Objectives: To define the term Specific speed To be able to select the best pump for a particular situation Specific

speed The specific speed is used as a basis for comparison of the performance of different pumps and defined as the theoretical speed at which the given pump would deliver unit quantity against unit head. For example the speed in rev/min at which the pump would discharge 1 m3/min under 1 m head. For a pump, the specific speed equation can be obtained from equations 3! and "! by eliminating #$

Specific speed N s =

NQ H
3

&

The following specific speeds indicate the approximate range of duty of the main types of pump$ 'entrifugal +ixed flow ,xial flow pumps. (s from 1) to *) (s from *) to 1*) (s above 11) i.e. high head, relatively small discharge i.e. moderate head, moderate discharge i.e. low head, large discharge

+ixed flow pumps are essentially a hybrid between centrifugal and axial flow

Pump selection for a particular duty -ingle pumps .n many 'ivil /ngineering pro0ects it is necessary to select pumps to perform a particular duty. .f care is not ta1en to select the best pump for the particular situation, the result may be operational difficulties and either increased capital or running costs, or possibly all three. 2ne of the first steps towards obtaining the best pump for a particular duty is to calculate the specific speed and determine whether a centrifugal, mixed flow or axial flow pump is required. ,fter that it is a case of obtaining performance data similar to the graphs in Fig. 1. 3y comparing the head4discharge relationships, efficiency and power requirements of all the available pumps, it should be possible to identify one or two machines that are suitable. .t is then a case of finding which one can give the required discharge against the head in question while having the lowest initial capital cost and running cost. 2ther factors which enter the selection process are the stability of the head4 discharge relationship and operational flexibility. 5enerally, a pump with a relatively steep head discharge curve should be selected. .f the 647 curve is hori8ontal, or close to it, this indicates that when pumping against the head the discharge could fluctuate significantly in an uncontrolled manner, causing problems with surge and water hammer. Flexibility is desirable because at some time it may be necessary to pump rather more than initially calculated, or against a greater head. #epending upon what the pump is being used for, it may be necessary to ta1e into consideration future population increases, deterioration of the delivery pipewor1 with age, and uncertainty or errors in the original calculations. -ome 9reserve: pumping capacity may be a good idea. /xample 1. Fig. 1 shows the performance curves of five different centrifugal pumps. , pump is required to lift water 13 m. ,n acceptable discharge is between ).% and ).; m 3/s. The pump will operate for many hours per day. ,ssuming that the initial cost of the pump are the same, which pump is the best suited to the tas1< -olution$ The answer can be obtained by ma1ing the following observations. 4 4 Pump A is not running at maximum efficiency in the ).% to ).; m 3/s range. .t would deliver about ).*& m3/s against a 13 m head, much higher than required. Pump B operates at near maximum efficiency between ).% and ).; m3/s. .t would deliver about )."; m3/s against a 13 m head, which is in the correct range. The power requirement is about 1&) 1=. , possible option.

Pump C runs near maximum efficiency in the ).% to ).; m 3/s range, but delivers only ).3; m3/s against 13 m head. The discharge is too small, so this pump can be rules out.

Fig. 1 >ump performance curves for the example

Pump operates at maximum efficiency in the required range, but the head4discharge curve is hori8ontal around 13 m head indicating instability. Thus the discharge could fluctuate causing operational problems, surge and waterhammer, so the pump is re0ected. Pump ! also runs at maximum efficiency between ).% to ).; m 3/s. .t discharges approximately )." m3/s against a 13 m head, which is in the centre of the required range. The power demand is 1?) 1=. ,nother possible choice.

Thus the final decision is between pumps 3 and /. 2f the two, 3 is clearly the better option because it has the lower power demand, the larger discharge and a stable head4discharge curve.