Pumps & System Curves

I. Pump Efficiency and Power

Pump efficiency, Epump

Epump =

water horsepower WHP

=
brake horsepower BHP

(221)

where brake horsepower refers to the input power needed at the pump shaft
(not necessarily in horsepower; could be watts or some other unit)

Pump efficiency is usually given by the pump manufacturer

Typically use the above equation to calculate required BHP, knowing Epump
Water horsepower is defined as:

WHP =

QH
3956

(222)

where WHP is in horsepower; Q in gpm; and H in feet of head. The

denominator is derived from:

62.4 lbs/ft3 ) ( gal/min )( ft )

(
QH
QH =

( 33,000 ft-lbs/min-HP ) (7.481 gal/ft3 ) 3956

(223)

where = g, and is water density. In metric units:

1000 kg/m3 )(9.81 m/s2 ) (l/s )(m ) QH

(
WHP = gQH =
=
3
102
1000
l/m
1000
W/kW
(
)
)
(

(224)

where WHP is in kW; Q in lps; and H in meters of head

1 HP=0.746 kW

(225)

Total Dynamic Head, TDH, is defined as:

P V2
TDH = Elev + hf + +
2g

(226)

where the pressure, P, and velocity, V, are measured at the pump outlet, and
hf is the total friction loss from the entrance to the exit, including minor losses

At zero flow, with the pump running,

TDH = Elev +

but recognizing that in some cases P/ is zero for a zero flow rate

The elevation change, Elev, is positive for an increase in elevation (i.e.

lifting the water)
Consider a turbine pump in a well:

(227)

Consider a centrifugal pump:

II. Example TDH & WHP Calculation

Determine TDH and WHP for a centrifugal pump discharging into the air...

Head loss due to friction:

hf = hscreen + 3helbow + hpipe

for PVC, 1.5(10)-6 m, relative roughness is:

(228)

 1.5(10)6
=
= 0.0000051
D
0.295

(229)

Average velocity,

V=

Q
4(0.102)
=
= 1.49 m/s
A (0.295)2

(230)

Reynolds number, for 10C water:

NR =

VD (1.49 m/s )( 0.295 m )

=
= 336,600

1.306(10)6 m2 / s

(231)

From the Moody diagram, f = 0.0141

From the Blasius equation, f = 0.0133
From the Swamee-Jain equation, f = 0.0141 (same as Moody)

Using the value from Swamee-Jain,

L V2
1,530 (1.49 )
=f
= 0.0141
= 8.27 m

D 2g
0.295 2 ( 9.81)
2

hpipe

Water Temperature (C)

0
5
10
15
20
25
30
40
50
60

(232)

Kinematic Viscosity
(m2/s)
0.000001785
0.000001519
0.000001306
0.000001139
0.000001003
0.000000893
0.000000800
0.000000658
0.000000553
0.000000474

The values in the above table can be closely approximated by:

= 83.9192 T 2 + 20,707.5 T + 551,173

where T is in C; and is in m2/s

(233)

From Table 11.2, for a 295-mm (12-inch) pipe and long radius 45-deg flanged
elbow, the Kr value is 0.15

helbow

V2
(1.49)2
= Kr
= (0.15)
= (0.15)(0.11) = 0.017 m
2g
2(9.81)

(234)

For the screen, assume a 0.2 m loss. Then, the total head loss is:

hf = 0.2 + 3(0.017) + 8.27 = 8.5 m

(235)

With the velocity head of 0.11 m, the total dynamic head is:

TDH = 31 + 8.5 + 0.11 40 m

(236)

The water horsepower is:

WHP =

QH (102 lps )( 40 m )
=
= 40 kW (54 HP)
102
102

(237)

The required brake horsepower is:

BHP =

(238)

This BHP value would be used to select a motor for this application
These calculations give us one point on the system curve (Q and TDH)
In this simple case, there would be only one system curve:
System Curve
60

50
Total Dynamic Head (m)

WHP 40 kW
=
53 kW (71 HP)
Epump
0.76

40

30

20

10

0
0

20

40

60

80

100

Discharge (lps)

120

140

160

180

III. System Curves

The system curve is a graphical representation of the relationship between

discharge and head loss in a system of pipes
The system curve is completely independent of the pump characteristics
The basic shape of the system curve is parabolic because the exponent on
the head loss equation (and on the velocity head term) is 2.0, or nearly 2.0
The system curve will start at zero flow and zero head if there is no static lift,
otherwise the curve will be vertically offset from the zero head value
Most sprinkle and trickle irrigation systems have more than one system curve
because either the sprinklers move between sets (periodic-move systems),
move continuously, or stations (blocks) of laterals are cycled on and off
The intersection between the system and pump characteristic curves is the
operating point (Q and TDH)
A few examples of system curves:

1. All Friction Loss and No Static Lift

2. Mostly Static Lift, Little Friction Loss

3. Negative Static Lift

4. Two Different Static Lifts in a Branching Pipe

5. Two Center Pivots in a Branching Pipe Layout

The figure below shows two center pivots supplied by a single pump on a
river bank
One of the pivots (#1) is at a higher elevation than the other, and is
further from the pump it is the critical branch of the two-branch pipe
system
Center pivot #2 will have excess pressure when the pressure is correct at
Center pivot #1, meaning it will need pressure regulation at the inlet to the
pivot lateral
Use the critical branch (the path to Center pivot #1, in this case) when
calculating TDH for a given operating condition Do Not Follow Both
Branches when calculating TDH
if you cannot determine which is the critical branch by simple inspection,
you must test different branches by making calculations to determine
which is the critical one
Note that the system curve will change with center pivot lateral position
when the topography is sloping and or uneven within the circle
Of course, the system curve will also be different if only one of the center
pivots is operating

Center pivot #1

275 kPa

Center pivot #2

833 m
275 kPa
750 m

308 m
pump

river

6. A Fixed Sprinkler System with Multiple Operating Laterals

The next figure shows a group of laterals in parallel, attached to a

common mainline in a fixed sprinkler system
All of the sprinklers operate at the same time (perhaps for frost control or
crop cooling purposes, among other possibilities)
This is another example of a branching pipe system
Since the mainline runs uphill, it is easy to determine by inspection that
the furthest lateral will be the critical branch in this system layout use
this branch to determine the TDH for a given system flow rate
Hydraulic calculations would be iterative because you must also
determine the flow rate to each of the laterals since the flow rate is
changing with distance along the mainline
But in any case, Do Not Follow Multiple Branches when determining the
TDH for a given system flow rate
Remember that TDH is the resistance felt by the pump for a given flow
rate and system configuration

lateral #5 (critical lateral)

lateral #4

lateral #1

pump
7. Two Flow Rates for Same Head on Pump Curve

Consider the following graph

A has a unique Q for each TDH value
B has two flow rates for a given head, over a range of TDH values
Pumps with a characteristic curve like B should usually be avoided

uphill

lateral #2

mainline

lateral #3

Total Dynamic Head, TDH

2
Unstable Stable

te
Sys

A
B

rv e
u
mC

0
Flow Rate, Q

Affinity Laws and Cavitation

I. Affinity Laws
1. Pump operating speed:

Q1 N1
=
Q2 N2

H1 N1
=

H2 N2

BHP1 N1
=

BHP2 N2

(239)

where Q is flow rate; N is pump speed (rpm); H is head; and BHP is brake
horsepower

The first relationship involving Q is valid for most pumps

The second and third relationships are valid for centrifugal, mixed-flow,
and axial-flow pumps

2. Impeller diameter:

Q1 D1
=
Q2 D 2

H1 D1
=

H2 D2

BHP1 D1
=

BHP2 D2

(240)

These three relationships are valid only for centrifugal pumps

These relationships are not as accurate as those involving pump
operating speed, N (rpm)

Comments:

The affinity laws are only valid within a certain range of speeds, impeller
diameters, flow rates, and heads
The affinity laws are more accurate near the region of maximum pump
efficiency (which is where the pump should operate if it is selected correctly)
It is more common to apply these laws to reduce the operating speed or to
reduce the impeller diameter (diameter is never increased)
We typically use these affinity laws to fix the operating point by shifting the
pump characteristic curve so that it intersects the system curve at the
desired Q and TDH

II. Fixing the Operating Point

Combine the first two affinity law relationships to obtain:

H1 Q1
=

H2 Q2

(241)

If this relationship is plotted with the pump characteristic curve and the
system curve, it is called the equal efficiency curve
This is because there is typically only a small change in efficiency with a
small change in pump speed
Note that the equal efficiency curve will pass through the origin (when Q is
zero, H is zero)
Follow these steps to adjust the: (1) speed; or, (2) impeller diameter, such
that the actual operating point shifts up or down along the system curve:
1. Determine the head, H2, and discharge, Q2, at which the
system should operate (the desired operating point)
2. Solve the above equation for H1, and make a table of H1 versus
Q1 values (for fixed H2 and Q2):

Merkley & Allen

Page 134

Sprinkle & Trickle Irrigation Lectures

Q
H1 = H2 1
Q2

(242)

3. Plot the values from this table on the graph that already has the
pump characteristic curve
4. Locate the intersection between the pump characteristic curve
and the equal efficiency curve, and determine the Q3 and H3
values at this intersection
5. Use either of the following equations to determine the new
pump speed (or use equations involving D to determine the trim
on the impeller):

Q
Nnew = Nold 2
Q3

or, Nnew = Nold

H2
H3

(243)

6. Now your actual operating point will be the desired operating

point (at least until the pump wears appreciably or other
physical changes occur)

You cannot directly apply any of the affinity laws in this case because you will
either get the right discharge and wrong head, or the right head and wrong
discharge

Desired
Operating Point

Operating Point
without Adjustment

Sprinkle & Trickle Irrigation Lectures

W
ron
g!

C
ve

l
ua
Eq

Pu
m
p

ur

ffi
cie
nc
y

Cu
rve

correct head

0
0

ys

incorrect discharge

Head

te
m

Cu
rv

Apply Affinity
Law from Here

Flow Rate
Page 135

Merkley & Allen

III. Specific Speed

The specific speed is a dimensionless index used to classify pumps

It is also used in pump design calculations
Pump Type
Centrifugal (volute case)
Mixed Flow
Axial Flow

Specific Speed
500 - 5,000
4,000 - 10,000
10,000 - 15,000

To be truly dimensionless, it is written as:

Ns =

2N Q

(244)

(gH)0.75

where the 2 is to convert revolutions (dimensional) to radians

(dimensionless)

Example: units could be N = rev/s; Q = m3/s; g = m/s2; and H = m

However, in practice, units are often mixed, the 2 is not included, and even
g may be omitted
This means that Ns must not only be given numerically, but the exact
definition must be specified

IV. Cavitation

Air bubbles will form (the water boils) when the pressure in a pump or
pipeline drops below the vapor pressure
If the pressure increases to above the vapor pressure downstream, the
bubbles will collapse
This phenomenon is called cavitation
Cavitation often occurs in pumps, hydroelectric turbines, pipe valves, and
ship propellers
Cavitation is a problem because of the energy released when the bubbles
collapse; formation and subsequent collapse can take place in only a few
thousandths of a second, causing local pressures in excess of 150,000 psi,
and local speeds of over 1,000 kph
The collapse of the bubbles has also been experimentally shown to emit
small flashes of light (sonoluminescence) upon implosion, followed by rapid
expansion on shock waves
Potential problems:
1. noise and vibration
2. reduced efficiency in pumps

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3. reduced flow rate and head in pumps

4. physical damage to impellers, volute case, piping, valves

From a hydraulics perspective cavitation is to be avoided

But, in some cases cavitation is desirable. For example,
1. acceleration of chemical reactions
2. mixing of chemicals and or liquids
3. ultrasonic cleaning

Water can reach the boiling point by:

1. reduction in pressure (often due to an increase in velocity)
2. increase in temperature

At sea level, water begins to boil at 100C (212F)

But it can boil at lower temperatures if the pressure is less than that at mean
sea level (14.7 psi, or 10.34 m)

Patmospheric

Pvapor
container with water

Pump inlets often have an eccentric reducer (to go from a larger pipe
diameter to the diameter required at the pump inlet:
1. Large suction pipe to reduce friction loss and increase NPSHa, especially
where NPSHa is already too close to NPSHr (e.g. high-elevation pump
installations where the atmospheric pressure head is relatively low)
2. Eccentric reducer to avoid accumulation of air bubbles at the top of the
pipe

See the following figure

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Merkley & Allen

Required NPSH

Data from the manufacturer are available for most centrifugal pumps
Usually included in this data are recommendations for required Net Positive
Suction Head, NPSHr
NPSHr is the minimum pressure head at the entrance to the pump, such that
cavitation does not occur in the pump
The value depends on the type of pump, its design, and size
NPSHr also varies with the flow rate at which the pump operates
NPSHr generally increases with increasing flow rate in a given pump
This is because higher velocities occur within the pump, leading to lower
pressures
Recall that according to the Bernoulli equation, pressure will tend to
decrease as the velocity increases, elevation being the same
NPSHr is usually higher for larger pumps, meaning that cavitation can be
more of a problem in larger pump sizes

Available NPSH

The available NPSH, or NPSHa, is equal to the atmospheric pressure minus

all losses in the suction piping (upstream side of the pump), vapor pressure,
velocity head in the suction pipe, and static lift
When there is suction at the pump inlet (pump is operating, but not yet
primed), the only force available to raise the water is that of the atmospheric
pressure
But, the suction is not perfect (pressure does not reduce to absolute zero in
the pump) and there are some losses in the suction piping

NPSHa = hatm hvapor hf hlift

Merkley & Allen

Page 138

V2

2g

(245)

Sprinkle & Trickle Irrigation Lectures

Atmospheric Pressure Head

Vapor Pressure Head

Friction Loss

Static Lift
Velocity Head
Available NPSH

If the pump could create a perfect vacuum and there were no losses, the
water could be sucked up to a height of 10.34 m (at mean sea level)
Average atmospheric pressure is a function of elevation above msl

10.34 m

perfect
vacuum

sea level
water

10.34 m is equal to 14.7 psi, or 34 ft of head

Vapor pressure of water varies with temperature

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Merkley & Allen

11

Vapor Pressure Head (m)

10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Water Temperature (C)

Herein, when we say vapor pressure, we mean saturation vapor pressure

Saturation vapor pressure head (as in the above graph) can be calculated as
follows:

17.27 T
hvapor = 0.0623exp

T + 237.3

(246)

for hvapor in m; and T in C

Mean atmospheric pressure head is essentially a function of elevation above

mean sea level (msl)
Two ways to estimate mean atmospheric pressure head as a function of
elevation:
Straight line:

hatm = 10.3 0.00105 z

(247)

Exponential curve:

hatm

293 0.0065 z
= 10.33

293

5.26

(248)

where hatm is atmospheric pressure head (m of water); and z is elevation

above mean sea level (m)
Merkley & Allen

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Sprinkle & Trickle Irrigation Lectures

Mean atmospheric pressure (m)

10.50
10.00

Straight Line (m)

Exponential Curve (m)

9.50
9.00
8.50
8.00
7.50
7.00
6.50
0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

Elevation above msl (m)

V. Example Calculation of NPSHa

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1. Head Loss due to Friction

0.2 mm
=
= 0.000556
D 360 mm

(249)

viscosity at 20C, = 1.003(10)-6 m2/s

flow velocity,

Q 0.100 m3 / s
= 0.982 m/s
V= =

2
A
( 0.36 )
4

(250)

Reynolds Number,

NR =

VD ( 0.982 )( 0.36 )
=
= 353,000

1.003(10)6

(251)

Darcy-Weisbach friction factor, f = 0.0184

velocity head,

V 2 (0.982)2
=
= 0.049 m
2g
2g

(252)

head loss in suction pipe,

(hf )pipe

L V2
8.1
=f
= 0.0184
( 0.049 ) = 0.0203 m
D 2g
0.36

(253)

local losses, for the bell-shaped entrance, Kr = 0.04; for the 90-deg elbow, Kr =
0.14. Then,

(hf )local = ( 0.04+0.14 )(0.049 ) = 0.0088 m

(254)

(hf )total = (hf )pipe + (hf )local = 0.0203 + 0.0088 = 0.0291 m

(255)

finally,

Merkley & Allen

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Sprinkle & Trickle Irrigation Lectures

2. Vapor Pressure
for water at 20C, hvapor = 0.25 m
3. Atmospheric Pressure
at 257 m above msl, hatm = 10.1 m
4. Static Suction Lift

the center of the pump is 3.0 m above the water surface

(the suction lift would be negative if the pump were below the water
surface)

5. Available NPSH

V2
NPSHa = hatm hvapor (hf )total hlift
2g
NPSHa = 10.1 0.25 0.0291 3.0 0.049 = 6.77 m

(256)

VI. Relationship Between NPSHr and NPSHa

If NPSHr < NPSHa, there should be no cavitation

If NPSHr = NPSHa, cavitation is impending
As the available NPSH drops below the required value, cavitation will
become stronger, the pump efficiency will drop, and the flow rate will
decrease
At some point, the pump would break suction and the flow rate would go to
zero (even with the pump still operating)

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Merkley & Allen

Page 144

Sprinkle & Trickle Irrigation Lectures