ABSTRACT
In this chapter we will look at some of the significant items in a pump station that pertain to pumps and pipeline hydraulics. We will analyze the various pressures on both the suction and discharge side of the pump and how pressure control is implemented using a control valve downstream of the pumps. The amount of pump throttle pressure due to mismatch between pump head and system curve head will be analyzed and the amount of horsepower wasted will be calculated. The use of variable speed drive (VSD) pumps to eliminate throttle pressure by providing just enough pressure for the specified flow rate is explained. We also perform a simple economic comparison between a VSD pump installation and a constant-speed pump with a control valve.
