A Practical Method to Predict Performance Curves of Centrifugal Water Pumps

A simple numerical model was developed to predict the performance curves of centrifugal water pumps. The model inputs are easily obtainable pump geometrical data and empirical coefficients experimentally determined or found in the literature. The predicted pump characteristic curves for pressure head, volumetric efficiency, and power required to drive the pump were compared to experimental data obtained with a pump test rig. From the cases examined, it was concluded that the proposed method provides a very fast and satisfactory approximation of centrifugal water pump performance curves to determine suitability for a particular application or to be used as a potential design tool by water pump manufacturers.