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Several years after the operation of a certain project, process optimization was carried out, requiring an increase in flow rate. A new pump has been installed (the inlet and outlet diameters are the same as before); for now, there are no plans to change the diameters of the pump’s inlet and outlet pipes. As a result, the flow velocity at both the inlet and outlet has increased from 1.5 m/s to 2.5 m/s. The medium is non-flammable – is this acceptable? Furthermore, since the inlet pipe is made of a non-metallic material and its wall thickness is much greater than that of the outlet pipe, the flow velocity at the inlet is slightly higher than at the outlet. Will this cause any problems? Under the current operating conditions, the inlet flow velocity is also slightly higher than the outlet velocity; however, due to the low flow rates at present, the difference is not significant. What will be the consequences of increasing the flow rate? According to the design specifications for non-metallic pipes, a lower flow rate is required to prevent static electricity. Since the medium used in the system is non-flammable, are there any requirements regarding the prevention of static electricity as well? I want to increase the pipe diameter (especially the diameter before the pump), and I need a solid reason for it.
This requires a significant increase in both the pump’s head and flow rate; the net positive suction head will increase, as well as the pressure in the outlet pipeline. Does this make it easier for the material to vaporize? If the effect of cavitation also has to be taken into account.
Materials do not vaporize easily. The liquid level at the inlet is high, so cavitation will not occur.