Pumps centrifugal Illustrations

Depending on its severity, cavitation in pumps can result in loss of performance, severe erosion, vibration and noise. All these effects may be minimised by attention to design and operation, and by prudent use of erosion-resistant materials. Pumps vary considerably in design and function, and it is convenient to use the centrifugal pump to illustrate cavitation problems because of its common usage in fluid systems. 

For ease of illustration we will consider the characteristics and behaviour of a centrifugal pump which is similar in behaviour to radial/axial flow fans and centrifugal/screw compressors. Figure 63 shows the mechanical connection of a flow valve to control the output of the pump or the discharge of the fluid through the throttle of the valve. Figure 6.39 illustrates the characteristics of the pump ... 

Figure 3-36A illustrates typical manufacturers performance curves for centrifugal pumps as a function of capacity. 

In the dynamic pump, in particular, the centrifugal pump, the discharge rate Q is determined by the resistance pressure P in the flow system the pump discharges to (assuming some given speed of the pump). This is illustrated in Figure 3-49. 

Two effects on pump performance must be discussed viscosity and gas content. Figures 32.23 and 32.24 illustrate the effects of viscosity change on centrifugal and... 

Figure 32.51 illustrates how system NPSH or NPSH-available is calculated for the usual suction systems outlined. For a centrifugal pump, the basic NPSH is calculated from ... 

System total heads should be estimated as accurately as possible. Safety factors should never be added to these estimated total head values. This is illustrated by Figure 4.8. Suppose that OAi is the correct curve and that the centrifugal pump is required to operate at point A. Let a safety factor be added to the total head values to give a system curve OA2. On the basis of curve OA2, the manufacturer will supply a pump to operate at point A2. However, since the true system curve is OA, the pump will operate at point Ai. Not only is the capacity higher than that specified, but the pump motor may be overloaded. 

Liquid-Piston Type This type is illustrated in Fig. 10-97. These compressors are offered as single-stage units for pressure differentials up to about 0.52 MPa (75 Ibf/in ) in the smaller sizes and capacities up to 6.8 X 10 mVh (4000 fF/min) when used with a lower pressure differential. Staging is employed for higher pressure differentials. These units have found wide application as vacuum pumps on wet-vacuum service. Inlet and discharge ports are located in the impeller hub. As the vaned impeller rotates, centrifugal force drives the sealing liquid... 

The impeller is the working part of a centrifugal pump. The function of the impeller is to increase the velocity or kinetic energy of the liquid. The liquid flows into the impeller, and leaves the impeller, at the same pressure. The black dot shown at the top of the impeller in Fig. 23.6 is called the vane tip. The pressure at the vane tip is the same as the pump s suction pressure. However, as the high-velocity liquid escapes from the impeller and flows into the volute, its velocity decreases. The volute (which is also called the diffuser) is shaped like a cone. It widens out in the manner illustrated in Fig. 23.7. As the liquid flows into the wider section of the volute, its velocity is reduced, and the lost velocity is converted—well, not into pressure, but into feet of head. 

Pressure drop. Good control requires a substantial pressure drop through the valve. For pumped systems, the drop through the valve should be at least 1/3 of the pressure drop in the system, with a minimum of IS psi. When the expected variation in flow is small, this rule can be relaxed. In long liquid transportation lines, for instance, a fully open control valve may absorb less than 1% of the system pressure drop. In systems with centrifugal pumps, the variation of head with capacity must be taken into account when sizing the valve. Example 7.2, for instance, illustrates how the valve drop may vary with flow in such a system. 

Figure 2.119 illustrates the typical pump curve of a single impeller pump. It shows both the head-capacity curve of a centrifugal pump and the system... 

Characteristic Curves. The pressure head versus flow relationship for a centrifugal pump, called the characteristic curve, and illustrated in Figure 13, depends very much upon the design of the impeller, its vanes and the volute casing. 

High-pressure specification canned-motor centrifugal pumps can provide the solution for the hardest pumping duties. The pump illustrated in Figures 8 and 8.1 has to pump a corrosive suspension in a continuous flow at a starting temperature of 250°C and an inlet pressure of... 

Fig. 9 Twelve-stage canned-motor centrifugal Fig. 9.1 Illustration of tandem high-pressure pump in a high-pressure specification centrifugal pump as per Figure 9...

Fig. 12.1 Illustration of tandem canned-motor centrifugal pump as per Figure 12...

Crystallisation theory is covered in Volume 2, Chapter 15, and in several other texts Mullin (1992), Van Hook (1961), Nyvlt (1971) and Janie and Grootscholten (1984). Descriptions and illustrations of the many types of commercial crystalliser used can be found in these texts and in various handbooks Perry and Green (1984), Schweitzer (1988). Procedures for the scale-up and design of crystallisers are given by Mersham (1984), (1988), (1995). Bamford (1965) includes details of the ancillary equipment required vacuum pumps, circulation pumps, valves, filters, centrifuges and dryers. 

Figures 8.15 A and B Figure A illustrates the diaphragm pump and B the centrifugal pump.

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