Turbopumps and Pumping Systems – 2008th Edition

Pumps are one of the mechanical devices that are widely used in many industries throughout the world. Turbopumps which are common types of pumps are used mainly for transporting water in agricultural units, industrial processes, cooling and heating systems, and power plants. But their application is not limited only for handling water. Turbopumps can be used for transporting oil products in oil and gas industries and refineries, as well as byproducts in pulp and paper industry, food and beverage in food industry, and contaminated water in sewage systems.
Because of the versatility of pump usage, the number of turbopumps in operation worldwide is very large and as a result the total energy consumption of these units can be considerable. To reduce the energy consumption by turbopumps, it is important to increase the efficiency of the pumps, as well as the system they are working in. The pump manufacturing companies and design engineers are constantly trying to improve the performances of pumps by designing more efficient pumps and by using the latest technologies available in terms of design software, new developed materials, and state of the art manufacturing tools. Today, computational fluid dynamics and sophisticated design software tools help designers to optimize the fluid flow inside the pumps and to design different pump elements with better hydraulic efficiencies.
However, the operation of turbopumps can be optimized a well by effectively using proper pumps and designing efficient piping systems. When pumps are selected correctly and installed properly in a system, they would work at their best efficiency points, thus, reducing energy consumption. Therefore, it is essential for all consulting engineers working in this field, pump users, and operating personnel to have enough knowledge about the principals of turbopump operation and most importantly have the expertise to select, install and operate turbopumps properly.
The authors have continuously collaborated as technical adviser and consultant with many industries in Germany, Belgium, U.S.A., France, England, Iran and Switzerland. Throughout these collaborations, they noticed there is a need for a reference book in this field that not only covers the basic information about pump design but most importantly addresses the needs of pump users who are involved in pump selection and operation. Therefore, the author’s main objective was set to write a book to address this second group of engineers, i.e., pump users.
This book has been divided into two major Parts. In Part I, Turbopumps, the basic information about pumps classification, definitions, principal of operation, and construction elements presented. In Part II, Pumping Systems, the important parameters in pump operation, selection, pumping systems, and pump stations are presented. The materials of this book were mainly collected and presented by authors during many years of their experiences in academic and industry communities. Materials from “Turbomachinary” course that has been taught by Professor A. Jaumotte at “L’Universite Libre de Bruxelles” and courses that were taught by Professor Ch. Hirsch at “Vrije Universiteit Brussel” are used continuously in the book. Also materials from courses taught and book written by Professor A. Nourbakhsh at the University of Tehran and book “Pump and Pumping” written by Professor A. Nourbakhsh and Dr. H. B. Parizi, while working at a major pump manufacturing company, were frequently used in different chapters of this book.