HVAC Pumps: Characteristics and Energy Efficiency

In HVAC Pumps: Characteristics and Energy Efficiency, you'll learn ...

• Understand the basic types of pumps used in HVAC applications
• Understand the key fluid properties such as viscosity, density, temperature, specific weight, concentration and vapor pressure
• Understand why pump performance in typically rated feet of head and not pressure
• Understand the various head terms such as suction lift, static head, discharge head, friction head, velocity head and pressure head

Overview

Preview a portion of this course before purchasing it.

Credit: 5 PDH

Length: 71 pages

Most HVAC systems are designed to handle the maximum potential temperature extremes, keeping the building cool on the hottest days and warm on the coldest days. As a result, the HVAC system only needs to work at full capacity on the ten or so hottest and coldest days of the year. On the other 345 days, the system could be operated at reduced capacity.

HVAC pumps are generally designed for peak conditions and the output of these systems is controlled by mechanically constricting the flow with throttling valves. This wastes energy. By using a variable speed drives, chilled water flows can be matched to actual heating and cooling demands.

This 5-hour course provides the students with a firm understanding of the basic principles that centrifugal pumps operate under. Topics covered include the performance curve, series operation, parallel operation, the affinity laws, friction, specific gravity and viscosity, suction lift, and NPSH.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify the basic types of pumps used in HVAC applications.
• Describe key fluid properties, including viscosity, density, temperature, specific weight, concentration, and vapor pressure.
• Explain why pump performance is typically rated in feet of head rather than pressure.
• Distinguish among suction lift, static head, discharge head, friction head, velocity head, and pressure head.
• Apply the affinity laws to a pump operating under variable-frequency-drive (VFD) control.
• Interpret the pump curve, system curve, operating point, and best efficiency point.
• Compare flat, smooth, and drooping centrifugal-pump characteristic curves and their applications.
• Explain the importance of specific speed and its relationship to radial, mixed-flow, and axial impellers.
• Describe pump cavitation and its relationship to net positive suction head (NPSH) available and required.
• Compare flow-control techniques, including throttling, speed adjustment, and multiple-pump arrangements in parallel or series.
• Calculate frictional head through an HVAC chilled-water system.
• Define pumping-system efficiency and identify practices used to improve it.

Certificate of Completion

You will be able to immediately print a certificate of completion after passing a multiple-choice quiz consisting of 25 questions. PDH credits are not awarded until the course is completed and quiz is passed.