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With the release of PUMP-FLO 10 we introduced a new feature: the ability to quickly and easily generate a System Resistance Curve (SRC) that runs through your design point (without having to go into the System Data dialogue). Based on your feedback, we’ve made some changes to that feature in the latest maintenance release of PUMP-FLO 10.6.
When we introduced the feature, the SRC that was generated automatically ran from zero head and flow through your design point. To enter a static head value, you still had to go through the System Data dialogue, or generate the SRC based on the results of the Total Head Calculator. Now you can enter any static head value right on the Design Point screen and PUMP-FLO will automatically generate an SRC through that value and your design point.
In addition, the first version of the feature kept the generated SRC constant unless you cleared your project by starting a new selection list or reopening the catalog file. Now the SRC automatically regenerates on the fly between whatever static head value you’ve entered and whatever design head and flow you’ve entered.
You can still generate a System Resistance Curve based on your inputs in the Total Head Calculator; if you choose that option you don’t need to enter the static head value in the Design Point Search dialogue. And as always, you can still specify specific points to draw up to 5 different System Resistance curves in the Resistance Curves tab of the System Data dialogue.
If you’re still running PUMP-FLO version 10, you can pick up the latest maintenance release 10.6 here: http://www.eng-software.com/update/pumpflo1060.aspx
If you have a closed loop system, or an open loop system with a single inlet source and a single outlet source, then the generation of a System Resistance Curve is quite simple. When this System Resistance Curve is plotted graphically on top of your pump curve, a wealth of information can be gathered. This includes important information such as current system capacity, the amount of differential pressure which must be absorbed by control valves for system control, and the potential effectiveness of controlling system capacity with a variable frequency drive.
Understanding where your pump is operating on the system curve a key component of designing an efficient piping system. Engineered Software offers a three day training course on piping system assessment and optimization that discusses how to perform a Pumping System Assessment and designing a efficient piping system. Learn more about the Piping System Assessment & Optimization training course here.
For more information on the System Resistance Curve, please refer to the Related Knowledge Base articles section below.
