Learn more about NPSH

The following set of pages are designed as a tutorial for pump users and
manufacturers who want to learn more about pump NPSH margin. The
information displayed here is based on the ANSI/HI 9.6.1 Centrifugal/Vertical
NPSH standard which can be found in the E-Store.
Join the NPSH margin discussion forum to post questions and learn more about
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Pump NPSH Margin

The noise, the vibration and possibly the reliability of a centrifugal or vertical
pump and mechanical seal may be significantly affected if an appropriate Net
Positive Suction Head (NPSH) margin is not provided by the system above the
published Net Positive Suction Head Required (NPSHR) by the pump. The NPSH
Margin is defined as the NPSH Available (NPSHA) at the pump inlet, minus the
NPSH Required by the pump.
The NPSH Margin Ratio is the NPSHA divided by the NPSHR. The Net Positive
Suction Head Available (NPSHA)isthe totalsuction head available, over the
vapor pressure of the liquid pumped corrected to the center line of the impeller
(or impeller inlet vane tip datum if vertically mounted), and measured at the
inlet to the pump.

See the ANSI/HI 1.6 Centrifugal Pump Tests for further details on the
definitions of NPSHA and NPSHR.
By Hydraulic Institute definition, the NPSHR of a pump is the NPSH that will
cause the total head (first stage head of multistage pumps) to be reduced by
3%, due to flow blockage from cavitation vapor in the impeller vanes. NPSHR is
by no means the point at which cavitation starts; that level is referred to as
incipient cavitation.The NPSH at incipient cavitation can be from 2 to 20 times
the 3% NPSHR value, depending on pump design. The higher ratios are
normally associated with high suction energy pumps or pumps with large impeller inlet areas.
The 3% head drop criteria was selected for the NPSHR value based on the ease
of determining the exact head drop off point. Most standard low suction energy
pumps can operate with little or no margin above the NPSHR value, without
seriously affecting the service life of the pump. The full published pump head
will not, however, be achieved (by definition) when the NPSHA equals the
NPSHR of the pump. The head will be 3% less than the fully developed head
value (see Figure 9.6.1.1). It can take up to 2.5 times the NPSHR value just to
achieve the 100 percent head value. Just because the definition uses the word
Required, does not mean that providing that much NPSHA will necessarily give
satisfactory pump life. It is also recognized that, as the suction energy of a
centrifugal pump increases, so does the need for a larger NPSH margin above
the 3% NPSHR of the pump, to avoid excessive noise, vibration, and possible
cavitation erosion and seal damage.

Most pump manufacturers use the industry standard 3% head drop for NPSHR
values and provide the NPSH Margin recommendations separately. A few
manufacturers do include the NPSH Margin in their pump NPSHR curves which
then supersede the guidelines spelled out in this standard. Unless advised
otherwise, however, the user must assume that there is no margin in the
published NPSHR, and that it is based solely on the 3% head drop criteria.

Suction Energy
The suction energy level of a pump increases with the casing suction nozzle
size, the pump speed, the suction specific speed and the specific gravity of the
pumped liquid. Anything that increases the velocity in the pump impeller eye,
the rate of flow of the pump, or the specific gravity, increases the suction
energy of the pump. The suction nozzle size is used for simplicity because it
approximates the impeller eye diameter and ties to the rate of flow of the
pump. The rpm ties directly to the inlet tip speed of the impeller and relative
inlet velocities, and the suction specific speed is also dependant on rpm and
rate of flow. The NPSHR in the suction specific speed is appropriate as a
measure of suction energy in that larger impeller eye diameters are normally
required for lower NPSHR values, which increases the impeller tip speed.
Factors in Suction Energy
Many factors are known to contribute to the suction energy level, and resulting
NPSH margin requirements of a pump, more than used in the above definition.
Those used in the above definition are factors which are typically available from
standard pump manufacturers technical literature. Manufacturers of custom
engineered pumps may use alternate evaluation methods to establish NPSH
margin requirements and these would supersede the guidelines spelled out in
this standard. For general information a list of suction energy factors is
provided below:

The peripheral velocity at the O.D. of the impeller eye. Values below
approximately 15 m/sec. (50 ft/sec) are generally considered low suction
energy, while values above approximately 35 m/ sec. (120 ft/sec) are
considered high suction energy.
The suction specific speed of the pump (S = n (Q^) /(NPSHR) ).
Suction specific speed values below approximately 8,000 metric (7,000
U.S. units) generally represent low suction energy, while above
approximately 23,000 metric (20,000 U.S. units) are considered high
suction energy. See Figure 9.6.1.3 for suction specific speeds between
these values. (Note: Q is the BEP rate of flow entering the impeller eye. In
double suction pumps, use one half total rate of flow. NPSHR is based on
3% head drop at BEP.)
The specific gravity of the liquid pumped. The higher the value the higher
the suction energy.
Thermodynamic properties of the liquid. Cold water has one of the highest
energy levels for imploding cavitation bubbles. See section on Electric
Power pumps for more details.
The geometry of the pump inlet. The greater the variation in velocity
across the impeller inlet and the higher the magnitude of velocities, the
higher the energy level. For this reason, radial inlets, as found in split case
pumps have higher suction energy levels due to the right angle turn in
front of the impeller.
The overlap of the impeller vanes. Overlap values less than approximately
15 degrees, such as found on two or three vane impellers (see Figure 2),
can allow the high discharge pressure (energy) to recirculate into the
impeller suction at low rates of flow. Overlap is defined as the angular
amount that the trailing edge of one vane (low pressure side) overlaps the
inlet leading edge of the following adjacent vane (at the outer diameter).

The incidence angle between the inlet impeller vanes and the approaching
liquid. Typically an impelleris designed to have a zero incidence angle at
design rate of flow. Higher or lower rates of flow cause a mismatch
between the angle of the approaching liquid and the impeller vane inlet
tips. The greater the incidence the greater the turbulence and suction
energy.
The geometry of the inlet piping to the pump. The turbulence (added
suction energy) that is generated at the pump inlet from piping turns and
large changes in pipe diameter adds to the suction energy at the pump
inlet.
Operation away from the best efficiency point (BEP) of the pump. At
reduced rates of flow the pump may operate in its suction recirculation
region. Operation off BEP rate of flow also increases the incidence angle to
the impeller vanes, and suction recirculation adds to the suction energy
level. See ANSI/HI 9.6.3-1997, Centrifugal and Vertical Pumps for
Allowable Operating Region, for more information.

Suction Energy Determination

This is a complex situation and a single equation or relationship has not been
developed, which will accurately tie all of these factors together to predict
pump noise, vibration, erosion, and reduced mechanical seal life from
cavitation, and the NPSH margin level required to avoid these undesirable
effects. Recommended margin ratios can typically range from one to five times
the NPSHR value of the pump, with the higher values applying to high and very
high suction energy pumps, and continuous operation outside the preferred
operating region of the pump. The attached graph (Figure 9.6.1.3) is a
simplified method for identifying high suction energy pumps. Pumps above the
appropriate suction specific speed curve as shown in Figure 9.6.1.3, are
considered high suction energy pumps. Very high suction energy pumps can be
defined as pumps whose actual impeller operating speeds are in the range of
1.5 to 2.0 times the values shown in Figure 9.6.1.3, or higher. As an example,
an end suction pump with a 10" suction nozzle size and 9,500 suction specific
speed is shown to start high suction energy at 1,800 RPM. If this pump were to
be operated at 3,600 RPM (2 times 1,800) the pump would be considered to
have very high suction energy.
It must be stressed that the impeller eye diameter is actually a better factor for
identifying the suction energy level of a pump than the suction nozzle diameter.
The nozzle size was chosen for Figure 9.6.1.3 because it is more often available
to the pump user, and normally has a close relationship to the impeller eye.
Therefore, reducing the suction nozzle size, without a corresponding reduction
in the impeller eye diameter, will not reduce the true suction energy of a pump.
It could even increase cavitation.
Generally speaking, high suction energy pumps are susceptible to noise and
increased vibration, but will not suffer significant erosion damage (especially
with more erosion resistant impeller materials) when sufficient NPSH Margin is
not provided. Very high suction energy pumps will more likely experience
erosion damage from cavitation under inadequate NPSH margin conditions.

For two vane impellers and impeller trims with less than 15 degrees vane
overlap, (see Figure 9.6.1.2) increase suction nozzle size by one or two
sizes before using Figure 9.6.1.3.
Inducers, which are generally beyond the scope of this document, should
have the suction nozzle decreased by at least one size before using Figure
9.6.1.3.
For axial split case (side Suction) pumps, decrease nozzle size by one size,
before using Figure 9.6.1.3.
For pump speeds higher than 3600 rpm, the suction nozzle sizes should
be increased, proportional to the increase in speed, and enter the graph at
3600 rpm. For example, increase the nozzle size by 2 times if the speed is
doubled.
For vertical turbine (line shaft diffuser) type pumps, the Impeller Inlet eye
diameter should be obtained from the supplier and used as the suction
nozzle size, when using Figure 9.6.1.3.
Multistage pumps, such as used for boiler feed and pipeline services, are
excluded from this figure due to the typically large shaft diameters in the
impeller eye, which distorts the relationship between the impeller eye
diameter and the suction nozzle size.

Caviation Damage Factors

There are other factors which, although not affecting the suction energy of the
pump, will affect the degree of cavitation erosion damage (and sometimes
noise) within a pump when sufficient NPSH margin is not provided above the
NPSHR of the pump. These non-suction energy factors are:

The impeller material. Rigid plastics and composites are normally the least
cavitation resistant materials. Cast iron and brass will experience the most
damage of commonly used metals, while stainless steel, titanium and
nickel aluminum bronze will have much less damage, under the same
cavitation conditions.
Pump size. Large pumps (impeller inlets over 450 mm (18 in) in diameter
can be more prone to cavitation damage than smaller pumps.
The gas content of the liquid. Small amounts of entrained gas (1 to 2%)
cushion the forces from the collapsing cavitation bubbles, and can reduce
the resulting noise, vibration and erosion damage. The lack of any
entrained gas can have the opposite effect. Warmer liquids tend to release
less dissolved gas, which increases the noise level of a pump. On the
other hand gas can collect in the inlet of a pump which will block portions
of the flow area, thus increasing the inlet velocity of the liquid and
creating even more cavitation. This increases the apparent NPSHR of the
pump. The net result of these two counter effects of gas content on pump
noise and vibration will vary based on the suction energy level of the
pump. In the case of low to high suction energy levels, the net effect of
gas may be to quiet the pump, since the cushioning may more than offset
the added cavitation. However, with very high suction energy pumps, the
force of the collapsing cavitation bubbles may be too great for any real
cushioning, so the noise and damage will increase with increasing gas
content.
Additives in the liquid. Additives in the liquid which increase vapor
pressure can increase cavitation damage. For example, cooling tower
water treatment agents.
The corrosive properties of the liquid. This can accelerate the damage.
Solids/abrasives in the liquid. Adding abrasives to the high implosive
velocities from the collapsing vapor bubbles increases the wear rate.
The duty cycle of the pump. Cavitation damage is time related. The longer
a pump runs under cavitation conditions, the greater the extent of
damage. Fire pumps, which run intermittently, rarely have a problem with
cavitation damage for this reason.

NPSH Margin Ratio Recommendations

Field experience is the most accurate predictor of future performance. Table
9.6.1.1 offers suggested minimum NPSH margin ratio guidelines (NPSHA/
NPSHR), within the allowable operating region of the pump (with standard
materials of construction). The table is based on the experience of the many
pump manufacturers with many different pump applications.
Vertical turbine pumps often operate without NPSH margin without damage,
but with slightly reduced discharge head.
High and very high suction energy pumps that operate with only the minimum
NPSH margin values recommended in Table 9.6.1.1 will normally have what is
considered acceptable seal and bearing life. They may still be susceptible to
elevated noise levels and erosion damage to the impeller. This can require
more frequent impeller replacement than otherwise would be experienced had
the cavitation been totally eliminated. It will typically take an NPSHA of 4 to 5
times the 3% NPSHR of the pump to totally eliminate cavitation. This ratio can
reach 20 for very high suction energy pumps, and a low of 2 for some pumps
with low suction energy levels. There are studies that show that the maximum
cavitation damage can actually occur at NPSHA values twice the NPSHR or
more for very high suction energy pumps.
In addition to the minimum NPSH Margins recommended in Table 9.6.1.1, extra
margin may be required to account for changes in the pump geometry which
can increase NPSHR, such as wear that can open impeller wearing ring
clearances and increase the internal flow through the impeller eye. The NPSHR
may also be affected by the gas content of the liquid pumped. Added NPSH
Margin may be needed to cover uncertainties in the NPSH available or the
actual operating rate of flow. If a pump runs further out on the curve than
expected, the NPSHA of the system may be lower than expected and the
NPSHR for the pump will be higher, thus giving a smaller (or possibly negative)
NPSH Margin. (See ANSI/HI 9.6.3-1997, Centrifugal and Vertical Pumps for
Allowable Operating Region). All pumping systems must be designed to have a
positive margin throughout the full range of operation. Optimum pump
performance also requires that proper suction/inlet piping practices are
followed, according to the Hydraulic Institute Standards (see ANSI/HI 9.81998, Pump Intake Design), to ensure a steady uniform flow to the pump
suction at the required suction head. Poor suction piping can result in
separation and turbulence at the pump inlet, which decreases the NPSHA to the
pump and causes added cavitation. NPSHA Margins of two to five feet are
normally required (above those shown in Table 9.6.1.1) to account for these
uncertainties in the actual NPSHR and NPSHA values, and this added margin
requirement could be even greater depending upon the severity of the
conditions. If the application is critical, a factory NPSHR test should be
requested.
NPSH Margins are not normally a consideration for most standard vertical

turbine pumps, since they generally have Low Suction Energy, and cavitation
noise is normally not an issue. NPSHA must, however, be equal to or larger
than the NPSHR over the allowable operating region of the pump, including at
low water level. The determination of the minimum submergence required to
avoid the formation of sump vortices around the pump inlet must be considered
independently from NPSHA, since they are a separate phenomena. (See
ANSI/HI 9.8-1998, Pump Intake Design).

Application Considerations
The following is a list of current Application Considerations:

Petroleum process pumps

Chemical process pumps
Electric power pumps
Nuclear power/cooling tower
Water/wastewater
General industrial
Pulp and paper
Building services
Slurry
Pipeline
Waterflood (injection) pumps

Summary
In summary, the following key points should be understood about cavitation in
a centrifugal pump, NPSH Margin requirements, and how they are affected by
the Suction Energy level of the pump:

Cavitation exists when NPSHA is at and substantially above the NPSHR of

a pump.
The Suction Energy level of a pump (as installed in a system) determines
if the cavitation that frequently exists in a pump will cause noise, vibration
and/or damage to the pump.
Low Suction Energy pumps can normally operate at or near their NPSHR
with little or no problems from cavitation, except for the 3% head drop.
High Suction Energy pumps are likely to be noisy with higher vibration and
will possibly experience less than optimum pump life, if sufficient NPSH
Margin is not provided.
High Suction Energy pumps are more susceptible to problems from poor
suction inlet piping.
Entrained air, or dissolved air which comes out of solution in the impeller
eye, can quiet the noise and vibration of High Suction Energy pumps at
low NPSH Margins.
Very High Suction Energy pumps will be noisy, will have high vibration and
are likely to experience reduced pump life if sufficient NPSH Margin is not
provided. Very High Suction Energy pumps are very susceptible to
problems from poor suction inlet piping.

Petroleum process pumps

Pumps used for petroleum (hydrocarbon) services can usually survive with
relatively small NPSHA margins for several reasons:
1. Processes are typically steady, with few system upsets (transients) or
quick flow change demands.
2. Process requirements are typically well known and demands can be
planned and predicted.
3. Most hydrocarbon liquids have relatively low vapor volume to liquid
volume ratios. This means that, if the liquid should vaporize at or near the
pump suction (impeller inlet), the volume of the resulting vapor does not
choke the impeller inlet passages as severely as does water vapor during
cavitation. This results in a smaller drop in developed head for the same
NPSH margin.
4. Less energy is released when hydrocarbon vapor bubbles collapse
(velocity from implosion is less), and this means less damage occurs as a
result of cavitation. It is, therefore, not as critical that cavitation be
avoided, as might be the case with other liquids.
Hydrocarbon liquids, especially mixtures of hydrocarbon liquids, because of
their relatively low vapor volume, are sometimes associated with a
hydrocarbon correction factor. This correction factor is applied to the water
NPSHR values to correct for the fact that the vapor volume of flashed
hydrocarbon liquid is substantially less than that of flashed water and, thus,
has the effect of reducing the amount of NPSH required by the pump at a given
rate of flow before cavitation results in a 3% drop in the developed head (first
stage head) of the pump.
This favorable vapor bubble size situation with hydrocarbons should be taken
into account when determining the NPSHA Margin requirements for petroleum
pumps. The margins can be lower than for other applications. Typical NPSH
Margins for pumps on hydrocarbon services are as follows:

Low Suction Energy Single Stage Overhung, Vertical and Multistage

Pumps: For all hydrocarbon liquids use an NPSH Margin Ratio of 1.1.
High and Very High Suction Energy Single Stage Overhung, Single Stage
Double Suction Multistage Pumps: For all hydrocarbon liquids use a NPSH
Margin Ratio of 1.3.

The majority of vertical turbine pumps in the petrochemical industry are

normally installed in a barrel or can as shown in Figure 2.6 of the Hydraulic
Institute standard ANSI/HI 2.1-2.2, Vertical Pumps for Nomenclature and
Definitions. The NPSHA must exceed the NPSHR over the expected range of
operation. Normally, the customers will give a margin value which will vary
from 0 to approximately 1.5m (5 feet). The NPSHA is normally given at ground
level or pump inlet level. The manufacturer then determines the length of the
pump required to achieve sufficient NPSHA at the first stage impeller inlet to
account for the NPSHR, pump inlet losses (inlet to eye of first impeller) and
margin.

Chemical process pumps

Pumps for these applications frequently share the following characteristics:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Operation frequently occurs at a wide variety of rates of flow.

Materials of construction are often stainless steel impellers.
They may operate with relatively low NPSHA.
Operators are frequently located remotely from the pumps.

These factors emphasize the need to apply large NPSH margins when selecting
pumps.
Taking these issues into consideration, the following NPSH Margin guidelines
are proposed for Chemical Process pumps to account for the many
uncertainties:

For low suction energy pumps, the margin should be 10% of the NPSHR or
0.6m (2 ft), whichever is greater.
For high suction energy pumps the margin should be 30% of the NPSHR
or 1.5m (5 ft), whichever is greater. NPSH tests are recommended if the
pump specific speed is above 2,300 metric (2,000 U.S. units).

If a pump is applied to the right of BEP, careful consideration should be given

to ensuring that, at the maximum flow rate permitted by the system, and its
controls, the NPSHA is in excess of the NPSHR of the pump.
If the above criteria cannot be met and there is no prior experience with the
specific pump in the application, NPSH tests should be conducted on the pump.
One test should be conducted at the rated conditions and must demonstrate
that the NPSHR (3%) is equal to or less than the rated NPSHR. Tests should
also be conducted at four additional rates of flow at approximately even
intervals from the minimum to maximum anticipated rates of flow to fully
define the NPSHR (3%) characteristic curve.

Electric power pumps

Power plant pumps are water pumps. Cold water is one of the most difficult
liquids to pump in that cavitation can cause severe damage. Unlike
hydrocarbon liquids handled by petroleum pumps, water, when it vaporizes
(flashes), expands tremendously. This results in higher impact velocities when
the vapor bubbles implode, thus higher suction energy. One pound of water at
room temperature which occupies 4.5(10^-4) cubic meters (0.016 cubic
feet), will flash to over 34 cubic meters (1200 cubic feet) of vapor. This is a
volume ratio of 75,000 to 1. For typical hydrocarbon liquids, this volume ratio is
one-half to one-tenth that of water.
Hot water, on the other hand, can act similar to hydrocarbon liquids. When
water is heated to 250-300 F, the vapor volume characteristics become similar
to that of a typical hydrocarbon. This means that the effects of flashing are
diminished; however, the opportunities for system transients increase
significantly with temperature.
In addition to possible severe vaporization effects, typical power plant
operating cycles are not stable. Most pumps in these services do not remain at
constant flow rates for extended periods of time. The pump flow demands vary
widely with power demands. Because of varying power demands, system
upsets may occur which result in rapid changes in pump flow demands and,
many times, severe changes in pump suction pressure. This is especially true
for pumps in the boiler water systems such as boiler feed pumps and boiler
feed booster pumps. It is not unusual, during such system upsets, or
transients, for flashing to occur in the suction line to the pump, causing loss of
suction flow and allowing the pump to run dry. A common side effect of a
pump running dry is rapid mechanical seal face wear, general seal deterioration
and premature, sometimes catastrophic failure.
Other pumps in the power plant are not usually exposed to such severe
transients asthose in the boiler water system. Condensate pumps and heater
drain pumps are usually isolated from severe system upsets. They too,
however, have special demands or operating requirements which impact on
NPSH and NPSH Margin requirements. Since they are typically required to
operate with very low NPSHA, they are designed to function, and survive, with
a certain amount of cavitation present. Some systems operate on what is
termed cavitation control, i.e. the pumps operate with cavitation at all times.
In such a system, the pump is constantly under some degree of cavitation
which results in a reduced pump developed head. The quantity of flow through
the pump, and system, is controlled by the intersection of the pump reduced
headrate-of-flow curve and the system curve. For such an application, there is
no NPSH margin; and the pump must be designed to withstand constant
cavitation. This means it must be of rugged construction to offset the
detrimental effects of cavitation related vibration, and the materials of
construction must be capable of withstanding the erosion associated with
cavitation.

Vertical turbine type pumps used as condensate pumps are normally installed
in a barrel or can as shown in Figure 2.6 of ANSI/HI 2.1-2.2, Vertical Pumps for
Nomenclature and Definitions.

Nuclear power/cooling tower

Pumps in nuclear power plants share the following characteristics and
requirements:
1. Nuclear Reactor Duty:
1. Users are more frequently requesting NPSHR curves based on a 1%
head drop.
2. The NPSHA Margin, over NPSHR (3%), is often incorporated in the
NPSH Required curve by the manufacturer.
3. High horsepower reactor cooling pumps, also called primary heat
transport pumps, are of low to high suction energy levels.
4. Reactor cooling pumps normally operate at high temperatures and
suction pressures, they will operate at ambient temperature and low
suction pressures during transients and commissioning.
2. Boiler Feed Duty:
1. NPSHR based on a 3% head drop is specified.
2. Suction energy levels are between low to very high.
3. Cooling Tower Duty:
Cooling tower water typically has modified chemistry due to water treating
agents. These additives can increase the vapor pressure, which results in
a lower NPSHA than calculated for pure water. This reduction can be as
high as 1.8 meters (6.0 feet), although the exact number must be
experimentally determined.

Water/wastewater
The following considerations apply to pumps for this application:
1. During variable speed operation, all possible wet well levels, pump
speeds, and rates of flow exist. It is important that the pump can function
properly over the full operating range of the system curve. A flow duration
diagram can be used to determine where the pump will operate most
frequently. In the on/off mode of operation, the speed and rate of flow will
be relatively constant, but the sump level will vary between a maximum
water level and a minimum water level. The change of the water level in
the sump will also change the pumps total head, also slightly changing
the speed and rate of flow of the pump, but the duty point will be nearly
constant compared to variable speed operation.
2. Actual system head curves often differ from the calculated values. This
will cause the NPSH Margin calculation to be incorrect. It is, therefore,
very important to ensure that the calculated system head curves be as
close as possible to the actual. For existing systems, it is possible to
measure the head at a number of points to develop the system head
curve. Two system curves should be calculated for new installations: one
for the system as it will be installed; and a second to represent the
condition of the system after some increase in pipe roughness has
occurred.
3. Many pumps are installed in wastewater applications with elbows mounted
in front of the impeller eye. When suction elbows are necessary, it is best
to use reducing or long radius elbows.
4. Materials of construction are typically cast iron (wastewater) or cast iron /
bronze fitted (water). These materials are preferred for water/wastewater,
but they do not stand up well under heavy cavitation. The protective layer
that is built up under normal operation is destroyed by cavitation, causing
abnormal material removal rates. It is advisable to change to tougher
materials such as stainless steel or aluminum bronze alloys if the pump
must withstand destructive cavitation levels, however, this will not help
the seals or bearings.
5. Pump stations often operate unattended, and the malfunction of a pump
must be avoided. A failed pump station processing water or wastewater
will cause considerable inconvenience to the public, and should be
designed to be as trouble-free as possible.
6. Single, two and three vane impeller designs are common in wastewater
applications, with no or minimal vane overlap. Increase the suction nozzle
sizes by one or two sizes for pumps with one to three vane impellers
before using Figure 9.6.1.3.
7. Vertical Turbine barrel or can type pumps on water booster services are
generally applied with little or no NPSH Margin, since they are mostly low
suction energy applications.
The above items are listed to illustrate the uncertainties related to the NPSHA
calculations, and at the same time demonstrate the importance of accuracy
when determining the required NPSHA. It seems as though the simple answer

would be to overcompensate by adding margin on top of margin, guaranteeing

that the pump would run far from the point of cavitation. Even though an
excessive amount of NPSHA is often not detrimental to the pump, putting
margin on top of margin would add to the cost of the pump stations. It is also
important to note that there are a number of people involved in the supply
chain from the specifier to the end user, and each one may add a margin of
their own. Some pump manufacturers include a margin in their published
NPSHR curves. If everyone was to add a margin, the result of this excess
margin would increase the cost of the pump stations dramatically.

General industrial
Pumps for this application are used to pump a great variety of liquids, ranging
from water to concentrated chemicals. These pumps are often sold as standard
catalog, pumps. They are generally low suction energy designs.
Due to the variety of liquids pumped through an extreme range of
temperatures, the specifier must carefully calculate the NPSHA in the system,
taking into account the vapor pressure of the liquid at the extreme operating
temperature. The use of hose connections and the associated piping bends
must be accounted for. The use of hose or tubing connections with internal
diameters smaller than the pump suction inlet should not be used on the
suction side of the pump.
NPSHA on tank draining applications should be calculated for the lowest
possible level of the liquid in the tank during the pumping process.
Another consideration in the NPSH Margin of catalog type pumps is the
common changes in flow rates experienced during process changes, as well as
the physical expansion of process systems to meet higher production rates. In
general an NPSHR versus rate of flow curve has a parabolic shape. This may
cause large changes in NPSHR especially if the pump is being run to the right of
the best efficiency point.

Pulp and paper

For horizontal end suction stock process pumps situated close to the suction
chest, and operating in the continuous allowable operating region, it is normal
to add sufficient NPSH Margin to account for the uncertainties in the actual
NPSHR and NPSHA from poor suction piping and entrained air. The following
minimum NPSH Margins are suggested for stock consistencies up to 6%:

For Low Suction Energy pumps use an NPSHA Margin Ratio

(NPSHA/NPSHR) of 1.1 or a margin of 0.6m (2 ft), whichever is greater.
For High Suction Energy pumps, or pumps having Specific Speeds greater
than 2300 metric (2000 US units), use an NPSHA Margin Ratio of 1.3 or a
margin of 1.5m (5 ft), whichever is greater.

Building Services
Fluid systems for the building trades or HVAC Industry are comprised of both
closed and open pumping systems. NPSH is generally not a concern when
designing closed pumping systems. The typical closed system is filled and then
pressurized to a fill pressure of 4 to 10 psig. If an inadequate NPSH available
(NPSHA) condition should occur, it can usually be remedied by increasing the
fill pressure.
For open systems, NPSH margin is a very important consideration. As a
guideline, the NPSHA for open systems should exceed the pump manufacturers
stated NPSH-required (NPSHR) by a minimum of 0.6m, (2 ft) or 1.1 times the
NPSHR for Low Suction Energy Pumps. For High Suction Energy pumps the
margin ratio should be increased to at least 1.3, or a minimum of 1.5m (5 ft).
Pumps operating at these established minimum NPSH margins may experience
some degree of impeller erosion and/or noise but these effects should be
minimal. System construction may contribute to the problem of noise, and
cavitation. Increasing the NPSH margin will improve pump operation and
reliability.

Slurry
Pumps used in slurry service are frequently constructed of either hard metals or
elastic materials. It is also common for the slurry concentration and flow rates
to change rapidly, imposing significant loads on the impeller, shaft and
bearings. Because of this, and the erosive nature of many slurries, slurry
pumps are of an extremely rugged design, making them relatively insensitive
to the mechanical effects of cavitation.
Also, to minimize erosive effects, slurry pumps often operate at low speeds
(less than 1200 RPM). As a result of this, they normally fall into the Low
Suction Energy category, and have NPSHR values below 6m (20 ft).
Slurries are typically water based and at ambient temperatures. Suction flow is
usually gravity fed. Consequently the NPSHA is normally in excess of 9m (30
ft), giving NPSHA/NPSHR ratios in excess of 1.5.
The recommended NPSH Margin Ratio for slurry pumps is 1.1 or a margin of
0.6m (2 ft) whichever is greater. For applications where the margin is less,
characteristics of the slurry, and the NPSHR performance of the pump, should
be reviewed to assure satisfactory performance.

Pipeline
For this paper, pipelines are defined as hundreds of miles in length for the
transport of hydrocarbons or water. Pumps used for pipeline service normally
share the following application criteria:
1. Customers more often request the NPSH Required values to be based on
a 1% head drop.
2. The NPSHA Margin, over NPSHR (3%), is often incorporated in the NPSH
Required curve by the manufacturer.
3. Some pipeline designers and operators request two NPSH Required
curves. One being the conventional NPSHR curve based on a 3% head
drop, and a second based on the NPSH required to guarantee a 40,000
hour impeller life.
4. Specifications frequently require that the NPSHA exceed the NPSH
Required (40,000 hrs) over the full Allowable Operating Region for the
pump (Minimum to Maximum Flow).
5. There is no standard method for determining the NPSH Required for
40,000 hours impeller life, however it is a function of:
i. Suction Energy Level.
ii. Material of impeller.
iii. Acidity of pumpage (pH).
iv. Temperature of pumpage.
v. Suction Specific Speed.
vi. Operating rate of flow vs pump best efficiency point.
vii. The NPSH Required (0%) vs NPSHR (3%) ratio throughout the
Allowable Operating Region flow range.

Waterflood (injection) pumps

Water injection pumps for flooding of oil wells typically operate against
relatively constant systems. The system requirements vary with time, but
normally these variations are gradual and do not impact on operating NPSH
Margins. For sizing of the pumps initially, NPSHR considerations are based on
a) expected flow rate requirements (changes) over the planned life of the
injection project and b) the nature of the suction source for the pumps.
Assuming that any changes in the nature of the suction source would also be
gradual, the NPSH Margins required by the pumps are relatively small in order
to ensure satisfactory, consistent pump performance.
Typical NPSH Margins for injection pumps are set based on the following
criteria, considering variations which could occur during the life of the injection
project:
1. Pump NPSHR at maximum expected flow rate.
2. Minimum NPSHA expected at this maximum flow rate.
The NPSH Requirement based on 40,000 hours minimum impeller life is being
requested more frequently in this market.