TERMINOLOGIES AND

CONVERSION FORMULA’S
Q AND TDH
Flow rate / Volumetric Flow rate (Q) is a volume of a fluid which passes Per Unit time

Common Units used; Conversion Formula

Liters Per Second (LPS) 1 LPS = 3.6 m3 / hr

Cubic Meter Per Hour (m3/hr) 1 m3 / hr = 4.41 GPM
Million Liters Per Day (MLD) 1 LPS = 15.85 GPM
Gallons Per Minute (GPM) 1 MLD = 1000 m3 / day

Ex. Convert 20 LPS to m3 / hr

Convert 200 GPM to MLD Assuming 24 hours a day Operation Conversion Formula

1 LPS = 3.6 m3 / hr
1 m3 / hr = 4.41 GPM
1 LPS = 15.85 GPM
1 MLD = 1000 m3 / day
TOTAL DYNAMIC HEAD (TDH)
is the equivalent height that a fluid is to be pumped, taking into account the friction losses
in the piping system.

TDH = Pumping Water Level + Pressure Head / Elevation Head + Friction Losses

Pumping Water Level : is the distance from the land surface (or measuring point) to the
water in the well while it is pumping
Ground Level

SWL Pump setting

PWL
Drawdown

Submergence Well Depth

DEEPWELL
SPECIFIC WELL CAPACITY (SWC) or WELL YIELD

Is the Discharge Rate Per Unit Drawdown

WELL REPORT
Calculate the PWL at 100GPM
Q : 500gpm
Q : 100gpm
SWL: 50 ft
SWL: 50 ft
PWL: 70 ft
PWL: ?
TOTAL DYNAMIC HEAD (TDH) is the equivalent height that a fluid is to be pumped,
taking into account the friction losses in the piping system.

TDH = Pumping Water Level + Pressure Head / Elevation Head + Friction Losses

Two Common Operation Setup

1. Fill & Draw – Source Fills the Water Tank then Feed to the Customer
2. Direct Feeding – Source Directly Feeding to the Customers

Fill & Draw Setup = Height of The Inlet Pipe in meters

Direct Feeding Setup = Pressure (Output Pressure in the system in PSI)

Conversion formula

1 PSI = 2.31 feet 1 meter = 3.28 feet

1 PSI = 0.704 m

Example: Covert 60 PSI in meters

TRIVIA = THE MINIMUM LWUA STANDARD PRESSURE FOR
RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS IS 7 PSI
TOTAL DYNAMIC HEAD (TDH) is the equivalent height that a fluid is to be pumped,
taking into account the friction losses in the piping system.

TDH = Pumping Water Level + Pressure Head / Elevation Head + Friction Losses

Friction Loss / Friction Head is the head lost by flowing water as a result of
friction between the moving water and the walls of its
conduit plus intermolecular disturbances

It is the Opposing Energy to move the water

Source of Friction Head

1. Pipe Material
2. Pipe size
3. Fittings and Bends
DIRECT FEEDING

DISCHARGE PRESSURE

TDH = PWL + Pressure (in meters) + Friction Loss

PWL Example:

Compute for the TDH

Assuming;
PWL : 50m
Pressure: 50psi
Friction loss: 4m

TDH = 50m + (50 x 0.704)m + 4m

TDH = 50m + 35.15m + 4m
TDH = 89.15m
 FILL & DRAW TDH = PWL + Water Tank Elevation + Friction Loss

Example:
PWL : 50m
Tank elevation : 20m
Friction loss : 4m

TDH= 50m + 20m +4m

TDH = 74m Tank Elevation

PWL
PUMP AND MOTOR
Centrifugal Pump is a mechanical device designed to move a fluid by means of the transfer
of rotational energy from one or more driven rotors, called impellers
Fluid enters the rapidly rotating impeller along its axis and is cast out by
centrifugal force along its circumference through the impeller's vane tips

Motor is a device that changes electricity or fuel into movement and makes a machine work.

Motor is the Device that drives the Pump and the Pump is the Device that pushes the water
PUMP AND MOTOR EFFICIENCY AND POWER FACTOR

WATER HORSEPOWER (WHP)

Is the minimum power that is required to move the water

Where: Where: Where:

Q is flowrate in GPM Q is flowrate in LPS Q is flowrate in m3/hr
H is Total Dynamic Head in Ft. H is Total Dynamic Head in meters. H is Total Dynamic Head in meters.
BRAKE HORSEPOWER (BHP) / Pump Input Power
is The horsepower required at the top or end of a pump shaft (input to a pump).
The energy provided by a motor or other power source

Water Horsepower (WHP)

Whp
X 100 = Pump Efficiency
Bhp

Brake horsepower (BHP)

Motor Input Horsepower (Motor HP)
Brake Horsepower = Motor Output

Water Horsepower (WHP) Therefore;

Pump and Motor Efficiency

Whp
X 100 = Pump Efficiency
Bhp Whp
Motor Input hp

Brake horsepower (BHP)

Motor Output (Bhp)

Motor Efficiency =
Motor Input Hp

Motor Output (Bhp)

Motor Input Hp =
Motor Efficiency
Example: a Pump and motor is running at constant speed with a flowrate of 300 GPM at 100 feet
Total Dynamic Head, Calculate the ff. Pump Efficiency, motor input Hp and Pump and Motor efficiency
assuming that the pump BHP is 12hp and motor efficiency is 85%.

300 x 100
= 7.58hp
3,960

Whp 7.58hp
Pump eff = X 100 = x100 = 63.13 %
Bhp 12 hp

Motor Output (Bhp) 12 hp

Motor Input Hp = =
Motor Efficiency 0.85

Motor Input Hp = 14.12 HP

Whp 7.58 hp
P & M Efficiency = x100 = x100
Motor Input hp 14.12 hp

Pump and Motor Efficiency = 53.68%

POWER FACTOR
is defined as the ratio of the real power absorbed by the load to the apparent power flowing in the circuit
Real Power (P) Where
P.F. = P = Real Power (true Power) – Actual Energy used (KW)
Apparent Power (S)
Q = Reactive Power - Unused Power (Kvar)
S = Apparent Power - Power Demand (KVA)
Assuming Reactive Power is 0,
Apparent Power (S) = Real Power (P) then Power Factor = 1
Therefore the higher the power factor (approaching 1) means
We are utilizing the power more efficiently and effectively

Motor Sources of Reactive Power that cause lower Power factor

1. Inductive Loads like Motors (full load Pf = 0.8 to 0.9)

2. Under loaded motors
3. Nonlinear Loads Like VFD’s
4. Voltage Fluctuation in Power System due to high line losses
Pump
5. Transformers (Overrated but under utilized)
Motor Input Hp = 14.12 HP

Assuming 0.8 Power Factor Most of the Power Utilities impose additional Charges for
those customer who has a power factor less than
Real Power (P) Pre-set limit. Typically between 0.8 to 0.9.
P.F. =
Apparent Power (S)

While some Power utility company calculate your

Real Power (P)
Apparent Power (S) = Actual power consumption Based from your
P.F. apparent power.

14.12 HP
Apparent Power (S) =
0.8

Apparent Power (S) = 17.64HP This is your actual power demand.

PUMP PERFORMANCE CURVE , SYSTEM CURVE, POWER CURVE ETC
Pump Performance Curve
A pump performance curve indicates how a pump will perform in regards to pressure head and flow.
A curve is defined for a specific operating speed (rpm) and a specific inlet/outlet diameter.
TDH (m)

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0 10 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 Q

Pump Performance Curve
A pump performance curve indicates how a pump will perform in regards to pressure head and flow.
A curve is defined for a specific operating speed (rpm) and a specific inlet/outlet diameter.
System Curve
is a graphical representation of the head and flow characteristics of a hydraulic system.
TDH (m)

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0 10 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 Q

Pump Performance Curve
A pump performance curve indicates how a pump will perform in regards to pressure head and flow.
A curve is defined for a specific operating speed (rpm) and a specific inlet/outlet diameter.
System Curve
is a graphical representation of the head and flow characteristics of a hydraulic system.
Pump operating Point / Pump Duty Point
is the intersection of pump characteristic and piping system characteristic
TDH (m)

70
Duty Point

60

50

40

30

20

10

0 10 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 Q

Pump Performance Curve
A pump performance curve indicates how a pump will perform in regards to pressure head and flow.
A curve is defined for a specific operating speed (rpm) and a specific inlet/outlet diameter.
System Curve
is a graphical representation of the head and flow characteristics of a hydraulic system.
Pump operating Point / Pump Duty Point
is the intersection of pump characteristic and piping system characteristic
Pump Efficiency Curve
The pump efficiency curve represents a pump’s efficiency across its entire operating range.
Efficiency is expressed in percentages on the right of the curve graph. The BEP is represented by the efficiency
curve’s peak, with efficiency declining as the curve arcs away, either right or left, from the BEP. Knowing the
efficiency percentage will also help calculate horsepower required for an application.
TDH (m)

70
Duty Point

60

50

40

30

20

10

0 10 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 Q

Pump Performance Curve
A pump performance curve indicates how a pump will perform in regards to pressure head and flow.
A curve is defined for a specific operating speed (rpm) and a specific inlet/outlet diameter.
System Curve
is a graphical representation of the head and flow characteristics of a hydraulic system.
Pump operating Point / Pump Duty Point
is the intersection of pump characteristic and piping system characteristic
Pump Efficiency Curve
The pump efficiency curve represents a pump’s efficiency across its entire operating range.
Efficiency is expressed in percentages on the right of the curve graph. The BEP is represented by the efficiency
curve’s peak, with efficiency declining as the curve arcs away, either right or left, from the BEP. Knowing the
efficiency percentage will also help calculate horsepower required for an application.

Best Efficiency Point is the point along a pump performance curve where efficiency is the highest
TDH (m)
BEP
70
Duty Point

60

50

40

30

20

10

0 10 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 Q

Pump Performance Curve
A pump performance curve indicates how a pump will perform in regards to pressure head and flow.
A curve is defined for a specific operating speed (rpm) and a specific inlet/outlet diameter.
System Curve
is a graphical representation of the head and flow characteristics of a hydraulic system.
Pump operating Point / Pump Duty Point
is the intersection of pump characteristic and piping system characteristic
Pump Efficiency Curve
The pump efficiency curve represents a pump’s efficiency across its entire operating range.
Efficiency is expressed in percentages on the right of the curve graph. The BEP is represented by the efficiency
curve’s peak, with efficiency declining as the curve arcs away, either right or left, from the BEP. Knowing the
efficiency percentage will also help calculate horsepower required for an application.

Best Efficiency Point is the point along a pump performance curve where efficiency is the highest
Power Curve - The power curve represents the load the pump imposes on the driver at a given point on the
pump curve and helps with proper motor sizing. It is represented as a separate curve graph and
gradually rises toward its peak load, which is typically close to the BEP with most rotodynamic pump
types. Afterward, it declines as it approaches the runout point.
TDH (m)
BEP
70
Duty Point

60

50

40
P
30
20
20
15

10 10
5

0 10 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 Q

Net positive suction head curve: The net positive suction head required (NPSHr) indicates how much force is
needed to push liquid into the eye of the pump impeller. It is displayed in feet beneath the main pump
curve graph.Knowing the correct amount of NPSHr will prevent the pump from cavitating, vibrating and
failing prematurely.
to simplify, NPSH is the required Submergence of the pump below the pumping water level to prevent cavitation.
Cavitation: occurs when the liquid in a pump turns to a vapor at low pressure. It occurs because there is not
enough pressure at the suction end of the pump, or insufficient Net Positive Suction Head available
(NPSHa).When cavitation takes place, air bubbles are created at low pressure.
TDH (m)
BEP
70
Duty Point

60

50

40
P
30
20
20
15

10 10
5

0 10 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 Q

Net positive suction head curve: The net positive suction head required (NPSHr) indicates how much force is
needed to push liquid into the eye of the pump impeller. It is displayed in feet beneath the main pump
curve graph.Knowing the correct amount of NPSHr will prevent the pump from cavitating, vibrating and
failing prematurely.
to simplify, NPSH is the required Submergence of the pump below the pumping water level to prevent cavitation.
Cavitation: occurs when the liquid in a pump turns to a vapor at low pressure. It occurs because there is not
enough pressure at the suction end of the pump, or insufficient Net Positive Suction Head available
(NPSHa).When cavitation takes place, air bubbles are created at low pressure.

Run out Flow

When pump operate in the far right of its curve with low efficiency
TDH (m)
BEP
70
Duty Point

60

50

40

30 Run out flow

20

10

0 10 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 Q

Net positive suction head curve: The net positive suction head required (NPSHr) indicates how much force is
needed to push liquid into the eye of the pump impeller. It is displayed in feet beneath the main pump
curve graph.Knowing the correct amount of NPSHr will prevent the pump from cavitating, vibrating and
failing prematurely.
to simplify, NPSH is the required Submergence of the pump below the pumping water level to prevent cavitation.
Cavitation: occurs when the liquid in a pump turns to a vapor at low pressure. It occurs because there is not
enough pressure at the suction end of the pump, or insufficient Net Positive Suction Head available
(NPSHa).When cavitation takes place, air bubbles are created at low pressure.

Run out Flow

When pump operate in the far right of its curve with low efficiency

Shut off Head

The Shutoff Head is the head provided when the pump works with fluid but with no flow rate.

Churn in centrifugal pumps occurs when the outlet (discharge) of the pump is closed thereby causing
the impeller to simply churn or “mix” the same water within the pump body. As a result, the
internal temperature of the pump starts increasing which may lead to catastrophic failure of
the pump
TDH (m) Shut off Head
BEP
70
Duty Point

60

50

40

30 Run out flow

20

10

0 10 30 60 90 120 150 180 210 240 Q

Preferred Operating Region (POR)
is a range of rates of flow to either side of the BEP within which the hydraulic efficiency and the
operational reliability of the pump are not substantially degraded. Flow induced vibrations and interna
hydraulic loading is low in this region. Depending on the specific speed of the pump, which is further
defined in the pump principles section, the POR can be anywhere from 90-110% of BEP flow to 70-120%
of BEP flow.

Allowable Operating Region (AOR):

The AOR is the flow range at the rated speed with the impeller supplied in which the pump may be
allowed to operate, as limited by cavitation, heating, vibration, noise, shaft deflection, fatigue, and other
similar criteria. It is the flow range at which the pump can be run with acceptable service life. The pump
manufacturer should be consulted to define this region. Typically, operating intermittently within this
region does not cause issues over the life of the pump. The graph above shows the various operating
regions and the types of issues that can occur when operating outside of the POR and AOR
VFD
VFD – VARIABLE FREQUENCY DRIVE, also know as Variable Speed Drive
A variable-frequency drive is a type of motor drive used in electro-mechanical drive systems to control
AC motor speed and torque by varying motor input frequency and, depending on topology, to control
associated voltage or current variation

PUMP AFFINITY LAW FORMULA Where:

Q1 N1 Q – Flow rate
= H - TDH
Q2 N2 P – Power
2 N – Motor Speed / Frequency
H1 N1
=
H2 N2 For Every Hz reduced, an average of 2% of production is reduced
3
P1 N1 For Every Hz reduced, an average of 3% - 4% of TDH is reduced
=
P2 N2 For Every Hz reduced, an average of 5% to 6% of power consumption is reduced
Q1 = 20 lps Q1 N1 Q1 x N2 20 x 59
N1 = 60hz = Q2 = Q2 = Q2 = 19.67 lps
Q2 N2 N1 60
N2 = 59HZ
Q2?

H = 100m 2 100
H1 N1 H1 H2 =
N1 = 60hz H2 = H2 = 97.09 m
= 2
N2 = 59HZ H2 N2 2 60
N1
H2?
59
N2

P1 10,000
P1 = 10,000kw 3 P2 = P2 =
P1 N1 3 P2 = 9,523.81 kw
N1 = 60hz 3 60
= N1
N2 = 59HZ P2 N2
P2? N2 59
 PUMP PERFORMANCE CURVE
120.00
f(x) = 167.065236862103 x^-0.187643790895319

60hz
100.00

80.00

60.00

40.00

20.00

0.00
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
Performance Curve Power (Performance Curve) Power Curve
Efficiency Curve Vfd Curve Sytem Curve
Upper Limit Lower Limit VFD EFFICIENCY CURVE
 PUMP PERFORMANCE CURVE
120.00
f(x) = 167.065236862103 x^-0.187643790895319

100.00

55hz
80.00

60.00

40.00

20.00

0.00
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
Performance Curve Power (Performance Curve) Power Curve
Efficiency Curve Vfd Curve Sytem Curve
Upper Limit Lower Limit VFD EFFICIENCY CURVE
 PUMP PERFORMANCE CURVE
120.00
f(x) = 167.065236862103 x^-0.187643790895319

100.00

80.00
50hz

60.00

40.00

20.00

0.00
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
Performance Curve Power (Performance Curve) Power Curve
Efficiency Curve Vfd Curve Sytem Curve
Upper Limit Lower Limit VFD EFFICIENCY CURVE
 PUMP PERFORMANCE CURVE
120.00
f(x) = 167.065236862103 x^-0.187643790895319

100.00

80.00

60.00
45hz

40.00

20.00

0.00
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
Performance Curve Power (Performance Curve) Power Curve
Efficiency Curve Vfd Curve Sytem Curve
Upper Limit Lower Limit VFD EFFICIENCY CURVE
 PUMP PERFORMANCE CURVE
120.00
f(x) = 167.065236862103 x^-0.187643790895319

100.00

80.00

60.00

40hz
40.00

20.00

0.00
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
Performance Curve Power (Performance Curve) Power Curve
Efficiency Curve Vfd Curve Sytem Curve
Upper Limit Lower Limit VFD EFFICIENCY CURVE