Recommended Suction Flow Velocity for Boiling Fluids

Recommended flow velocity for the pump suction side

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Capacity problem, cavitation and high power consumption in a pump, is often the result of the conditions on the suction side. In general - a rule of thumb - is to keep the suction fluid flow speed below the following values:

Pipe bore Boiling Liquids
inches mm m/s ft/s
1 25 0.3 1
2 50 0.3 1
3 75 0.3 1
4 100 0.3 1
6 150 0.35 1.1
8 200 0.38 1.2
10 250 0.45 1.5
12 300 0.45 1.5

Boiling liquids - due to the cavitation problem - may be extremely difficult to pump. If the pressure at any point within the pump falls below the vapor pressure of the liquid being pumped, vaporization or cavitation will occur. For example, water at 100oF (38oC) will boil or vaporize if exposed to a vacuum of 28-in Hg. The cavitation problem increases with higher temperatures.

More about boiling water or condensate pumping in steam systems can be read here:

More about NPSH suction problems can be read here:

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Related Topics

  • Piping Systems Dimensions of pipes and tubes - dimensions, materials, capacities - pressure drop calculations and charts - insulation and heat loss diagrams
  • Fluid Flow and Pressure Drops in Pipe Lines Pipe lines - fluid flow and pressure loss - water, sewer, steel pipes, pvc pipes, copper tubes and more
  • Pumps Piping systems and pumps - centrifugal pumps, displacement pumps - cavitation, viscosity, head and pressure, power consumption and more

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