Centrifugal Pump Specific Speed Primer

There is a multitude of pump designs that are available for any given task. Pump designers have needed a way to compare the efficiency of their designs across a large range of pump models and types. Pump users also would like to know what efficiency can be expected from a particular pump design. For that purpose, pumps have been tested and compared using a number called the specific speed (NS) which helps with these comparisons.

How a Siphon Works

A siphon is a length of tubing that allows you to transfer fluid from an upper location to a lower one. The key feature of a siphon is that the fluid is moved upwards from its start point before it turns down towards its exit point. It seems as if the fluid is being magically raised upwards without the use of a pump. A siphon is just like a typical pump system.