Screw Pump Datasheet Key Parameters - Specification Guide

Complete guide to screw pump datasheet parameters including viscosity, pressure, speed, slip, and NPSH specifications for Equipment Engineers.

API 676ISO 4412

Process Conditions

Flow Parameters

ParameterUnitDescriptionNotes
Rated flowm³/h or L/minDesign operating flowIncluding margin
Normal flowm³/h or L/minTypical operationMost frequent condition
Minimum flowm³/h or L/minLowest stable flowThermal limit
Maximum flowm³/h or L/minEnd of speed rangeVerify with vendor

Pressure Parameters

ParameterUnitDescriptionNotes
Suction pressurebargAt pump inletInclude worst case
Discharge pressurebargAt pump outletNormal operation
Differential pressurebarDischarge - SuctionKey sizing parameter
Maximum dischargebargMaximum allowableFor relief valve
Design pressurebargFor casing rating≥ Max discharge

Temperature Parameters

ParameterUnitDescriptionNotes
Operating temperature°CNormal operationFor viscosity
Maximum temperature°CHighest expectedMaterial limit
Minimum temperature°CLowest expectedCold start
Ambient temperature°CSite conditionsMotor cooling

Viscosity Specification

Critical Importance

Viscosity is the single most important parameter for screw pump specification.

Viscosity Data Requirements

ConditionTemperatureViscosityPurpose
OperatingNormal °CcStPump sizing
MaximumMinimum °CcStCold start, motor
MinimumMaximum °CcStSlip calculation

Unit Conversion

Kinematic Viscosity (cSt) = Dynamic Viscosity (cP) / Specific Gravity

1 cSt = 1 mm²/s
1 cP = 1 mPa·s

Viscosity Ranges by Pump Type

Pump TypeOptimal RangeMaximum
Twin screw100-1000 cSt1,000,000 cSt*
Triple screw30-300 cSt1,000 cSt
Single screw100-100,000 cSt1,000,000 cSt

*Special low-speed design required

Temperature-Viscosity Relationship

Specification Format:

VISCOSITY DATA:
Temperature (°C):  10    25    40    60    80   100
Viscosity (cSt):  2500  800   300   120   60    35

Note: Include viscosity-temperature curve or ASTM slope

Slip Specification

What is Slip?

Slip = Theoretical Flow - Actual Flow

Slip (%) = (Slip / Theoretical Flow) × 100

Factors Affecting Slip

FactorEffect on Slip
Higher viscosity↓ Decreases slip
Higher pressure↑ Increases slip
Larger clearances↑ Increases slip
Higher speedMinimal direct effect

Typical Slip Values

Viscosity RangeTypical SlipNotes
< 50 cSt8-15%High slip expected
50-200 cSt5-10%Moderate
200-500 cSt3-6%Good efficiency
> 500 cSt1-3%Excellent efficiency

Slip Specification Format

SLIP DATA (from vendor):
At rated conditions:
- Theoretical displacement: ___ cc/rev
- Slip at operating viscosity: ___ %
- Actual flow at rated speed: ___ L/min
- Flow tolerance: ±___% of rated

NPSH Requirements

NPSHr for Screw Pumps

Screw pumps have lower NPSH requirements than centrifugal pumps:

Pump TypeTypical NPSHrNotes
Twin screw1.0-3.0 mSpeed dependent
Triple screw2.0-4.0 mHigher than twin
Single screw0.5-2.0 mLowest requirement

NPSH Margin

NPSHa ≥ NPSHr × Safety Factor

Safety Factors:
- Standard service: 1.3
- Viscous fluids: 1.5
- Critical service: 2.0

Specification Format

NPSH DATA:
NPSHa (calculated): ___ m
NPSHr (vendor): ___ m
Margin: ___ m
Safety factor: ___

Speed Specification

Speed vs Viscosity

Viscosity (cSt)Recommended Max Speed
< 1002800-3600 RPM
100-5001400-2800 RPM
500-2000500-1400 RPM
2000-10,000200-500 RPM
> 10,00050-200 RPM

Speed Specification Format

SPEED DATA:
Rated speed: ___ RPM
Speed range (VFD): ___-___ RPM
Minimum continuous: ___ RPM
Maximum allowable: ___ RPM

Displacement Specification

Theoretical Displacement

Displacement = Volume per revolution (cc/rev or L/rev)

Actual Flow = Displacement × Speed × (1 - Slip%)

Specification Format

DISPLACEMENT DATA:
Theoretical displacement: ___ cc/rev
At rated speed (___ RPM):
  Theoretical flow: ___ L/min
  Slip: ___ %
  Actual flow: ___ L/min

Power Specification

Power Calculation

Shaft Power (kW) = (Q × ΔP) / (600 × η)

Where:
Q = Flow rate (L/min)
ΔP = Differential pressure (bar)
η = Pump efficiency (0.7-0.9)

Power Specification Format

POWER DATA:
Hydraulic power: ___ kW
Pump efficiency: ___ %
Shaft power: ___ kW
Motor rating: ___ kW
Service factor: ___

Cold start consideration:
Cold viscosity: ___ cSt
Starting torque requirement: ___ % of rated

Material Specification

Wetted Parts

ComponentStandardOptions
CasingDuctile iron316 SS, Duplex
ScrewsChrome steelHardened SS
Wear ringsBronzePEEK, SiC
ShaftCarbon steel17-4PH, Monel

Specification Format

MATERIALS:
Casing: _______________
Rotors/Screws: _______________
Shaft: _______________
Bearings: _______________
Seals: _______________
O-rings: _______________

Special requirements:
□ NACE MR0175 (sour service)
□ Low temperature impact test
□ Material certificates required

Seal Specification

Seal Type Selection

ServiceRecommended
StandardSingle mechanical seal
HazardousTandem or double seal
High tempCooled seal arrangement
Zero emissionDouble seal with barrier

API 682 Flush Plans

PlanApplication
Plan 11Standard - discharge recirculation
Plan 12With filter - viscous fluids
Plan 13Return to suction
Plan 21External cooled supply

Specification Format

SEAL DATA:
Type: Single / Tandem / Double
Arrangement: _______________
Flush plan: API 682 Plan ___
Seal face materials: ___ vs ___
Elastomers: _______________

Vendor Data Requirements

With Quotation

DocumentRequired Data
DatasheetAll parameters filled
Performance curvesFlow vs speed, efficiency
GA drawingDimensions, connections
Sectional drawingInternal components
Material listAll wetted parts

Performance Curve Requirements

CurveData Points
Flow vs SpeedAt operating viscosity
Flow vs ViscosityAt rated speed/pressure
Power vs FlowAt operating conditions
NPSHr vs SpeedIf applicable

Datasheet Template

=== SCREW PUMP DATASHEET ===

1. GENERAL
Tag Number: _______________
Service: _______________
Pump Type: Single / Twin / Triple
Quantity: ___ Operating + ___ Spare

2. OPERATING CONDITIONS
                    Rated    Normal    Min    Max
Flow (m³/h)        _____    _____    _____  _____
Discharge P (barg) _____    _____    _____  _____
Suction P (barg)   _____    _____    _____  _____
Diff. Pressure     _____    _____    _____  _____
Temperature (°C)   _____    _____    _____  _____
Viscosity (cSt)    _____    _____    _____  _____

3. FLUID PROPERTIES
Fluid name: _______________
Specific gravity: _______________
Vapor pressure at max T: ___ bara
Solids content: ___ % or ppm
Corrosive properties: _______________

4. NPSH
NPSHa at worst case: ___ m
NPSHr (vendor): ___ m

5. PERFORMANCE (Vendor to complete)
Displacement: ___ cc/rev
Rated speed: ___ RPM
Slip: ___ %
Efficiency: ___ %
Shaft power: ___ kW

6. MOTOR
Rated power: ___ kW
Voltage: ___ V
Frequency: ___ Hz
Enclosure: _______________
Area classification: _______________

7. MATERIALS
Casing: _______________
Rotors: _______________
Shaft: _______________
Bearings: _______________
Seals: _______________

8. SEALING
Seal type: _______________
Flush plan: API 682 Plan ___

9. ACCESSORIES
□ Relief valve (set at ___ barg)
□ Pressure gauge
□ Strainer (mesh ___)

10. STANDARDS
□ API 676
□ NACE MR0175
□ ATEX/IECEx

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most critical parameter for screw pump specification?
Viscosity at operating temperature is most critical because it directly affects pump efficiency, slip, and power consumption. Always specify both operating viscosity and cold-start viscosity to ensure proper pump selection.
How do I specify viscosity range for variable conditions?
Specify minimum, normal, and maximum viscosity with corresponding temperatures. Include startup condition viscosity which may be much higher than operating viscosity, affecting motor sizing and startup capability.
What is slip and why is it important?
Slip is internal leakage from discharge to suction side. It reduces actual flow below theoretical displacement. Slip increases with higher pressure and decreases with higher viscosity. Typical slip is 2-10% of theoretical flow.

📚References & Sources

  • 1. API 676 - Positive Displacement Pumps—Rotary standard
  • 2. ISO 4412 - Hydraulic Fluid Power standard

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