Centrifugal Pump Basics

Terms commonly used in the

pumping industry

Centrifugal Pump Basics

Centrifugal, (Sen-trif-u-gal)
Tending to fly from a center
Thrown from a center
Centrifugal pump impeller does just that
Water drawn into impeller eye, accelerated
down the blades and thrown against pump
casing that directs flow out of discharge

Centrifugal Pump Basics

Centrifugal Pump

Impeller Rotation
Liquid into
impeller eye from
pump suction

Centrifugal Pump Basics

Centrifugal Pump Curve

Centrifugal Pump Basics

Centrifugal Pump Curve

Centrifugal Pump Basics

Basic Fluid Facts
1 Gallon of water
(U.S. @ 60DegF) weighs
8.33 lbs

1 cubic foot of water

contains 7.48 gallons
Specific Gravity
(Sp Gr) of a fluid is
the relationship of the
density (lbs/ft3) to that of
water (62.3 lbs/ft3)

2.31 ft

1 psig

WATER COLUMN

Centrifugal Pump Basics

Specific Gravity
WATER
1.0 sp gr

GASOLINE
0.8 sp gr

BRINE
1.2 sp gr

231 ft

100 psig

80 psig

120 psig

Pump head (ft) = psig*2.31

sp gr
hp = gpm*hd*sp gr*100
3960*Pump Eff
Pump Shut-off Head 231ft

Centrifugal Pump Basics

BASIC FLUID FACTS
1

1 inch square
column of air, the
height of the
earths atmosphere
(From Sea Level)
weights 14.7 lbs

0 psig

Air Column

14.7 psia

Centrifugal Pump Basics

Basic Centrifugal Pump Equations
For variations in impeller diameter, at constant speed:

D1 = Q1 =
D2 Q2

H1
H2

BHP1 = D13
BHP2

D23

For variations in speed, with constant impeller diameter:

S1 = Q1 =
S2 = Q2

H1
H2

BHP1 = S13
BHP2 S23

Where: D = Impeller Diameter (Ins / mm)

H = Pump Head (Ft / m)
Q = Pump Capacity (gpm / lps)
S = Speed (rpm / rps)
BHP = Brake Horsepower (Shaft Power - hp / kW)

Centrifugal Pump Basics

System Resistance

Friction Loss for Water in Commercial Steel Pipe (Schedule 40)

Centrifugal Pump Basics

Open & Closed Systems

A Closed hydronic system is one

that has only one interface with air
or flexible membrane
An Open hydronic system is one
that has more than one interface
with air or a flexible membrane

Centrifugal Pump Basics

Closed System
Balancing
Valve

3-Way
Isolating
Control Valve Valve
LOAD

LOAD

LOAD

BUILDING
HEIGHT

LOAD

EXPANSION

SOURCE

Centrifugal Pump Basics

Closed System Resistance Curve

System Resistance Curve

Friction
Losses

CAPACITY

Centrifugal Pump Basics

Open System
Static Head

Static
Suction Head

CONDENSER

Centrifugal Pump Basics

Open System Resistance Curve

Friction
Losses

HEAD

System Head Curve

Total
Static
Head

CAPACITY

Centrifugal Pump Basics

Closed System with
Minimum Maintained Pressure
BALANCING
VALVE

2 WAY CONTROL ISOLATING

VALVE
VALVE

LOAD

LOAD

LOAD

BUILDING
HEIGHT

LOAD

EXPANSION

SOURCE

Centrifugal Pump Basics

Closed System Resistance Curve with
Minimum Maintained Pressure

Friction
Losses

HEAD

System Head Curve

Minimum
Maintained
Pressure

CAPACITY

Centrifugal Pump Basics

Terms commonly used in the

pumping industry