P1 P2
* Since the effects of supply and discharge pressure differences are the same as liquid elevation
differences, we will simplify things and only discuss elevation differences in this course, with the
understanding that pressure differences can cause the same effects
System Curve
Head (TDH)
Static Hs
Flowrate
Operating
Flowrate
Head
purely frictional
Any pump can produce flow System Curve Hf
(no elevation to overcome)
Flowrate
Supply Discharge
Head
When there is a liquid
elevation increase, no flow can
occur unless the pump
generates at least enough
Flowrate
head to over come the Elevation Changes
elevation increase Example:
Supply Discharge
New TDH
Old TDH
Hf*
Hf
Head
Increased
Static Head
Hs
Hs
System Curve
Hf
Head
Hs
Supply Discharge
Flowrate
Hf Hf
Head
Hs Hs
Hf
Hf
Head
Hs Hs
Q1 D1 N1
= = Where:
Q2 D2 N2
2 2 Q = Flowrate
∆H1 D1 N1
= = D = (Impeller) Diameter
∆H 2 D2 N2 N = Speed
H = Head
3 3
P1 D N P = Power
= 1 = 1
P2 D2 N2
Using the affinity laws the pump head curve can be adjusted
for a different diameter impeller
System Curve
Pump Curve 90%
Impeller Diameter
Flowrate
April 13, 2017 Pump & System Interaction 16
Pump Speed Changes
System Curve
Pump Curve 90% Speed
Flowrate
April 13, 2017 Pump & System Interaction 17
Pump Efficiency Effects
Efficiency
Head
System Curve
Flowrate
Operating Flowrate
Best Efficiency Point
60%
50%
70%
80%
82%
80%
100% Speed
80% Speed
70% Speed
60% Speed
Flowrate
60%
50%
70%
80%
82%
80%
100% Speed
80% Speed
70% Speed
60% Speed
Flowrate
60%
50%
(Static Head Dominated)
70%
80%
82%
80%
100% Speed
80% Speed
70% Speed
60% Speed
Flowrate
Flowrate
System Curve
Head
Flowrate
System Curve
Head
Flowrate
Head
Pump 1+2
Pump 1 Pump 2
Flowrate
Three
Pumps
Two
Pumps
Head
One
Pump
Flowrate
Head
Supply Discharge
Flowrate
New TDH
Old TDH
Hf*
Hf
Head
Increased
Static Head
Hs
Hs
New TDH
Original TDH
New Pump Curve
(Degraded Head)
Hf Hf*
Head
Hs Hs
Original New
Flowrate Original Flow
New Flow
Hf Hf
Head
Hs Hs
Tank C
Supply Discharge
* From
* From the “Pump
the “Pump Handbook”,
Handbook”, Karassik
Karassik et al.et al.
?
April 13, 2017 Pump & System Interaction 37
Pump Efficiency Effects
Efficiency
Head
System Curve
Flowrate
Operating Flowrate
Best Efficiency Point
0.6
Vibration (IPS)
Test 11 Variable
Speed Test 17.5" Dia
0.5 Test 1 1785 Rpm
17.5" Dia
0.4
0.1
BEP
0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Flow (GPM)