Basic hydraulic principles

PUMP CURVES

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Pump selection
Based on the calculated Q (flow) & H (head) requirement
a pump can now be selected
When you have the Q & H this is called the duty point

Duty point

The intersection of the pump and system curve is the duty or operating point
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Quantity/head curve

At total head H1 the pump will deliver volume Q1

At total head H2 the pump will deliver volume Q2
In summary, pressure will fluctuate depending on the required flow
The more taps you open, the more the pressure will reduce

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Efficiency Curve
Efficiency is the relationship between the power the pump imparts
to the water (PH) compared to the power input from the motor (P2)
Ideally you would select a duty point at the most efficient point
on the curve

hr =

r.g.Q.H
P2

r = density
g = acceleration due to gravity m/s2 (9.81)
Q = flow m3/s
H = head mts

Note: On some pump performance curves the efficiency shown is for the pump only!
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Pump power input curve

Example: at 70 m3/hr the power required by the pump is 10 kW per impeller

Note: some curves show power/stage (impeller) or show power for
complete pump> always check!

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Pump NPSHr curve

NPSHr is the Net Positive Suction Head Required.
In simple terms is the losses thru the pump expressed in metres
For more information, please refer to the module about NPSH

Minimum absolute pressure (atmospheric + inlet pressure)

required at the suction inlet to avoid Cavitation

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Typical pump curve

Example of pump performance

Flow = 70 m3/hr
Head = 42 mts

Efficiency = ~77 %
Power (P2) = 10.2 kW
NPSHr = 3 mts

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Typical pump curve

Series or model, Hz
(frequency), standard
to which curve complies

Total head on the

vertical axis

Performance of the
various pump models
in that flow range

Flow on the
horizontal axis

Other curves may include

power per stage, pump
efficiency or NPSHr

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Steep pump curve vs. flat pump curve

The pump design effects what the performance curves looks like
You can come across flat and steep performance curves

Flat curve

Flat curve (1)

Small change in head
= big change in flow
Steep curve (2)
Small change in head
= small change in flow
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Steep curve

Pumps in series
Two identical pumps in series delivers
Same volume
Double the head
Discharge of pump 2

Note: Please make sure that the inlet

pressure of pump 2 is cable of handling
the discharge pressure of pump 1
Suction of pump 2
Discharge of pump 1

Suction of pump 1

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Pumps in parallel
This type of set is mainly used when you require a stand by pump
in a critical application
This could be water supply to a hotel
Common Discharge Line

Common Suction Line

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Two identical pumps in parallel delivers

Double the volume
Same head

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