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October 19, 2025

Centrifugal pump key installation technology

The **centrifugal pump installation technique** involves determining the **critical suction height**, which is the vertical distance from the water surface of the source to the centerline of the pump impeller. This should not be confused with the **allowable vacuum height**, which is a value provided on the pump's manual or nameplate. The allowable vacuum height refers to the maximum vacuum that can be sustained at the pump inlet under standard atmospheric pressure (1 atm), at 20°C, and is measured during testing. It does not account for the actual flow conditions once the suction pipe is installed. The actual installation height must be calculated by subtracting the **suction pipe head loss** from the allowable vacuum height. The remaining value must be sufficient to overcome the **actual elevation difference** between the pump and the water source. If the installation height exceeds this calculated value, the pump will fail to draw in water effectively. Therefore, it’s important to minimize the length of the suction piping, reduce bends and fittings, and use larger diameter pipes to lower the flow velocity and reduce friction losses. It’s also crucial to note that if the installation site has a different elevation or water temperature than the test conditions (e.g., above 300 meters altitude or water temperature above 20°C), the allowable vacuum height must be adjusted. This adjustment accounts for variations in **atmospheric pressure** and **vapor pressure** of the liquid. For temperatures below 20°C, vapor pressure is negligible and doesn’t significantly affect the calculation. From an installation perspective, the **suction pipe must be completely sealed** to prevent air leaks. Any leakage can compromise the vacuum at the pump inlet, leading to reduced performance or even complete failure to pump. Ensuring proper sealing at all connections is essential for reliable operation. The **allowable suction height (Hs)** is determined experimentally by the manufacturer and is typically provided in the pump specification sheet. It is based on standard conditions—water at 20°C and 1 atm pressure. If the operating conditions differ, such as when pumping other liquids or at different temperatures, Hs must be corrected accordingly. For clean water, the formula for correction is: $$ Hs_1 = Hs + (Ha - 10.33) - (Hv - 0.24) $$ Where: - $ Ha $ is the local atmospheric pressure in meters of water column. - $ Hv $ is the vapor pressure of the liquid at the given temperature. When handling other liquids, a two-step conversion is required: first convert Hs using the above formula, then adjust for the specific properties of the new liquid. Another key concept is the **Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH)**, which is used for oil pumps and similar applications. NPSH represents the minimum pressure required at the pump inlet to prevent cavitation. It is usually provided by the manufacturer and tested with water at 20°C. When dealing with other liquids, corrections are necessary. The formula for calculating the safe suction height is: $$ \Delta h = \text{Standard Atmospheric Pressure} - \text{NPSH} - \text{Safety Margin} $$ For example, if a pump requires an NPSH of 4.0 m, and the safety margin is 0.5 m, then: $$ \Delta h = 10.33 - 4.0 - 0.5 = 5.83 \, \text{m} $$ In practice, the actual installation height should always be **less than the calculated value** for safety. If the calculated height (Hg) is negative, it means the pump must be installed **below the water level** of the source. Let’s look at an example: **Example 2-3:** A centrifugal pump has an allowable suction height (Hs) of 5.7 m. The total suction line resistance is 1.5 m, and the local atmospheric pressure is 9.81 × 10⁴ Pa. The dynamic head is negligible. **(1)** At 20°C, since the conditions match the factory test, the installation height is: $$ Hg = Hs - Hf_{0-1} = 5.7 - 1.5 = 4.2 \, \text{m} $$ **(2)** At 80°C, the vapor pressure of water is 47.4 kPa, which converts to 4.83 m of water. Using the correction formula: $$ Hs_1 = 5.7 + (10 - 10.33) - (4.83 - 0.24) = 5.7 - 0.33 - 4.59 = 0.78 \, \text{m} $$ Then: $$ Hg = Hs_1 - Hf_{0-1} = 0.78 - 1.5 = -0.72 \, \text{m} $$ This negative value indicates the pump must be installed **0.72 m below the water surface** to function properly.

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