Columns
  Jim Elsey   February 2019 
 The Basics of Suction Specific Speed
“If the only tool you have is a hammer, everything starts to look like a nail”… paraphrased from Dr. Abraham Maslow (“Psychology of Science,” 1966). This famous axiom is also referred to as the law of the instrument.
  Jim Elsey   January 2019 
 Best Practices for Strainer Location
System designers frequently place strainers on the suction side of a pump.
  Jeff Sines   January 2019 
 Understanding the Performance of a Damper in an HVAC System
Editor’s Note: Jeff Sines is a member of Ray Hardee’s team at Engineered Software Inc. This month, he is a guest columnist in Hardee’s place.
  Lev Nelik   January 2019 
 Calculating vs. Estimating Pipe Velocity
During our last Pump School session, one attendee asked how much error there would be if the velocity head and gauge elevation correction were not accounted for.
  Jeff Sines   December 2018 
 What Is a Reverse Return System?
Editor’s Note: Jeff Sines is a member of Ray Hardee’s team at Engineered Software, Inc.
  Jim Elsey   December 2018 
 How to Solve NPSHa Problems
My last five articles covered the calculation of net positive suction head available (NPSHa).
  Jim Elsey   November 2018 
 How to Calculate NPSHa for Systems Under Vacuum
  Aasya Abdennour   November 2018 
 Slurry Corrections for Centrifugal Pump Performance
Editor’s Note: Aasya Abdennour works on Ray Hardee’s team at Engineered Software and is filling in for Hardee with this month’s column.
  Lev Nelik   November 2018 
 Readers Respond to ‘A Step-by-Step Approach to Pump Selection’
Here are two questions on Part 1 of this article from the September issue of Pumps & Systems.
  Jim Elsey   October 2018 
 Calculate NPSHa for a Closed & Pressurized System
  Dominik Fry   October 2018 
 11 Steps to Create a Virtual System Model
Editor’s Note: Dominik Fry is a member of Ray Hardee’s team at Engineered Software Inc. This month, he is a guest columnist in Hardee’s place.
  Joseph Benefield   September 2018 
 Sizing Pumps with Monte Carlo Methodology
When it comes to pumping systems that have varying demands, many engineers are hesitant to size the pump to less than the highest possible load. While this is certainly conservative from a flow standpoint, the downside is that additional costs are incurred to mitigate what might be a small risk.
  Lev Nelik   September 2018 
 A Step-by-Step Approach to Pump Selection
Unless a brand new plant is being designed, users decide to replace a pump because of its age and wear or persistent reliability issues.
  Jim Elsey   September 2018 
 Calculating NPSHa When the Liquid Is Above Ambient Temperature
This is the third article in a five-part series. Read the first part of the series here and the second part of the series here.
  Lev Nelik   August 2018 
 Pumps & Systems Looks Back: Pump Design Changes Improve Lubrication
Proper lubrication is a key to long, trouble-free life of centrifugal pump bearings. In recent years, the issue of lubrication has received renewed attention from pump users in chemical plants, pulp and paper mills, refineries and other industries.