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Home / Technical Articles / Comparison of 4 Different Flow Control Methods Of Pumps

Pump as a part of the process

When in use, the pumps are always part of a pumping system. A pumping system is usually a network of pipes, tanks, valves and other system parts. The receiver is usually at a higher geographic level than the supply of the system.

Comparison of 4 Different Flow Control Methods Of Pumps
Comparison of 4 Different Flow Control Methods Of Pumps (photo credit: directindustry.com)

These parts can be also on the same level, as in the case of a closed circuit heat transfer system.

Pumping systems nearly always require a variation of flow rate.

Examples include the daily cycle in the consumption of drinking water, the varying process demand for a liquid or seasonal heating demand. However, the variation required may be in the pump head, such as for cyclical changes in process pressure, or pumping to tanks with a variable liquid level.

Efficiency optimized pumping system schematic
Efficiency optimized pumping system schematic (credit: ietd.iipnetwork.org)

In spite of the variations, the pump capacity is selected according to the maximum flow and head or even to the future needs, perhaps with a certain safety margin.

The average pumping capacity may be only a fraction of the maximum capacity and this will require some kind of control.


Flow control methods //

There are several different methods to match the flow to the system requirements. The four most common flow control methods of pumps are throttling, bypassing, on-off control and variable speed drive (VSD) control. These are illustrated in Figure 1.

Illustrations of pump flow control methods. A - throttling, B - bypassing, C - on-off control and D - VSD control
Figure 1 – Illustrations of pump flow control methods. A – throttling, B – bypassing, C – on-off control and D – VSD control

The relative power consumption of the different control methods can be estimated from the area between the x and y-axes and the operating point.

It is using the formula:

P = Q x H

In the following example (see Figure 2), the relative power consumption on an average flow rate of 70% is calculated with different control methods. More detailed explanations on power consumption and energy savings relating to different pump applications are described in the following chapters.

Power consumption of 4 flow control methods //

The power consumption of the four most common flow control methods for centrifugal pumps
Figure 2 – The power consumption of the four most common flow control methods for centrifugal pumps

ControlEnergy
Throttling89
Bypassing82
On-off control70
VSD control45

Throttling

Throttle control is the most commonly used method. The flow caused by the constant speed pump is reduced by increasing the losses in the system by closing the valve. In the example in Figure 2 the operating point is moved from (Q = 10, H = 10) to (Q = 7, H = 12.7).

The relative power consumption can be calculated by:

P = 7 x 12.7 = 89


Bypassing

Although not commonly used, bypassing is applied mainly to circulation pumps. The flow output to the system is reduced by bypassing part of the pump discharge flow to the pump suction. This means that the total flow increases (from 10 to 12.4), but the head decreases (from 10 to 6.6).

The relative power consumption is:

P = 12.4 x 6.6 = 82


On-off control

On-off control is often used where stepless control is not necessary, such as keeping the pressure in a tank between preset limits. The pump is either running or stopped. The average flow is the relationship between the “on” time and the “total” time (on+off).

The relative power consumption can be easily calculated by:

P = 0.7 x 100 = 70


VSD control

To understand the benefits of VSD control consider to the pump curves in Figure 2. With low static head systems, the optimal efficiency of the pump follows the system curve. With VSD control, the duty point of the pump follows the unchanged system curve.

Changing the speed of the pump moves the pump curves in accordance with the affinity laws. If the pump impeller speed is reduced, the pump curve moves downwards. If the speed is increased, it moves upwards. This means that the pumping capacity is exactly matched to the process requirements. According to our earlier example both flow rate (from 10 to 7) and head (from 10 to 6.4) are reduced.

The relative power consumption can be calculated by: P = 7 x 6.4 = 45

This example shows that the variable speed control method is the most energy efficient for pumping applications. The examples discussed were calculated for one flow rate only (70%), but the relative power consumption with different control methods depends on the flow rate. This relationship is shown in Figure 3 (see below).

In these curves, the pump, motor and drive efficiencies are also taken into account and for that reason the results differ somewhat to those in Figure 2.

Power consumption with different pump control methods
Figure 3 – Power consumption with different pump control methods as a function of flow rate. The percentage values of flow and power are related to the nominal values of the pump.

Throttling control leads to high loss in the pump and in the valve when the system is running at a reduced flow rate. The loss in the motor remains relatively constant over the whole flow range. In VSD control, the operating point follows the system curve, which is optimal for pump efficiency. In general, based on affinity laws, the energy consumption drops dramatically when speed is reduced.

The energy savings with variable speed drive (VSD) control are significant.


Pumping up Energy and Water Savings with a VSD

Reference // Using variable speed drives (VSDs) in pump applications – ABB Drives (Download)

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Edvard Csanyi

Electrical engineer, programmer and founder of EEP. Highly specialized for design of LV/MV switchgears and LV high power busbar trunking (<6300A) in power substations, commercial buildings and industry facilities. Professional in AutoCAD programming.

10 Comments


  1. Muhammad Hamzah
    Oct 12, 2019

    Dear Sir;

    Thank you very much for your presentation above.

    Would you please advise what is the best type and configuration of VSD control system you proposed.


  2. Adrian Serna
    Jan 24, 2019

    How can the relation between head and flow be calculated in a throttle control method?


  3. james sugden
    Jul 30, 2018

    Throttling flow needs to be considered carefully. Pumps like to operate near their best efficiency point. Operating too far from this for continuous duty is likely to result in premature pump failure.


  4. beam
    Mar 13, 2018

    what is the source of figure 3?


  5. murtadha mohammed
    Jul 13, 2017

    Hi sir
    My question I want the relationship between power motor( electrical ) and power pump ……how I design right pump to electric motor

    regards


  6. Renz
    Jan 22, 2016

    i just want to ask Sir, if i use the VSD to have an energy efficient system would still be reachable the highest portion of my water system, for example of 10Ft head and 10GPM Flow rate. if I lesser the flow rate down to 7GPM specially at minimum time when their is few customer used water, is it still can supply the 10ft? In this kind of system, what would be the best flow control method I should used without suffering the customers.


    • Dino
      Nov 06, 2018

      As I realised, you want less flow but same Head? Yes it is possible. You need one of VSD control system and balance valves.


  7. Hamid
    Nov 28, 2015

    In Bypassing method, it seems part of the flow return back to the pump suction, how come the pump Q increase from 10 to 12.4?

    Thanks


    • sonu
      Mar 10, 2018

      out of 12.4 ,5.4 is returned to suction so net flow is 7.flow coming out of discharge is 12.4


  8. lassoued
    Nov 28, 2015

    Thak you really

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