TABLE OF CONTENT

NO.
1.0
2.0
3.0
4,0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
10.0

CONTENT
INTRODUCTION
OBJECTIVES
THEORY BACKGROUND
APPARATUS
PROCEDURE
RESULTS
SAMPLE CALCULATION
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES

PAGE

1.0 INTRODUCTION.

This experiment illustrates the basic operation and characteristics of centrifugal pumps.
The experiment will explore flow rates, pressure head, and efficiency of a single pump and of
two identical pumps that are run in series or in parallel.
In this experiment, there are two pumps connected through a pipe work that allows for
them to be operated individually, in series or in parallel.
When identical pumps are in series the pressure head is doubled but the flow rate remains
the same. This is useful when a high pressure is needed but the same flow rate as of a single
pump is sufficient. In this case however the second pump in the series must have the ability to
operate at a higher suction pressure, which is produced by the first pump. When pumps are run in
parallel the flow is increased and the pressure head produced is around the same as a single
pump.
Another concept illustrated in this lab is the efficiency of a pump. Energy can take
different forms and a part of engineering is transferring the most of one type of energy to another
and quantifying the efficiency. The energy in this experiment is actually put through two
transformations. First electrical energy, which is the energy put into the system, is transferred to
mechanical energy, which is the energy required to spin the shaft and impeller. Second, the
mechanical energy is transferred into energy of the fluid. This is accomplished through the
pumps rotations, which transfers the velocity energy of the water to pressure energy.

2.0 OBJECTIVES.

i.

This experiment conducted to determine the centrifugal pump characteristic in singlestage and multi-stage.
2

ii.

At constant pump speed, determine the characteristic curve (pressure change vs. flow

iii.

rate) of a centrifugal pump.

At constant pump speed, determine the efficiency as a function of flow rate for a

iv.

centrifugal pump.
At constant speed, determine the efficiency as a function of power output for an electric
motor.

3.0 THEORY BACKGROUND.

The delivered volumetric flow is dependent on the pressure which the pump has to
generate within a pipe network. If the required pump pressure is high, the resulting volumetric
flow will be low. At lot pump pressure the volumetric flow is high. These correlations are
represented in the pump characteristic curve (Fig 1), where the pressure difference between
intake and delivery side of the pump p is plotted over the delivered volumetric flow Q.

Fig. 1 Characteristic curve of a centrifugal pump

The pump pressures are added together, the volumetric flow remains the same. The pump
characteristic curve becomes steeper.
Thus

p = p1 + p2..............................(4.1)
3

With pi - pressure difference on the pump

Fig. 1.1 Characteristic with series configuration of pumps

The volumetric flows of the pumps are added together, the achievable pump pressure
remains the same. In other words: With identical pressure difference p a higher volumetric flow
V/can be delivered.
Thus:

Q=Q1+Q2

The total power P of the pump results from the volumetric flow Q and the achieved pressure
difference between the delivery and intake sides of the pump
P= p . Q
Single pump

p = p delivery - p suction

Series configuration

p = p delivery 2 - p suction 1

Parallel configuration p = p outflow . p suction 1

In series configurationp suction 1 = p delivery 2
In parallel configuration

p suction 1 = p suction 2 and

p delivery 1 = p delivery 2 = p suction

4.0 APPARATUS.

Unit description

Fig 2
i.
Reservoir
ii.
Emergency overflow
iii.
Inflow branch for water supply
iv. Stop-cock pump 1 intake side
v. Stop-cock pump 2 intake side
vi.
Stop-cock Connections pipe
vii.
Stop-cock pump 1 delivery side
viii.
Stop-cock outflow
ix.
Centrifugal pump 1
x.
Centrifugal pump 2
xi.
Switchbox with main switch for centrifugal pumps
xii.
Outflow branch
xiii.
Manometer pump 1 intake side
xiv. Manometer pump 1 delivery side
xv. Manometer pump 2 intake side
xvi.
Manometer pump 2 delivery side
xvii.
Manometer outflow
xviii.
carrying handles
xix.
Drain pipe to slot into outflow branch (not visible ).
5.0 WORK PROCEDURE.

Single Pump
The pumps are of identical construction Pump 1 is used for the experiment

Fig. 4 Configuration of a single pump

i.

Connect the stop-cock (handle parallel to the pipe - valve closed, handle

ii.

perpendicular to the pipe - valve open)

Switch on pump 1 {9} with the main switch on the switchbox {11}, pump 2 must

iii.

remain off.
Set the desired volumetric flow V/with the drain cock{6}, ensure continuous water

iv.

v.

inflow into the reservoir

Record measured values in Table 7.1
p suction on the intake side of the pump {13}
p delivery the delivery side of the pump {14}
Volumetric flow Q as per Chapter 9.1 (HM 150)
Repeat with different volumetric flows Q

Series Configuration of two pumps

Fig. 5 Configuration of two pumps

i.
ii.
iii.
iv.

v.

Connect the stop-cock as shown in Fig. 5

Switch on both pumps {9,10} with the main switch on the switchbox {11}
Set the desired volumetric flow {with the drain cock {8}; ensure continuous water
inflow into the reservoir
Record measured values Table 7.2
p suction, 1 on the intake side of pump 1 {13}
p delivery, 1 on the delivery side of the pump 1 {14}
p suction, 2 on the intake side of pump 2 {15}
p delivery, 2 on the delivery side of pump 2 {16},
Volumetric flow Q
Repeat the different volumetric flows, Q

Parallel Configuration of two pumps

The pumps are of identical construction Pump 1 & 2 is used for the experiment

Fig. 6 Configuration of two pumps

i.
ii.
iii.

Connect the stop-cock as shown in Fig. 6

Switch on both pumps {9,10} with the main switch on the switchbox {11}
Set the desired volumetric flow {with the drain cock {8}; ensure continuous water

iv.

v.

inflow into the reservoir

Record measured values Table 7.3
p suction, 1 on the intake side of pump 1 {13}
p delivery, 1 on the delivery side of the pump 1 {14}
p suction, 2 on the intake side of pump 2 {15}
p delivery, 2 on the delivery side of pump 2 {16},
Volumetric flow Q
Repeat the different volumetric flows, Q

6.0 RESULTS.

6.1 Single Pump

Measuring Time

P suction

in (s)

P delivery

Flow Rate
(liter/s)

(p delivery

5.12

3.0

p suction)
3.0

Power
(P =

p.V)
0.03

1.95 x

103
2

24.02

2.6

2.6

4.16 x

0.03

103
3

29.24

2.2

2.2

3.42 x

0.02

103
4

25.60

1.4

1.4

3.91 x

0.01

103
5

11.43

1.0

1.0

8.73 x

0.01

103

6.2 Series Configuration

Measuring

Time in (s)

suction,1

delivery,1

suction,2

delivery,2

p
(p delivery,2

Flow

Power

Rate

(P =

(liter/s)

p suction,1)

p
.V)

12.46

3.20

3.40

6.80

6.80

8.50 x

0.07

103
2

12.23

3.00

3.00

6.20

6.20

8.18 x

0.06

103
3

12.27

2.60

2.80

5.90

5.90

8.15 x

0.06

103
4

12.89

2.10

2.00

4.40

4.40

7.76 x

0.04
9

103
5

14.21

0.60

0.50

1.20

1.20

7.04 x

0.01

103

6.3 Parallel Configuration

Measuring
Time in (s)

19.80

P
suction,1

P
delivery,1

3.20

P
suction,2

P
delivery,2

3.20

P out
flow

3.20

p
(p delivery,2
p
suction,1)
3.20

Flow
Rate
(liter/s)

5.05 x

Power
(P =

p.V)
0.03

103
2

12.83

2.70

2.70

2.70

2.70

7.79 x

0.03

10
3

14.74

2.00

2.00

2.00

2.00

5.91 x

0.02

103
4

13.05

1.40

1.40

1.40

1.40

7.66 x

0.01

10
5

9.48

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

1.05 x

0.01

10

For direct comparison, plot all three curves p vs Q of single pump, series configuration, and
parallel configuration in one graph

7.0 SAMPLE CALCULATION.

10

i.

Flowrate

iv.

Volume = 0.01m

Q = area x volume

time = 5.12 s

Q = volume / time

Q = 0.01/ 5.12
3

= 1.953 x 10

ii.
iii.

example :

v.
vi.

vii.
viii.

x.
Power

example :

xi.

power = P x volume

P = 3.0

P = (P delivery 2 - P suction 1)

V = 0.01
P = 3.0 x 0.01

ix.

= 0.03

11

xii.
xiii.
8.0 DISCUSSION.
xiv.
xv.

After the experiment is completed, the data and the result need to be discussed.

Based on the objective of this experiment is to understand the basic operation and characteristics
of centrifugal pumps. There are a few main topics that will be looked at to better understand
centrifugal pumps:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
xvi.

Comparison of various flow measurement device

Skills pump
Create multiple pump curve consisting of flow rate, pressure head, and efficiency
Comparing the two pumps operating in series or parallel configuration
Verify relationship pumps to pump impeller diameter is constant on some values rpm

xvii.

This experiment is conducted to determine centrifugal pump performance

characteristic by for several set of speed centrifugal pump. Efficiency is the benchmark of our
experimental and theoretical result. We gain the efficiency by the mathematical representations
that were given to us by the lab instructor. Which in turn realize by our data that we gather in the
experimental stage namely the torque, the elevation difference (water height), pump suction and
delivery pressure.
xviii.

Our discussion leads us to this assumption as why that the graph is distorted at

several speed of pump which is definite the apparatus and the machinery is not in a perfect
condition. We can't really point to any severe parallax error because the reading is gathered from
the machine interface directly. This is prove with the lab assistant ask us to not set the pump
speed to 100% and the apparatus for gathering the turbine speed is also not in a well operation
condition.
xix.
xx.

9.0 CONCLUSION.
xxi.
xxii.

After competing this report we conclude that the experiment is a success, with all

the objective set is achieve with flying colors. This is done with the aid of the lab instructor and
the lab assistant. This conclusion the we made that with an increased of speed of the pump it will
cause the properties and characteristic to varied accordingly which in turn effect the overall
efficiency, and with the increased of speed it is relevant that the efficiency also increased. The
maximum operating condition is at 90% pump speed, where the efficiency is 40% at 1.7m/s
capacity this is called BEP. We need to keep in mind that this is an experiment and the value
could not be achieved due to some unavoidable factor such as the condition of the experiment
where the apparatus is not in a good working condition and the experiment is conducted not
under a standardize condition. Overall the students that participate in the experiment got the
general idea of the experiment.
xxiii.

The conclusion that we made that with an increased of speed of the pump it will

cause the properties and characteristic to varied accordingly which in turn effect the overall
efficiency, and with the increased of speed it is relevant that the efficiency also increased. We
need to keep in mind that this is an experiment and the value could not be achieved due to some
unavoidable factor such as the condition of the experiment is conducted not under a standardize
condition. Sometimes the characteristic curve will include a power consumption curve. This
curve is only valid for water, if the fluid has a different density than water you cannot use this
curve. However you can use the total head versus flow rate curve since this is independent of
density.
10.0

REFERENCES.

xxiv.
i.
xxv.
ii.
xxvi.
iii.
xxvii.

Hydraulics 2 Centrifugal Pump - 1 David Apsley SCHOOL

personalpages.manchester.ac.uk/staff/david.d.apsley/lectures/.../pump.pd
Centrifugal Pumps Scribd
https://www.scribd.com/doc/22091923/Centrifugal-Pumps

Centrifugal pump
www.eng.auburn.edu/~drmills/mans382/pump/pump.pdf

iv.
xxviii.
v.
xxix.
vi.
xxx.
xxxi.

Twin Centrifugal Pump Configurations, SELKA GmbH

www.selkagmbh.com

Centrifugal Pump Experiment Pump History

ftp://ftp.demec.ufpr.br/disciplinas/TM120/APOSTILA.../ pump-09.pdf

HM 150.16 -- Series and Parallel Connected Pumps US

www.usdidactic.com/teaching-lab-equipment/p4565.htm