Pump Protection for Minimum Flow

The pump suffers mechanical damage if the flow rate falls below the lower limit (pump minimum
flow).

The following three types of minimum flow bypass lines are available:

• Type A: Automatic Flow Control

• Type B: Restriction Orifice
• Type C: Automatic Recirculation Valve

Type A: Automatic Flow Control

• Of the three types, the investment cost is the highest.

• As the pump minimum flow can be automatically maintained and manual operation is
not required, the operation is flexible.
• In the case where the pump is to be operated below the pump minimum flow during
the normal operation, this type is usually applied.

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Type B: Restriction Orifice

• Of the three types, the investment cost is the lowest.

• In the case where the normal flow rate is below the pump minimum flow, the
minimum flow bypass line must be always opened, and the pump rated capacity
should be above the pump minimum flow.
Therefore, investment and utility cost becomes high, and so this type is often applied
to small-capacity pumps.
• In the case where the flow rate at turn-down or start-up operation is below the pump
minimum flow, this type is usually applied. In such a case, the minimum flow bypass
line is closed during the normal operation.

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Type C: Automatic Recirculation Valve

• The investment cost of this type is between Type A and Type B. If the size of the
automatic recirculation valve (ARV) is more than 8”, the investment cost will likely be
higher than the Type A.
• This type will be applied only to clean service.
• As the pump minimum flow can be automatically maintained and manual operation is
not required, the operation is flexible.
• It is not fine adjustment as the type A.
• Due to many utilization limit conditions, it is required to contact a vendor before this
type is selected.

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