Print this page Understanding Pump and Suction Specific Speeds
Randall W. Whitesides, P.E.
Course Outline
Students of this two-hour course will be provided with knowledge of an important concept associated with the operation of centrifugal pumps known as specific speed. While maybe not used in day-to-day pump selection, specific speed nevertheless has critical interaction with flow, head, and hydraulic efficiency.
This course includes
a multiple choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding
of the course materials.
Learning Objective
At the conclusion of this two-hour course, the student will
- Be familiar with the history and basis for pump specific speed;
- Learn about milestone specific speed values that correlate to optimum pump performance; and
- Expand the concepts
presented, to the suction side of the pump, through the index number known
as suction specific speed.
Intended
Audience
This course is intended for Chemical, Civil, Environmental, Mechanical, Mining,
and Petroleum Engineers whose endeavors involve pumps and liquid handling systems.
It is assumed that the student has a basic familiarity with pumps and fluid
dynamics.
Benefits
for Attendees
This course will review the concepts of the dimensionless index numbers of pump
specific speed and suction specific speed. The interrelationship of these index
numbers with pump impeller geometry and various centrifugal pump operational
parameters is explored. Examples of pumping systems, complete with hydraulic
analytical solutions, are provided to aid in the understanding of the presented
material. Additional and important hydraulic facts necessary for the correct
determination of specific speed are randomly interspersed throughout the course.
Course Content
The course content is in a PDF file (324 KB) Understanding Pump and Suction Specific Speeds.
Additional Resources
While pump specific speed is somewhat an obscure concept, a proliferation of information on the subject is available on the world wide web. Just conduct a web search with the key words as the search string. Practically all pump manufacturers' literature addresses specific speed. The Hydraulic Institute Standards cover the subject in depth. Any good published pump technical reference will cover the basics and ramifications of pump and suction specific speeds.
Once
you finish studying the
above course content,
you need to
take a quiz
to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDHonline.com or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered professional engineer. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
