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NPSH Calculation for Pumps Explained

The document explains Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH), which measures the absolute pressure at a pump's suction compared to the liquid's vapor pressure, crucial for preventing cavitation. It details how to calculate NPSH using the Bernoulli equation and discusses pump selection criteria to ensure NPSH available exceeds NPSH required. The author, Ashish Chaubey, invites feedback on future topics to write about.

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Upendra pinninti
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26 views5 pages

NPSH Calculation for Pumps Explained

The document explains Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH), which measures the absolute pressure at a pump's suction compared to the liquid's vapor pressure, crucial for preventing cavitation. It details how to calculate NPSH using the Bernoulli equation and discusses pump selection criteria to ensure NPSH available exceeds NPSH required. The author, Ashish Chaubey, invites feedback on future topics to write about.

Uploaded by

Upendra pinninti
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

By Ashish chaubey

UNDERSTANDING :

NPSH
NET POSITIVE SUCTION HEAD
By Ashish chaubey

WHAT IS NPSH ?
NPSH is the measure of the absolute pressure head at the pump suction compared to the
liquid’s vapor pressure. It determines if the liquid will stay in liquid phase inside the pump.

- PIPE FRICTION FACTOR - EFFECTIVE PIPE LENGTH

- PIPE DIAMETER - VELOCITY

Typically includes:
All together cause a
lot of frictional Elbows &
Strainer
losses, H Hooww to Bends Blinds
Add along with pipeline length and
evaluate overall pipe length calculate them ?? Isolation
Reducer
Valve
Equivalent Length (Leq)
Instrumentation taps
What all is at a
(pressure gauge /
Pump Suction ?
Already transmitter)
Tabulated Data
from text for all Pump
Suction
pipe fittings

w
whhyy is Pressure
Side written as ‘Head’?

NPSH : NET POSITIVE SUCTION HEAD Pressure is often


expressed as an equivalent
(+) & > Vapor Pressure Energy/Volume or liquid column height:
Pressure
in terms of
What is Vapor Height Difference.
Pressure?

The pressure at which a


This makes pump
liquid starts boiling (turns
calculations/equations
into vapor) at a given
independent of liquid type
temperature.
(just meters of head).
If pressure < vapor pressure → liquid flashes

Ashish chaubey
By Ashish chaubey

HOW TO CALCULATE NPSH ?


The general Bernoulli equation is:

For NPSH calculation,


it is expressed as
pressure head above
vapor pressure

For a pump taking suction from a tank, NPSH available can be calculated as :

- Atmospheric pressure head Static head (liquid level height


-
above pump centerline) (m)
Pressure on liquid surface in Friction head losses
- - - Vapor pressure head of
tank (if closed tank, else = 0) in suction piping (m) liquid at temperature

Two Possible Cases :


TANK AT AN ELEVATION PUMP AT AN ELEVATION

Ashish chaubey
By Ashish chaubey

PUMP SELECTION CRITERIA


Always ensure:

Typical margin: 0.5 – 1 m (water service) or


~20–30% for hydrocarbon service.

NPSH Available
(Based on Calculation)
What to do when :

If NPSHa < NPSHr → Cavitation risk

SOLUTIONS:
NPSH Required
Lower pump location (increase static
(Pump-Specific, from
Manufacturer Curve)
suction head).
Reduce friction losses (larger suction
- Determined by pump tests
(usually when 3% head drop line, fewer bends).
occurs due to cavitation). Lower liquid temperature (reduces
- Depends on pump design vapor pressure).
(impeller type, speed, flow). Use inducer impellers or booster
pumps.
- Always given in pump
performance curves.

Ashish chaubey
Hello!
This is me

ASHISH CHAUBEY
And this is
what I write
about

THANKS FOR READING :)

Let me know in
comments what
should I write
about next! If you found
this useful

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