Variable Speed Pumping
Most users operate their centrifugal pumps at a fixed speed and accomplish any required changes of flow by using a throttling valve. This practice is much like driving an automobile with the accelerator fully depressed and changing speed by stepping on the brake!
There is a better way to drive an automobile and there is a better way to accomplish variable flow for a centrifugal pump. Variable speed motors and associated electronic drives can be used to adjust pump speed to produce exactly the desired flow and head. By varying the speed of the pump, users can enhance performance, save energy, eliminate the need for throttling valves and reduce inputs of heat to the pumped liquid.
Variable Speed Pumping
Most users operate their centrifugal pumps at a fixed speed and accomplish any required changes of flow by using a throttling valve. This practice is much like driving an automobile with the accelerator fully depressed and changing speed by stepping on the brake!
There is a better way to drive an automobile and there is a better way to accomplish variable flow for a centrifugal pump. Variable speed motors and associated electronic drives can be used to adjust pump speed to produce exactly the desired flow and head. By varying the speed of the pump, users can enhance performance, save energy, eliminate the need for throttling valves and reduce inputs of heat to the pumped liquid.
Understanding Pump Curves
Pump performance curves are the least used, least consulted, least appreciated, and least understood aspect of the world of industrial
pumps. The plant personnel who most need their pump curves, mechanics and operators, generally don’t have the curves and
accompanying information at their disposal. The people who control the performance curves store them in a file, in a drawer, in a cabinet that’s almost never opened. They don’t share the information contained in the curves with the people who need it. Maybe it’s because they themselves don’t understand the information to share it. In the next few paragraphs and pages, we’re going to explain the pump performance curves. This might be the most important chapter of the book.
Understanding Pump Curves
Pump performance curves are the least used, least consulted, least appreciated, and least understood aspect of the world of industrial
pumps. The plant personnel who most need their pump curves, mechanics and operators, generally don’t have the curves and
accompanying information at their disposal. The people who control the performance curves store them in a file, in a drawer, in a cabinet that’s almost never opened. They don’t share the information contained in the curves with the people who need it. Maybe it’s because they themselves don’t understand the information to share it. In the next few paragraphs and pages, we’re going to explain the pump performance curves. This might be the most important chapter of the book.
ABB Drives Using Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) in Pump Applications
The purpose of this Application guide is to give design and project engineers and any other interested parties the basic information for selecting the correct variable speed drive ( VSD) system for pump installations in industrial, public and domestic applications. Pumps are one of the most common variable speed drive ( VSD) system applications and special interest has focused on improving their energy efficiency by using variable speed control instead of throttling or other less efficient flow control methods.
ABB Drives Using Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) in Pump Applications
The purpose of this Application guide is to give design and project engineers and any other interested parties the basic information for selecting the correct variable speed drive ( VSD) system for pump installations in industrial, public and domestic applications. Pumps are one of the most common variable speed drive ( VSD) system applications and special interest has focused on improving their energy efficiency by using variable speed control instead of throttling or other less efficient flow control methods.