NPSHR versus NPSHA margins

Summit Pump - August 30, 2018

NPSHR versus NPSHA margins 

From several sources I have recently studied: The minimum accepted margin between NPSH_R and NPSH_A should be a factor of 1.35 times the NPSH_Ror a minimum of 5 (five) feet (1.524 meters), whichever is greater. To eliminate the risk of cavitation to an acceptable level, the margin really needs to be a factor from 2 to 5 depending on the pump design and the fluid properties. 

Remember, when the pump manufacturer publishes that the NPSH_R is some value “X”, that really means the corresponding head for that pump has already dropped 3% at that flowrate. 

Simply stated, the pump is already cavitating for the published NPSH_R at that point. Want the specific background and data? Please refer to spec ANSI/HI 9.6.1 – 2017.

NPSH and Specific Gravity 

Should you correct for the Specific Gravity when calculating NPSH_A? 

Technically, the answer is yes, but when calculating Net Positive Suction Head Available (NPSH_A) for a given installation, Specific Gravity may or may not be ignored. If the suction source is below the centerline of the pump (“Lift” situation) and the source is open to atmospheric pressure, then you should correct for the Specific Gravity, but only if the value is greater than one (1.0). 

If the source is above the centerline (“Flooded” situation) and the liquid’s Specific Gravity is less than one (1.0) then it can usually be ignored.

- The Summit Pump Team

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