PUMPS DESIGN PRACTICES
NPSH Section Page
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CONTENTS
Section Page
SCOPE ............................................................................................................................................................ 2
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................ 2
DEFINITIONS.................................................................................................................................................. 2
BACKGROUND .............................................................................................................................................. 2
CAVITATION................................................................................................................................................... 2
DEFINITION............................................................................................................................................ 2
MECHANISM .......................................................................................................................................... 3
NPSH AVAILABLE ......................................................................................................................................... 3
SAFETY FACTOR .................................................................................................................................. 3
25 FT (7.6 METERS) NPSHA CONVENTION ........................................................................................ 4
EXAMPLES OF NPSHA CALCULATION....................................................................................................... 4
NOMENCLATURE .......................................................................................................................................... 4
EXAMPLE 1 - CALCULATION OF NPSHA FOR AN OPEN SYSTEM, SOURCE BELOW
CENTRIFUGAL OR ROTARY PUMP.............................................................................. 5
EXAMPLE 2 - CALCULATION OF MINIMUM REQUIRED VESSEL ELEVATION FOR
AN OPEN SYSTEM, SOURCE ABOVE CENTRIFUGAL OR ROTARY PUMP .............. 6
EXAMPLE 3 - CALCULATION OF NPSHA FOR A CLOSED SYSTEM, SOURCE ABOVE
CENTRIFUGAL OR ROTARY PUMP.............................................................................. 7
EXAMPLE 4 - CALCULATION OF MINIMUM REQUIRED VESSEL ELEVATION FOR AN
OPEN SYSTEM, SOURCE ABOVE RECIPROCATING PUMP...................................... 8
Revision Memo
12/99 Added Note (1), page 2. Minor editorial revisions made without change to technical
content.
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Section Page NPSH
X-D 2 of 8 EXXON
Date ENGINEERING
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SCOPE
This section consolidates most of the background information on net positive suction head (NPSH) needed to design pumping
services. Estimating data on the NPSH requirements of centrifugal and positive displacement pumps are included in Sections
X-A Pumping Service Design Procedures and X-F Positive Displacement Pumps, respectively. (1)
REFERENCES
API 610 Centrifugal Pumps for Petroleum Heavy Duty Chemical, and Gas Industry Services.
Cameron Hydraulic Data, Ingersoll Rand.
Karassik, I. J., Krutzsch, W. C., Fraser, W. H., and Messina, J. P., Pump Handbook, Second Edition; McGraw Hill, 1986.
Stepanoff, A. J., Centrifugal and Axial Flow Pumps, Theory, Design and Application, Second Edition;, John Wiley & Sons, 1957.
Welch, H. J., Transamerica Delaval Engineering Handbook, Fourth Edition; McGraw Hill, 1983.
DEFINITIONS
Cavitation - the formation and subsequent collapse of vapor-filled cavities in a liquid.
Head - the amount of energy per unit mass of a liquid. It is expressed in an equivalent column height of the fluid pumped; e.g.,
feet or meters.
Net Positive Suction Head Available (NPSHA) - The total suction head, in feet (meters) of liquid absolute, determined at a
datum elevation, minus the vapor pressure of the liquid in feet (meters) absolute.
Net Positive Suction Head Required (NPSHR) - the reduction in total head as the liquid enters the pump. This includes losses
due to friction and turbulence. The NPSHA must always be greater than the NPSHR to avoid cavitation.
BACKGROUND
In designing pumping systems, NPSHA and NPSHR are important considerations. The available NPSH (NPSHA) is calculated by
the designer and is the total suction head, in feet (meters) of liquid absolute, determined at a datum elevation, minus the vapor
pressure of the liquid in feet (meters) absolute. The required NPSH (NPSHR) is determined by manufacturer testing and is the
total absolute head above vapor pressure required at the pump inlet flange, foundation top, or shaft centerline for satisfactory
operation at the specified operating conditions. The NPSHA must always be greater than the NPSHR. This ensures that the
fluid will not cavitate inside the pump.
CAVITATION
DEFINITION
Cavitation is a process which involves the formation and subsequent collapse of vapor-filled cavities in a liquid. In pumps, the
cavities are formed when the total pressure of the liquid falls below the vapor pressure due to the dynamic action of the impeller
in centrifugal pumps, the plunger in reciprocating pumps, or the rotor in rotary positive displacement pumps. As energy is added
to the fluid by the impeller, plunger, or rotor the pressure increases, causing the vapor cavities to collapse or implode. The forces
created by the bubbles collapsing can be large enough to cause severe damage if the collapse occurs near a solid surface.
Exposure to cavitation can have the following effects on pumps:
• High vibration and noise caused by the implosions, which sounds as if there is gravel in the pumps
• Reduced capacity due to the vapor present
• Cavitation erosion or pitting on the internal metal surfaces
• Losses in pump head and efficiency and erratic power consumption
Note:
(1) Pump data sheets specify pressure in psi, bar, and kPa. In this section, bar is the metric unit used for pressure.
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CAVITATION (Cont)
MECHANISM
In all pump types, the fluid incurs losses as it flows from the inlet flange to the impeller, rotor, or cylinder. The losses result in a
decrease in the total pressure. If the total pressure is reduced to that of the fluid vapor pressure, vapor pockets will form. The
pockets of vapor begin to affect the whole field of flow and result in a sharp drop in pump performance.
The bubbles are eventually swept into regions of high pressure where they collapse. This rapid condensation causes liquid
surrounding the bubbles to hit the walls of the pump or adjacent liquid. The repeated action of bubbles forming and collapsing
near solid surfaces leads to the effects listed above.
NPSH AVAILABLE
To avoid cavitation, the NPSHA of the system must be greater than the NPSHR of the pump. NPSHA is calculated using the
following equation:
NPSHA = hp − hvpa + hst − hfs − ha
where: hp - absolute pressure head in feet (meters) on the surface of the liquid supply level.
hvpa - Vapor pressure of the liquid converted to feet (meters).
hst - Static height in feet (meters) difference between liquid level and established pump datum.
It is positive if the liquid level is above the pump datum and negative if the liquid level is
below the pump datum. The liquid level used should be the minimum operable liquid level
for the vessel. The pump datum level is arbitrarily set 2 ft (0.6 m) above the grade datum
level. See Section X-A, Suction Pressure and NPSH for more information.
hfs - All suction line losses converted from pressure to feet (meters) including piping entrance
losses and friction losses through the pipe, valves, fittings, permanent strainers where
specified, etc.
ha - Acceleration head for reciprocating pumps only. It accounts for head losses due to
pulsation in the flow. See Section X-F NPSH Available-Acceleration Head for
information on how to calculate this value. (ha = 0 for centrifugal and rotary pumps).
Pressure is converted to head in feet and meters using the following equations:
pressure (psi) x 2.31 pressure (bar ) x 10.2
Head ( ft ) = Head (m) =
Spec. Grav. Spec. Grav.
Note: For reciprocating pumps, the NPSHA is specified both with and without the acceleration head ha.
See Section X-F NPSH Available-Acceleration Head for more information.
SAFETY FACTOR
When calculating NPSHA, a safety factor is used to further ensure cavitation free performance of the pump. The safety factor is
defined as follows:
NPSHA Calculated
S. F. NPSH =
NPSHA Specified
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NPSH AVAILABLE (Cont)
The following values are recommended for use in pumping service design:
SERVICE S. F. NPSH
Most new service designs 1.10
Sulfolane lean solvent 1.25
Catacarb (Potassium Carbonate Solution) 1.60*
Ammonium Nitrate & Ammonium Carbamate 2.00*
*Consult machinery specialists to obtain experienced pump vendor NPSHR data.
A 5 psi pressure drop is used as a safety factor for boiler feedwater pumps (refer to Section XXVI-B, Steam Generation
Systems).
Choosing safety factors in excess of the table values are not recommended because doing so can add unnecessary cost to the
pump selection and adversely affect pump hydraulic design.
25 FT (7.6 METERS) NPSHA CONVENTION
NPSH Available seldom exceeds 25 ft (7.6 meters) in practical economic design. Even when it does, the actual value seldom
influences pump selection. As a convention, when the NPSH available is calculated to be higher than 25 ft (7.6 meters), a value
of 25 ft (7.6 meters) “minimum" is specified, rather than the actual value. This simplifies the engineering process.
Exception to this convention occurs when circumstances justify special engineering of the service NPSH aspects, such as when it
is economically attractive to deliberately allow the NPSHA to be higher than 25 ft (7.6 meters), and when the optimum individual
pump size can be expected to have an NPSHR over 25 ft (7.6 meters). In such a case, vendor data should be obtained to
corroborate the NPSHR estimating data of Section X-A Pumping Service Design Procedures, and the actual NPSHA should
be specified, along with information on available pump models.
NOMENCLATURE
See Design Practice Section X-A.
EXAMPLES OF NPSHA CALCULATION
For the following examples, assume that the datum given is 2 ft (0.6 m) above the grade datum level per Section X-A Pumping
Service Design Procedures, Suction Pressure and NPSH, Pump Datum Level.
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EXAMPLES OF NPSHA CALCULATION (Cont)
EXAMPLE 1 - CALCULATION OF NPSHA FOR AN OPEN SYSTEM, SOURCE BELOW CENTRIFUGAL OR
ROTARY PUMP
Atmospheric Pressure =
14.696 psia (1.013 bara)
Datum
10 ft (3.05 m)
Minimum Operable
Liquid Level
Water, 68F (20C) DP10DF0a
PARAMETER CUSTOMARY UNITS METRIC UNITS
Specific Gravity 1.0 1.0
Vapor Pressure 0.339 psia 0.02337 bara
hst – 10 ft – 3.05 m
hfs 3 ft 0.91 m
Calculate hp 14.696 x 2.31 1.013 x 10.2
hp = = 33.95 ft hp = = 10.33 m
1 .0 1 .0
Calculate hvpa 0.339 x 2.31 .02337 x 10.2
hvpa = = 0.783 ft hvpa = = 0.238 m
1 .0 1 .0
Calculate NPSHA NPSHA = hp – hvpa + hst – hfs - ha NPSHA = hp – hvpa + hst – hfs - ha
= 33.95 – 0.783 – 10 – 3 = 20.2 ft = 10.33 – 0.238 – 3.05 – 0.91 = 6.15 m
Apply S. F. 20.2 6.15
NPSHA Specified = = 18.4 ft NPSHA Specified = = 5 .6 m
1 .1 1 .1
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EXAMPLES OF NPSHA CALCULATION (Cont)
EXAMPLE 2 - CALCULATION OF MINIMUM REQUIRED VESSEL ELEVATION FOR AN OPEN SYSTEM,
SOURCE ABOVE CENTRIFUGAL OR ROTARY PUMP
Atmospheric Pressure = 14.696 psia (1.013 bara)
Minimum Operable
Liquid Level
hl
hst
Water, 170F (77C)
Datum
DP10DF0b
PARAMETER CUSTOMARY UNITS METRIC UNITS
Specific Gravity 0.975 0.975
Vapor Pressure 6.0 psia 0.414 bara
NPSH Required for Pump 20 ft 6.1 m
Calculate Minimum Required Min. Req. NPSHA = Pump NPSHR x S.F. Min. Req. NPSHA = Pump NPSHR x S.F.
NPSHA = 20 x 1.1 = 22 ft = 6.1 x 1.1 = 6.7 m
Minimum Liquid Level 2 ft 0.61 m
in Vessel, hl
hfs 3 ft 0.91 m
Calculate hp 14.696 x 2.31 1.013 x 10.2
hp = = 34.8 ft hp = = 10.6 m
0.975 0.975
Calculate hvpa 6.0 x 2.31 0.414 x 10.2
hvpa = = 14.2 ft hvpa = = 4.33 m
0.975 0.975
Calculate hst hst = NPSHA – hp + hvpa + hfs + ha hst = NPSHA – hp + hvpa + hfs + ha
= 22 – 34.8 + 14.2 + 3 = 4.4 ft = 6.7 – 10.6 + 4.33 + 0.91 = 1.34 m
Calculate Minimum Min. Req. Vessel Elev. = hst – hl Min. Req. Vessel Elev. = hst – hl
Required Vessel Elevation = 4.4 – 2 = 2.2 ft = 1.34 - 0.61 = 0.73 m
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EXAMPLES OF NPSHA CALCULATION (Cont)
EXAMPLE 3 - CALCULATION OF NPSHA FOR A CLOSED SYSTEM, SOURCE ABOVE CENTRIFUGAL OR
ROTARY PUMP
Vessel Pressure = 134.6 psia (9.28 bara)
Minimum Operable
Liquid Level
15 ft (4.57 m)
Water, 350F (177C)
Datum
DP10DF0c
PARAMETER CUSTOMARY UNITS METRIC UNITS
Specific Gravity 0.89 0.89
Vapor Pressure 134.6 psia 9.28 bara
hst +15 ft +4.57 m
hfs 3 ft 0.91 m
Calculate hp 134.6 x 2.31 9.28 x 10.2
hp = = 349.2 ft hp = = 106.3 m
0.89 0.89
Calculate hvpa 134.6 x 2.31 9.28 x 10.2
hvpa = = 349.2 ft hvpa = = 106.3 m
0.89 0.89
Calculate NPSHA NPSHA = hp – hvpa + hst – hfs - ha NPSHA = hp – hvpa + hst – hfs - ha
= 349.2 – 349.2 +15 – 3 = 12 ft = 106.3 – 106.3 + 4.57 – 0.91 = 3.66 m
Apply S. F. 12 3.66
NPSHA Specified = = 10.9 ft NPSHA Specified = = 3.33 m
1 .1 1 .1
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EXAMPLES OF NPSHA CALCULATION (Cont)
EXAMPLE 4 - CALCULATION OF MINIMUM REQUIRED VESSEL ELEVATION FOR AN OPEN SYSTEM,
SOURCE ABOVE RECIPROCATING PUMP
Atmospheric Pressure = 14.696 psia (1.013 bara)
Minimum Operable
Liquid Level
hl
hst
Water, 180F (82C)
Datum
DP10DF0d
PARAMETER CUSTOMARY UNITS METRIC UNITS
Specific Gravity 0.971 0.971
Vapor Pressure 7.5 psia 0.517 bara
NPSH Required for Pump 12 ft 3.7 m
Calculate Minimum Min. Req. NPSHA = Pump NPSHR x S. F. Min. Req. NPSHA = Pump NPSHR x S. F.
Required NPSHA = 12 x 1.1 = 13.2 ft = 3.7 x 1.1 = 4.0 m
hfs 3 ft 0.91 m
Minimum Liquid Level in Vessel, hl 2 ft 0.61 m
Calculate hp 14.696 x 2.31 1.013 x 10.22
hp = = 35.0 ft hp = = 10.6 m
0.971 0.971
Calculate hvpa 7.5 x 2.31 0.517 x 10.2
hvpa = = 17.8 ft hvpa = = 5.43 m
0.971 0.971
Calculate ha (1) LxV xnxC LxV xnxC
ha = ha =
Kxg Kxg
25 x 1 x 60 x 0.2 7.6 x .305 x 60 x 0.2
ha = = 6.2 ft ha = = 1.89 m
1.5 x 32.2 1 .5 x 9 .8
Calculate hst hst = NPSHA – hp + hvpa + hfs + ha hst = NPSHA – hp + hvpa + hfs + ha
= 13.2 – 35 + 17.8 + 3 + 6.2 = 5.2 ft = 4.0 – 10.6 + 5.43 + 0.91+ 1.89 = 1.63 m
Calculate Minimum Min. Req. Vessel Elev. = hst –hl Min. Req. Vessel Elev. = hst-hl
Required Vessel Elevation = 5.2 – 2 = 3.2 ft = 1.63 – 0.61 = 1.02 m
Notes:
1. Formula from Design Practice X-F Positive Displacement Pumps, NPSH Available-Acceleration Head. Assume the following: Pump
type: duplex single acting; Speed: 60 RPM; Line Length: 25 ft (7.6 m); Avg. Velocity: 1 ft/s (0.305 m/s).
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