BEP - the Best Efficiency Point of a Pump

BEP is where the pump is most efficient. This tool helps you understand pump efficiency, including internal losses (hydraulic and volumetric), external losses (mechanical), and the Best Efficiency Point (BEP) concept.

Loss TypeCategoryDescription
Hydraulic LossInternalDue to disk friction in the impeller, rapid change in flow directions and velocity changes throughout the pump
Volumetric LossInternalDue to internal re-circulation caused by wear in rings and bushes
Mechanical LossExternalDue to friction in seals and bearings

Key Concept

BEP - Best Efficiency Point is the design point where a pump operates at maximum efficiency. For pumps operating at all other operating points, the efficiency will be less than at BEP.

Loss Categories

Internal Losses occur within the pump:

  • Hydraulic loss from impeller friction and flow direction changes
  • Volumetric loss from internal re-circulation due to wear

External Losses occur outside the pump:

  • Mechanical loss from friction in seals and bearings

A practical pump will never be able to convert all its kinetic energy to pressure energy - some energy will always be lost internally or externally.