~rma
v:
at any point Inside the pu,:np drops belo th 8 por pressure corrospon 1ng to..__
tlon of vapo r bubbles Th:._~
and colla se with tre~e '-vat
vapor bubbles are carried along with the
flowing hqu!d P lldoUa
shock when a pressure that is higher is
reached. . th
• . .
In other words, cavltat,on 1s the formation
· of ca vities of wate r vapo r in e suct1
.
side of a pump due to low·suction pres on
sure. , ·

CAUSES OF CAVITATION IN CENTRIFUG

AL PUMPS
? -·.1 . 1. Low suction pressure
2. Low atmospheric pressure
3. High llquld temperature
. .....
·
4. High velocity
•
5, Rough surfaces and edges
6. Sharp bends

BAD EFF ECT S OF CAVITATION IN CEN

TRI FUG AL PUM PS
, 1. Noise accompanying the collapse of vapo
r bubbles
2. Vibration of the unit.
3. · Decrease in capacity .
4. Pitting due to chemical reaction
5. Corrosion

FACTORS AFFECTING CAVITATION

To prev ent cavitation, the suction pres

sure must be maintained abo ve the
pres sure from which it starts. The follo critical
wing poir.its should be considered: _
1. The barometric pressure at the point of
installation has a defin ite influence on
the suction lift that can·be permitted. It
must be considered for any installation
high altitudes. at
· . ·
2. The liquid temperature should be
as low as possible. As ttie vapo r pres
increases with the temperature, the avai sure
lable suction lift increases. ·
3. The velocities in the suction line shou
ld be kept law and shar p bend s should
avoi ded ta keep friction and turbulenc be ·
e lasses at a minimum.
· 4. The relative inlet velocity should
be kept law. .
5. Care ful rounding of inlet edges to
an airfoil shape, combined with a sma
vane thickness, will likewise reduce cavi ll Inlet
tation.
6 . The re should be a sufficient number of vanes to guid
fluid pres sure on the vanes law. e the wate r and to keep the •

- "0 f ,. ""1-d•bo ,..,,,,.,. ,,,,.,.._...-;- . .,,-w -----h-1 ..."'~ ---~ ----

-·-- --"' ·-·~ -~
• J6 ..........
~ . uU ...,.-_"' .~ok' In Flald,.Mac _!ler1..-:'.
-,_,;. ,.,""- - ' - - - -·-..--;.- -.,.~ -•--- :;;;:. , ..~ •
----- -:-... ..-:::; ,,..-
-----NET POSITIVE SUCTION HEAD (NPSH)

• N~t Positive Suction Head (NPSH) Is the term us~d to describe pump cavitation
' characteristics. Specifically, It Is the pressure (head) In excess of the saturation
pressure of the liquid being pumped. , · ·
• The NPSH is the difference between the absolute dynamic pressure of the liquid
measure_d at th~ c~nterline of the pump and the saturation pressure corresponding
to the temperature of the liquid at the same point, all expressed in terms of linear -
measurement of the fluid flowing for practical purposes. It can never be a negative
value for the_liquid would then flash and vapor would bind the pump. ·
13 • · The NPSH also refers to the pressure at the pump suction flange, corrected to the
pump centerline, that prevents vaporization of fluid. ·

. -NET POSITIVE SUCTION HEAD AVAILABLE (NPSHA)

• ·Net Positive Suction Head Available (NPSHA) Is the net positive suction head that
Is available or existing at the pump Installation. It Is equal to the pressure head of .
the source of liquid or atmospheric pressure-if the source of water Is an open .
tank-plus or minus the difference In elevation between surface of liquid at source
and pump centerline minus vapor or saturation pressure of liquid at its temperature
minus friction losses betwee~ source of liquid and suction flange, all of which are in
the same linear dimension. ·

/ ,, NPSHA = HP ± H. - Hvp - HL
J ' . ,
C
where NPSHA = neti_positive suction head available, m
H = head corresponding to the absolute pressure on the surface of
P the liquid from which the pump draws; m
H. = height of fluid surface above or below the impeller center1ine, m
(+) if above the·pump centerline
(-) if below the pump center1ine
Hvp = head corresponding to the vapor pressure of the liquid at_!he
· existing temperature, m ·
Hi_ = head loss because of friction and turbulence between the surface
of the liquid and the pump·suction flange, m

L _,
 L.......:..:s--- Pump suction ·
. . line
I

l l ilill:, illllllll:/

II Figure 4.1: NPSHA Pump Installation

NET POSITIVE SUCTION HEAD REQUIRED (NPSHR)

"'.~ ~ , :-.1: . ~et Positiv~ Suction Head Required (NPSHR) Is a performance· characteristic of a
· ·.,-:-- pump and is established through closed loop or·valve suppression tests cond_ ucted -
by the pump manufacturer. These tests consist of lowering the NPSHA provided to
the test pump until the pump head, power, or efficiency noticeably.decreases. NPSHR
!s established based on a predefined percentage reduction in head, power, or
efficiency. Usually NPSHR Is established as 3% head reduction in single-stage
pumps or 3% first-stage_head reduction in multi-stage pumps.

• The NPSHR is equal to the gauge pressure reading in linear dimension at suction
flange, corrected to the pump centerline minus vapor pressure or saturation
·pressure of water at a given temperature in linear measurement plus the velocity at
suction flange.

.• It is also measured at the pump by subtracting the gauge vapor pressure head in
meters or feet corresponding to the temperature of the liquid at the point of
measurement from the gauge pressure head in meters or feet taken at the suction
flange, corrected to the pump centerline for horizontal shaft pumps or to the entrance
eye of the suction impeller for vertical shaft pumps, and adding the velocity ·head at
the point of measurement.

NPSHR =(p" + z)-H.,.; + v2g

y
2

..,,

Where ( p; + z) = cor:rected pressure to the cente~ine of the pump, m

p" = gauge pressure at the. suction flange

1«~
Pump

I , . flange
Figure 4.2. NPSHR
r • Things to Consider In Determining the Value of NPSHR

stated values of NPSHR. .

.
1. The pump manufacturer should be consulted to determine the basis of the

2. The pumping system designer should provide some margin above the stated
NPSHR when designing for pump suction conditions. · · . ,

• Typical Margins Over the Publish.ed NPSHR · · ·· ·

1. · 10~ to 50°! - for a simple cold water pumping system · . .
2. . 50 Yo t~ 100 Yo - for a complex boiler feed pumping system with transient suction
operations · · . . , · . . _

. · SOLUTION FPR CAVITATION PROBLEM

' . . . ~·
• ·It is a must that the absolute pressure of the liquid Is always above the vapor pressure .
corresponding to the temperature of the liquid at the suction line of the pump. -To
avoid cavitation, the following should always be satisfied: · ·
1. NPSH must always be positive.
2. NPSHA ~ NPSHR

• Alternatives when NPSHA Is Negative or NPSHA < NPSHR

1. Change the plant layout, raising the tanks or heaters from which the liquid is
drawn or decreasing the suction lift.
2. . Use a pump of larger size and run it at partial loads or speeds.

CAVITATION PARAMETER

1 -,. Cavitation parameter or Thoma-Moody coefficient e is a dimensionless parameter

• I
usecrfo predict the occurrence of cavitation. .
'
NPSHR ·
e=_ TDH .
i
where TDH = total dynamic head, m

■ Critical values of e
e = 0.05 at N. = 1 000 rpm ~: :·
e = 0.10 at N, = 2000 rpm
= =
e 0.30 at N, 4000 rpm

■ · For different pump operating speed, . .

- e = 0.17S ➔ the beginning of cavi~tion and the minimum safe operati~ ·
· · value of e · . · · -

Yl·· Suction Specific ~~eed Required (S) is an ·index nur:nber descriptive o~ the suction
characteristics of a given pump design. It is the speed in rpm at which a pump Impeller
would operate if reduced proportionately in size _so as to deliver a rated capaaltY of 1 gpm
against an NPSHR of 1 ft. · ·

-
:J.idid I
 S• N/o f"
(NPSHR)·•
• suction specific speed, rpm
where S
N =
pump speed, rpm ·
= capacity of the pump, gpm . .
Q
= net positive suction head required, ft (based on a 3% heacs
NPSHR
reduotio.n as the manufacturer's standard) . . . . . •

. i1.o Suction Specific Spe~d Av~ilable (SA) ·is a·n in~ex number d~scripti~~ of the a_vailable ..
~uction conditions of the pumping system from ~hrch the p1,.1mp rs recefVl~g .suctro_n: It Is
the speed in rpm at which a pump impeller would operate if reduced p~oport1onately rh size
so as to deliver a rated capacity_of 1 gpm against a NPSHA of_1 ft. ·.
. N 'Q 1
S=-~v___,,~~ ~ -
(NPSHA)¾4

where SA = suction specific speed available, rpm

N = pump speed, rpm
a = capacity of the pump, gpm
NPSHA = net positive suction head available, ft

Note:
• S .:? SA - to prevent cavitation
• SA - S - the safety margin
• SA is a valuable criterion in determining the maximum permissible pump speed.

CAVITATION LIMITS OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS IN TERMS OF SA

The cavitation limits for a ·safe operation of various types of centrifugal pumps may be
estimated in terms of SA as ta~ated below:
• Single-suction pumps with overhung impeller SA~ 7 500 to 10 000 • ·
..
• Sihgle-stage pumps with shaft running through the impeller inlet (for double-suction
pumps, use half capacity) . SA s 6 500 to 9 000

• High-pressure, multi-stage pumps (single suction) SA s 5 500 to 7 500

■ stage impeller (single·~uction)

High-pressure, multi-stage pumps with special ·first _
SAS7500to9000 .·
 · Pump's Specific Speed (N,) Is the speed In rpm at which the geometrlcally almllar
pump Impellers would operate to develop one foot of head when discharging one gallon per
minute. • · ·

S= Nfa
eq.2.
(TDH)¾

~ = (NPSHA )°"1
5
Combining eq. 1 and eq. 2,
. . 1 SA · (TDH)°'?5

' 4
Then, e = NPSHA = ( ~ 13
TDH .SA)
,,..:; .'l .
Pump's Performance Curve Is the graphical representation of the characteristics of a pump
operatii:tg at different capacities, hea~s, and efficiencies at constant s~ed.

ILLUSTRATIVE PROBLEMS

'
Ex. 4.1} Assume a horizontal shaft pump handling water at 65°C. The suction nozzle Is
4.72 cm below the pump centerline, the pressure at this point being 221 kPag and the
velocity is. 2.74 m/s. What is the pump's N~SHR?

Given: Pump .

z = 4.72 cm
~~ P, • 221 kPg
V, • 2.74 mis
_L 1 '
11(,r-.. Suction
flange

Required:
Determine the pump's NPSHR.

Solution: .
f=rom steam tables (Keenan, Keyes), at 65.0C

p
181
= 2.503 kPaa and p = 980.5 kg/m 3

For the value of NPSHR

v2
NPSHR=H -H +-·
' " vpg 2g

. (p )
221 000 .
~here H11 = ~ + z = ~ _ ( . ) + 0.0472 = 23.02 m
80 5 9 81

:Jmp--~ ~ ~ I i m i t ~fi~i•J ~ - ; •
~..-------~---~ - ---
 For the val~e of Hvpg,
t\pg =P,., -P.,rn =2503 - 101325 • _10 ,3 m •
pg 980,5(9,81)

For the value of H11 ,

.H., = v,2 ~ (2.74)2 ~o 38 ~ - , .
29 . 2(9.81) . ANSWert

Therefore, NPSHR _
23.0_
2- = ·c-to:3) + 0.38 =_33-! -m. AN~

. Ex. 4.2] A pump is to _d.eliver water at a h~a~ of 40 m, the·wate~ t~mperature being 3Soc anci
the barometric pressure is 760 mm Hg. At intake, the pressure 1s_a vacuum of 432 mm H
and the.velocity is 3.50 mis. Determine the values of NPSH and the cavita!ion parame~
"' . ~ . .

· . Given: A pump shown

P, .~ -432 mm Hg =:-57.6 kPag = 41 .66 kPaa
·. P1 1m = 760 mm Hg= 101.325 kPa
v, = 3.50 ml~
Required: . . Discharge
~ The NPSH and cavitation parameter Suction~ flange
flange ·.
. 2
Solution: 1 -
2
For the NPSH, NPSHR: Hg -H.,.,,, + v
' ' . .... 2g

. (-4 32 mm lig) 101325 Pa _ . ·

Where H.
9
=(.EL)= .760 mm Hg =- 5 913 m
P9 _ (992.95 kg/m 3 )( 9.81 m/s2 ) •

From steam tables (Keenan, Keyes), at t = 3~0 G

P181 = 6.632 kPaa and p = 992.95 kg/m 3
I
f H =P 111 - p~ = 6 632 - 98 660 =-_9 45
r vpg _pg
'
992.95(9.81)
• 2
· m
·.H -~-(3.50) _ . .
-:
29 2(9.81 ) - 0.624 m
V-

Then, NPSH =·-5.913-(-9.25) + 0.624 = 3.961 m ANSWER ·

For th~ Vaiue of Thoma-Moody coefficient
e~NPSHR=~ . ·.. ·
TOH . ·40 =0.099•0.10
Ex, 4.3) A plant located at an altitude of 1ooo m above sea level has an open feed-water
ature of
heater located 3 m above the pump Intake. The water In ·the heater has a temper
If the head loss In the suction line Is o. 30 m, determine
head at
8ooc. the available suction
the pump.

Given: Figure shown

. Note:
Atmosphere 1. Baromafrtc· prenure chana11 (for chan~e
uuuuu. al1itLtdi) ' ,, . . ..

T~ a. ¼•tjg per 1000 ft. rtn In erevatl~n · · . · · ·

b, 83,312 mm Hg per 1000 mriH In elevation

.L
2. Change In temperature ·
3.0m I, 3,see-F per 1000 ft riN
hr
2
0.3m b. 8,S'C per 1000 m rlN

quired:
Re_

TheNPSHA

Solution:
n.
AP= 1 inch Hg per 1 000 ft elevation·= 83."312 mm Hg per 1000 m elevatio

For the Pa1m at 1 000 m elevation, - ·.. ~ ...

83 312 Hg= 90.218 kPaf, ·
p = 760 -( · mm Hg)(1000 m),;, 676.688 mm ·_ ·
aim 1000 m · . , · _ _

From steam tables (Keenan, Keyes), at _80°C, Psat = 47.39 kPaa & p = 971.723 kg/m3

90218 =9467 m
~patm..:
~or HP, HP - pg ~ 971 :723 (9.8066) . .

- psat - : . . 4 7 390 . = 4 973 m

Fo~ Hvp, Hvp - pg - 971.723(9.8066) _ .

Solving for NPSHA,

NPSHA = 9.467 + 3-4.97 3-0.30 .= 7.194 _m ANSWER
Ex. 4.4) Water at 80°F Is pumped from a reservolr·as shown. The head
1011 due to,~
and turbulence Is 1.5 ft. What Is the availabl~ NPSH? . · •.
Given: The figure shown:

Required:

TheNPSHA

Solution:

.
=
From steam tables at BOOF, P.., 0.507 psi and SG
0.998 =
'
p 2 2
(14.7 psi)(144 in /ft )
For H ~ - aa1 - ..;.._ . \
_...:,__ ___:.. - 34 ft
. P' ' 'p - l -(
_
62.4 lb/ ft 3 }(0.998) -

p. (0.50
7psi){144in /ft2)
2
· ·
, For H H =-!!L =..;. ._- -~- --'- =1.17
3 ft .
vp' P _Y (62.4 lb/ft )(0.9.98) . .
Solving for NPSHA,
1
-~ PS~A = HP Hz-:- H~ ·~ HL = 34 - 8 -1.17 - 1.5 = 23.33
-
ft ANSWER

the pump be located above the top of an open tank that

m
Ex. 4.5] If a pump 'requir~s a minimum ~f 2.75 of NPSH, how
high ~n the centerli~e of.
supplies 27°C water to the pump?
The barometer varies from 686 to 732 mm Hg througl)ou
t the year. The tank is 1.83 m high, ·
the pipe friction is 0.70 m, and the velocity is 72 m/min.

~iven: The figu~e shown

his.= 0.70 in :

At 27°C, P.., = 3.567 kPaa . z

p =. 996.81 kg/m 3
Required:

The static suction lift

Solution:

Solving for palm: Patm ~-~ 86 mm Hg)(101.325 kPa )-

760 - 91.4591 kPa
~ mm Hg
Solving for HP, Patm = Pa1m = 91459.1 _ ~
. . 'Y (996.81)(9.81) - 9.35 m

Solving for H , p 1 = P..1 _ 3 567 .0

vp •m pg - (996.81)(9.81) = 0.365 m

Solving for H1 , H =pipe fri t' 1 ·

, r c ion ass + turbulence or velocity loss

H, =0.70+k(v2 )=0.70~(1.0)
l 2g . 1r~Y1
_i§Ql_
2(9.a1)
=O 7734
· m

Solving for HZ, NPSHA = HP - Hz - Hvp - HI

Hz = Hp - NP~HA - Hvp - H, = 9.35 ._ 2. 75 - 0.365 - 0.7734

Hz = 5.46 m (the critical distance when the tank is almost empty)

For the vertical distance or the static suction lift,

z = 5.46-1.83 = 3.63 m ANSWER

Ex. 4.6) Gasoline at 38°C.is being drawn from a closed tank having a pressure of 70 kPag.
The level of the gasoline in the tank is 2.5 m above the pump centerline. The suction line
friction and turbulence head losses amount to 0.60 m. The vapor pressure of the gasoline
is 48 kPaa arid the relative density is 0.72 . a) What is the available suction head of the
system? b) If the Thoma-Moody coefficient is 0.10 and the discharge is 400 lps, what is the
size of the drive motor required? Pump efficiency is 55%.

Given: The figure shQwn P = 70 kPag

Pv = 48 kPaa
T
2.5 m
t = 38°C
RD= 0.72
p = 720 kg/m 3
H, = 0.60 m
J_
TIP = 55%

~~ ~~~ro~afl!nN~'.J'Jlos.i.tmmw!'~

I
Required:
a) lheNPS HA
b) The BP If e • 0.10 and Q • 40~ lps

Solution: ·

· For NPSHA, NPSHA = HP + Hz - Hvp - H,

. . -
·= 70000+ 101325 =24 256
where HP (720)(9.81) . m

. = '' 48000 = 6 _80 m

HYP (720}(9.~1) .

Therefore, NPSHA = 24.256 + 2.5 - 6.8 - 0.60 = 19.356 m . ANSWER

.· ' NPSHA 19.356
Solving for TOH, HP = e = 0 _10 =193.56 m ANSWER

For the value BP,

. pgQ(TO H) . 720(9.8 1)(0.40) (193.56 ) .

BP= - - - - - - = _....;.___,;.,....;.___..,;,...;___~ = 994. 29 kW
·
· ANSWER
1000Tlp , - 1000(0. 55)

Ex. 4.7] A boiler feed pump draws water at 100°C from an open hot well. The suction pipe
Is
loss · is 0.60 m. If the cavitatio n parame ter is 0.10 and the barome tric pressure
737 mm Hg, "!hat must be the elevation of the water surface in the hot well relative to that
of the pump intake? The TOH is 73 m. · · ·

Given: The figure st.town:

Paun = 737 mm Hg
e = 0.10
Hr=0.6 0m
IDH=7 3m
. t= 100°c

Required:

· The value of H,
SOlutJon:
From NPSHA
. •
= Hp + H
. I
- Hvp .- .HI

. .
+
Hz= NPSHA -...::Hp . H\Ill +. HI

w~ere NPSHA = e("~DH) = 0.10(73); 7_30 ·m.. -.

,, F_rom stea~ tables,·at t = 100°c, p 111 =.101.

. . 325 kPa. a~d p = 958.31 ·.kg/~ 3

..
101325
P,1m· = (7~7 mni Hg)(
760 mm Hg
Pa)~ 98258.6 Pa
. •
H = 98258.6 _
10 45
P (958.31)(9.81) - · m
H = 101325 _ .
10 78
• vp (958.31)(9.81) - · m

Therefore, Hz= 7.30-10.45 + 10.78 0.6 = 8.23 m.+ ANSWER

· KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS TO REMEMBER:

• · Net Positive Suction Head Required (NPSHR) is equai to the gauge pressure
reading in linear dimension at suction flange corrected to the pump centerline
minus vapor pressure or saturation pressure of water at a given temperature in
linear measurement plus the velocity at suction flange.
• Net Positive Suction Head Available (NPSHA) is the .net positive suction head
available or existing at the pump installation.
.

• Cavitation refers to conditions within the pump where cavities· filled with vapor
are formed due to the pressure drop in the suction side .
.
• Cavitation may appear along stationary parts of the pump casing or along the
impeller's moving ·vanes.
• Common effects of cavitation problem in the unit ~re noise and vibration, drop
. in head capacity and .efficiency, and impeller_vane corrosion and pitting .
• ' I

• To avoid cavitati~n. the absolute pressure of the liquid should always be above
the vapor pressure.
.. . . ' .
• Pump operating head Is the algebraic difference of discharge and suction heads.
,, This can also be· called Total Dynamic Head or TOH. .

• Net Positive Suc~lon ~ead (NPSH.) is· th~ dynamic pressure of.liquid at pump
suction, kPaa, less .the saturation pressure corresponding to the temperature
at the same point, converted to meters tread of the liquid.

•.
 or equal to the NP
• To avoid ca~ltatlon, NPSHA sho'uld be great er than SH~
, = HP± H ..:. H - H W '
• The equation for NPSH A Is as follow s: NPSH A 1

the head corresponding to the absolute pressure

on the s~~aceL' 01 th 11 le
her,
surfa ce abov e llqulcl
from which the pump draws; H1 is the height of the fluid 8
or beto-,,
to the vapor P
the impeller centerline; Hvp is the head corresponding 888
loss beca us: llre Of
the liquid at the exist!ng temperature; and HL is the head 011_
the pump suctio~ f~rlct.1
and turbulence betwee_n the surface of th~ liquid _and · .. an98.
. •.

I <
r-
. pitOBL~MS

,') . A pump receives_water from an open ~nk wh~s~ -~ inim~m water level Is 1.5 m
, . below the centerline of the pump. The water is at 16oc and the friction lq~~ In the
pipe Is 1.2 m. For a water velocity of 1.02 mis, what is the NP SHA?
. @!jw~ter is su~plled to a ~ump fro"'.' an ~verhead ta~k who_9:0 pressure is 34.5 kPa~. The ·
• water level 1n the tank IS 5.2 m above the floor'. and the water is saturated. The pump .
cente-rline is 76 cm above the floor. 1'f the suction pipe carries 8 lps ~.
and is a standard 101 .6-mm pipe, calculate the NPSHA when the friction loss is 13.5 kPa. ·
•
-,z. Calculate the NPSHA for a pump that receives 150oc water at the rate of 79 lps
throug~ a ~ip~ whose ID is 25.4 cm. A suction gauge located 6 m below the pump
centerline indicates a pressure of 530 kPag, and the barometer Indicates a pressure
of 716 mm Hg. . . . .

·- 1"'4·. A pump receives water from a tank. If th~ pump needs 24 m of NPSHA, how high
must the water level be above the pump centerline If the·water is saturated at 1.724
kPag? The friction loss In the pipe averages 0.3 m for each 6 m of height and the
flow is 23 lps in a 15:24 cm ID pipe. .
,. ,6. If a pipe requires a minimum of 2.75 m of NPSHA: how high can the centerline of ·
the pump be located above the top of an open tank that supplies 27°C water to the
pump? The barometer varies from 686 mm Hg to 732 mm Hg throughout the year.
The tank is 1.82 m high, the pipe friction is 0.7 m, and the velocity is 1.22 mis. ..
(~ Determine the available suction head of a pump which is taking gas oil at a
temperature of 204°C from a closed tank in which the pressure is 60 kPag. The
specific gravity of the oil is 0. 78 and its vapor pressure is 63.25 kPaa. The loss in

t
the suction pipe is 0.61 m and the pump is located 3.65 m above the oil level in a
plant at sea level.
7. . A centrifugal pump receives 9.5 kg/s of water when the pump centerline is 2.75 m
ab·ove the water level that has a pressure of 31 kPaa. Calculate the water
horsepower, neglecting friction and velocity heads, if the discharge pressure gauge
reads 38 m. · ·
8. A test on a single-stage, double-suction radial-type pump operating at 1 200 rpm
and designed for 7 000 gpm of water gives the following data:
.,
0 1600 3100 4300 5700 7000- 7400 7900 8200
• Gpi:n
B Hp Input 297.5 237.5 270 305 345 377.5 390 400 395

Total Head, ft 222.5 220 . 215 210 202.5 194 187.5 175 162.5
a) Plot these curves and draw the efficiency _curve. _
b) On the same sheet, draw.the ,three performance curves for the pump operating
a
at 1 ooo and 1 400 rpm, checking few points to see that the relation between
the three curves are maintained. - · · . ·

L~ " ~Om~~~~~~~
. . .
 9. Detennine the available suction head of a pump which Is taking gas 011
of 4000F, from a closed tank in which the pressure is 85 psig. The sat ate
oil is 0.78 and its vapor pressure Is 90 psia. The loss in the suction _Peeific g~
pump is located 12 ft .above the oil level in a plant at sea level. . pipe IS2ftancs

..

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I>
 STUDENT'S SELF-TEST (SET A)

INSTRUCTION: Encircle the letter that rep resents the correct answer.
. .

1. It is equal to the gauge pressure reading In llnear dimension at suction flang·e corrected
to the pump centerline minus vapor pressure or saturation pressure of water at a given
temperature In linear measurement plus th fl
a) net positive suction head required eve1oc1ty at suet1on ange. \ .
.. b) net positive suction head available
c) total dynamic head
d) specific suction speed
. '
2. It Is the net positive suction head available or existing at the pump Installation.
a) net positive suction head available
b) net positive suction head required
c) total dynamic head
d) specific suction speed
3. It refers to conditions within the pump where cavities filled with-v;por are formed due to
a pressure drop in the suction side.
a) vibration of the unit
b) decrease in capacity
c) cavitation
d) pitting due to chemical reaction
4. Cavitation may appear along stationary parts of the pump casing or along the impeller's
moving vanes. This statement for a centrifugal pump is
a) true ·
b) false
c) not applicable
d) applicable only for a reciprocating pump
5. Common effects of cavitation problem in the u~it are noise and vibration; drop.in head
capacity and efficiency; and impeller vane corrosion and pitting. These problems occur
in a centrifugal pump due to
a) low suction pressure
b) low a~mospheric pressure
c) high liquid temperature
d) All of the above
6. To avoid cavitation, the absolute pressure of the liquid should always be above the
vapor pressure. The said statement for cavitation problem In centrifugal pumps Is
a) true b) false
c) not applicable d) applicable only for reciprocating pumps

4
 7. Pump operating head is i~e algebraic difference of dlscharg~
an~ auction
can also be called _. • • . . : _· _ he~.
· a) total dynamic head · ·
b) net positive suction head required
c) net static suction head
d) net positive suction head·available
8. The dynamic pressure of iiquld at pump suction, kPaa, less the
sat~ratio·~ ·
· corresponding to the temperature at the same point, converted to
meters he::
liquid Is known as
Of
a) total dynamic head
b) net positive suction head
c) total stall(? head
d) static suction head
9. To avoid cavitation, NPSHA should be
a) greate r than or equal to NPSHR
b) less than or equal to NPSHR
c) less than the NPSH.R
d) equal to NPSHR
10. A boiler feed pump receives 45 lps of water at 190°C and enthalp
y of 839.3
operat es agains t a total 11ead of 952 m with efficiency of 70%. Calcula
te ttie en
leaving the pump in kJ/kg: · ·
a) 870.1 ·
b) 650.5
c) 848.6
d) . 700.5

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