Integrated curves are used to accomplish what?

Integrated curves are used to accomplish what?

• A. To measure impeller wear
• B. To determine the operating point by combining pump performance curves with system curves
• C. To calculate motor efficiency
• D. To define NPSH only

Answer: (B)

Integrated curves bring together what the pump can do with what the piping system requires. A pump curve shows head (pressure) the pump can generate at different flow rates, while a system curve shows how much head is needed by the piping system at those same flow rates (static head plus friction losses). The actual operating point is where these two curves intersect—the flow and head at which the pump and system match. From that intersection you can determine the real flow the system will see and the head the pump must provide, and you can use the corresponding efficiency and power data at that point as needed. This is the essential reason for using integrated curves: to identify the pump operating point within the system. They aren’t primarily about measuring impeller wear, calculating motor efficiency in isolation, or defining NPSH.

Integrated curves bring together what the pump can do with what the piping system requires. A pump curve shows head (pressure) the pump can generate at different flow rates, while a system curve shows how much head is needed by the piping system at those same flow rates (static head plus friction losses). The actual operating point is where these two curves intersect—the flow and head at which the pump and system match. From that intersection you can determine the real flow the system will see and the head the pump must provide, and you can use the corresponding efficiency and power data at that point as needed. This is the essential reason for using integrated curves: to identify the pump operating point within the system. They aren’t primarily about measuring impeller wear, calculating motor efficiency in isolation, or defining NPSH.