What happens to the pump heads in series operation of two or more pumps?

In a series operation of two or more pumps, the pump heads are summed at the same capacities because each pump raises the pressure of the fluid being moved. When pumps are arranged in series, they work in tandem to increase the total head or pressure output of the system.

As each pump increases the pressure, the total head available at the discharge is the sum of the heads provided by each individual pump operating at the same flow rate. This is particularly important in applications where higher pressures are required to overcome system resistance, such as in long piping runs or when lifting fluids to significant heights.

Maintaining the same capacity is crucial; while each pump adds to the total head, they must be operated at their design flow rates to ensure optimal performance and prevent issues such as cavitation or overloading. Consequently, the ability to sum the heads is one of the key benefits of using multiple pumps in series, allowing for increased system efficiency and flexibility in design.