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Eureka Marine AS Norway

Your partner in Eureka marine pumps

PUMP SELECT

This handbook is prepared as a support for customers that have the task to
specify- and purchase pumps for a new or existing installation

EUREKA trademark is registered with the Norwegian Patent Office

About Eureka Marine


Eureka Marine is a company which is a specialized supplier of
EUREKA centrifugal pumps and
spare parts to EUREKA pumps on delivery just in time.

We can ensure full customer satisfaction with our technical know how and a detailed understanding.
More than 20 years of experience with Eureka pumps from:
Thune-Eureka marine division, Tranby Norway
Kvrner Eureka Tranby Norway
Kvrner Ships Equipment Tranby Norway

PUMP SELECT
This handbook is prepared to backup customer support according to their needs to
specify- and purchase pumps for a new or existing installation.
It is prepared by Truls H. Paulsen, former head of Development/research and
technical department for engine room pumps with Kvrner Eureka in Norway.

EUREKA trademark is registered with the Norwegian Patent Office

General
2

2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
3

Hydraulic data

Calculation example
Units
Inlet pressure
Cavitation
Discharge pressure and pump head.
Power and efficiency
Adjustment of pumps
Liquid properties

3.1 Density
3.2 Viscosity
3.3 Vapour pressure
4

Material

4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.4
4.5
4.6

Selection
Corrosion
Erosion-corrosion
Material combinations-galvanic corrosion
Crevice- corrosion and pitting
Strength properties
Fatigue

5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7

Synchronous and asynchronous speed


Change of rpm
Vibrations
Balancing
Assembly
Ball bearing lifetime
Mechanical seal

Speed selection

General

This handbook is established as a support for customers that have the task of specifying and order
pumps for a new or existing installation. The starting point for the task will be the specified hydraulic
performance in the inquiry.
Large user organizations as shipyards and shipowning companies use standardized specification forms
that are very helpful in selecting of equipment, but sometimes inquiries are wanting in completeness
and may be the reason for unsatisfactory pump selection.
We shall go through some of the main points in specification and selection of centrifugal pumps for use
on ships.
2 Hydraulic data
2.1 Calculation example
We have a specification that calls for a pump for 5 bar pressure and flowrate of 100 m3/h and seawater
pumping. And here comes the first task. User- and supplier specifications often use different units and
the need for unit conversion rises in order to make a pump selection. To convert pressure into m head
you must divide by *g.
p := 5bar = 5

10 Pa

:= 1033

kg

g = 9.807

m
s

Insertion in expressions H and Q gives:


H :=

p
g

= 49.357 m

Q := 100

hr

= 0.028

m
s

On unit conversion it is important to calculate with corresponding units so that the digits and the units
are correct.
2.2 Units
There are 7 base units in the SI system and of these 4 are important in pump calculations
Length
Mass
Time
Current

meter
kilogram
second
ampere

m
kg
s
A

The base units may be grouped to form units important to pump calculations

Force

newton

Energy
Power

joule
watt

Pressure

pascal

1 N := 1

kg m
2

s
1
1J := 1 N m
J
1 W := 1
s
N
1 := 1
1Pa
2
m

Some common units which are not part of the SI coherent system is written below
Pressure

bar

Specific weight

Density

gm
2

cm
kg

:= 1000

kg
3

Head

Pa
g

Energitet
Power
Force

Nm

Hk
kp

kg
1 Hk := 0.735 kW
1 kp := 9.81N

2.3 Inlet pressure


To make a good selection of a pump the inlet pressure must be a part of the specification. This pressure
determines the available NPSH which again is deciding for cavitation risk and pump speed selection..
Available NPSH is calculated by the expression below.

NPSHa :=

p1
g

c1

2g

pd

p1

Inlet pressure
density

Pa
kg
3

acceleration of gravity

m
9.81
s

c1
B
pd

inlet velocity
barometric pressure
vapour pressure

m/s
Pa
Pa

Required NPSH is a machine characteristic and is given in the pump data sheet and in the performance
curves. For the pump to have acceptable running performance the
NPSHavailable NPSHrequired > 1m
There are several terms form the pressure in the suction pipe to characterize the cavitation risk. The
diagram below shows the relation between the terms with relation to the absolute and the atmospheric
pressure.

2.4 Cavitation
This phenomenon has to do with the boiling temperature of the pump liquid at the actual pressure.
When the pressure in the liquid reaches the vapour pressure the liquid starts pulsating boiling with noise
and vibration as a result. The immediate damage effect is a drop in pump head. This effect is what is
used in measuring the onset of cavitation and the basis for the NPSH curve. The value of
NPSHavailable that leads to a fall of head of 3% is what is defining the NPSH curve. At this condition
it is not possible to increase the flowrate even if the throttle valve is fully open. The pump impeller inlet
passages are blocked by vapour collection.

The figure shows the NPSH curve as a function of the flowrate and the figure to the right shows the
effect of cavitation on the pump curve.
Cavitation in the impeller inlet is a common reason for erosion of blades, wear rings and shroud.
Cavitation erosion going on for a long time will lead to visible damage of the impeller and need for
replacing the impeller.

2.5 Discharge pressure and pump head.


The sum of the friction head and static head is balanced by the pump head. The expression of head is
given below.

H :=

p2
g

c2

2g

p1
g

c1

2g

The head is equal to the difference of the flow energy between inlet and outlet.

The static head is given by the elevation difference between the suction level and the head basin. The
friction head is given by the pipe friction, bend friction and outlet loss. We find these head components
in the pump diagram.

2.6 Power and efficiency


The power needed to lift Q m3/s with a density of =-1033 kg/m3 up a head of H m is given by the
expression below.
P :=

gQH
1000

kW

The power supply performs the useful work of g Q H , but must also cover the losses that occur in
the pump as: hydrodynamic loss, volumetric loss and parasitic loss. The pump efficiency is the total
:=

h v m
effect of these and is expressed by
To measure these singular losses is difficult and involves costly test facilities in laboratories. For
everyday use it is the total efficiency that is of interest and that is what is shown in the pump diagram.
The total efficiency can be calculated by separating from the expression for P and solving as shown:

:=

gQH
P 1000

:= h v m

The energy use in pumping and the value of efficiency are important factors in pump operation while
the largest part of the operating costs are the energy cost.
2.6 The pump curve and selection of pumps
The pump curve presents the performance data as functions of the flowrate, H-Q, P-Q, NPSH-Q and
-Q. This presentation gives a clearly set out presentation of the important performance data of the
pump and is the basis for a factual evaluation of the installation. Down below are given some points for
an evaluation.

On the figure below is shown pump curves of head, efficiency and NPSH. Several operating points are
marked by triangles on the head curve together with a short name which is commented further down.
The names indicate the flowrate at different operating conditions and give a short characteristic of the
condition to be commented.
Pum pedata

stengt vent
140

Qhalv

Qmin

Qgod

H,eta,P,NPSH

120
100

Qopt

80
60

eta

40

NPSH

Qfull

20
0
0

250

500

750

1000

Q m 3/s

Closed valve:
With closed valve the pump power is used to internal circulation and all power is converted to heat. The
temperature increase is fast and the pump must be stopped in a short time, less than half a minute, in
common cases.
Qhalv
A flowrate of about half capacity, 50% of Qopt may lead to recirculation and a
phenomenon called rotating stall leading to vibrations and noise.
Qmin:
A flowrate down to 75% of Qopt gives safe pump operation, but often vibrations
when approaching 75%.

Qgod

An operation between 100% and 75% of Qopt is a safe alternative with good
utilization of power, low NPSH and quiet running.

Qopt

This is the design point of the pump and the flow regime is good and the
efficiency is at a maximum.

Qmax

Operating point with flowrate approaching 110% of Qopt is often utilized, but
with increasing flowrate the NPSHrequired increases quickly and cavitation may
give head drop, vibrations and erosion with longer operating durations.

Qfull

With throttle valve fully open the pump operates with heavy cavitation, vibration
and noise. Long operating time will lead to damaged bearings, impeller and seals.

2.7 Adjustment of pumps


Adjustment of standard pumps to meet a given specification is often necessary. As an example the
operating point is below the H-Q curve. If the impeller diameter is reduced from D2 to D21 we get a
lower H-Q curve and the operating point is on the curve.

On adjustment of pumps it is useful to be aware of the fact that the pump has the best operating
condition for the flowrate with highest efficiency with a given speed. All other operating points have
lower efficiency. The flow angles into the impeller and into the tongue in the spiral are decisive for the
pressure losses and by that the efficiency. The impeller blade inlet is optimum at one flowrate at a
given speed. For the flow angle into the casing the operating points lying on a straight line through
origo and the head at optimum efficiency gives the best flow conditions. These two relations are given
in the below diagram

Liquid properties

3.1
Density
The mass of liquid per unit volume is given by in units kg/m3. The density is a factor in the expression
for the pump power
P :=

gQH
1000

kW

The density is also a factor in the formula for calculation of the pump head in m
p :=

gH

N
2

Density of some liquids:


Water

kg

998 , 2

Seawater
1027

Lubrication oil
900

20 C

m
kg

20 C

m
kg

20 C

Pump head expressed in meters is independent of the liquid density. Whether you are pumping water or
mercury the impeller will produce the same head, but the pump power and the pump pressure will of
course be very different according to the above expressions.

3.2
Viscosity
Viscosity is a measure of the liquid friction and is measured in centistokes or m2/s.

1cSt := 10

2
6m

Viscosity for some fluids:


Water
1 10

Lubrication oil
90 10

2
6m

20 C

s
2
6m

20 C

Re :=

cd

For systematic description of frictional losses in flow regimes the Reynolds number is applied.
Where c is velocity, d is a characteristic dimension of the flow system and is kinematic viscosity.
Frictional loss in pipes are frequently seen in calculations of dimensioning and the Moody diagram shows
the relation between the Reynolds number, relative roughness and the friction coefficient for pipe flow.

The friction loss in a pipe of length L, diameter D and flow velocity c is given in m friction head.

h r := f

L c

D 2g

On pumping of viscous liquids like lubrication oil, bunker oil and crude oil the frictional losses internally
in the pump lead to noticeable changes of pump performance. The head is lowered, the flowrate is reduced
and the input power increases. Technical handbooks gives more information of this subject.

3.3
Vapour pressure
It is common knowledge the water boils at 100 degrees centigrade. In technical language this fact is
expressed as water vapour pressure is at 1 bar with 100 degrees centigrade. The vapour pressure is
dependant of the liquid temperature. On pumping of liquids with temperature near the boiling point the
risk of cavitation is present. In the expression for NPSH a we find the value of the vapor pressure as an
ingoing factor.

NPSHtil :=

p1
g

c1

2g

+B

pd
g

With low inlet pressure and high liquid temperature the NPSHa value must be controled to check
whether the pump has sufficient margin against the pump required NPSH. Below is shown the vapour
pressure curve for water between 0 and 100 degrees centigrade

Material

4.1
Selection
There are two parties in selection of materials for pumps. One of them, the pump manufacturer, has
built the pump with a selection af materials that has favorable strength properties , manufacturing
properties, manufacturing cost and which covers broad application fields of pump media. The user
has the task of selecting the pump in a material combination that is suited to handle liquids with
corrosion properties, temperature and particle content
4.2
Corrosion
Corrosion is a complex chemical-physical process which represents a large sphere in itself and which
demands a large study effort to get hold of. Here will be commented three forms of corrosion that
often leads to damage and breakdown of pumps.
The corrosion properties of materials is usually presented in tabulations where the position in the
galvanic series is described. These presentations are based on measurements in still electrolytes as for
instance seawater. Corrosion and breakdown of materials is strongly affected by flow velocity and in
common pumps the flow velocities are quite large, 5m/s-30m/s
4.3
Erosion-.corrosion
Erosion-corrosion takes place in flow regimes involving cavitation and/or particles that tear down the
passive protection of the material surface and this makes it open for corrosion. The diagram shows
loss of material as a function of flow velocity for some common materials. The large difference
between the resistance to corrosion of bronze and mild steel is apparent

4.4
Material combinations-galvanic corrosion
Pumps are equipped with details in different materials by reason of strength, function and manufacturing
properties. Material combinations utilized in seawater must consider galvanic corrosion. This corrosion
form comes where we have materials with different electrode potential that are in electrical contact with
each other. It is the less noble,anodic, component that is corroding while the noble, cathodic,
component is protected. It is good practice to have the anodic material for parts with large surface in
order to reduce the intensity of corrosion attack

Below is shown the galvanic series for some materials

With the pump casing as anode and the impeller cathodic the part with the highest velocities is
protected by the much larger surface of the pump casing. An example of this can be pump casing in
bronze and impeller in Ni-Al bronze which is a common material selection for seawater pumps. Bolts
and nuts must be selected in nobler materials for pump flanges and cover bolting. Stainless steel bolts
must be selected.
4.4
Crevice- corrosion and pitting
Pump details like shaft, sleeves, seals, impeller and wear rings are installed in the pump with narrow
clearance and these details are often manufactured in stainless steel. In the clearances still seawater
stays and will be unaffected by the flowing of seawater in the hydraulic passages. The passivation of
the surfaces in the clearances will break down and the surfaces are the open for corrosion attack,
crevice corrosion and pitting will attack the internal surfaces of the clearing. For pumps with long
periods of still standing it is recommended to start a short pumping operation with fresh water in order
to prevent this form of corrosion
4.5
Strength properties
The shaft is the part of the pump with the highest stress level and also with corrosion attack from the
pump fluid, fatigue load from imbalance and hydraulic forces and torque moment, bending moment
and thrust forces during operation.
The cast pump casing in bronze or cast iron for common duties in ships are subject to internal
pressure, pipe forces and corrosion and corrosion-erosion. Material stress are low because the casting
of these parts require larger material sections than what is required for strength reasons.
Cast iron and bronze materials have lower modulus of elasticity than steel materials and internal
pressure and pipe forces may lead to deformations and make the running clearances in wear rings and
bushings to disappear with extraordinary wear rates as a result.
Below is shown some material data for common pump materials

EN and NS standard
Copper Alloys
EN 1982 CuAl10Fe5Ni5-B CB333G
EN 1982 CuSn10-B
EN1982 CuSn7Zn2Pb3 CC492K
EN1982 Cu85Zn5PB5-B CC491K
Stainless steel
SS142343
SS142343
SS142324
Cast Iron
NS 11370
SjG-30

Tensile strength
Rm N/mm2

0,2% proof strength


N/mm2

E-modul E
N/mm2

Tetthet
Kg/dm3

600
260
250
200

250
130
130
100

1,27E+05

7,6
8,7

450
450
600

210
220
450

2,00E+05
2,00E+05
2,00E+05

7,9
8
7,7

700
300

420

1,08E+05
1,44E+05

7,1

4.6
Fatigue
The pump shaft is exposed to fatigue loading from imbalance, pulsating hydraulic forces and incorrect
shaft alignment. These cyclic loads are in some ways functions of the shaft speed. The fatigue strength of
materials are determined by cyclic loading of test specimens and in most steel materials have the fatigue
strength at 10 million cycles. Down below is shown some data for material strength and fatigue strength

The fact that it is important to make sure that shaft and other parts exposed to cyclic loading are
dimensioned for fatigue loading is indicated by the simple calculation below giving the time in days to
reach the fatigue limit with different rpm

1200
n pump := 1800
3600

dager :=

10

n pump 60 5

28
= 19
9

We notice that it is only 9 days at 3600 rpm to reach 10 million cycles with 5 hours running per
day. The importance of shaft dimensioning, manufacturing with generous radii in section changes
and good surfaces can not be overestimated.

Speed selection

5.1
Synchronous and asynchronous speed
Short circuit motors have rpm directed by the frequency of the supply circuit. In Norway and most
countries the net frequency is 50 Hz, but for ships it is usually 60 Hz. The most common rpm for pumps
are: 50 Hz,
f

:= 50 Hz

:= 60 Hz

Net frequency 50
Synchronous rpm: 750, 1000, 1500, 3000
Asynchronous rpm: 727, 970, 1455, 2910
Net frequency 60
Synchronous rpm: 900, 1200, 1800, 3600
Asynchronous rpm: 873, 1164, 1740, 3492
5.2
Change of rpm
On changing of the speed a number of effects are also changed such as: Hydraulic performance, material
stress, wear and vibrations. Change of rpm up to a higher speed leads to higher performance , but also to
higher loads. Some off these changes will be commented below and also given numbers As an example
for numeric calculation rpm changes from 1740 rpm to 3492 for a pump with impeller diameter 250 mm.
n 1 := 1746

n 2 := 3492

D2 := 0.250

Peripheral speed outlet diameter

u 21 :=

n 1 D2
60

= 22.9

Peripheral speed at outlet diameter at increased rpm

u 22 :=

n2

u = 45.7
n 1 21

For the inlet diameter the peripheral speed is changed by the same amount

The flowrate is changed by the same


amount

n2
Q2 := Q1
n1

He pump head is changed by the quotient of the rpm in power 2

H2 := H1

n2
n1

The risk of cavitation expressed by NPSH increases by the quotient of rpm in


the second power

NPSH2 := NPSH1

n2

n1

From this it is clear that the increase of flowrate also increases the flow velocities in the same rate. The
danger of increased erosion-corrosion is strongly influenced by velocity increase.
The head and with that the pressure increases by:

H2 := H1

n2

n1

He pump casing gets greater material stress and the shaft seal experiences higher pressures..
The power increases with:

P2 := P1

n2

n1

And the shaft torque increases with the amount:


He torque stress increases in the same amount

NPSH required increases by:

NPSH2 := NPSH1

M 2 :=

n2

P2
n2

n1

And this leads to a need for higher pressure in the inlet section

5.3
vibrations
The forcing frequency is proportional to the rotational frequency multiplied by a factor depending on the
form of the excitation.
Slide bearing

f1 := 0 , 5 n

Imbalance

f2 := 1 n

Assembly inaccuracy

f3 := 2 n

Ball bearing damage

F5 := zk n

It is evident from this that all these excitation sources are proportional with the rpm and with that also with
the ratio of change of the rpm. The critical frequency of the shaft however is practically independent of the
speed. The information that we now have about critical speed, excitation frequencies and change of rpm
may be shown in a diagram that gives a good view of the possible resonance frequencies in the shaft

system.

In the diagram is shown 4 lines for pump speed and excitation frequencies 0,5*n, 1*n, 2*n, 6*n together
with first.- and second order harmonic frequencies f1 and f2 .It is evident from the diagram that for speed
1746 the excitation frequency 1n is lower than the harmonic frequency f1. This is designated an
undercritical shaft system which is considered as the preferred design solution for pumps. We also see that
if the rotational speed is changed to 3492 the excitation frequency is almost equal the second order
harmonic frequency f2. This may lead to higher vibration level, but is usually to live with.
Calculation of harmonic frequencies are often complicated and must usually be tackled by specialist
engineers. Vibration problems in pump operation leads to calculation work or even measurement of
vibration levels and frequencies. A good rule of thumb is that the excitation frequency should be 15% 20% under the first order harmonic frequency.
5.4
Balancing
Balancing is done according to ISO 1940 standard that gives the rest imbalance in 10 classes where G6.3
is the commonly used for pumps. It is evident from the diagram that the rest imbalance in the class is
depending on the pump speed. A pump for 3600rpm must have a rest imbalance lower than the 1800 rpm
pump has.

5.5
Assembly
Inaccuracies in the alignment of pump and motor shaft leads to excitation frequency of 2*n. Check of
alignment is done with micrometer and accepted eccentricity between pump and motor coupling is 0,05

mm radially and axially. Inaccuracy in alignment leads to bending stress in the shaft and imbalance and a
speed increase makes these damages worse. Below is shown some shafting systems in principle which
indicates the CG pump has the most tolerant shaft system taking care of both eccentricity and angular
faults.

5.6
Ball bearing lifetime
The lifetime of ball bearings depending on dynamic load and speed may be had of this formula giving the
lifetime in hours.
C

P
L10h :=
60 h

C is the dynamic load number from the ball bearing catalog and P is the dynamic load and n is the rpm.
In the formula the rpm is a direct factor, but the rpm is also a factor in the calculation of the dynamic load
such as is shown above. Imbalance increases with the second power of the rate of change of the rpm and
this leads to the result that the lifetime is reduced by the speed in power 5.The lifetime of ball bearings are
influenced by a number of mechanisms as corrosion, wrong lubrication, vibration from the support
structure under still standing conditions

5.7
Mechanical seal
Mechanical seals work like a thrust bearing in operation. The wearing surfaces operate in mixed friction
and the parameter for wear is the PV factor which is going to be discussed a little more in detail..
Wear occurs when two surfaces are forced together by forces axially to the sliding movement.
Irregularities in the surfaces come in direct contact and the relative sliding between the surfaces tear of
particles from the high points. The mechanical seals do have a thin fluid film between the surfaces but this
is not enough to make a hydrodynamic lubricating film. The seal faces operate in a mixed friction mode
with partial materials contact in the surfaces. The wear rate is a function of the surface pressure and the
relative sliding velocity between the surfaces. The P*V parameter which is the product of the surface
pressure and the sliding speed is what determines the rate of wear and this is also used as a parameter for
seal selection. In order to make the calculation of the P*V a little simpler without recourse to the
geometrical details of the seal and shaft the expression is p*v with p being the stuffing box pressure and v
is the peripheral speed of the shaft diameter and the unit the is bar* m/s

k kk

v :=

n d
30 2

With this simple expression in mind it is quite quick to establish a preliminary selection of a seal. We also
see that here again the speed is a factor in wear rate. The wear is a function of the pv factor. Below is
shown a diagram with pv factor for two different seaL with pv = 50 for ordinary applications and one up
to pv = 500 for larger pumps with higher pressures.

Eureka Marine AS Norway

Your partner in Eureka marine pumps

Eureka GUARANTEE

Eureka marine pumps.


Delivered from Eureka Marine is guarantied against faults in material and workmanship for 12
months after delivery, based on Liability for defects as per ORGALIME S92 General Conditions

Contact us

Please contact Eureka Marine if you want an estimated cost for a new
Eureka centrifugal pump without any obligations.
Eureka Marine AS
Skogliveien 4,
N-3047 Drammen.
Norway.
Free service Tel.:
E-mail:
Web:

+47 40616140
spares@eurekamarine.no
www.eurekamarine.com

EUREKA trademark is registered with the Norwegian Patent Office

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