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Runout Flow – Centrifugal Pump

Performance Characteristics of Centrifugal Pumps

Although the theory of centrifugal pumps gives many qualitative results, the most important indicator of a pump’s performance lies in extensive hydraulic testing.

In industry, characteristics of all pumps are usually read from its Q-H curve or performance curve (flow rate – height). As can be seen, the performance charts use a discharge – Q (usually in m3/h) and pump head – H (usually in m) as basic performance variables.

Runout Flow

runout flow - centrifugal pump - Q-HPump runout, or runout flow, is the maximum flow rate that a pump can develop. The runout conditions correspond to a very small pump head, while the flow rate is maximal.

The performance curve (published by the pump manufacturer) is typically cut off at some point beyond the pump’s allowable operating range (AOR). The point at which the performance curve ends is referred to as runout. Decreasing pressure to and below the runout point may overload the pump motor, vibrating and overheating. Therefore the operation beyond this point should be avoided.

performace curve - brake horsepower

 
References:
Reactor Physics and Thermal Hydraulics:
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  6. Zohuri B., McDaniel P. Thermodynamics in Nuclear Power Plant Systems. Springer; 2015, ISBN: 978-3-319-13419-2
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  8. Kleinstreuer C. Modern Fluid Dynamics. Springer, 2010, ISBN 978-1-4020-8670-0.
  9. U.S. Department of Energy, THERMODYNAMICS, HEAT TRANSFER, AND FLUID FLOW. DOE Fundamentals Handbook, Volume 1, 2 and 3. June 1992.
  10. White Frank M., Fluid Mechanics, McGraw-Hill Education, 7th edition, February, 2010, ISBN: 978-0077422417

See above:

Fluid Dynamics