Centrifugal bombs - influence of viscosity

Hydrodynamic losses through pumps depend on fluid viscosities.

When a more viscous fluid is handled by a bomba centrifuge

• The brake power requirement increases
• The head generated is reduced
• The capacity is reduced
• the efficiency of the pump is reduced and the point of best efficiency - BEP - It is moved

The gauge height, flow and capacity with fluids with viscosities other than those used in the original documentation can be modified with coefficients.

Flow

q _v = c _q q (1)

Where

q _v = Flow compensated for viscosity (m ³ /h, gpm)

c _q = Viscosity flow coefficient

Q = original flow according to the pump curve (m ³ /h, gpm)

Head

h _v = c _h h (2)

Where

h _v = height compensated by viscosity (m, ft)

c _h = viscosity load coefficient

h = original gauge height according to the pump curve (m, ft)

Efficiency

m _v = c _m M (3)

Where

m _v = Efficiency compensated for viscosity

c _m = viscosity efficiency coefficient

μ = original efficiency according to the pump curve

POWER - SI UNITS

P _v = q _v h _v r _v g / (3,6 10 ⁶ m _v ) (4)

Where

P _v = Power compensated for viscosity (kW)

r _v = Viscous fluid density (kg/m ³ )

g = acceleration of gravity (9.81 m/s ² )

Power - Imperial Units

P _v = q _v h _v SG / (3960 m _v ) (5)

Where

P _v = Power compensated for viscosity (BHP)

SG = specific gravity of viscous fluid

Source: https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/centrifugal-pumps-visosity-d_670.html