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Adventures in Pumping

HeatingHelp
HeatingHelp Administrator Posts: 665
edited December 2021 in THE MAIN WALL
imageAdventures in Pumping

The pump is the second-most prevalent machine in the world, but that wasn't always the case. Consider this story.

Read the full story here

Comments

  • jumper
    jumper Member Posts: 2,374
    Dan shares wonderful stories. This case is not typical because most circulators are over sized. Too big can cause problems too. We should also look at pump curves as well. Even small circulators are available with both limited and unlimited flow. Guy in this story probably had one of the former. An undersized unlimited may not work well but it will work somewhat.
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,126
    Lovely article. Far too few people pay any attention to pump curves (including the efficiency curves...) and even fewer understand what they are looking at -- and yet, for any centrifugal. combined flow, or axial pump they are critical to really understanding what is actually going on (and yes, Virginia, circulators are a name used for some centrifugal pumps). And there aren't all that many who pay enough attention to the relationship between the system performance curve and the pump performance curve.

    The newer generation of variable speed pumps has made it even more confusing -- but the principles still apply (with the added spice of being able to install a pump and make it work -- but perhaps way off it's peak efficiency point).

    Then add to that interesting complexities such as required NPSH or inlet turbulence...

    They're fun. And getting just the right pump for the job is a very rewarding experience.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • jumper
    jumper Member Posts: 2,374
    >>They're fun. And getting just the right pump for the job is a very rewarding experience.<<

    Not for me. I remember being over ruled. Smart experienced guys cannot get beyond bigger is better thinking. Even the author of a book about pumps always fell back to variable speed takes care of whatever. At least in heating/cooling incorrect pump is not that big a deal. In chemical industry pumps can cost big$$$.

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