Pump Suction Piping Rules – Cooling Tower Pumps and Piping – Part 6

Norm HallPumps, Cooling Towers, Hydronic System Design, Cooling Towers, Piping and Pumps, Cooling, Cooling Towers, Monday Morning Minutes

Over the last several weeks we discussed the feared NPSH and showed it is rarely an issue at design conditions. More often than not, noise and pressure problems are caused by air in the suction piping system. The suction pipe, in many cooling pumping systems, is under very little pressure. In fact, the suction of the pump could be under a vacuum.

It’s all about Pressure – Cooling Tower Pumps and Piping – Part 5

Norm HallMonday Morning Minutes, Pumps, Cooling Towers, Hydronic System Design, Cooling Towers, Piping and Pumps, Cooling, Cooling Towers

Last week the R. L. Deppmann Monday Morning Minute gave an example of a pump selection for which we applied the margin multipliers to arrive at 24.5 feet of net positive suction head required or NPSHR. Now let’s turn our attention to the cooling tower pump suction piping and net positive suction head available or NPSHA. [Read more…]

Where Cavitation Begins – Cooling Tower Pumps and Piping

Norm HallPiping and Pumps, Monday Morning Minutes, Cooling, Cooling Towers, Pumps, Cooling Towers, Hydronic System Design, Cooling Towers

Last week the R. L. Deppmann Monday Morning Minute defined NPSHR, and ended with the Hydraulic Institute (HI) definition as the absolute pressure that will cause the total head of the pump to be reduced by 3%, due to flow blockage from cavitation”. Of importance is the fact that it does not say that NPSHR is where cavitation begins.

It’s All About Terms! – Cooling Tower Pumps and Piping – Part 1

Norm HallCooling Towers, Monday Morning Minutes, Pumps, Cooling Towers, Hydronic System Design, Cooling Towers, Piping and Pumps, Cooling

Most cooling tower designs and installations are commissioned without any issues. The few percent of times where problems arise will cause multiple meetings, emails, finger pointing, and added costs. The issues are not caused by bad luck or bad Karma; tower water pumping issues are typically caused by air, dirt, or improper application. [Read more…]

Humidifier Placement In Airstream is Critical

Chris LiederSteam, Piping and Installation, Monday Morning Minutes, Humidifiers, Steam, Humidifiers

Absorption or non-wetting distance is the dimension downstream from the leaving side of the steam dispersion assembly to the point where wetting will not occur, although wisps of steam may be present. Solid objects at duct air temperature, such as coils, dampers, fans, etc., downstream of this dimension will remain dry. Location A is the best choice. [Read more…]

Factors That Affect Absorption – Humidification Part II

Chris LiederMonday Morning Minutes, Humidifiers, Steam, Humidifiers, Steam, Piping and Installation

Duct or AHU temperature. Cool air absorbs less than warm air and requires a longer absorption distance. When equal amounts of steam are introduced into equivalent ducts but with different air temperatures, the lower temperature systems of 50 °F to 55 °F are more difficult to ensure absorption than systems with higher temperatures.