Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) provides in-depth validation and performance testing to ensure that industrial pumps operate as expected and meet specific requirements. SwRI’s testing capabilities cover a wide array of pump types, providing clients with the data necessary for informed decision-making and operational excellence.
SwRI specializes in purpose-built systems that ensure accurate and reliable testing under conditions that precisely mimic real-world operation, with a focus on:
- Application-Specific Designs – Flow loops engineered to accommodate specific pump types, sizes and performance characteristics.
- Precise Control and Measurement – Integration of advanced instrumentation for accurate control of flow rate, pressure, temperature and other critical parameters.
- Safety and Efficiency – Design considerations prioritizing operator safety and efficient testing procedures.
Pump Performance & Transient Performance Testing
SwRI routinely performs testing operations with a wide range of fluids, including water, sand slurries, acids, glycols, alcohols, refined oils and exotic fluids.
Our comprehensive testing services include:
- Pump Performance – A standardized procedure conducted to evaluate the operational efficiency, output and reliability of a pump system by measuring key parameters such as flow rate, pressure (head), power consumption and vibration, ensuring its compliance with design specifications and optimal functioning.
- Transient Performance – An evaluation conducted to analyze a pump's behavior and system response during rapidly changing operating conditions, such as startup, shutdown, sudden valve closures, or power failures, primarily to assess and mitigate the risks of phenomena like water hammer, cavitation, or excessive pressure fluctuations that can cause damage or instability.
- Multiphase Flow – An assessment of the performance of a pump when handling a simultaneous mixture of air (gas) and water (liquid) to identify potential issues like gas locking or reduced efficiency that arise from the complex interactions between the gas and liquid within the pump.
- Hydrostatic Testing – A safety and integrity test procedure that involves filling a pump with an incompressible liquid, typically water, and then pressurizing it to a level significantly higher than its normal operating pressure to detect leaks, structural weaknesses, or permanent deformations.
Other tests we offer:
- Lifecycle testing
- NPSH testing
- Seal leak testing
- Reliability and endurance testing
- Material compatibility testing
- Vibration and noise analysis
Military & ANSI Standards
Ensure your pumps meet the rigorous demands of military applications and ANSI and ASME standards. SwRI offers comprehensive testing services in compliance with various published standards, providing the assurance of quality and reliability required for both military and commercial applications.
- API 610 – Centrifugal pumps for petroleum, petrochemical and natural gas Industries
- ANSI/HI 14.6-2022 – Rotodynamic pumps for hydraulic performance acceptance tests
- ANSI/HI 11.6 – Rotodynamic submersible pumps for mechanical and electrical acceptance tests
- ASME PTC 8.2 – Centrifugal pumps (performance test code)
- ASME PTC 7.1 – Displacement pumps (performance test code)
- ISO 9906 – Rotodynamic pumps – hydraulic performance acceptance tests