[Chemical Engineering Laboratory 2 ]

SEGI University

EXPERIMENT 4: CENTRIFUGAL PUMP

Candidate’s Name: SARANYA DEVI RAGUPATHY

Student ID: SUKD1801744

Group Member’s Name:

LEE LIANG CHEN

TAN MEI HUI

JULIE BARUA

ANDREW YEOW TZE HAO

Lecturer/ Supervisor: MS NORSUHADAT

Date of Submission: 11 April 2019

OBJECTIVE
To study the characteristics of a centrifugal pump

ABSTRACT
The present experimental study characteristics of a centrifugal pump. The increases of fluid
pressure from the pump inlet to its outlet is created when the pump is in operation. This
pressure difference drives the fluid through the system. The centrifugal pump conceives an
increase in pressure by transferring mechanically energy from the motor to the fluid through
the rotating impeller. The fluid flows from the inlet to the impeller center and out along its
blades. The centrifugal force hereby increases the fluid velocity and accordingly also the
kinetic energy is changed to pressure. This experiment carried out by changing the flow rate
of Rotameter from 90 to 30 in liter per minute. Its affect the pressure reading on both pressure
gauge in each different flowrate. All the pressure reading are taken to calculate the pressure
differences, hydraulic power and pump efficiency. Pressure difference versus flowrate and
pump efficiency are plotted based on the previous calculation. For observation during the
experiment is running also taken out for discussion purposes.

THEORY/INTRODUCTION
Pumps are devices that transfer mechanical energy from a prime mover into fluid energy to
produce the flow of liquids. There are two broad classifications of pumps: positive
displacement and dynamic. In the experiments, students are able to operate Horizontal Single
Stage Centrifugal Pump.

2.1 Dynamic Pumps

Dynamic pumps add energy to the fluid by the action of rotating blade, which increases the
velocity of the fluid. Figure 2 shows the construction features of a centrifugal pump, the most
commonly used type of dynamic pump
 Figure 2: Construction features of a centrifugal pump

2.2 Horizontal Single Stage Centrifugal Pump

Centrifugal pumps have two major components:

1. The impeller consists of a number of curved blades (also called vanes) attached in a
regular pattern to one side of a circular hub plate that is connected to the rotating
driveshaft.
2. The housing (also called casing) is a stationary shell that enclosed the impeller and
supports the rotating drive shaft via a bearing.

A centrifugal pump operates as follows. The prime mover rotates the driveshaft and
hence the impeller fluid is drawn in axially through the center opening (called the eye) of the
housing. The fluid then makes a 900 turn and flows radially outward. As energy is added to
the fluid by the rotating blades (centrifugal action and actual blade force), the pressure and
velocity increase until the fluid reaches the outer tip of the impeller. The fluid then enters the
volute-shaped housing whose increased flow area causes the velocity to decrease. This action
results in decrease kinetic energy and an accompanying increase in pressure.
The volute-shaped housing also provides a continuous increase in flow area in the
direction of flow to produce a uniform velocity as the fluid travels around the outer portion
of housing and discharge opening.

Although centrifugal pumps provide smooth, continuous flow, their flow rate output
(also called discharge) is reducing as the external resistance is increase. In fact, by closing a
 system valve (thereby creating theoretically infinite external system resistance) even while
the pump is running at design speed, it is possible to stop pump output flow completely. In
such a case, no harm occurs to the pump unless this no-flow condition occurs over extended
period with resulting excessive fluid temperature build up. Thus pressure relief valves are
not needed. The tips of the impeller blade merely shear to through the liquid, and the
rotational speed maintains a fluid pressure corresponding to the centrifugal force established.
Figure 3 shows the cutaway of a centrifugal pump.

Figure 3: The Cutaway of a Centrifugal Pump

APPARATUS
The unit is constructed on a stable stainless steel base plate, comprises of a fixed speed
centrifugal pump, a water sump tank and all required pipe works. It is installed with pressure
gauges and flow meter for pump characteristic studies. The pump casing is made of transparent
material; therefore the pump mechanism can be clearly visualized.

•Centrifugal pump apparatus bench

•Stopwatch

Figure 1: Equipment Assembly

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
1. Circulation tank has been filled with water up to at the end of the pipe output
was submerge with water.
2. Suction valve was opened.
3. Power supply to the pump has been switched on.
4. Delivery valve was regulate in order to achieve desired operating condition.
5. Delivery valve regulated slowly until the flowrate reaches 90 LPM.
6. Pressure reading has been observed on the pressure gauges. Recorded the
flowrate and pressure values when stable condition is achieved.
7. Observation has been repeated by decreasing the flowrate as follows.

RESULTS & DISCUSSION

(a)

Suction Pressure (P1) Delivery Pressure (P2)

Rotameter
Flowrate
(FI1) LPM cmHg kgf/cm2 kgf/cm2
𝒎³⁄𝒔
-
30 0.0005 0.05 0.75
-
40 0.0006 0.05 0.7
-
50 0.0008 0.04 0.6
-
60 0.001 0 0.55
-
70 0.0012 2.5 0.45
-
80 0.0013 5 0.35
-
90 0.0015 7 0.25
 (b) Calculate the hydraulic power, Pi = Q P (W)

Q = Water Flowrate (m3/s)

𝐿 𝑚ᶟ
Rotameter 30 𝑚𝑖𝑛 convert to flowrate 𝑠

30 L 1m3 1min

min 1000L 60sec

= 0.0005 m3 / s

Pi
(c) Calculate the pump efficiency,  =  100 %
P

Pi = Hydraulic power (watt)

P = Motor power (watt) = 180 Watt

0.0343
 = 180
𝑥 100% = 0.019%

Flowrate
Delivery Pressure P2 Power Pump
𝑚³⁄𝑠
Suction Pressure (P1) ΔPkpa
(Pi)
𝑘𝑔𝑓⁄𝑐𝑚² (P2-P1)
(Watt) Efficiency ᶯ%
cm(Hg) 𝑘𝑔𝑓⁄𝑐𝑚² kpa kgf∕cm² kpa
0.0005 - 0.05 4.903 0.75 73.55 68.65 0.0343 0.019
0.0006 - 0.05 4.903 0.7 68.65 63.45 0.0381 0.021
0.0008 - 0.04 3.922 0.6 58.83 54.91 0.044 0.024
0.001 - 0 0 0.55 53.94 53.94 0.054 0.03
0.0012 2.5 - 3.333 0.45 44.13 40.79 0.048 0.0003
0.0013 5 - 6.666 0.35 34.33 27.66 0.036 0.0002
0.0015 7 - 9.333 0.25 24.51 15.17 0.023 0.0013
(d) Plot pressure difference versus flowrate

Presure
difference
Pressure difference VS Flowrate

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Series1 Series2 Series3
Flowrate

(e) Plot the pump efficiency versus flowrate

Pump Efficiency VS Flowrate

0.035
0.03
0.025
Pump Efficiency

0.02
0.015
0.01
0.005
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
-0.005
Flowrate

Series1 Series2 Series3

SAMPLE CALCULATION

Conversion Factors

1 kgf/cm2 = 98.0665 kPa

Density of Mercury

 = 13600 kg/m3

𝐿 𝑚ᶟ
Rotameter 30 𝑚𝑖𝑛 convert to flowrate 𝑠

30 L 1m3 1min

min 1000L 60sec

= 0.0005 m3 / s

𝑘𝑔𝑓⁄𝑐𝑚² to kPa

0.05 kgf 98.0665 kPa

cm2

= 4.903 kPa

cm(Hg) to Kpa

0.025 mm(Hg) 101.1 kpa

760 mm(Hg)

= 3.333kPa

CONCLUSION

The main aim of the practical was to drawn up the characteristics curve. With the help
of characteristics curve and the actual field conditions such as head available, delivery
pressure, required flow rate. We should have to compromise in efficiency for the fulfillment
of the actual field condition situations. So the characteristics curve helps to optimize the field
conditions and to select a particular type of pump or a combination of pump for a particular
site.

REFERENCES

 Essays, UK. (November 2013). CENTRIFUGAL PUMP Essay.[online] Available at:

https://www.ukessays.com/essays/physics/the-centrifugal-of-pump-characteristic-
physics -essay.php?vref=1 [Accessed 10 April.2019].

 ThomasGross1 (June 2012 ).Centrifugal pump performance . [online] Available at

https://www.slideshare.net/ThomasGross1/me313l-centrifugalpumpcombinedfiles
[Accessed 09 April.2019].

 Mechanical science. (November 2017). Mechanical science on centrifugal pump.

[online] Available at: https://ioemsre.wordpress.com/2009/08/08/centrifugal-pump/
[Accessed 10 April.2019].