AICHE E-31

ISBN 978-0-8169-0876-9

This procedure recommends methods for conducting and reportingfield tests on centrifugal pumps handling Netwonian fluids.

It should be noted that the preferred method of establishingpump performances is under controlled test facility conditions.Testing can generally be accomplished by the manufacturer at thefactory and may be witnessed by the purchaser. It should also benoted that this field test procedure should not be used when testcode accuracy is required. For details on test code accuracy (seereference 805.1) or American Society of Mechanical engineersCentrifugal Pumps performance test code, (see reference 805.3) thatdefines accuracy required of such tests.

Safety and environmental concerns are listed in Sections 301.1and 301.2

Purpose

This testing procedure provides methods of conducting andinterpreting field tests on centrifugal pumps with actual pumpedfluids. Measuring methods practical for field test conditions arepresented to guide the user. These tests may be desired for thefollowing purposes;

Checking a new pump for operability, to determine if a pump willfunction both mechanically and hydraulically to do the job forwhich it was intended.

Testing a pump for overall system performance, to determine ifthe pump will deliver all the fluid that it was designed to deliverunder various load conditions as demanded by the process.

Testing to establish operating characteristics, such as totalhead, capacity, and power requirements. Net Positive Suction HeadRequired may be determined as part of this procedure when test codeaccuracy (see section 102.2) is not required. Such measurements canalso help resolve operating problems.

Information obtained when testing a pump as part of a regularlyscheduled maintenance program may be used to evaluate themechanical condition of the pump.

Periodic testing to establish a performance history which can beused to monitor a change in the pumping condition, and energyconsumption. Performance testing can be used to determine if achange in the process has occurred.

Refer to 805.1 for procedures used by many manufacturers to testnew equipment at the point of manufacture from which performancecurves are published.

Edition:

3

Published:

01/01/2002

Number of Pages:

59

File Size:

1 file , 2.6 MB