Last week the Monday Morning Minute article outlined the procedures we use during a check, test, and start-up of a B&G centrifugal pump. After converting from field gauge readings in PSIG to pump head in feet, there are several reasons why the results may be incorrect.
Often times the pump curve will be one RPM and the motor is another. For example, the pump curve is 1750 RPM and the motor nameplate is 1775 RPM. A small correction normally, but it may have an impact on low head pump readings. Sometimes the fluid specific gravity can cause a difference in the conversion for PSIG to feet of head. The formula we use is: Head = (PSIG X 2.31) / (Specific Gravity) We normally assume the Specific Gravity for water is one. If the fluid was 40% Ethylene Glycol/water at 40°F, then the specific gravity would be 1.07 and our 2.31 multiplier would become 2.16. It may or may not make a difference, but we should at least remember that it could make a difference.
The third item is proper correction factors to the gauge readings which we will look at next week. |
Disclaimer: R. L. Deppmann and it’s affiliates can not be held liable for issues caused by use of the information on this page. While the information comes from many years of experience and can be a valuable tool, it may not take into account special circumstances in your system and we therefore can not take responsibility for actions that result from this information. Please feel free to contact us if you do have any questions.
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