Industrial Pump Knowledge Bank

ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE

INDUSTRIAL PUMP KNOWLEDGE BANK FOR ENGINEERS

The SAM Turbo Knowledge Bank brings together technical information to help engineers, maintenance teams, procurement professionals and plant operators understand industrial pump selection, operation and maintenance.

PUMP SELECTION

Understand duty point, head, flow, NPSH, pump type and material selection.

PUMP OPERATION

Learn about operating conditions, pump performance and common operating issues.

MAINTENANCE

Improve inspection, lubrication, sealing and wear-part management.

APPLICATION ENGINEERING

Understand pumping requirements across demanding industrial applications.

FEATURED RESOURCES

PUMP ENGINEERING GUIDES

Explore technical articles, engineering resources and application-focused information from SAM Turbo's Knowledge Bank.

NPSH CALCULATION

Understand the principles of NPSH calculation and the suction conditions that influence centrifugal pump operation.

READ TECHNICAL GUIDE →

EFFECT OF OVERSIZING PUMPS

Understand how pump oversizing can influence operating conditions, efficiency and overall pump performance.

READ TECHNICAL GUIDE →

CASE STUDY

Review an application-focused case study from SAM Turbo's technical resource collection.

VIEW CASE STUDY →

PIPING DESIGN FOR PULP PUMPS

Technical guidance on piping considerations for pulp pump applications, with focus on suitable suction and discharge arrangements.

READ TECHNICAL GUIDE →

ENGINEERING TOPICS

EXPLORE BY ENGINEERING TOPIC

Explore key areas of industrial pump engineering, from pump selection and hydraulics to installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and application requirements.

PUMP SELECTION

Flow, head, duty point, NPSH, pump type, materials and operating conditions.

PUMP HYDRAULICS

Pump curves, system curves, operating point, BEP, flow, head and hydraulic performance.

INSTALLATION & COMMISSIONING

Foundation, grouting, leveling, alignment, piping, startup and commissioning practices.

MAINTENANCE & RELIABILITY

Inspection, lubrication, sealing, wear management and practices that support reliable pump operation.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Common pump problems including cavitation, vibration, leakage and performance-related issues.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS

Pumping requirements across slurry, pulp and paper, chemical, water, mining and process applications.

PUMP SELECTION

START WITH THE RIGHT PUMP SELECTION DATA

Pump selection begins with the actual operating duty. Flow, total head, fluid characteristics, temperature, solids, viscosity, suction conditions, materials and operating pattern all influence the final pump configuration.

FLOW & HEAD

Define the actual duty point using the required flow rate and total system head.

FLUID PROPERTIES

Consider density, viscosity, temperature, corrosion, abrasiveness and solids content.

NPSH

Check suction conditions and available NPSH before finalising a centrifugal pump selection.

MATERIALS

Match wetted materials and construction to the fluid, temperature, corrosion and wear conditions.

VIEW INDUSTRIAL PUMP SELECTION GUIDE →

PUMP LIFECYCLE

KNOWLEDGE THROUGH THE PUMP LIFECYCLE

Industrial pump reliability depends on decisions made throughout the equipment lifecycle, from initial selection and installation through operation, maintenance and troubleshooting.

SELECTION

Define the application and duty.

INSTALLATION

Prepare foundation, piping and alignment.

COMMISSIONING

Verify startup conditions and pump performance.

OPERATION

Operate within the intended duty range.

MAINTENANCE

Inspect, lubricate and manage wear.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Diagnose performance and reliability issues.

APPLICATION ENGINEERING

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE FOR DEMANDING INDUSTRIAL DUTIES

Different industrial applications place different demands on pump selection, materials, hydraulics and operating conditions. Explore the key engineering considerations across major industries served by SAM Turbo.

APPLICATION

ENGINEERING FOCUS

SLURRY PUMPING

Solids, abrasion, wear and material selection.

PULP & PAPER

Fibre content, consistency and piping considerations.

CHEMICAL PROCESSING

Corrosion, temperature and material compatibility.

WATER & WASTEWATER

Flow, solids passage and operating conditions.

MINING

Abrasive solids, wear and continuous-duty operation.

POWER PLANTS

High-flow, cooling, ash and process pumping duties.

OIL & GAS

Process conditions, materials and reliability.

BASIC METAL

Abrasive service, cooling and process water.

KNOWLEDGE BANK FAQ

FREQUENT QUESTIONS ABOUT INDUSTRIAL PUMP ENGINEERING

What information is required to select an industrial pump? +

Industrial pump selection generally requires the required flow rate, total head or pressure, fluid characteristics, temperature, solids content, viscosity, suction conditions, material requirements and operating pattern.

What is NPSH in a centrifugal pump? +

NPSH describes the suction pressure conditions available to a centrifugal pump and the pressure required by the pump to operate without unacceptable cavitation.

Why is NPSH important? +

Adequate suction margin helps a centrifugal pump operate reliably and reduces the risk of cavitation caused by insufficient suction conditions.

What happens when a pump is oversized? +

An oversized pump can operate away from its intended operating range, potentially affecting efficiency, energy consumption, stability and component life.

What is the best operating point for a centrifugal pump? +

The preferred operating region is generally close to the pump's best efficiency point (BEP), while the actual operating point is determined by the intersection of the pump and system curves.

Why is pump alignment important? +

Correct pump and driver alignment helps reduce unwanted forces on the coupling, bearings and other rotating components and supports reliable operation.

How does piping affect pump performance? +

Piping configuration, friction losses, fittings, support and suction conditions influence system resistance and can affect the pump's operating point and suction performance.

What causes pump vibration? +

Pump vibration can be associated with issues such as misalignment, imbalance, bearing problems, hydraulic instability, cavitation, foundation conditions or operating away from the intended duty.

What causes pump cavitation? +

Cavitation can occur when local liquid pressure falls below the liquid's vapour pressure. In centrifugal pump systems, inadequate NPSH margin is one of the conditions that can contribute to cavitation.

How often should an industrial pump be maintained? +

Maintenance frequency depends on the pump, application, operating conditions and manufacturer's requirements. Routine inspection and condition monitoring should be established according to the installation and service conditions.

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