Facebook Instagram Youtube Twitter

What is Best Efficiency Point – BEP – Definition

by
The best efficiency point (BEP) is the point of highest efficiency of the pump. It is an internal characteristic of each pump and must be provided by pump manufacturer. Thermal Engineering

Pump Efficiency

Pump efficiency is the ratio of the water horsepower delivered by the pump and the brake horsepower delivered to the pump shaft. When selecting a pump, a key concern is optimizing pumping efficiency. The energy usage in a pumping installation is determined by the flow required, the height lifted and the length and friction characteristics of the pipeline. The power required to drive a pump is defined simply using SI units by:

pump efficiency

where:

  • P is the input power required (W)
  • BHP is the brake horsepower
  • ρ is the fluid density (kg/m3 )
  • g is the standard acceleration of gravity (9.81 m/s2 )
  • H is the net pump head added to the flow (m)
  • Q is the flow rate (m3 /s)
  • η is the efficiency of the pump

Best Efficiency Point

best efficiency point (BEP) - centrifugal pumpThe best efficiency point (BEP) is the point of highest efficiency of the pump. It is an internal characteristic of each centrifugal pump. It must be noted, any pump does not completely convert kinetic energy to pressure energy. Some of the energy is always internal or external lost.

The internal losses are caused by fluid friction in the impeller due to rapid change in flow direction and change in velocities throughout the pump. The external losses are caused by mechanical losses in seals and bearings. All points to the right or left of the BEP have a lower efficiency. Pumps should be sized as close as possible to its best efficiency point or flow rate. This not only makes the pump more efficient but also improves the reliability of the pump. Note that total efficiency is never realized because of mechanical and hydraulic losses incurred in the pump.

Impeller design is the most significant factor for determining the BEP of a pump because it determines how efficiently power (brake horsepower or BHP) is transmitted to the liquid being pumped. A properly designed impeller optimizes flow while minimizing turbulence and maximizing efficiency.

 
References:
Reactor Physics and Thermal Hydraulics:
  1. J. R. Lamarsh, Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Theory, 2nd ed., Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA (1983).
  2. J. R. Lamarsh, A. J. Baratta, Introduction to Nuclear Engineering, 3d ed., Prentice-Hall, 2001, ISBN: 0-201-82498-1.
  3. W. M. Stacey, Nuclear Reactor Physics, John Wiley & Sons, 2001, ISBN: 0- 471-39127-1.
  4. Glasstone, Sesonske. Nuclear Reactor Engineering: Reactor Systems Engineering, Springer; 4th edition, 1994, ISBN: 978-0412985317
  5. Todreas Neil E., Kazimi Mujid S. Nuclear Systems Volume I: Thermal Hydraulic Fundamentals, Second Edition. CRC Press; 2 edition, 2012, ISBN: 978-0415802871
  6. Zohuri B., McDaniel P. Thermodynamics in Nuclear Power Plant Systems. Springer; 2015, ISBN: 978-3-319-13419-2
  7. Moran Michal J., Shapiro Howard N. Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics, Fifth Edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2006, ISBN: 978-0-470-03037-0
  8. Kleinstreuer C. Modern Fluid Dynamics. Springer, 2010, ISBN 978-1-4020-8670-0.
  9. U.S. Department of Energy, THERMODYNAMICS, HEAT TRANSFER, AND FLUID FLOW. DOE Fundamentals Handbook, Volume 1, 2 and 3. June 1992.
  10. White Frank M., Fluid Mechanics, McGraw-Hill Education, 7th edition, February, 2010, ISBN: 978-0077422417

See also:

Centrifugal Pumps

We hope, this article, Best Efficiency Point – BEP, helps you. If so, give us a like in the sidebar. Main purpose of this website is to help the public to learn some interesting and important information about thermal engineering.

Related Posts