A properly designed pump network is critical to the success of any hydronic mechanical system. Using rules of thumb and general principles is a good starting point when designing the layout of a pumping system; however, it is important the engineer has a thorough understanding of pump design fundamentals in order to make better informed decisions throughout the design process.
At minimum and prior to selecting a pump, an engineer should identify the following design criteria, as applicable to the project: 1) closed versus open system; 2) the pumping approach (i.e., constant or variable flow); and 3) series versus parallel pumping arrangement.