Centrifugal Pump Characteristic Curves:

For a provided centrifugal pump operating at a constant speed, the flow rate by the pump is dependent upon the differential pressure or head developed through the pump. As the lower the pump head, the higher the flow rate. A vendor manual for a specific pump commonly holds a curve of pump flow rate versus pump head known as a pump features curve. After a pump is installed in a system, it is commonly tested to ensure in which the flow rate and head of the pump are inside the needed specifications. A classical centrifugal pump features curve is displays in below figure.

There are various terms related along with the pump features curve which must be described. Shutoff head is the maximum head which could be established through a centrifugal pump operating at a set speed. A Pump runout is the maximum flow in which could be established through a centrifugal pump without damaging the pump. A Centrifugal pumps have to be designed and operated to be protected from the conditions of pump runout or operating at shutoff head. Further information might be found in the handbook on Heat Transfer, Thermodynamics, and Fluid Flow.

Figure: Centrifugal Pump Characteristic Curve