What indicates an overloading BHP pump curve?

The correct answer indicates that an overloading brake horsepower (BHP) pump curve shows continuous increases in BHP with increased capacity. This behavior signifies that as the flow rate increases, the power demand does not stabilize or decrease, but rather keeps rising, which can indicate that the pump is being pushed beyond its designed capacity.

In practical terms, an overloading condition often leads to mechanical strain on the pump and can result in decreased efficiency, potential overheating, and premature wear or failure of the pump components. Understanding this characteristic is crucial for operators and designers to ensure that pumps are selected and operated within their optimal range to maintain reliability and performance.

Recognizing the other scenarios is also important. If the BHP curve decreases with increased capacity, it would imply efficient performance as flow rises. A flattening curve typically suggests the pump is reaching its optimal efficiency point but is not necessarily overloaded. Meanwhile, a constant BHP regardless of capacity indicates that the pump operates within a stable range, which again is not indicative of an overload situation.