Question

If the rotational speed of a pump motor is reduced by 35%, what is the effect on the pump performance in terms of capacity, head, and power requirements

Answer 1

- the capacity of the pump reduces by 35%.

- the head gets reduced by 57%.

the power consumption by the pump is reduced by 72%

Step-by-step explanation:

the pump capacity is related to the speed as speed is reduces by 35%

so new speed is (100 - 35) = 65% of orginal speed

speed Q ∝ N ⇒ Q1/Q2 = N1/N2

Q2 = (N2/N1)Q1

Q2 = (65/100)Q1

which means that the capacity of the pump is also reduces by 35%.

the head in a pump is related by

H ∝ N² ⇒ H1/H2 = N1²/N2²

H2 = (N2N1)²H1

H2 = (65/100)²H1 = 0.4225H1

so the head gets reduced by 1 - 0.4225 = 0.5775 which is 57%.

Now The power requirement of a pump is related as

P ∝ N³ ⇒ P1/P2 = N1³/N2³

P2 = (N2/N1)³P1

H2 = (65/100)²P1 = 0.274P1

So the reduction in power is 1 - 0.274 = 0.725 which is 72%

Therefore for a reduction of 35% of speed there is a reduction of 72% of the power consumption by the pump.