ME151

FLUID
MACHINERIES

WEEK 6
2017-2018/3T

Prepared by:
Engr. Manuel B. Rustria
February 2018
➢ Define cavitation and enumerate the causes and effects of cavitation;
➢ Enumerate the solutions for cavitation;
➢ Define Net Positive Suction Head Available and Net Positive Suction Head
Required; and
➢ Solve problems involving cavitation and Net Positive Suction Head.
➢ Cavitation is a phenomenon which occurs is a centrifugal pump when the
pressure at any point inside the pump drops below the vapor pressure
corresponding to the temperature of the liquid. This results in the
formation of vapor bubbles. These vapor bubbles are carried along with
the flowing liquid and collapse with tremendous shock when a pressure
that is higher is reached.
➢ In other words, cavitation is the formation of cavities of water vapor in
the suction side of a pump due to low suction pressure.
1. Low suction pressure
2. Low atmospheric pressure
3. High liquid temperature
4. High velocity
5. Rough surfaces and edges
6. Sharp bends
1. Noise accompanying the collapse of vapor bubbles
2. Vibration of the unit
3. Decrease in capacity
4. Pitting due to chemical reaction
5. Corrosion
➢ To prevent cavitation, the suction pressure must be maintained above the
critical pressure from which it starts. The following points should be
considered:
1. The barometric pressure at the point of installation has been a definite
influence on the suction lift that can be permitted. It must be
considered for any installation at high altitudes.
2. The liquid temperature should be as low as possible. As the vapor
pressure increases with the temperature, the available suction lift
increases.
3. The velocities in the suction line should be kept low and sharp bends
should be avoided to keep friction and turbulence losses at a
minimum.
4. The relative inlet velocity should be kept low.
5. Careful rounding of inlet edges to an airfoil shape, combined with a
small inlet vane thickness, will likewise reduce cavitation.
6. There should be a sufficient number of vanes to guide the water and to
keep the fluid pressure on the vanes low.
▪ Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) is the term used to describe pump
cavitation characteristics. Specifically, it is the pressure (head) in excess
of the saturation pressure of the liquid being pumped.
▪ The NPSH is the difference between the absolute dynamic pressure of
the liquid measured at the centerline of the pump and the saturation
pressure corresponding to the temperature of the liquid at the same
point, all expressed in terms of linear measurement of the fluid flowing
for practical purposes. It can never be a negative value for the liquid
would ten flash and vapor would bind the pump.
▪ The NPSH also refers to the pressure at the pump suction flange,
corrected to the pump centerline, that prevents vaporization of fluid.
▪ Net Positive Suction Head Available (NPSHA) is the net positive
suction head that is available or existing at the pump installation. It is
equal to the pressure head of the source of liquid or atmospheric
pressure—if the source of water is an open tank—plus or minus the
difference in elevation between surface of liquid at source and pump
centerline minus vapor or saturation pressure of liquid at its
temperature minus friction losses between source of liquid and suction
flange, all at which are in the same linear dimension.
NPSHA = Hp± Hz – Hvp– HL
where NPSHA = net positive suction head available, m
Hp = head corresponding to the absolute pressure on the
surface of the liquid from which the pump draws, m
Hz = height of fluid surface above or below the impeller
centerline, m
(+) if above the pump centerline
(–) if below the pump centerline
Hvp = head corresponding to the vapor pressure of the liquid
at the existing temperature, m
HL = head loss because of friction and turbulence between
the surface of the liquid and the pump suction flange, m
 Figure 4.1.
NPSHA Pump
Installation
▪ Net Positive Suction Head Required (NPSHR) is a performance
characteristic of a pump and is established through closed loop or valve
suppression tests conducted by the pump manufacturer. These test
consist of lowering the NPSHA provided to the test pump until the
pump head, power, or efficiency noticeably decreases. NPSHR is
established based on a predefined percentage reduction in head,
power, or efficiency. Usually NPSHR is established as 3% head
reduction in single-stage pumps or 3% first-stage head reduction in
multi-stage pumps.
▪ The NPSHR is equal to the gauge pressure reading in linear dimension
at suction flange, corrected to the pump centerline minus vapor
pressure or saturation pressure of water at a given temperature in
linear measurement plus the velocity at suction flange.
▪ It is also measured at the pump by subtracting the gauge vapor
pressure head in meters or feet corresponding to the temperature of
the liquid at the point of measurement from the gauge pressure head
in meters or feet taken at the suction flange, corrected to the pump
centerline for horizontal shaft pumps or to the entrance eye of the
suction impeller for vertical shaft pumps, and adding the velocity head
at the point of measurement.
 pA V2
NPSHR = +z – Hvp +
γ 2g
pA
where + z = net positive suction head available, m
γ
pA = gauge pressure at the suction flange

Figure 4.2.
NPSHR
▪ Things to Consider in Determining the Value of NPSHR
1. The pump manufacturer should be consulted to determine the basis
of the stated value of NPSHR.
2. The pumping system designer should provide some margin above
the stated NPSHR when designing for pump suction conditions.
▪ Typical Margins Over the Published NPSHR
1. 10% to 50% — for a simple cold water pumping system
2. 50% to 100% — for a complex boiler feed pumping system with
transient suction operations.
▪ It is a must that the absolute pressure of the liquid is always above the
vapor pressure corresponding to the temperature of the liquid at the
suction line of the pump. To avoid cavitation, the following should
always be satisfied:
1. NPSH must always be positive
2. NPSHA ≥ NPSHR
▪ Alternatives when NPSHA is Negative or NPSHA < NPSHR
1. Change the plant layout, raising the tanks or heaters from which the
liquid is drawn or decreasing the suction lift.
2. Use a pump of larger size and run it at partial loads or speeds.
➢ Cavitation parameteror Thoma-Moody coefficient e is a dimensionless
parameter used to predict the occurrence of cavitation.
NPSHR
e=
TDH
where TDH = total dynamic head, m
▪ Critical values of e
e = 0.05 at Ns = 1000 rpm
e = 0.10 at Ns = 2000 rpm
e = 0.30 at Ns = 4000 rpm
▪ For different pump operating speed,
e = 175 ⟶ the beginning of cavitation and the minimum safe operating
value of e
➢ Suction Specific Speed Required (S) is an index number descriptive of the
suction characteristics of a given pump design. It is the speed in rpm at
which a pump impeller would operate if reduced proportionately in size so
as to deliver a rated capacity of 1 gpm against an NPSHR of 1 ft.
N Q
S= 3/4
NPSHR
where S = suction specific speed, rpm
N = pump speed, rpm
Q = capacity of the pump, gpm
NPSHR = net positive suction head required, ft (based on a 3% head
reduction as the manufacturer’s standard)
➢ Suction Specific Speed Available (SA) is an index number descriptive of
the available suction conditions of the pumping system from which the
pump is receiving suction. It is the speed in rpm at which a pump impeller
would operate if reduced proportionately in size so as to deliver a rated
capacity of 1 gpm against a NPSHA of 1 ft.
N Q
S= eq. 1
3/4
NPSHA
where SA = suction specific speed available, rpm
N = pump speed, rpm
Q = capacity of the pump gpm
NPSHA = net positive suction head available, ft
NOTE
▪ S ≥ SA — to prevent cavitation
▪ SA – S — the safety margin
▪ SA is a valuable criterion in determining the maximum permissible
pump speed.
➢ The cavitation limits for a safe operation of various types of centrifugal
pumps may be estimated in terms of SA as tabulated below
Single-suction pumps with overhung impeller SA ≤ 7500 to
10000
Single-stage pumps with shaft running through SA ≤ 6500 to 9000
the impeller inlet (for double-suction pumps, use
half capacity)
High-pressure, multi-stage pumps (single suction) SA ≤ 5500 to 7500
High-pressure, multi-stage pumps with special SA ≤ 7500 to 9000
first stage impeller (single suction)
eq. 2
➢ Pump’s Performance Curve is the graphical representation of the
characteristics of a pump operating at different capacities, heads, and
efficiencies at constant speed.
Ex. Assume a horizontal shaft pump handling water at 65°C. The suction
4.1 nozzle is 4.75 cm below the pump centerline, the pressure at this
point being 221 kPag and the velocity is 2.74 m/s. What is the pump’s
NPSHR?
Given
Ex. Required:
4.1
Determine the pump’s NPSHR
Solution:
From steam tables (Keenan, Keyes), at 65°C
Psat = 2.503 kPaa and ρ = 980.5 kg/m3
For the value of NPSHR
V2
NPSHR = Hg – Hvρg +
2g
Ex. p1 221000
4.1 where H2 = + z = + 0.0472 = 23.02 m
ρg 980.5(9.81)
For the value of Hvρg,
psat −patm 2503 −101325
Hvρg = = = −10.3 m
ρg 980.5(9.81)
For the value of Hv,
V12 2.74 2
Hvρg = = = 0.38m ANSWER
2g 2(9.81)
Therefore, NPSHR = 23.02 – (-10.3) + 0.38 = 33.7 m ANSWER
Ex. A pump is to deliver water at a head of 40 m, the water temperature
4.2 being 38°C and the barometric pressure 760 mm Hg. At intake, the
pressure is a vacuum of 432 mm Hg and the velocity is 3.50 m/s.
Determine the values of NPSH and the cavitation parameter.
Given: A pump shown
P1 = -432 mm Hg = -57.6 kPag = 41.66 kPaa
Patm = 760 mm Hg = 101.325 kPa
V1atm = 3.50 m/s
Ex. Required:
4.2
The NPSH and cavitation parameter
Solution:
V12
For the NPSH, NPSHR = Hg – Hvρg +
2g
101325 Pa
p1
(−432 mm Hg)
760 mm Hg
where Hg = = = -5.913 m
ρg 3 2
(992.95 kg/m )(9.81 m/s )
Ex. From steam tables (Keenan, Keyes), at t = 38°C
4.2
Psat = 6.632 kPaa and ρ = 992.95 kg/m3
psat −patm 6632 −98660
Hvρg = = = −9.45 m
ρg 992.95(9.81)
V12 3.50 2
Hv= = = 0.624 m
2g 2(9.81)
Ex. Then, NPSH = -5.913 – (-9.25) + 0.624 = 3.961 m
4.2
For the Value of Thoma-Moody coefficient
NPSHR 3.961
e= = = 0.099 = 0.10
TDH 40
Ex. A plant located at an altitude of 1000
4.3 m above sea level has an open feed-
water heater located 3 m above the
pump intake. The water in the heater
has a temperature of 80°C. If the
head loss in the suction line is 0.30
m, determine the available suction
head at the pump.
Given: Figure shown
Ex. Required:
4.3 Note:
The NPSHA
1. Barometric pressure changes (for
change of altitude)
a. 1” Hg per 1000 ft. rise in elevation
b. 83.312 mm Hg per 1000 m rise in
elevation
2. Change in temperature
a. 3.566°F per 1000 ft rise
b. 6.5°C per 1000 m rise
Ex. Solution:
4.3
ΔP = 1 inch Hg per 1000 ft elevation
= 83.312 mm Hg per 1000 m elevation
From the Patm at 1000 m elevation
patm 90218
For Hp, Hp = = = 9.467 m
ρg 971.723(9.8066)
psat 47390
For Hvp, Hvp= = = 4.973 m
ρg 971.723(9.8066)
Ex. Solution:
4.3
Solving for NPSHA,
NPSHA = 9.467 + 3 – 4.973 – 0.30 = 7.194 m ANSWER
Ex. Water at 80°F is pumped from a reservoir as show. The head loss due
4.4 to friction and turbulence is 1.5 ft. What is the available NPSH?
Given: The figure shown:
Required: The NPSHA
Ex. Solution:
4.4
From the steam tables at 80°F, Psat = 0.507 psi and SG = 0.998
psat (14.7 psi)(144 in2/ft2)
For Hp, Hp = = 3 = 34 ft
γ (62.4 lb/ft )(0.998)
psat (0.507 psi)(144 in2/ft2)
For Hvp, Hvp= = 3 = 1.17 ft
γ (62.4 lb/ft )(0.998)
Solving for NPSHA,
NPSHA = Hp – Hz – Hvp – HL = 34 – 8 – 1.17 – 1.5 = 23.33 ft
ANSWER
Ex. If a pump requires a minimum of 2.75 m of NPSH, how high can the
4.5 centerline of the pump be located above the top of an open tank that
supplies 27°C water to the pump? The barometer varies from 686 to
732 mm Hg throughout the year. The
tank is 1.83 m high, the pipe friction is
0.70 m, and the velocity is 72 m/min.
Given: The figure shown:
hfs = 0.70 m
At 27°C, psat = 3.567 kPaa
p = 996.81 kg/m3
Ex. Required:
4.5
The static suction lift
Solution:
Solving for patm,
101.325 kPa
patm = (686 mm Hg) = 91.4591 kPa
760 mm Hg
Solving for Hp,
patm 91459.1
patm = = = 9.35 m
γ (996.81)(9.81)
Ex. Solving for H ,
vp
4.5
patm 3567.0
patm = = = 0.365 m
ρ𝑔 (996.81)(9.81)
Solving for Hf, Hf = pipe friction loss + turbulence or velocity loss
72 2
V2 60
Hf= 0.70 + k = 0.70 + (1.0) = 0.7734 m
2g 2(9.81)

Solving for Hz, NPSHA = Hp – Hz – Hvp – Hf

Hz = Hp – NOSHA – Hvp – Hf = 9.35 – 2.75 – 0.365 – 0.7734
Hz = 5.46 m (the critical distance when the tank is almost empty)
Ex. For the vertical distance of the static suction lift,
4.5
z = 5.46 – 1.83 = 3.63 m ANSWER
Ex. Gasoline at 38°C is being drawn from a closed tank having a pressure
4.6 of 70 kPag. The level of gasoline in the tank is 2.5 m above the pump
centerline. The suction line friction and turbulence head losses
amount to 0.60 m. The vapor pressure of the gasoline is 48 kPaa and
the relative density is 0.72. a) What is the available suction head of
the system? b) If the Thoma-Moody coefficient is 0.10 and the
discharge is 400 lps, what is the size of the drive motor required?
Pump efficiency is 55%.
Ex. Given: The figure shown
4.6
Pv = 48 kPaa
RD = 0.72
ρ = 720 kg/m3
Hf = 0.60 m
ηp = 55%
Required:
a. The NPSHA
b. The BP if e = 0.10 and Q = 400 lps
Ex. Solution:
4.6
For NPSHA,NPSHA = Hp – Hz – Hvp – Hf
70000+101325
whereHp = = 24.256 m
(720)(9.81)
48000
Hvp = = 6.80 m
(720)(9.81)
ANSWER
Therefore, NPSHA = 24.256 + 2.5 – 6.8 – 0.60 = 19.356 m
NPSHA 19.356 ANSWER
Solving for TDH, Hp = = = 193.56 m
e 0.10
Ex. For the value BP,
4.6
ρgQ(TDH) 720(9.81)(0.40)(193.56)
BP = = = 994.29 kW
1000ηp 1000(0.55)
Ex. Given: The figure shown:
4.7
Required:
a. The NPSHA
b. The BP if e = 0.10 and
Q = 400 lps
Ex. Solution:
4.7
From NPSHA = Hp – Hz – Hvp – Hf
Hz = NPSHA – Hp– Hvp– Hf
where NPSHA = e(TDH) = 0.10(73) = 7.30 m
From steam tables, at t = 100°C,
Psat = 101.325 kPa and ρ = 958.31 kg/m3
101325 Pa
Patm= (737 mm Hg) = 98258.6 Pa
760 mm Hg
Ex. Solution:
4.7
98258.6
Hp= = 10.45 m
(958.31)(9.81)
101325
Hvp = = 10.78 m
(958.31)(9.81)
Therefore, Hz = 7.30 – 10.45 + 10.78 + 0.6 = 8.23 m.
Ex. Solution:
4.7
For NPSHA, NPSHA = Hp – Hz – Hvp – Hf
➢ Net Positive Suction Head Required (NPSHR) is equal to the gauge
pressure reading in linear dimension at suction flange corrected to the
pump centerline minus vapor pressure or saturation process of water at a
given temperature in linear measurement plus the velocity at suction
flange.
➢ Net Positive Suction Head Available (NPSHA) is the net positive suction
head available or existing at the pump installation.
➢ Cavitation refers to conditions within the pump where cavities filled with
vapor are formed due to the pressure drop in the suction side.
➢ Cavitation may appear along stationary parts of the pump casing or along
the impeller’s moving vanes.
➢ Common effects of cavitation problem in the unit are noise and vibration,
drop in head capacity and efficiency, and impeller vane corrosion and
pitting.
➢ To avoid cavitation, the absolute pressure of the liquid should always be
above the vapor pressure.
➢ Pump operating head is the algebraic difference of discharge and suction
heads. This can also be called Total Dynamic Head or TDH.
➢ Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) is the dynamic pressure of liquid at
pump suction, kPaa, less the saturation pressure corresponding to the
temperature at the same point, converted to meters head of the liquid.
➢ To avoid cavitation, NPSHA should be greater than or equal to the NPSHR.
➢ The equation NPSHA is as follows: NPSHA = Hp± Hz – Hvp – HL, where Hp is
the head corresponding to the absolute pressure on the surface of the
liquid from which the pump draw; Hz is the height of the fluid surface
above or below the impeller centerline; Hvpis the head corresponding to
the vapor pressure of the liquid at the existing temperature; and HL is the
head loss because of friction and turbulence between the surface of the
liquid and the pump suction flange.
1. A pump receives water from an open tank whose minimum water level is
1.5 m below the centerline of the pump. The water is at 16°C and the
friction loss in the pips s 1.2 m. For a water velocity of 1.02 m/s, what is
the NPSHA?
2. Water is supplied to a pump from an overhead tank whose pressure is
34.5 kPag. The water level in the tank is 5.2 m above the floor, and the
water is saturated. The pump centerline is 76 cm above the floor. If the
suction pipe carries 8 lps and is a standard 101.6-mm pipe, calculate the
NPSHA when the friction loss is 13.5 kPa.
3. Calculate the NPSHA for a pump that received 150°C water at the rate of
79 lps through a pipe whose ID is 25.4 cm. A suction gauge located 6 m
below the pump centerline indicates a pressure of 530 kPag and the
barometer indicates a pressure of 716 mm Hg.
4. A pump receives water from a tank. If the pump needs 24 m of NPSHA,
how high must the water level be above the pump centerline if the water
is saturated at 1724 kPag? The friction loss in the pipe afeages 0.3 m for 6
m of height and the flow is 23 lps in a 15.24 cm ID pipe.
5. If a pipe requires a minimum of 0.75 m of NPSHA, how high can the
centerline of the pump be located above the top of an open tank that
supplies 27°C water to the pump? The barometer varies from 686 mm Hg
to 732 mm Hg throughout the year. The tank is 1.82 m high, the pipe
friction is 0.7 m, and the velocity is 1.22 m/s.
6. Determine the available suction head of a pump which is taking gas oil at a
temperature of 204°C from a closed tank in which the pressure is 60 kPag.
The specific gravity of the oil is 0.78 and its vapor pressure is 63.25 kPaa.
The loss in the suction pipe is 0.61 m and the pump is located 3.65 m
above the oil level in a plant and sea level.
7. A centrifugal pump receives 9.5 kg/s water when the pump centerline is
2.75 m above the water level that has a pressure of 31 kPaa. Calculate the
water horsepower, neglecting friction and velocity heads, if the dscharge
pressure gauge read 38 m.
8. A test on a single-stage, double-suction radial-type pump operating at
1200 rpm and designed for 7000 gpm of water gives the following data:
Gpm 0 1600 3100 4300 5700 7000 7400 7900 8200
B Hp input 297.5 237.5 270 305 345 377.5 390 400 395
Total Head, ft 222.5 220 215 210 202.5 194 187.5 175 162.5
 a) Plot these curves and draw the efficiency curve.
b) On the same sheet, draw the three performance curves for the pump
operating at 1000 and 1400 rpm, checking a few points to see that the
relation between the three curves are maintained.
9. Determine the available suction head of a pump which is taking gas oil at a
temperature of 400°F, from a closed tank in which the pressure is 85 psig.
The specific gravity of oil is 0.78 and its vapor pressure is 90 psia. The loss
in the suction pipe is 2 ft and the pump is located 12 ft above the oil level
in a plant at sea level.