Pumping Systems I: Pump Types and Performance

Outline
Course Description
Pumps are essential to the daily operation of many facilities. This tends to promote the practice of
sizing pumps conservatively to ensure that the needs of the system will be met under all
conditions. Intent on ensuring that the pumps are large enough to meet system needs, engineers
often overlook the cost of oversizing pumps and err on the side of safety by adding more pump
capacity. Unfortunately, this practice results in higher-than-necessary system operating costs. In
addition, oversized pumps typically require more frequent maintenance than properly sized
pumps. Excess flow energy increases the wear and tear on system components, resulting in valve
damage, piping stress, and excess system operation noise. A pump does not function in isolation:
it is part of a system of supply and demand. The use of a systems approach will typically yield a
quieter, more efficient, and more reliable system. In this course, we will explore the advantages of
different types of pumps, pump components, and end-use equipment. Well also examine pump
efficiency curves to gain a better understanding of the flow/pressure relationship.
Course Content
Objectives

List the components of a pumping system

Identify different types of pumps
List the factors that should be considered when pumps are selected
Interpret a pump performance curve and explain the best efficiency point

1. Introduction
a. Purposes
i. Cooling
ii. Lubrication
iii. Transfer fluids for processing
iv. Provide motive force in hydraulic systems
2. System Components
a. Pumps
i. Centrifugal
ii. Positive Displacement
b. Prime movers
c. Piping
d. Valves

2013 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved. All trademarks provided are the property of their respective owners.

e. End-use equipment

3. Pumping System Principles

a. Design practices
b. Fluid Energy
i. Head
ii. Static pressure
iii. Height
iv. Velocity head
v. Frictional head
c. Fluid Characteristics
i. Viscosity
ii. Density
iii. Particulate content
iv. Vapor pressure
d. Cavitation
i. Damaging flow patterns in the outer region of an impeller
ii. Result of operating a pump at a low flow rate
e. System Types
i. Closed Loop
ii. Open-loop
4. Pump curves
a. Pump Performance Curve
b. Best Efficiency Point (BEP)
c. Coverage Chart
d. Impeller Performance Curve
5. Summary

2013 Schneider Electric. All rights reserved. All trademarks provided are the property of their respective owners.