VELOCITY AND PRESSURE DROP/100M LIMITS IN PUMP SUCTION & DISCHARGE PIPES
To design pump suction and discharge piping systems, global engineering standards provide limits for
velocity and pressure drop to ensure reliable operation, minimize cavitation, erosion, and pressure losses.
Below is a detailed summary of these limits as recommended by major standards and practices:
SECTION A: VELOCITY LIMITS IN PUMP SUCTION & DISCHARGE PIPES
Suction Pipe Discharge Pipe
Standard / Source Notes
Velocity Limit Velocity Limit
Focus on erosion/corrosion; applies
API RP 14E 1.5 m/s (max) 3.0-4.5 m/s
to offshore
Suction pipe lower to reduce NPSH
Hydraulic Institute (HI) 0.9-1.5 m/s 2.5 -4.5 m/s
risk
Based on pipe sizing and head loss
Crane TP-410 1.2- 2.1 m/s (typical) Up to 3- 4.5 m/s
control
GPSA Engineering Data
1.0 -1.5 m/s 2.0 - 3.5 m/s Used widely in gas processing
Book
PETRONAS PTS (e.g., PTS < 1.5 m/s (suction), < 3.0 m/s Suction velocity must avoid cavitation
30.10.02.11) min 0.6 m/s (discharge) and allow priming
Shell DEP (DEP Velocity criteria adapted from HI and
<1.5 m/s <3.5 m/s
31.38.01.11) experience
NORSOK P-001 (Rev. 3) 0.5-1.5 m/s <4.0 m/s Emphasis on low-velocity suction
ExxonMobil Engineering
< 1.5 m/s 2.5 - 4.0 m/s Conservative for reliability
Practice
CNPC Northeast Refining &
1.0 -1.5 m/s <3.0 m/s
Petrochemical
SECTION B: PRESSURE DROP LIMITS PER 100 METERS
Discharge Line
Standard / Source Suction Line DP/100m Notes
DP/100m
0.7-1.0 bar/100 m Actual depends on erosional
API RP 14E < 0.3 bar/100 m (typical)
(typical) velocity
Hydraulic Institute < 0.1 - 0.3 bar/100 m < 1.0 bar/100 m Minimize NPSH loss on suction
No fixed value. use No fixed. optimize for Focuses on total head, not per
Crane TP-410
energy equation system head 100 m
PETRONAS PTS (e.g., < 1.0 bar/100 m Target for good hydraulic
< 0.3 bar/100 m (suction)
PTS 30.10.02.11) (discharge) performance
Used in design tools and sizing
Shell DEP < 0.2 bar/100 m (suction) < 0.7-1.0 bar/100 m
spreadsheets
May vary for multiphase or
NORSOK < 0.2 bar/100 m (suction) < 0.8 bar/100 m
gassy fluids
GPSA < 0.3 bar/100 m < 1.0 bar/100 m In line with HI for plant piping
<0.8 bar/100 m Focused on minimizing pump
CNPC Northeast <0.2 bar/100 m (suction)
(discharge) load and energy loss
1
KEY DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Suction Line
• Velocity must be low to avoid cavitation and maintain NPSHa (Net Positive Suction Head Available).
• Recommended to use large diameter piping to reduce velocity and friction loss.
• Avoid high elbows or vertical rises just before pump suction.
• Suction pressure drop typically kept < 1–3 psi (~0.1–0.2 bar) to prevent NPSHa loss.
Discharge Line
• Higher velocity acceptable but must be balanced with erosion and noise risk.
• Use pipe supports and expansion loops if velocities are high to minimize vibration.
PRACTICAL SIZING RULES OF THUMB
Line Type Velocity Limit Pressure Drop Limit
Suction (clean liquid) 1.0 -1.5 m/s < 0.3 bar/100 m
Suction (viscous) 0.6 -1.0 m/s < 0.2 bar/100 m
Discharge 2.5 - 4.0 m/s < 1.0 bar/100 m
Summary Table of Global Practices
Suction Discharge DP Suction DP Discharge
Standard
Velocity Velocity (bar/100m) (bar/100m)
API 14E <1.5 m/s <4.5 m/s < 0.3 <1.0
HI 0.9-1.5 m/s 2.5-4.5 m/s <0.3 <1.0
Crane 1.2-2.1 m/s <4.5 m/s N/A N/A
GPSA 1.0-1.5 m/s <3.5 m/s <0.3 <1.0
PETRONAS <1.5 m/s <3.0 m/s <0.3 <1.0
Shell <1.5 m/s < 3.5 m/s <0.2 <1.0
NORSOK 0.5-1.5 m/s <4.0 m/s <0.2 < 0.8
CNPC 1.0-1.5 m/s <3.0 m/s <0.2
