Pumps v2 Flashcards
The discharge valve for a radial-flow centrifugal cooling water pump is closed in preparation for
starting the pump.
After the pump is started, the following stable pump pressures are observed:
Pump discharge pressure = 30 psig
Pump suction pressure = 10 psig
With the discharge valve still closed, if the pump speed is doubled, what will be the new pump
discharge pressure?
90 psig
The discharge valve for a radial-flow centrifugal cooling water pump is closed in preparation for
starting the pump.
After the pump is started, the pump suction and discharge pressures stabilize as follows:
Pump suction pressure = 5 psig
Pump discharge pressure = 35 psig
With the discharge valve still closed, if the pump speed is doubled, what will be the new stable pump
discharge pressure?
125 psig
The available net positive suction head for a pump may be expressed as…
suction pressure minus saturation pressure of the fluid being pumped.
Which one of the following operations in a closed system will cause a decrease in available net
positive suction head for a centrifugal pump?
Throttling open the pump discharge valve.
Refer to the drawing of a cooling water system (see figure below).
The available net positive suction head for the centrifugal pump will be increased by…
opening surge tank makeup valve A to raise tank level.
Refer to the drawing of a cooling water system (see figure below).
The available net positive suction head for the centrifugal pump will be decreased by…
throttling pump discharge valve C more open
Refer to the drawing of an operating cooling water system (see figure below).
Which one of the following will increase available net positive suction head for the centrifugal pump?
Positioning pump discharge valve C more closed.
Refer to the drawing of a cooling water system (see figure below).
The available net positive suction head for the centrifugal pump will be decreased by…
increasing the heat loads on the cooling water system.
Refer to the drawing of an operating cooling water system (see figure below).
Which one of the following will decrease available net positive suction head for the centrifugal pump?
Positioning pump discharge valve C more open.
A cooling water pump is operating with pump suction parameters as follows:
Suction Temperature = 124°F
Suction Pressure = 11.7 psia
What is the approximate available net positive suction head (NPSH) for the pump? (Neglect the
contribution of the suction fluid velocity to NPSH.)
23 feet
A centrifugal pump is operating at maximum design flow rate, taking suction on a vented water
storage tank and discharging through two parallel valves. Valve A is fully open and valve B is half
open.
Which one of the following will occur if valve B is fully closed?
The pump available net positive suction head will increase.
Refer to the drawing of an operating cooling water system (see figure below).
Which one of the following will increase the available net positive suction head for the centrifugal
pump?
Reducing the heat loads on the cooling water system.
A centrifugal pump is needed to take suction on a water storage tank and deliver high pressure water to
a water spray system. To minimize axial thrust on the pump shaft, the pump should have
__________ stage(s); and to maximize the available NPSH at the impeller inlet, the pump should have
a __________ suction impeller.
multiple opposed; double
A centrifugal pump is taking suction on an open storage tank that has been filled to a level of 40 feet
with 10,000 gallons of 60°F water. The pump is located at the base of the tank, takes a suction from
the bottom of the tank, and discharges to a lake.
Given:
$ The pump is currently operating at its design flow rate of 200 gpm and a total developed head of
150 feet.
$ The pump requires 4 feet of net positive suction head.
How will the centrifugal pump flow rate be affected as the water storage tank level decreases?
Flow rate will gradually decrease until the pump becomes air bound when the tank empties.
Refer to the drawing below of a centrifugal pump taking suction from the bottom of an open storage
tank containing water at 66°F. Pump and water level elevations are indicated in the figure. Assume
standard atmospheric pressure.
Assuming that pump suction head loss is negligible, what is the approximate value of net positive
suction head available to the pump?
20 feet
Refer to the drawing of an elevated centrifugal pump taking suction from the bottom of an open
storage tank containing water at 66°F (see figure below). Assume standard atmospheric pressure.
The pump requires 4.0 feet of net positive suction head (NPSH). Assume that pump suction head loss
is negligible.
If tank water level is allowed to decrease continuously, at what approximate water level will the pump
begin to cavitate?
21 feet
Refer to the drawing of a centrifugal pump taking suction from the bottom of an open storage tank
containing water at 66°F (see figure below). Pump and water level elevations are indicated in the
figure. Assume standard atmospheric pressure.
Assuming that pump suction head loss is negligible, what is the approximate value of net positive
suction head available to the pump?
45 feet
Refer to the drawing of a centrifugal pump taking suction from the bottom of an open water storage
tank (see figure below).
Given:
$ The tank contains 60°F water.
$ The eye of the pump impeller is located 50 feet above the bottom of the tank.
$ The pump requires a minimum net positive suction head of 4 feet.
Which one of the following describes the effect on pump operation if tank water level is allowed to
continuously decrease?
The pump will operate normally until tank water level decreases below approximately 20 feet, at
which time the pump will cavitate.
Refer to the drawing of a steam condenser, hotwell, and condensate pump (see figure below).
Given the following:
$ The eye of the pump impeller is located 6.0 feet below the bottom of the hotwell.
$ The pump requires 10.0 feet of net positive suction head (NPSH).
$ Condenser pressure is 1.2 psia.
$ Hotwell water temperature is 90°F.
$ Pump suction head losses are zero.
What is the minimum hotwell water level necessary to provide the required NPSH?
2.8 feet
A centrifugal pump is taking suction on a water storage tank and delivering the makeup water to a
cooling water system. The pump will have the lowest net positive suction head requirement if the
pump is operated at a relatively __________ speed with a __________ discharge flow control valve.
low; throttled
Refer to the drawing below of a centrifugal pump taking suction from the bottom of an open storage
tank containing water at 75°F. Pump and water level elevations are indicated in the figure. Assume
standard atmospheric pressure.
Assuming that pump suction head loss is negligible, what is the approximate value of net positive
suction head available to the pump?
23 feet
Refer to the drawing of a steam condenser, hotwell, and condensate pump (see figure below).
Given the following initial conditions:
$ Condenser pressure is 1.2 psia.
$ Condensate temperature is 96°F.
$ Hotwell level is 10 feet above the condensate pump suction.
Which one of the following will provide the greatest increase in NPSH available to the condensate
pump? (Assume that condenser pressure does not change.)
Hotwell level increases by 6 inches.
A centrifugal pump is taking suction on a water storage tank and discharging through a flow control
valve. The pump will have the highest net positive suction head requirement if the pump is operated
at a __________ speed with a __________ discharge flow control valve.
high; fully open
An operating centrifugal pump has a net positive suction head (NPSH) requirement of 150 feet.
Water at 300°F is entering the pump. Which one of the following is the lowest listed pump inlet
pressure that will provide adequate NPSH for the pump?
127 psia
Refer to the drawing of a steam condenser, hotwell, and condensate pump (see figure below).
Given the following:
$ The eye of the pump impeller is located 6.0 feet below the bottom of the hotwell.
$ Hotwell water level is 6.0 feet.
$ Hotwell water temperature is 90°F.
$ Condenser pressure is 1.3 psia.
$ Fluid velocity and friction head losses are zero.
What is the net positive suction head available to the condensate pump?
13.4 feet
The current conditions for a centrifugal water pump are as follows:
Pump suction pressure = 140 psia
Pump suction temperature = 300°F
The pump requires a net positive suction head (NPSH) of 150 feet for pumping water at 300°F.
Which one of the following is the lowest listed pump suction pressure that will provide the required
NPSH for the current pump suction temperature?
128 psia
A centrifugal pump is taking suction from an open water storage tank. The pump is located at the base
of the tank, takes a suction from the bottom of the tank, and discharges to a pressurized system.
Given:
$ The tank is filled to a level of 26 feet with 60°F water.
$ The pump is currently operating at 50 gpm.
$ The pump requires 30 feet of net positive suction head.
Which one of the following describes the current pump status, and how the pump flow rate will be
affected as the level in the storage tank decreases?
The pump is currently not cavitating; pump flow rate will gradually decrease with tank level and
then rapidly decrease as the pump becomes air bound when the tank empties.
Refer to the drawing of a centrifugal pump taking suction from a reservoir.
The pump is located on shore, with the eye of the pump 4 feet higher than the reservoir water level.
The pump=s suction line extends 4 feet below the surface of the reservoir. Which one of the following
modifications would increase the pump=s available net positive suction head? (Assume the reservoir
is at a uniform temperature and ignore any changes in suction line head loss due to friction.)
Lower the pump and suction line by 2 feet.
Refer to the drawing of a centrifugal pump taking suction from a reservoir (see figure below).
The pump is located on shore, with the eye of the pump 4 feet higher than the reservoir water level.
The pump=s suction line extends 4 feet below the surface of the reservoir. Which one of the following
modifications would decrease the pump=s available net positive suction head? (Assume the reservoir
is at a uniform temperature and ignore any changes in suction line head loss due to friction.)
Raise the pump and suction line by 2 feet.
Refer to the drawing of a centrifugal pump with a water storage tank for its suction source. The
storage tank is open to the atmosphere and contains 20 feet of water at 60°F. The pump is currently
stopped.
If the temperature of the water in the storage tank and pump suction piping increases to 80°F, with the
accompanying water expansion, the suction head for the pump will __________; and the available net
positive suction head for the pump will __________.
increase; decrease
A centrifugal pump is taking suction from an open water storage tank. The pump is located at the base
of the tank, takes a suction from the bottom of the tank, and discharges to a pressurized system.
Given:
$ The storage tank is filled to a level of 26 feet with 60°F water.
$ The pump requires 45 feet of net positive suction head.
$ The pump is currently operating at 50 gpm.
Which one of the following describes the current pump status, and how the pump flow rate will be
affected as the level in the storage tank decreases?
The pump is currently not cavitating; pump flow rate will gradually decrease with tank level, and
then rapidly decrease when cavitation begins before the tank empties.
A centrifugal pump is operating normally in a closed cooling water system. If system pressure is
increased by 10 psi, the available net positive suction head (NPSH) for the pump will __________;
and the pump mass flow rate will __________. (Assume the water density does not change and the
minimum required NPSH for the pump is maintained.)
increase; remain the same
A centrifugal water pump is operating normally with the following parameters: Inlet water pressure = 15 psia Water temperature = 100°F Pump head added = 100 feet What is the pump discharge pressure?
58 psia
Refer to the drawing of a centrifugal pump with a water storage tank for its suction source. The
storage tank is open to the atmosphere and contains 20 feet of water at 90°F. The pump is currently
stopped.
If the temperature of the water in the storage tank and pump suction piping decreases to 70°F, with the
accompanying water contraction, the suction head for the pump will __________; and the available
net positive suction head for the pump will __________.
decrease; increase
In response to a loss of coolant accident, an emergency core cooling pump is taking suction from the
bottom of a vented water storage tank and discharging to the downcomer region of a reactor vessel.
Which one of the following will cause the pump to operate closer to cavitation?
The temperature of the water in the water storage tank increases.
Shutting the discharge valve on an operating motor-driven radial-flow centrifugal pump in a water
system will cause the motor amps to __________ and the pump discharge pressure to __________
decrease, increase
When starting an AC motor-driven centrifugal pump, the response of motor current will be…
high starting amps, decreasing to a lower equilibrium value of running amps.
A constant-speed radial-flow centrifugal pump motor draws the least current when the pump is…
at shutoff head.
A centrifugal pump was initially circulating water at 100°F in a cooling water system. Over several
hours, the water temperature increased to 150°F. Assuming system flow rate (gpm) was constant,
pump motor amps __________ during the heatup because __________.
decreased; the water density decreased
An AC motor-driven centrifugal pump was initially circulating water at 200°F in a cooling water
system. Over several hours, the circulating water temperature decreased to 120°F while system flow
rate (gpm) remained constant.
During the system cooldown, pump motor current __________ because __________
increased; the water density increased
A centrifugal pump is operating in a closed system with all valves fully open. If the pump discharge
valve is throttled 75 percent closed, pump motor current will…
decrease and stabilize at a lower value.
Which one of the following operating conditions for a motor-driven radial-flow centrifugal pump will
result in the most current being drawn by the pump motor?
The pump is operating at runout.
Initially, an AC motor-driven centrifugal pump was operating in a cooling water system with cooling
water temperature at 150°F. Over several hours, the cooling water temperature decreased and is
currently 100°F. Assuming pump flow rate (gpm) remained constant, the pump motor is drawing
__________ current because __________ is greater.
more; cooling water density
An AC motor-driven centrifugal pump is circulating water at 180°F with a motor current of 100 amps.
After several hours, system temperature has changed such that the water density has increased by 4
percent.
Assuming pump head and volumetric flow rate do not change, which one of the following is the new
pump motor current?
104 amps
Refer to the drawing of an operating cooling water system (see figure below).
Initially, centrifugal pump A is circulating water at 100°F. If the temperature of the cooling water
entering pump A increases to 200°F, the pump’s motor current will… (Assume the pump’s
volumetric flow rate is constant.)
decrease, because the density of the cooling water will decrease
A constant-speed radial-flow centrifugal pump motor draws the least current when the pump is…
at shutoff head with no recirculation flow.
A reactor coolant pump (RCP) was initially circulating reactor coolant at 100°F. Over several hours,
the reactor coolant temperature increased to 150°F.
Assuming coolant flow rate (gpm) was constant, RCP motor amps __________ during the heatup
because __________.
decreased; coolant density has decreased
A typical radial-flow centrifugal pump is operating at rated conditions in an open system with all
valves fully open. If the pump discharge valve is throttled to 50 percent closed, pump discharge
pressure will __________; and pump motor current will __________.
increase; decrease
A centrifugal pump in a cooling water system is operating with a motor current of 200 amps. After
several hours, the system water density has increased by 3 percent, while the pump head and
volumetric flow rate have remained the same.
Which one of the following is the new pump motor current?
206 amps
A constant-speed centrifugal pump motor draws the most current when the pump is…
accelerating to normal speed during start.
An AC motor-driven centrifugal pump was just started. During the start, motor current remained
peaked for 6 seconds before decreasing to standard running current. Normally, the starting current
peak lasts about 4 seconds.
Which one of the following could have caused the extended starting current peak?
The pump was initially rotating slowly in the reverse direction.
A cooling water pump is being driven by an AC induction motor. Which one of the following
describes how and why pump motor current will change if the pump shaft shears?
Decreases due to decreased pump work.
A centrifugal pump is circulating water at 180°F with a pump motor current of 200 amps. After
several hours, system temperature has changed such that the water density has increased by 6 percent.
Assuming pump head and volumetric flow rate do not change, which one of the following is the new
pump motor current?
212 amps
An AC motor-driven centrifugal water pump was just started. During the start, motor current
remained peaked for 2 seconds, and then decreased and stabilized at about one-fifth the standard
running current. Normally, the starting current peak lasts about 4 seconds.
Which one of the following could have caused the abnormal start indications above?
The coupling between the motor and pump shafts was left disconnected after maintenance
A radial-flow centrifugal cooling water pump is driven by an AC induction motor. The pump can
supply cooling water to several heat loads, all of which are in parallel alignment. The following
pump conditions initially exist:
Pump motor current = 100 amps
Pump flow rate = 400 gpm
Pump suction temperature = 70°F
Four hours later, the motor is drawing 95 amps. Which one of the following could be responsible for
the observed decrease in motor amps?
Cooling water flow was isolated from an out-of-service heat load with no change in the
temperature of the cooling water being pumped.
A radial-flow centrifugal cooling water pump is driven by an AC induction motor. The pump can
supply cooling water to several heat loads, all of which are in parallel alignment. Initially, the
following pump conditions exist:
Pump motor current = 100 amps
Pump flow rate = 400 gpm
Pump suction temperature = 70°F
Four hours later, the pump motor is drawing 105 amps. Which one of the following could be
responsible for the observed increase in motor current?
Cooling water flow was established to an additional heat load with no change in the temperature of
the cooling water being pumped.
A motor-driven centrifugal pump exhibited indications of pump failure while being started. Which
one of the following pairs of observations indicate that the pump failure is a sheared impeller shaft?
Lower than normal running current and no change in system flow rate.
Some large centrifugal pumps are started with their discharge valves closed to prevent…
excessive current in the pump motor.
Some large centrifugal pumps are interlocked so that the pump will not start unless its discharge valve
is at least 90 percent closed. This interlock is provided to minimize…
the duration of the pump motor starting current.
Which one of the following contains two reasons for starting a typical radial-flow centrifugal pump
with the discharge piping full of water and the discharge valve closed?
Prevent water hammer and prevent excessive duration of starting current.