In past “Pumping Prescriptions” columns this year, I have discussed the procedure of piping size selection when given the process flow requirement and how this affects the pump’s power consumption. In this column, two computer calculation tools will be detailed. The tools are the Energy Consumption Calculator and the Pump Performance Estimator. Both can be found at pump-magazine.com/pump_magazine/pump_magazine.htm. These tools provide a quick and basic evaluation of piping’s effect on pump energy and the effect’s associated cost. As always, the best way to understand a concept is with an example. In our example, a process must move water at a rate of 8,000 gallons per minute. The water must be transported 5 miles across flat terrain with no significant elevation. In this type of application, most of the hydraulic losses result from pipe friction. The process flow is a non-stop 24 hours per day and seven days per week.
09/09/2014