PUMPS:

Pumps can be defined as “devices which are used to move, compress or

transfer fluids “.The basic principle of operation of a pump is ‘They convert
kinetic energy to hydraulic energy ‘. They move or transfer the fluid to the
desired location. Based on the method used to transfer the fluid, there are 2
main types of pumps.

1. Positive displacement pumps :

Positive displacement pumps physically entrap a quantity of liquid at the
suction of the pump and push that quantity out the
discharge of the pump.
2. Centrifugal pumps:
A centrifugal pump imparts energy to the liquid, by means of the rotation
of its impellers. Here the velocity of fluid increases than the velocity with
which it enters the impeller and pushes the water to the desired height. It
creates a low pressure area or vacuum, which makes it possible to suck
more fluid to the pump.

Over view of centrifugal pumps

The main parts of a centrifugal pump are,

1. VOLUTE (or) DIFFUSER.
2. IMPELLER
#. Volute or Diffuser is the stationary part of a centrifugal pump. Or it
may be referred as the pump casing which posses the volume of fluid
transferred at a time.
#. Impeller is the main functional part or moving part in a centrifugal
pump. And impeller rotation is the key aspect of centrifugal operation
through which the fluid is transferred from one end to another.
 There are different forms of impellers available in the market today. And
the main types among them are the following:
A. Open impellers: The open impeller consists only of blades attached to
a hub.

B. Semi open impellers: The semi-open impeller is constructed with a

circular plate
(The web) attached to one side of the blades.

C. Enclosed impellers: The enclosed impeller has circular plates attached

to both sides of the blades. Enclosed impellers are also referred to as
shrouded impellers

The centrifugal pumps are classified also according to the type of flow
through it. And they are as follows,
1) Radial Flow: In a radial flow pump, the liquid enters at the center of
the impeller and is directed out along the impeller blades in a
direction at right angles to the pump shaft
2) Axial Flow: In an axial flow pump, the impeller pushes the liquid in a
direction parallel to the pump shaft. Axial flow pumps are
sometimes called propeller pumps because they operate essentially
in the same manner as the propeller of a boat.
3) Mixed Flow: Mixed flow pumps borrow characteristics from both
radial flow and axial flow pumps. As liquid flows through the
impeller of a mixed flow pump, the impeller blades push the liquid
out away from the pump shaft and to the pump suction at an angle
greater than 90o

The Pump Selection:

The pump selection is the procedure of selecting the apt pump,

which meet the desired application requirements such as flow rate, Pump
head, etc.., among the available list of pumps. And for the proper selection of
pump, we must follow a procedure which includes calculation of several
terms such as total head, suction head, discharge head, NPSHa, etc…..

The process of pump selection includes following steps..

1. The flow rate is determined depending upon the based on the process
and production requirements
2. The location and size of the suction and discharge tank is decided
3. The location, size and capacity of the equipment in line is decided
4. The pump location is fixed
5. The line sizes are determined and auxiliary equipments such as
manual valves are sized and located
6. Calculate the frictional head & static heads for both inlet and outlet.
7. Calculate the total head of the pump
8. Select the size, model type and power
9. Select an impeller size which suits the desired operating point.
10. Compare the new operating point with the charts provide by the pump
manufacturer.
11. Select the appropriate pumps with desirable BEP