What does a non-overloading pump BHP curve generally look like?

A non-overloading pump brake horsepower (BHP) curve typically appears as a flat curve that decreases with increased capacity. This characteristic reflects the consistent performance of the pump across a range of flow rates without exceeding its designed limits.

As the flow rate increases, the BHP requirement might decrease because the pump operates more efficiently under non-overloading conditions, thus requiring less power to handle the increased volume of fluid. The flat nature of this curve indicates that the pump is well-matched to its application, allowing for efficient operation without significant power increases as flow rates rise.

In contrast, other shapes of curves suggest different performance characteristics. A steepening curve could indicate increased resistance and power requirements, a linear curve with a constant slope would imply a direct correlation between flow and energy consumption that isn't seen in well-designed pumps, while a bell-shaped curve typically represents a point of maximum efficiency followed by declining performance as flow rates exceed optimal levels.