Operating conditions

The operating conditions of centrifugal pumps represent the requirements laid down by the purchaser/customer with regard to the pump's specific operating characteristics. They have a major influence on the selection of the pumps, e.g. with regard to type, size and drive. 

The operating conditions primarily encompass the data specified in the supply agreement, i.e. specifications on the fluid handled (e.g. density, temperature, viscosity, solids content, chemical properties), the flow rate, the head, the suction characteristics and possibly the centrifugal pump's rotational speed.

Further data include size and power supply details of the drive, the operating mode, frequency of starts or the pump set's controllability (see Closed-loop control) and system or environmental factors such as max. permissible noise, piping forces, shaft vibrations and explosion hazards (see Explosion protection). 

Irrespective of the operating points as such, many of these operating conditions apply to multiple  pump applications. For this reason, centrifugal pumps' operating conditions are often laid down in the form of directives which are generally applicable to entire branches of industry (e.g. refineries, power stations, tankers, heating systems) or compliant with environmental protection requirements.