centrifugal pump
PDHonline Course M102 (2 PDH)
Selecting a Centrifugal Pump to Handle a Viscous Liquid
Instructor: Randall W. Whitesides, PE
2012
PDH Online | PDH Center
5272 Meadow Estates Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030-6658
Phone & Fax: 703-988-0088 www.PDHonline.org www.PDHcenter.com
An Approved Continuing Education Provider
www.PDHcenter.com
PDH Course M102
www.PDHonline.org
Selecting a Centrifugal Pump to Handle a Viscous Liquid
Copyright © 2002-2011
Randall W. Whitesides, P.E.
Introduction
This course provides the student with an understanding of fluid viscosity and its effects on the performance of centrifugal pump operation. The different types and interrelation of viscosity values are discussed. Most importantly, it presents the established means to convert water standard pump performance curves so that they can be used to select or size pumps in viscous liquid service. Equations are provided to enable the student to estimate the flow, pressure, efficiency, and power required for a given pumping application. Content
What exactly is viscosity anyway?
Viscosity is a measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow and molecular shear. Students interested in gaining a more in-depth, scientific explanation of viscosity are invited to visit: www.uvi.edu/Physics/SCI3xxWeb/Plumbing/FluidDynamics.html. There are a number of subjects covered at the above website. Scroll down the page until the section entitled Viscosity is displayed.
In reality, all that is practically important as it relates to this course is that fluid viscosity affects a centrifugal pump’s performance.
Viscosity is an elusive fluid parameter partly because of the layman’s oversimplification of the physical phenomenon. Consider the following two common examples:
Selecting a Centrifugal Pump to Handle a Viscous Liquid
© 2002-2011 Randall W. Whitesides, CPE, PE
1
www.PDHcenter.com
PDH Course M102
www.PDHonline.org
1. The adage blood is thicker than water
Selecting a Centrifugal Pump to Handle a Viscous Liquid
Instructor: Randall W. Whitesides, PE
2012
PDH Online | PDH Center
5272 Meadow Estates Drive
Fairfax, VA 22030-6658
Phone & Fax: 703-988-0088 www.PDHonline.org www.PDHcenter.com
An Approved Continuing Education Provider
www.PDHcenter.com
PDH Course M102
www.PDHonline.org
Selecting a Centrifugal Pump to Handle a Viscous Liquid
Copyright © 2002-2011
Randall W. Whitesides, P.E.
Introduction
This course provides the student with an understanding of fluid viscosity and its effects on the performance of centrifugal pump operation. The different types and interrelation of viscosity values are discussed. Most importantly, it presents the established means to convert water standard pump performance curves so that they can be used to select or size pumps in viscous liquid service. Equations are provided to enable the student to estimate the flow, pressure, efficiency, and power required for a given pumping application. Content
What exactly is viscosity anyway?
Viscosity is a measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow and molecular shear. Students interested in gaining a more in-depth, scientific explanation of viscosity are invited to visit: www.uvi.edu/Physics/SCI3xxWeb/Plumbing/FluidDynamics.html. There are a number of subjects covered at the above website. Scroll down the page until the section entitled Viscosity is displayed.
In reality, all that is practically important as it relates to this course is that fluid viscosity affects a centrifugal pump’s performance.
Viscosity is an elusive fluid parameter partly because of the layman’s oversimplification of the physical phenomenon. Consider the following two common examples:
Selecting a Centrifugal Pump to Handle a Viscous Liquid
© 2002-2011 Randall W. Whitesides, CPE, PE
1
www.PDHcenter.com
PDH Course M102
www.PDHonline.org
1. The adage blood is thicker than water