Muhammad Hussain Imran

1. Calculation of NPSH available

Net Positive Suction Head available

NPSHa is defined as the pressure energy that is available to the fluid at the Pump inlet over and above the
vapor pressure value of the liquid being pumped at that temperature.

The liquid starts with some pressure (generally atmospheric) at the suction reservoir. This pressure energy is
then converted into elevation potential energy (for suction lift condition) and suction pipe losses as the liquid
reaches the pump inlet. Hence,

𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑯𝑨 = 𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒎 + 𝒉𝒈 − 𝑯𝒔 − 𝒉𝒇 − 𝒉𝒗𝒂𝒑

Where, hatm = Atmospheric pressure head (m)

hg = gauge pressure reading at suction vessel (m), for general case when liquid is pressurized at

Reservoir

Hs = Pump Centerline elevation from suction level (m)

hf = Friction losses in suction pipe (m)

hvap = vapor pressure head at pumping temperature (m)

Note: NPSHr is the min NPSH required by the pump for safe operation, and is a pump characteristic. While,
NPSHa is the actual NPSH available and is a system characteristic. For design, 𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑯𝑹 > 𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑯𝑨

Fig. 1: Determination of Net Positive Suction Head available

Now, let us consider two different cases of (a) Suction lift condition (b) Suction head condition to calculate
NPSHa:

CASE 1 (LIFT) Fig. 2: Two cases of suction CASE 2 (HEAD)

Provided,
Pipe losses = 1.5 m
Specific gravity of liquid = 0.8
Vapor pressure = 0.45 kgf/cm2 (at the pumping temperature of the liquid)

Now, we have to find out the value of NPSHa for the two cases below:
a) The suction lift = 3.0 m
b) The suction head = 4.0 m
Note: The suction vessel is open

Description

Vapor pressure is 0.45 kgf/cm2

We know,

ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑 (𝑚) × 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 (𝑘𝑔/𝑐𝑚2) =
10
Using this we can calculate the atmospheric pressure head (hatm), vapor pressure head (hvap) etc.

hvap = 5.6 m hf = 1.5 m

hatm (in terms of water) = 10.325 m water column.

10.325
hatm (Equivalent column of the liquid being used ) = 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐
= 𝟏𝟐. 𝟗 𝒎
𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦

The vessel is open so it is at atmospheric pressure.

So, hg = 0 m

hg is gauge pressure converted to head compared to atmospheric head (m).

Case -1

We know, for the suction lift condition

𝑁𝑃𝑆𝐻𝐴 = ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑚 + ℎ𝑔 − 𝐻𝑠 − ℎ𝑓 − ℎ𝑣𝑎𝑝

= (12.9 + 0 – 3 – 1.5 – 5.6) 𝑚

Putting the values in the equation, we get the value of NPSHA = 2.8 m

Case -2

We know, for the suction head condition

𝑁𝑃𝑆𝐻𝐴 = ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑚 + ℎ𝑔 − 𝐻𝑠 − ℎ𝑓 − ℎ𝑣𝑎𝑝

= (12.9 + 0 + 4 – 1.5 – 5.6) 𝑚

Putting the values in the equation, we get NPSHA = 9.8 m

2. Determination of minimum NPSHa & Pump Selection

An end suction pump has been designed for the following duty:

Q = 1800 m3/hr

H = 38 m

Impeller eye diameter (De) = 278 mm

NPSHr at design duty = 7.5 m

Speed = 1480 rpm

Specific gravity =1

We have to calculate the Suction Energy and determine the NPSHA to ensure cavitation free safe operation.

Description

Suction Energy: Generally, the pump is kept at some level above the sump (suction reservoir). The liquid uses
its own energy to reach the pump inlet (Pressure Energy Elevation Potential Energy). Suction energy, as
the name suggests, is a measure of the liquid’s energy used for suction from reservoir to pump inlet. Higher
the Suction Energy, higher is the energy used from liquid to bring it from the suction reservoir to pump inlet.
Thus, a higher value of suction energy indicates a lower liquid pressure at inlet and a higher chance of
cavitation and corresponding damage extent.

𝑺𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒈𝒚 (𝑺. 𝑬) = 𝑫𝒆 × 𝑵 × 𝑵𝒔𝒔 × 𝒔𝒑. 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒕𝒚

Where, De = Impeller eye dia. (inches)

N = speed of the pump (rpm).

Nss = suction specific speed in US units.

Suction Specific Speed: It is the measure of Pump’s suction capability. Defined as,
𝑸
𝑵 × √( )
𝒆𝒚𝒆
𝑵𝒔𝒔 = 𝟎.𝟕𝟓
𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑯 𝑹

Here, (Q/eye) is the flow rate entering from each individual eye of the pump inlet.

NSS is the Suction Specific Speed.

NPSHR is the NPSH required by the pump for cavitation free operation.
1480×√1800
Nss = = 11928 US units
75

𝑺. 𝑬. = 10.94 × 1480 × 11928 × 1= 193 x 106

As discussed, the extent of cavitation damage depends on the value of suction energy. For design purpose, we
assign different slabs for the magnitude of suction energy according to the type of pump, as shown below.

PUMP TYPE LOW S.E. HIGH S.E. VERY HIGH

S.E.

2 VANE SEWAGE PUMP < 100 x 106 100 x 106 TO 150 x 106 > 150 x 106

DOUBLE SUCTION PUMPS < 120 x 106 120 x 106 TO 180 x 106 > 180 x 106

END SUCTION PUMPS < 160 x 106 160 x 106 TO 240 x 106 > 240 x 106

VERTICAL TURBINE PUMPS < 200 x 106 200 x 106 TO 300 x 106 > 300 x 106

INDUCERS < 320 x 106 320 x 106 TO 480 x 106 > 480 x 106

Fig. 3: Suction Energy Level designation according to Pump Type

For cavitation free operation, we must operate at a required NPSHR value that is greater than the available
system NPSHA. We define a minimum NPSH margin for safe operation as shown below.
𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑯𝑹
𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒎𝒖𝒎 𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑯 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒊𝒏 =
𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑯𝑨
 Fig. 4: NPSHR margin as function of operating point (region to the right of intersection is safe)

Now, higher the suction energy level, higher is the extent of cavitation. Hence, we must assign a minimum
NPSHR margin depending on the level of S.E. (higher margin for higher SE). According to HIS, the
recommendation for safe operation is:

HYDRAULIC INSTITUTE RECOMMENDS MINIMUM NPSH MARGIN FOR

VARIOUS LEVELS OF SUCTION ENERGY
SUCTION ENERGY LEVEL MINIMUM NPSH MARGIN (NPSHa/NPSHr)

LOW 1.1 TO 1.3

HIGH 1.3 TO 2

VERY HIGH 2 TO 2.5

Fig. 5: HIS Recommendation for minimum NPSH margin

From the above data we can find out that for End Suction Pump, the duty point in consideration gives high S.E.
value. Taking a conservative margin of 2 according to HIS recommendation:

The value of minimum NPSHA should be 7.5 × 2 = 𝟏𝟓 𝒎

This minimum NPSHA is our criteria for proper pump selection.