By Alex Moser, Senior Engineer of Standards and Training, Hydraulic Institute
The ANSI/HI 9.6.1 guideline establishes recommended net positive suction head (NPSH) margins for rotodynamic pumps of radial, mixed, and axial flow designs under varying operating conditions. These recommendations apply to a wide range of applications across ten distinct market segments, with some requiring additional considerations. Maintaining the recommended NPSH margin is crucial for reliable pump operation, as insufficient margins can lead to noise, vibration, loss of performance, and overall reliability issues. The revised guideline provides users with NPSH margin recommendations specific to each application.
NPSH is a critical factor in ensuring the reliable operation of pumps. Understanding the significance of the NPSH margin requires defining two key aspects:
NPSHA should always exceed NPSHR and the difference between these values is known as the NPSH margin.
Cavitation occurs in rotodynamic pumps, typically at the inlet to the impeller, when the pressure at the impeller inlet drops below the pumped liquid’s vapor pressure. This results in the formation of a vapor bubble (cavity), which later implodes back to liquid when the bubble reaches a higher-pressure region in the impeller. To minimize cavitation and ensure the stated performance is achieved and reliability is not compromised, the NPSH margins recommended in ANSI/HI 9.6.1 should be applied.
The 2024 edition of ANSI/HI 9.6.1 introduces significant revisions to better align industry best practices with real-world applications. This edition supersedes the 2017 version and includes key updates:
To simplify NPSH margin determination, the industry has transitioned from NPSH3 to NPSHR. Previously, NPSH3—the NPSH at which sufficient cavitation causes a 3% reduction in total head—was used to calculate the NPSH margin. However, not all manufacturers publish NPSH3 values, making it difficult for users to obtain this data.
To address this challenge, NPSHR now serves as the reference point, with the requirement that the manufacturer-supplied NPSHR must be equal to or greater than the tested NPSH3 value. This change streamlines the process while ensuring reliable pump operation.
Understanding how to evaluate the NPSH margin is essential for achieving optimal pump performance and reliability. The revised guideline introduces a structured approach to assessing the NPSH margin, considering the characteristics of the pumped liquid (pumpage), the pump’s physical effects, and the environment and site (system) conditions.
Since suction pressure is rarely measured continuously at the pump inlet, NPSHA values are typically estimated using standard industry methods. To address potential inaccuracies, the guideline provides recommended NPSH margins to compensate for variations in pump operation and deviations from assumed NPSHA values. By following these considerations, users can minimize the risk of cavitation and ensure reliable pump operation.
The previous NPSH margin determination section has been eliminated, allowing better coordination between the applications section and NPSH margin considerations.
Additionally, the appendices have been replaced with new content focused on NPSH margin topics applicable across all market segments:
By adopting the recommendations in this updated edition, users can improve process stability, reduce operational risks, and extend pump service life.
The Hydraulic Institute continues to seek field data to further enhance and expand the guideline in future editions. Industry professionals are encouraged to share field data, case studies, and research insights to refine best practices for NPSH margin determination.
The 2024 edition of ANSI/HI 9.6.1 offers a more precise and practical approach to NPSH margin considerations for rotodynamic pumps. By transitioning to NPSHR-based margin determination, refining guidance, and streamlining content, the new edition enhances usability across industries. Engineers, system designers, and pump manufacturers should familiarize themselves with these updates to ensure optimal pump selection and performance.
For more information on ANSI/HI 9.6.1, as well as other Hydraulic Institute standards, guidelines, and publications, visit www.pumps.org.
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