FAQ

Question:

How does viscosity affect centrifugal pump performances?

Answer:

Pump users are sometimes confronted with the problem of applying an existing centrifugal pump to viscous liquids. Published pump performance curves are normally based on liquids with a viscosity of one centistokes (cSt). When this viscosity is increased, the performance of centrifugal pumps is affected in the following ways:

  1. A marked increase in power consumption
  2. Reduction in head
  3. Reduction in capacity.

The resulting impact of viscosity can be:

  • An undersized pump which will not produce the desired flow and/or head; and
  • Overloading of the electric motor.

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