This 3-hour interactive online course describes the advantages, disadvantages, characteristics, and applications of the centrifugal pump. It defines, derives, and describes the performance parameters, performance curves, and all the characteristics that an engineer needs to know to intelligently specify a centrifugal pump for a specific application. The student not presently knowledgeable about pumps can skim through the derivations and still gain valuable knowledge about this work horse of the power and process industries. The more interested student will be able to follow through the various derivations of the performance parameters, pump affinity laws, and so forth, that are widely used by mechanical engineers, but not always covered in this much detail in textbooks.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end.
At the conclusion of this course, the student will:
Understand the proper applications of centrifugal pumps.
Be aware of the various performance parameters used to specify and test centrifugal pumps.
Be able to follow the derivations of these parameters starting with the first law of thermodynamics.
Be able to distinguish between hydraulic horsepower and brake horsepower.
Understand and be able to utilize centrifugal pump performance curves.
Be able to apply the pump affinity laws.
Be able to discuss specific speed and net positive suction head.
Know how to diagnose some pump problems.
Be able to specify centrifugal pumps.
SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT: John White, P.E.
Mr. White is registered as a mechanical engineer in 8 states. He has 32 years experience in the engineering, design, and construction of electric generating plants, from basic engineering to managing complex multi-disciplinary projects. He served for 13 years as a commissioned officer in the U. S. Navy and holds advanced degrees in engineering (MIT) and management (George Washington University). Mr. White is also knowledgeable in dispute resolution and litigation support, and expert witness testimony in power plant design and construction.
3 hrs. Online Course