What is a Safe NPSH Margin for a Reciprocating Pump?
The NPSH required by the triplex pump above was 0.85 psi, and this is the value at which the pump will be quoted and sold with a 2.25 in plunger running at 201 rpm. But, just as with a centrifugal pump, if this unit is operated with 0.85 psi of NPSHA, it will experience cavitation. Recognition of this fact raises two questions: • Will operation of the pump under cavitating conditions cause damage to the pump or system? • How much additional NPSHA is required to eliminate all cavitation? Unfortunately, neither question is easy to answer. If this unit were operated on a light hydrocarbon with a low differential pressure (200 to 300 psi), the effect of cavitation would be difficult to detect. With 0.85 psi of NPSHA, the ratio of vapor volume to liquid volume would be less than with water, and the compression ratio (discharge pressure to suction pressure) would be less than the 100+ that existed during the hot water test. Both would reduce the distance that the plunger would travel on its
