FM-II Week 12

Fluid Mechanics-II
Teacher/Instructor :Engr. Muhammad Sumair
B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering (UET Lahore 2014-2018)

M.Sc. Thermal Power Engineering (UET Lahore 2018-2020)
Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH)
• Previously, we had discussed that the limiting pressure at the inlet to
the pump i.e., suction pressure (or corresponding suction pressure
head) must be greater than the vapor pressure (or corresponding vapor
pressure head) to avoid cavitation. We have also derived a relationship
to determine the maximum suction lift (head or height). Now, we
discuss a similar concept of Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH).
• Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH): The term NPSH ( Net Positive
Suction Head) is very commonly used in the pump industry. The
minimum suction conditions are more frequently specified in terms of
NPSH. The net positive suction head (NPSH) is defined as the
absolute pressure head at the inlet to the pump, minus the vapour
pressure head plus the velocity head.
NPSH (Cont’d)
NPSH (Cont’d)
• Pump manufacturers test their pumps for cavitation in a pump test
facility by varying the volume flow rate and inlet pressure in a
controlled manner. Specifically, at a given flow rate and liquid
temperature, the pressure at the pump inlet is slowly lowered until
cavitation occurs somewhere inside the pump. The value of NPSH is
calculated using Eq. (A) and is recorded at this operating condition.
The process is repeated at several other flow rates, and the pump
manufacturer then publishes a performance parameter called the
required net positive suction head (NPSHR), defined as the minimum
NPSH necessary to avoid cavitation in the pump.
NPSH (Cont’d)
• In order to ensure that a pump does not cavitate, the actual or available
NPSH (NPSHA) must be greater than NPSHR, as can be seen in Figure 1.
Figure 1: The volume flow rate at

which the actual NPSH and the
required NPSH intersect represents the
maximum flow rate that can be
delivered by the pump without the
occurrence of cavitation.
NPSH (Cont’d)
• As previously discussed, the relation for Thoma's cavitation factor as
below
NPSH (Cont’d)
• If the value of 𝜎 (calculated from equation B) is less than the critical
value (𝜎c), the cavitation will occur in the pumps. It means 𝜎 should
be greater than or at least equal to the 𝜎c to avoid cavitation. The value
of 𝜎c depends upon the specific speed of the pump. The following
empirical relation is used to determine the value of 𝜎c for centrifugal
pumps:
−𝟑 𝟒ൗ
𝛔𝐜 = 𝟏. 𝟎𝟑 × 𝟏𝟎 × 𝐍𝐬 𝟑
Priming of Centrifugal Pump
• Priming of a centrifugal pump is defined as the operation in which the
suction pipe, casing of the pump and a portion of the delivery pipe up
to the delivery valve is filled up with the liquid from external source
before starting the pump. Thus, the air from these parts of the pump is
removed and these parts are filled with the liquid to be pumped.
• We have already discussed in previous lectures that the pressure
developed by the impeller of a centrifugal pump is proportional to the
density of the fluid in the impeller. It is thus obvious, that if impeller is
running in air, it will produce only a negligible pressure. The
negligible pressure developed by the impeller also means that
negligible suction produced at the eye of impeller. This negligible
suction may not be able to suck water from the sump (reservoir)
through the suction pipe. To avoid this, the pump is first primed. i.e.,
filled up with water.
Numerical Problems
• Problem 1: A centrifugal pump rotating at 1000 r.p.m. delivers 160
litres/s of water against a head of 30 m. The pump is installed at a
place where atmospheric pressure is 1 x 105 Pa (abs.) and vapour
pressure of water is 3 kPa (abs.). The head loss in suction pipe is
equivalent to 0.2 m of water. Calculate:(i)Minimum NPSH, and
(ii)Maximum allowable height of the pump from free surface of water
in the sump when no cavitation should occur. (Ans: (i) 3.036 m,
(ii)6.652 m)
• Problem 2: A Francis turbine has been manufactured to develop
11185.5 kW at the head of 81 m and speed 375 r.p.m. The mean
atmospheric pressure at the site is 101.043 kPa and vapour pressure
2.943 kPa. Calculate the maximum permissible height of the runner
Numerical Problems (Cont’d)
above the tail water level to ensure cavitation free operation. The critical
cavitation factor for Francis turbine is given by 𝜎𝑐 = 4.25 × 10−6 ×
𝑁𝑠 2 where Ns is the specific speed of the turbine in SI units (rpm, kW,
m) units. (Ans:0.8308 m)
Thanks for Listening

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Fluid Mechanics-II

Teacher/Instructor :Engr. Muhammad Sumair

B.Sc. Mechanical Engineering (UET Lahore 2014-2018)

Figure 1: The volume flow rate at

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