Intermediate level training is designed for individuals who have some experience and knowledge in the subject matter. It builds upon the foundational concepts within the basic learning level and expands the breadth and depth of understanding. Participants develop more advanced skills and competencies.

Participants will be able to: 

• Calculate pump system curves, system head, and pump total head, and evaluate their impact on operating point and energy consumption. 

• Calculate Net Positive Suction Head Available (NPSHA) and Net Positive Inlet Pressure Available (NPIPA), explain cavitation fundamentals, and assess NPSH margin considerations. 

• Identify rotodynamic and positive displacement pump types and describe key design characteristics, configurations, and application considerations. 

• Apply pump selection methodologies, including evaluation of performance curves, attainable efficiency, and design and application trade-offs. 

• Explain how fluid properties and operating conditions influence pump performance, efficiency, temperature rise, and reliability. 

• Describe the effects of impeller trimming, hydraulic and mechanical loading, axial and radial thrust, bearing life, and shaft behavior on pump operation. 

• Identify and understand pump system control methods, instrumentation, and devices. 

• Evaluate changes in operating point and allowable operating region (AOR), and assess their effects on reliability, testing, installation, commissioning, and maintenance practices. 

• Technical professionals with basic knowledge of pumps and pumping systems. 
• Engineers with approximately 1–5 years of experience in the fluid handling industry.  
• Technical sales, maintenance, and operations personnel seeking to expand their pump and system expertise. 

A core capability developed through this training is the ability to analyze pump and pumping system behavior and apply intermediate-level calculations, selection methodologies, and design considerations to evaluate operating performance, efficiency, and reliability. 

Section 1: Pumps, Energy Consumption/Cost, and Market Influences

• Pump Types and Classifications.  
• Pump Performance Curves. 
• Energy Consumption and Cost. 
• Market Influences and Trends. 

Section 2: Pump Systems 

• Determining System Head and Flow. 
• NPSH and NPIP. 
• NPSHA and NPIPA Calculations. 
• NPSH Margin Considerations. 

 Section 3: Rotodynamic and Positive Displacement Pumps

• Specific Speed and Suction Specific Speed. 
• Attainable Efficiency. 
• Impeller Trimming and Balancing. 
• Discharge Collectors (Casings). 
• Axial Thrust, Radial Thrust, Shaft Deflection, Shaft and Column Stretch, Shaft Stress, and Critical Speed. 
• Liquid Temperature Rise. 
• Design Characteristics, Configurations, and Purposes of Rotodynamic Pumps. 
• Bearing Life. 
• Positive Displacement Pump Types. 
• Self-Priming Characteristics. 
• Factors Affecting Pump Efficiency. 
• Design and Operational Considerations. 
• Air-Operated Diaphragm (AOD) and Metering Pumps.

 Section 4: Drivers and Drives 

• Motor Types. 
• Speed-Torque Curves: Impact on Motor Selection. 
• Motor Characteristics, Allowable Starts, and Internal Mechanisms. 
• Variable Frequency Drives: Features, Controls, Applications, and Selection. 
• Variable Frequency Drives: Operating Principles. 
• Electromagnetic Interference (EMI): Grounding, Shielding, and Cabling. 
• Harmonics and Filters. 

 Section 5: Pump Components, Accessories & System Design Considerations  

• Mechanical Seals and Compression Packing. 
• Bearings. 
• Couplings. 
• Baseplates and Coatings. 
• Reciprocating Pump System Components. 
• Variable Speed Drive Train Devices. 
• Gear Sets and Flywheels. 
• System Design Considerations. 
• Plans, Drawings, Diagrams, and Symbols. 
• Control Methods, 
• Pump Specification. 
• Nozzle Loads and Seismic Analysis. 
• Pump Piping and Free Surface Intakes. 

 Section 6: Pump Selection, Testing and Operations

• Liquid Characteristics and the Effects on Pump Performance and Selection. 
• Materials of Construction. 
• Pump Operation Uncertainty. 
• Varying and Pump Operating Point.
• Pump Control Methods. 
• Process Control Methods. 
• Various Performance Curve Shapes. 
• Pump Selection. 
• Sizing and Selection of Pumping Unit Components. 
• Factory Performance Testing. 
• Factory Performance Test Procedures and Arrangements. 
• NPSH and NPIP Testing. 
• Hydrostatic Pressure Testing. 
• Pump Total Head. 
• Mechanical and Electrical Integrity Testing. 
• Sound and Vibration Testing. 
• Additional Testing. 

 Section 7: Pump Installation and Commissioning

• Pipe and Tube Connection Designs. 
• Pump Installation and Priming. 
• Proper Free Surface Intake and Pump Piping Design. 
• Nozzle Loads. 
• Pump Field Testing Limitations. 
• Performance Evaluation. 

 Section 8: Maintenance and Troubleshooting

• Maintenance, Monitoring, and Inspection. 
• Short-term and Long-term Storage. 
• Allowable Limits and Pump Shutdown. 
• Common Operating Problems. 
• Failure Modes and Root Cause Analysis.