In pump literature, much has been written and continues to be written about NPSH (Net Positive Suction Head) and cavitation. As career pump engineer, I will share some of my knowledge and experience on pump NPSH testing, particularly a few practical matters that may not be covered in the extensive literature on this subject. Terminology […]
Common Centrifugal Pump Terms in Plain English
The terminology of a technical subject is key to understanding it. The language of modern pump technology has evolved for well over a hundred years. During this period, meanings of terms have changed. Good definitions are sometimes difficult to find. In nearly four decades of experience I’ve located key terms and their useful meanings. In […]
Suction – It’s Not What You Think It Is
Suction is often defined as a force that causes a fluid or a mixture to be drawn into an interior space. Some dictionaries more accurately define suction as a force or condition produced by a difference of pressures. Both definitions are correct. However, the first tends to support the illusion that suction is the action […]
Is there any confusion about NPSH?
Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) is perhaps the most misunderstood concept in pumping technology. The main source of confusion stems from multiple uses of the term in different but related contexts. One usage of the term NPSH is to denote the suction performance characteristic of the pump itself, independent of the system into which it […]