What does a pump curve illustrate?

A pump curve illustrates the relationship between flow rate and total dynamic head, making it an essential tool in understanding how a pump performs under various operating conditions. The curve typically shows how flow rate decreases as the total dynamic head increases, indicating that a pump can only deliver a certain volume of water at a given head before it reaches its performance limits.

This relationship is crucial for engineers and operators when selecting the appropriate pump for a specific application, ensuring that the system delivers the required flow rate efficiently while overcoming the pressure losses in the piping system. Additionally, by understanding this curve, operators can optimize pump operation to achieve desired performance levels, minimize energy consumption, and extend the lifespan of the equipment.

The focus on flow rate and total dynamic head provides vital information for system design and operational efficiency, making it a central aspect of pump performance analysis.