Top terms to know when you're in the pump industry

The Chemical Pump industry is a vast and far reach sector, so it will save you a lot of time when working through the pump buying process to understand the pump industry key terms!

 

HEAD

Head is a measure of pressure in feet (F) or meters (M) for Centrifugal Pumps. This is how far the pressure of the liquid will travel.

FLOW

Flow is a measure of the liquid volume capacity of a pump. Either given as litres per minute (l/m) or (m3/h) meters cubed per hour.

PUMP PERFORMANCE CURVE

A pump performance curve is a diagram often provided by a pump manufacturer to explain the relationship and correlation between the head and the flow of a pump. The curve may include efficiency of the Pump and Horse Power (HP)

PIPE FRICTION LOSS

Pipe friction loss is the loss of momentum of the liquid by the friction of the pipe walls.

FRICTION HEAD

The pressure expressed in feet, liquid needed to overcome the resistance to the flow in the pipe and fitting.

TOTAL HEAD

The amount of head produced by the pump, calculated by equalling the static head, friction head, pressure head and the velocity head.

PRESSURE

The force exerted by the pump, measured in (psi) pounds per sq inch.

PRESSURE  DROP

Referring to the loss of pressure between two points in a pipeline system. Generally occurs because of pipe friction.

EFFICIENCY

Efficiency is the ratio of total power outpoint to the total power input, as a percentage.

BEST EFFICIENCY POINT (BEP)

The BEP is the point where the head (pressure) and flow converge to produce the greatest amount of output for the least amount of energy.

CAVITATION

Process in which bubbles form in the fluid low-pressure area of the pump – causing noise and damage to the pump reducing the efficiency as it distorts the flow pattern.

VISCOSITY

Viscosity is the measure of the liquids resistance to flow, basically how thick the liquid that’s being pumped. The viscosity determines which pump is best and what speed the pump can run at.

BRAKE HORSEPOWER

The Brake Horsepower (BHP) is the actual amount of horsepower being consumed by the pump as measured on a dynamometer.

PUMP IMPELLER

The moving element in a centrifugal pump that drives the liquid.

SUCTION HEAD

Condition that occurs when the liquid source is above the centerline of the pump.

SUCTION LIFT

Condition that occurs when the liquid source is below the centerline of the pump.

 

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