If you’re wondering how a pump works, you’re not alone. This article explains pump pressure basics, including suction head, discharge head, and speed. You’ll also learn about static inlet pressure. It’s important to understand how these factors affect your pump.
Suction head
Pumping is an important process that uses pressure to transfer liquid. To determine the correct pumping system for a given application, it is important to understand how the system responds to pressure changes. A pump can work at different speeds and with different pressures, and it must be able to adapt to varying flows.
Pumps work by drawing water into them through an inlet valve and releasing pressurized water through the outlet. The water pressure is affected by gravity and is inversely proportional to height.
Discharge head
Pumps work by using pressure to transfer fluids. The higher the speed, the higher the dynamic pressure of the fluid. This force is transmitted through the impeller, and can be measured in psi at the discharge port. The height of the discharge head affects the available pressure and the discharge capacity.
The difference in elevation between the inlet and outlet pipe of a pump is known as the suction head. This measurement is called geodetic suction head. It corresponds to the difference in elevation between the liquid level in a tank and the inlet of the pump impeller. The suction lift of a pump is ten meters maximum.
Speed
The speed of a pump is an important part of its performance. It can help you determine how efficient your pump is. For example, if you’re installing a centrifugal pump, the speed of its impeller can determine how much water the pump will move. At 2,000 rpm, pumps typically achieve their maximum efficiency. Nevertheless, there is some range between two and three thousand rpm when favorable efficiency is achieved.
High specific speeds can lead to vibration, noise, and damage to downstream pipework. Additionally, high speeds may result in increased maintenance costs and increased risk of pump failures.
Static inlet pressure
A pump’s static inlet pressure (the pressure at which water is forced into it) is determined by the performance curves it has. These curves show the NPSH required at a specified RPM. For example, a pump with a NPSH of 1350 RPM will have an NPSH of 1800 GPM. The NPSH is noted in feet in the lower right hand corner of the curve.
The total dynamic head, or TDH, of a pump is the sum of the dynamic suction lift, the Dynamic Discharge Head, and the friction losses on both sides of the pump. This amount of energy is needed to pump water to a desired height, and it determines the size of the pump required. In pump literature, TDH is also called rated head or capacity.
Performance curves
A pump’s performance curves govern the relationship between pressure and flow at a given setpoint. These curves are provided by the pump’s manufacturer or are experimentally established using standard tests. The curves can be derived by linear interpolation or extrapolation of previously known curves.
Performance curves are also useful for identifying the most appropriate motor size for a particular pump. You should consider the total current and future power requirements of your system when selecting the motor size. High rotational speeds require more service and maintenance, while lower speeds are better for your system. Efficiency curves also indicate the efficiency of a pump, and these are presented as percentages.
Problems with throttling
Throttling when pumping water is a problem that many pump users face. Although most users know it’s inefficient, they still apply the throttle control to their pumps. This method causes a measurable decrease in the pump’s power as the flow rate drops. As a result, the driver is forced to run the pump more than it’s designed to run.
A problem with totally unrestricted irrigation systems is that the motor will run too hot and overheat. This can also increase the noise level of the pump. Throttling a pump’s power consumption will not increase the pump’s total power, but will increase its efficiency and power per gallon. However, it’s important to know that it’s possible to reduce the wattage and amps of your pump.
