Introduction
The Equipment Performance tool in FluidFlow allows you to optimize equipment selection for auto-sized pumps and control valves by comparing their calculated performance against available equipment in your database. This feature helps you select the most suitable equipment based on actual manufacturer data and performance curves.
The Equipment Performance tool currently supports centrifugal pumps and control valves only, requiring proper curve data to be populated in your equipment database.
Key Benefits
Compare auto-sized equipment against real manufacturer data
Select optimal pumps using performance metrics (head, efficiency, NPSHR)
Verify control valve opening percentages for better sizing and analysis
Evaluate multiple equipment options using performance parameters
Make informed equipment decisions using actual performance curves
Database Requirements
Before using the Equipment Performance tool, ensure your database contains:
Centrifugal Pump Information
Flow vs. Head curve data (minimum requirement)
Flow vs. Efficiency curve data (recommended)
Flow vs. NPSHr curve data (recommended)
Control Valve Information
Cv or Kv vs. % valve opening data
Using the Equipment Performance Tool
For Centrifugal Pumps
Calculate your model with auto-sized pumps
Access the tool
Go to Tools → Equipment Performance → Pump Performance
Set the design flow
The Performance Viewer window opens with a Design Flow field
Enter the calculated flow value and its corresponding unit from your auto-sized pump
Review pump options
The tool displays all the centrifugal pumps in your database
Select a pump model to check its performance (Head, Efficiency, Best Efficiency Point, and NPSHr) against the specified design flow
Filter and compare
Use manufacturer or application filters to narrow your selection
Click on individual pumps to review detailed parameters
Compare performance characteristics across different pump options
Select optimal pump
Choose the pump that best matches your system requirements
Consider efficiency, head characteristics, and NPSHR requirements
For Control Valves
Calculate your model with auto-sized control valves
Access the tool
Go to Tools → Equipment Performance → Control Valve Performance
Set the flow coefficient
Enter the calculated Cv (or Kv) value from your auto-sized valve
Select the appropriate unit (Cv or Kv)
Review valve options
The tool displays all the control valves in your database
Select a control valve to check its valve opening based on the specified Cv or Kv value
Compare different valve types and sizes
Select the appropriate valve
Choose valves with opening percentages in the optimal range (typically 20-80%)
Avoid selections with very low or very high opening percentages
Best Practices
Maintain a comprehensive database - Populate your equipment database with complete performance curve data from manufacturers
Target optimal operating ranges - For pumps, select equipment operating near their best efficiency point (BEP)
Consider control valve rangeability - Choose control valves that operate within 20-80% opening for better controllability
Account for system variations - Consider how performance may change with different operating conditions
Update regularly - Keep your equipment database current with the latest manufacturer specifications
FAQs
Q: Can I use this tool for positive displacement pumps?
A: No, the Equipment Performance tool currently supports centrifugal pumps only.
Q: What if my database doesn't have complete curve data?
A: For pumps, Flow vs. Head data is the minimum requirement. For optimal results, include efficiency and NPSHR curves as well. Control valves require Cv/Kv vs. opening percentage data.
Q: How do I add equipment data to my database?
A: Equipment data must be in place before using the Equipment Performance tool. The FluidFlow database comes with extensive pump and control valve data by default, but you can add new manufacturer data as needed. See How to Enter Pump Data and How to Enter Control Valve Data.
Q: Can I export the performance viewer results?
A: The tool only displays results for the specific pump or valve type you select. For detailed comparison and analysis, you'll need to manually record the performance parameters you're interested in.
Conclusion
The Equipment Performance tool transforms equipment selection from guesswork into data-driven decision making. By leveraging actual manufacturer performance curves, you can optimize selections for both centrifugal pumps and control valves to achieve maximum efficiency and proper operation. This tool ensures your auto-sized components align with real-world equipment capabilities, leading to better system performance and reduced operating costs.
With the Equipment Performance tool, you can make confident equipment selections based on manufacturer data, ensuring efficient operation while eliminating the risk of poor equipment choices.