PUMPS

CHAPTER 11
FRANK WHITE

INTRODUCTION
DESIGNING OF ANY FLUID FLOWING SYSTEM REQUIRES;
1. Design of system through which fluid will flow
2. Calculation of losses that will occur when the fluid flows
3. Selection of suitable device which will deliver enough energy
to the fluid to overcome these losses
Devices:
Devices:

Deliver Energy To Liquids/Gases: Pumps/Compressors

Extracts Energy From Fluids:

Turbines

TYPES OF PUMPS
POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS
RECIPROCATING PUMPS
ROTARY PUMPS

DYNAMIC PUMPS
CENTRIFUGAL
PUMPS

POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS,

(PDPS)

WORKING PRINCIPLE AND FEATURES;

1. Fixed volume cavity opens
2. Fluid trapped in the cavity through an inlet
3. Cavity closes, fluid squeezed through an outlet
4. A direct force is applied to the confined liquid
5. Flow rate is related to the speed of the moving parts of the pump
6. The fluid flow rates are controlled by the drive speed of the pump
7. In each cycle the fluid pumped equals the volume of the cavity
8. Pulsating or Periodic flow
9. Allows transport of highly viscous fluids
10. Performance almost independent of fluid viscosity
11.Develop immense pressures if outlet is shut for any
reason, HENCE
I. Sturdy construction is required
II. Pressure-relief valves are required (avoid damage
from complete shutoff conditions)

PDPS, contd.
RECIPROCATING TYPE PDPS
Piston OR Plunger
pumps
Single acting piston
pump

Double acting Simplex

pump

Double acting Duplex

pump

Diaphragm
pumps

Single diaphragm
pump

Double diaphragm
pump

ROTARY TYPE PDPS

SINGLE ROTOR
Sliding vane pump

Flexible tube or lining

Screw pump

MULTIPLE ROTORS
Gear Pump

2 Lobe Pump

3 Lobe Pump

Radial Pump

Sample

AND MANY MORE

DYNAMIC PUMPS
WORKING PRINCIPLE AND FEATURES
1. Add somehow momentum to the fluid
(through vanes, impellers or some special design
2. Do not have a fixed closed volume
3. Fluid with high momentum passes through open passages and
converts its high velocity into pressure
TYPES OF DYNAMIC PUMPS
ROTARY PUMPS
Centrifugal Pumps
Axial Flow Pumps
Mixed Flow Pumps

SPECIAL PUMPS
Jet pump or ejector
Electromagnetic pumps for liquid metals
Fluid-actuated: gas-lift or hydraulic-ram

COMPARISON OF PDPS AND DYNAMIC

PUMPS
CRITERIA

PDPS

DYNAMIC PUMPS

Flow rate

Low, typically 100 gpm

As high as 300,000 gpm

Pressure

As high as 300 atm

Moderate, few atm

Priming

Very rarely

Always

Flow Type

Pulsating

Steady

Constant
RPM

Constant flow rate for virtually

any pressure
OR
Flow rate cannot be changed
without changing RPM
Hence used for metering

Head varies with

flow rate
OR
Flow rate changes with
head for same RPM

Viscosity

Virtually no effect

Strong effects

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
Centrifugal Pumps: Construction Details and Working
1. A very simple machine
2. Two main parts
I. A rotary element, IMPELLER
II. A stationary element, VOLUTE
3. Filled with fluid & impeller rotated
4. Fluid rotates & leaves with high velocity
5. Outward flow reduces pressure at inlet,
(EYE OF THE IMPELLER), more
fluid comes in.
6. Outward fluid enters an increasing area
region. Velocity converts to pressure
Impeller Impart Energy/Velocity By
Rotating Fluid
Volute Converts Velocity To Pressure

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS, contd.

Centrifugal Pumps: Working Principal
1. Swinging pale generates centrifugal force holds water in pale
2. Make a bore in pale water is thrown out
3. Distance the water stream travels tangent to the circle = f(Vr)
4. Volume flow from hole = f(Vr)
5. In centrifugal pumps, flow rate & pressure = f(Vr) (tip velocity)
A freely falling body achieves a velocity V = (2gh)1/2
OR
A body will move a distance h = V2/2g, having an initial velocity V
Find diameter that will generate V to get required h for given rpm N

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS, contd.

Q.

FOR AN 1800 RPM PUMP FIND THE DIAMETER

OF IMPELLER TO GENERATE A HEAD OF 200 FT.
Find first initial velocity V = (2gh)1/2 = 113 ft/sec
Convert RPM to linear distance per rotation
1800 RPM = 30 RPS V/RPS = 113/30 = 3.77 ft/rotation

3.77 = circumference of impeller diameter = 1.2 ft = 14.4 inches

CONCLUSION
FLOW THROUGH A CENTRIFUGAL PUMP FOLLOWS THE
SAME RULES OF FREELY FALLING BODIES
DO WE GET
THE SAME DIAMETER OR HEAD OR FLOW RATE
AS PREDICTED BY THESE IDEAL RULES

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS, contd.

BASIC PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS

The Energy Equation for This Case

u1 V1 2
p2
u2 V2 2
& h
& h
&

z1

z2 h
q
shaft
vis

g
2g

g
2g

p1

Assumptions:
No heat generation
No viscous work.
Mass in = mass out
Steady flow
z1=z2

u2 V2 2
p1
u1 V1 2
H

g
2g

g
2g
p2

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS, contd.

Thermodynamically, u = u(T)
only and Tin Tout

Generally V1 and V2 are of same

order of magnitude, If the inlet
and outlet diameters are same

p
H
g
Where Pw = water power

Pw gHQv

Pw
1

p2 p1
gQv g

b
h
p

T
T

t
o
r
q
u
e
q
u
i
r
e
d
t
o
u
r
n
s
h
a
f
t
vhmm1bP
fh
p
CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS, contd.

The power required to drive the pump; bhp (brake horse power)
The power required to turn the pump shaft at certain RPM

The actual power required to drive the pump depends upon efficiency

Pw
gQv H

bhp
T

Efficiency has three components;

Volumetric
casing leakages

Qv
v
Qv QL

Mechanical
1. Losses in bearings
2. Packing glands etc

h 1

hf

hs

Hydraulic
Shock
friction,
re-circulation

Elementary Pump Theory (EPT)

Assuming one dimensional ideal flow
Fluid enters at r=r1 and leave at r=r2
w1and w2 are velocities tangent to the
blade angle 1 and 2, respectively
u1 and u2 are the tip speeds of impeller at
inlet and out let, where u=r
V is the absolute velocity which is the
vector sum of u and w.
b is the blade width
For rotating bodies
Torque applied = Rate of change of angular momentum
out r V m& in
To r V m&

rout Vout m& out

rin V in m&in

For rotation across the shaft and for the vector product of r and V,
the maximum torque is obtained at an angle of 90o , which means
absolute velocity will be tangent to the blade.

EPT Contd
Hence the relation for torque is

& r2Vt 2 rV
To m
1 t1 k
& 2 rb Vn m
&in 2 r1b Vn1 m
&out 2 r2 b Vn 2 Q
m

b= Blade width
Final Torque relation for
rotating fluids

2
2
To Q r2Vt 2 rV

1 t1
2
1

EPT Contd
Torque estimation 1D flow assumption
1-D angular momentum balance gives

T Q r2Vt 2 rV
1 t1
Vt1 and Vt2 absolute circumferential
or tangential velocity components
u= speed of impeller, &, w = velocity component tangent to the blade

Pw T Q r2Vt 2 rV
1 t 1 Q u 2Vt 2 u1Vt1
Q u2Vt 2 u1Vt1 1
Pw
H

u2Vt 2 u1Vt1
gQ
gQ
g

Euler turbomachinery
equations;

Torque, Power and Ideal Head depends on,

Impeller tip velocities u & abs. tangential velocities Vt
Independent of fluid axial velocity Vn if any

EPT Contd
v

V Vn Vt -----(1)
2

vn
vt
vt

w Vn u Vt
2

-----(2)

vn

vn

u-vt
Putting value of Vn2 from 2 in 1 and doing some mathematical juggling
1 2
uVt V u 2 w2 ------(3)
2
1
Since H u2Vt 2 u1Vt1
g

1
V22 V12 u2 2 u12 w2 2 w12
H

2g

-----(4)

EPT Contd
We know that
H

p
V
z
-----(5)
g
2g

Comparing 4 and 5 and substituting u=r

p
w2 r 2 2
z

const
g
2g
2g

BERNOULLI EQUATION IN ROTATING COORDINATES

Applicable to 1, 2 and 3D Ideal Incompressible Fluids

EPT Contd

One Can Also Relate the Pump Power With Fluid Radial Velocity

Pw Q u2Vt 2 u1Vt1
Pw Q u2Vn 2 cot 2 u1Vn1 cot 1
Q
Vn 2
2 r2b2

and

Q
Vn1
2 r1b1

vn

vt

With known b1, b2, r1, r2, 1, 2 and one can find centrifugal pumps
ideal power and ideal head as a function of Discharge Q
What should be the angle at the inlet to get maximum power
900, which means fluid should enter exactly normal to the impeller

Effects of Blade Angle

EFFECT OF BLADE ANGLES 1, 2 ON PUMP PERFORMANCE

Pw
1
H
u2Vt 2 u1Vt1 --(1)
gQ g

u2 Vt 2
cot 2
Vn 2
Vt 2 u2 Vn 2 cot 2 --(2)
Q
Vn 2
--(3)
2 r2b2

vn

u-vt

Putting values from Eqs. 2 and 3 in 1 and neglecting inlet momentum as,
outlet momentum >>inlet momentum

u22 u2 cot 2
H
Q
g 2 r2b2 g

Effects of Blade Angle Contd

u22 u2 cot 2
H
Q
g 2 r2b2 g
if < 90, backward curve blades, stable op
if = 90, straight radial blades, stable op
If > 90, forward curve blades, unstable op

u2 cot 2
u22
H
Q A BQ
g
2 r2b2 g
Ideal Head varies linearly with discharge (Q)
Head (H) increases or decreases with Q depending on blade angle 2
With valve shut off . i.e Q = 0 and H = u22/2

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS,
CHARACTERISTICS

1. Whatever discussed earlier is qualitative due to assumptions.

2. Actual performance of centrifugal pump extensive testing
3. The presentation of performance data is exactly same for

1. Centrifugal pumps
3. Mixed flow pumps

2. Axial flow pumps

4. Compressors

4. The graphical representation of pumps performance data obtained

experimentally is called PUMP CHARACTERSTICS OR PUMP
CHARACTERSTIC CURVES
1. This representation is almost always for constant shaft speed N
2. Q (gpm) discharge is the independent variable (LIQUIDS)
3. H (head developed), P (power), (efficiency) and NPSH (net
positive suction head) are the dependent variables (LIQUIDS)
4. Q (ft3/m3/min), discharge is the independent variable (GASES)
5. H (head developed), P (power), (efficiency) are the dependent
variables (GASES)

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS, CHARACTERISTICS,

contd.

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS, CHARACTERISTICS,

contd.

General Features of Characteristic Curves of Centrifugal Pumps

1. H is almost constant at low flow rates
2. Maximum H(shut off head) is at zero flow rate
3. Head drops to zero at Qmax
4. Q is not greater than Qmax N and/or impeller size is changed
5. Efficiency is always zero at Q = 0 and Q = Qmax
is not an independent parameter

= max at roughly Q=0.6Qmax to 0.93Qmax

Pw gHQ

P
P

= max is called the BEST EFFICIENCY POINT (BEP)

9. All the parameters corresponding to max are called the design
points, Q*, H*, P*
10. Pumps design should be such that the efficiency curve should be
as flat as possible around max

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS, CHARACTERISTICS,

contd.

a ) basic casing with three

(b) 20 percent larger casing with
impeller sizes
larger impellers at slower spe
Typical Characteristic Curves of Commercial Centrifugal Pumps
1. Having same casing size but different impeller diameters
2. Rotating at different rpm
3. For power requirement and efficiency one needs to interpolate

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS, CHARACTERISTICS, contd.

Calculate the ideal Head to be developed by the pump
shown in last figure
1170 2 / 60 rad / s 36.75 / 2 12 ft

r
H o (ideal )

1093 ft
g
32.2 ft / s 2
2 2
2

Actual Head = 670 ft or 61% of Ho(ideal) at Q=0

Differences are due to
1. Impeller recirculations, important at low flow rates
2. Frictional losses
3. Shock losses due to mismatch of blade angle and flow
inlet important at high flow rates

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS, CHARACTERISTICS,

contd.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER
1. EFFECT OF DENSITY
1. Pump head reported in ft or m of that fluid important
2. These characteristic curves, valid only for the liquid reported
3. Same pump used to pump a different liquid H and would
be almost same. OR. A centrifugal pump will always develop
the same head in feet of that liquid regardless of the fluid
density
4. However P will change. Brake HP will vary directly with the
liquid density
2. EFFECT OF VISCOSITY
1. Viscous liquids tend to decrease the pump Head, Discharge and
efficiency tends to steepen the H-Q curve with
2. Viscous liquids tend to increase the pump BHP

CentiPoise centiStokes Saybolt Second

cP)
(cSt)
Universal (SSU) Typical liquid

Specific
Gravity

31

Water

3.2

40

Milk

12.6

15.7

80

No. 4 fuel oil

0.82 - 0.95

16.5

20.6

100

Cream

34.6

43.2

200

Vegetable oil

0.91 - 0.95

88

110

500

SAE 10 oil

0.88 - 0.94

176

220

1000

Tomato Juice

352

440

2000

SAE 30 oil

0.88 - 0.94

820

650

5000

Glycerine

1.26

1561

1735

8000

SAE 50 oil

0.88 - 0.94

1760

2200

10,000

Honey

5000

6250

28,000

Mayonnaise

15,200

19,000

86,000

Sour cream

17,640

19,600

90,000

SAE 70 oil

0.88 - 0.94

Viscosity Scales

CentiPoises (cp) = CentiStokes (cSt) / SG (Specific Gravity)

SSU = Centistokes (cSt) 4.55
Degree Engler 7.45 = Centistokes (cSt)
Seconds Redwood 0.2469 = Centistokes (cSt)

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS, CHARACTERISTICS,

contd.

300 wor > 2000 SSU

PDPs are preferred
10 w or < 50 SSU
Centrifugal pumps are preferred

SUCTION HEAD AND SUCTION LIFT

A centrifugal pump cannot pull or suck liquids
Suction in centrifugal pump creation of partial vacuum at pumps
inlet as compared to the pressure at the other end of liquid
Hence, pressure difference in liquid drives liquid through pump
How one can increase this pressure difference
Increasing the pressure at the other end
Equal to 1 atm for reservoirs open to atmosphere
> or < 1 atm for closed vessels
Decreasing the pressure at the pump inlet
Must be > liquid vapor pressure

temperature very importa

By increasing the capacity

Bernoulli's equation

SUCTION HEAD AND SUCTION LIFT

MAXIMUM SUCTION DEPENDS UPON
Pressure applied at liquid surface at liquid source, hence
Maximum suction decreases as this pressure decreases
Vapor pressure of liquid at pumping temperature
Maximum suction decreases as vapor pressure increases
Capacity at which the pump is operating
CASE OF OPEN RESERVOIRS

Maximum suction varies inversely with altitude

Table-1

CASE OF HOT LIQUIDS

Maximum suction varies inversely with temp.

Table-2

CASE OF INCREASING CAPACITY

Maximum suction varies inversely with capacity Table-3

NET POSITIVE SUCTION HEAD

Problem of Cavitation
The lowest pressure occurs at the pumps inlet
Pressure at pump inlet < liquid vapor pressure cavitation occurs
What are the effects of cavitation
Lot of noise and vibrations are generated
Sharp decrease in pumps H and Q
Pitting of impeller occurs due to bubble collapse
May occur before actual boiling in case of dissolved gases /
low boiling mixtures of hydrocarbons
Hence P at pumps inlet should greater than the Pvp
This extra pressure above Pvp available at pumps inlet is called
Net Positive Suction Head NPSH
P1 Vi 2 Pvp
Mathematically NPSH g 2 g g

NET POSITIVE SUCTION HEAD, contd.

NPSHA is a function of your system and must be calculated,
whereas NPSHR is a function of the pump and must be provided
by the pump manufacturer.
PUMPS CHARACTERISTIC
Required NPSH
The NPSH actually available at the pumps inlet is called
AVAILABLE NPSH SYSTEMS CHARACTERISTIC
AVAILABLE NPSH must be REQUIRED NPSH
Rule of thumb for design
AVAILABLE NPSH (2+REQUIRED NPSH)
ft of liquid

HOW TO CALCULATE AVAILABLE NPSH

Write Energy Equation between the free surface of fluid reservoir and
pump inlet, where surface is Zi below the pump, as shown below
Pi Vi 2 Psurface

Z i h fi
g 2g
g
Where
Pvp
Pi Vi 2

NPSH A
g 2g
g
Above equation becomes
Pvp Psurface
NPSH A

Z i h fi
g
g
Psurface
Pvp
NPSH A
Z i h fi
g
g

Thus Zi can be important parameter in designers hand to ensure that

cavitation does not occur for a given Psurface and temperature

NET POSITIVE SUCTION HEAD, contd.

EFFECT OF VARYING HEIGHT
NPSHA

Psurface

Z i h fi

Pvp

NPSHR

Given, Psurface, Pvp and hfi , Zi can be

varied to avoid cavitation

An Example

The 32-in pump of Fig. 11.7a is to pump 24,000 gpm of water at 1170 rpm from a
reservoir whose surface is at 14.7 psia. If head loss from reservoir to pump inlet is 6
ft, where should the pump inlet be placed to avoid cavitation for water at (a) 60F,
pvp0.26 psia, SG 1.0 and (b) 200F, pvp 11.52 psia, SG 0.9635?
g 62.4

NPSHR 40

Psurface

14.7 0.26

Z i h fi

Zi 6
g 62.4 144 1
Pvp

Z i 27.3 - 40

Pump must be placed at least 12.7 ft below the reservoir surface to

avoid cavitation.
g 62.4 .9653 60.1

Z i 38.4

Pump must now be placed at least 38.4 ft below the reservoir surface,
to avoid cavitation

NET POSITIVE SUCTION HEAD, contd.

TYPICAL EXAMPLE
A pump installed at an altitude of 2500 ft and has a suction lift of 13 ft
while pumping 50 degree water. What is NPSHA? Ignore friction
NPSH available

Psurface

Z i h fi

Pvp

31 13 0 .41 17.59 ft

Actual NPSHR = 17.59 2 = 15.59 ft

TYPICAL EXAMPLE
We have a pump that requires 8 ft of NPSH at I20 gpm. If the pump is
installed at an altitude of 5000 ft and is pumping cold water at 60oF,
what is the maximum suction lift it can attain? Ignore friction
NPSHA NPSHR 2 8 2

Psurface

Z i h fi

Pvp

28.2 Z i 0 .59 17.59 ft

What is the maximum elevation of

o
the pump before cavitation at 20 C
NPSH available

Psurface

Z i h fi

Pvp

At maximum elevation NPSHA is zero and Pvp at 20 oC is 2.3 KN/m2

NPSH available

Psurface

Z i h fi

Pvp

g
g
101.33
2.3
0
Zi
9.8
9.8
Z i 10.1 m

Suction Head for Water Affected by Temperature

Temperature
(oC)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
100

(oF)
32
41
50
59
68
77
86
95
104
113
122
131
140
149
158
167
176
185
194
203
212

Vapor
Pressure
(kN/m2)
0.6
0.9
1.2
1.7
2.3
3.2
4.3
5.6
7.7
9.6
12.5
15.7
20
25
32.1
38.6
47.5
57.8
70
84.5
101.33

Suction Head
(m)
10.3
10.2
10.2
10.2
10.1
10.0
9.9
9.8
9.5
9.4
9.1
8.7
8.3
7.8
7.1
6.4
5.5
4.4
3.2
1.7
0.0

(ft)
33.8
33.5
33.5
33.5
33.1
32.8
32.5
32.2
31.2
30.8
29.9
28.5
27.2
25.6
23.3
21
18
14.4
10.5
5.6
0

DIMENSIONLESS PUMP
PERFORMANCE-1

EVERY PUMP HAS

THREE PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS

1. Head H (or pressure difference P-recall that P= gH)
2. Volume Flow Rate Q
3. Power P
TWO "GEOMETRIC" PARAMETERS:
1. D diameter
2. n (or ) rotational speed
THREE FLUID FLOW PARAMETERS:
1. density
2. viscosity
3. roughness
Above parameters involve only three dimensions, M-L-T

DIMENSIONLESS PUMP PERFORMANCE2

Buckingham Theorem suggests

7 -3 = 4 s to represent the physical phenomena in a pump.
Any pumps performance parameters are
1. Head H (or gH ) gH f1 Q, D, n, , ,
2. Power P P f 2 Q, D, n, , ,
Hence The Two Groups Are
Q nD 2
gH
g1
,
,
3
n2 D 2
nD

WHERE

Q nD 2
P
g2
,
,
3 5
3
n D

D
nD

= relative roughness

nD D
nD 2

= Re. Number

Q
CQ = Capacity Coefficient

3
nD

gH
2 2 CH =
n D

Head Coefficient

P
CP =

3 5
n D

Power Coefficient

DIMENSIONLESS PUMP PERFORMANCE-3

Reynolds number inside a centrifugal pump
0.80 to 1.5x107)
2. Flow always turbulent
3. Effect of Re, almost constant
4. May take it out of the functions g1and g2
5. Same is true for /D

Hence, we may write:

CH CH CQ
CP CP CQ

For geometrically similar pumps,

Head and Power coefficients should be (almost)
unique functions of the capacity coefficients.
In real life, however:
-manufacturers use the same case for different rotors
(violating geometrical similarity)
-larger pumps have smaller ratios of roughness and clearances
-the fluid viscosity is the same, while Re changes with diameters.

DIMENSIONLESS PUMP
PERFORMANCE-4

CH, CP and CQ combined to give a coefficient having practical meaning

CH CQ
CP

CQ

Similarly one can also define the CNPSH the NPSH coefficient as

C NPSH

g NPSH

C NPSH CQ
2 2
n D

DIMENSIONLESS PUMP
PERFORMANCE-5

Representing the pump performance data in dimensionless form

Pump data
Choose two geometrically
similar pumps
32 in impeller in pump (a) &
38 in in pump (b)
Pump (b) casing 20% > pump
(a) casing.
Hence same diameter to
casing ratios

DISCRIPENCIES
A few % in and CH
pumps not truly dynamically similar
Larger pump has smaller roughness
ratio
Larger pump has larger Re. number

Results in
graphical form

DIMENSIONLESS PUMP PERFORMANCE-6

The BEP lies at =0.88, corresponding to,
CQ* 0.115
CP* 0.65
CH* 5.0

CNPSH* 0.37

A unique set of values

Valid for all pumps of this geometrically similar family
Used to estimate the performance of this family pumps at BEP
Comparison of Values
D, ft

n, r/s

Fig. 11.7a 32/1

1170/60
2
Fig. 11.7b 38/1
710/60
2
Ratio
-

Discharge
nD3, ft3/s

Head
n2D2/g, ft

Power
n3D5/550, hp

370

84

3527

376

44

1861

1.02

0.52

0.53

SIMILARITY RULES/AFFINITY LAWS-1

If two pumps are geometrically similar, then
1. Ratio of the corresponding coefficients =1
2. This leads to estimation of performance of one based on the
performance of the other
MATHEMATICALLY THIS CONCEPT LEADS TO
CQ2
CQ1

Q2

Q1

n2 D23

n1 D13

Q2 n2 D2

Q1 n1 D1

CH 2
CH1

gH 2

gH1

n22 D22

n12 D12

2
H 2 n2 D

H1 n1 D
1

CP2
CP1

P2

P1

2 n23 D25

1n13 D15

2
P2 2 n2 D

P1 1 n1 D
1

THESE ARE CALLLED SIMILARITY RULES

SIMILARITY RULES/AFFINITY LAWS-1

The similarity rules are used to estimate the effect of
1. Changing the fluid
2. Changing the speed
3. Changing the size
VALID ONLY AND ONLY FOR
Geometrically similar family of any dynamic turbo machine
pump/compressor/turbine
Effect of changes in size and speed
on homologous pump performance
(a) 20 percent change
in speed at constant size
(b) 20 percent change in
size at constant speed

SIMILARITY RULES/AFFINITY LAWS-1

For Perfect Geometric Similarity 1 = 2, but
Larger pumps are more efficient due to
1. Higher Reynolds Number
2. Lower roughness ratios
3. Lower clearance ratios
Empirical correlations are available
To estimate efficiencies in geometrically similar family of pumps
Moodys Correlation
Based on size changes
Andersons Correlation
Based on flow rate changes

1 2 D2

1 1 D1

1
4

0.94 2 Q2

0.94 1 Q1

0.33

Concept of Specific Speed-1

We want to use a centrifugal pump from
the family of Fig. 11.8 to deliver 100,000
gpm of water at 60F with a head of 25 ft.
What should be (a) the pump size and
speed and (b) brake horsepower, assuming
operation at best efficiency?
H* = 25 ft = (CH n2 D2)/g = (5 n2 D2)/32.2
Q* = 100000 gpm = 222.8 ft3/m = CQ n D3 =
0.115 n D3
Bhp* = Cp n3 D5 = 720 hp
Solving simultaneously gives, D = 12.4 ft,
n = 62 rpm

A confusing example

Concept of Specific Speed-1

The type of applications for which centrifugal pumps are required are;
1. High head low flow rate
2. Moderate head and moderate flow rate
3. Low head and high flow rate
Q.
the
Ans. No
Q.

Would a general design of the centrifugal pump will do all

three jobs?
What should be the design features to accomplish the three
specified jobs?
PHYSICS FOR OUR RESCUE

1. Answer to this question lies in the basic concept of centrifugal

pump working principle.
2.
Vanes are used to impart momentum to the fluid by applying
the centrifugal force to the fluid.

Concept of Specific Speed-2

3.

More the diameter of the vane more will be the centrifugal force

4.

More will be the diameter more will be the radial component of

velocity and lesser will be the axial component

5.

More will be the radial velocity more will be the head

developed

6.

Hence to get more head you need longer vanes and vice versa

7.

More will be the clearance between the impeller and casing

more will the flow rate & also more will be the axial component

8.

These simple physics principles lead us to the variation in

impeller design to accomplish the three jobs mentioned

Concept of Specific Speed-3

POINT TO PONDER
We represent the performance of a family of geometrically similar
pumps by a single set of dimensionless curves
Can we use even a smaller amount of information or even a single
number to represent the same information?
We have a huge variety of pumps each with a different diameter
impeller, shape of impeller and running at certain rpm
Impeller shape ultimately dictates the type of application
RPM is not related to the pump design however it effects its
performance
Hence the biggest problem is to avoid diameter in the pump
performance information
Again dimensional analysis comes to rescue, a combination of s is
also a , giving the same information in a different

Concept of Specific Speed-4

REARRANGE THE THREE COEFFICIENTS INTO A NEW
COEFFICIENT SUCH THAT DIAMETER IS ELIMINATED
N
/
s

1
2

CQ
3
4

CH

n Q

gH

N s 17182 N s/

Rigorous form, dimensionless

Ns

RPM GPM

H , ft
3

Lazy but common form,

Not dimensionless
Similarly one can define Nss ,
based on NPSH

Points to remember
1. Ns refers only to BEP
2. Directly related to most efficient
pump design
3. Low Ns means low Q, High H
4. High Ns means High Q, Low H
5. Ns leads to specific pump
applications
6. Low Ns means high head pump
7. High Ns means high Q pump

Experimental data suggests, pump is

in danger of cavitation
If Nss 8100

Concept of Specific Speed-5

GEOMETRICAL
VARIATION OF SPECIFIC
SPEED

Detailed shapes

Impeller
Type

Ns
Metric
units*

Radial Flow 500 - 1,700

Nd
Characteris
Ns
Dimensionle DiDo
tics
US units**
ss

800 - 2,800

0.3 - 1.0

>2

Francis Vane

1,700 4,000

2,800 6,500

1.0 - 2.4

1.5 - 2

Mixed Flow

4,000 9,000

6,500 15,000

2.4 - 5.4

< 1.5

Axial Flow

> 9,000

> 15,000

> 5.4

Low flow,
high head

High flow,
low head

Concept of Specific Speed-5

Specific speed is an indicator of
Pump performance
Pump efficiency
The Q is a rough indicator of
Pump size
Pump Reynolds Number

THE PUMP CURVES

Concept of Specific Speed-5

Note How The Head, Power and Efficiency curves change as

specific speed changes

Revisit of Confusing Example-1

Dimensionless performance curves for a
typical axial- flow pump. Ns = 12.000.
Constructed from data for a 14-in pump
at 690 rpm.
CQ* =0.55, CH*=1.07, Cp*=0.70,max= 0.84.
Ns = 12000
D = 14 in, n = 690 rpm, Q* = 4400 gpm.

Revisit of Confusing Example-2

Can this propeller pump family provide a 25-ft head & 100,000 gpm
discharge

Since we know the Ns and Dimensionless coefficients then using

similarity rules let us calculate the Diameter and RPM
D = 48 in and n = 430 r/min, with bhp = 750:
a much more reasonable design solution

Pump vs System Characteristics

Any piping systems has the following components in its total
head which the selected pump would have to supply
1. Static head due to elevation
2. The head due to velocity head, the fictional head loss
3. Minor head losses

H sys z2 z1 a

h f ,la min ar

128 LQ
gD 4

H sys z2 z1 h f ,la min ar a bQ

Mathematically,
3 possibilities

h f ,turbulent Through Moody ' s Method

H sys

V2
z2 z1

2g

fL

K a cQ 2
D

Pump vs System Characteristics,

contd

Graphical Representation Of The Three Curves

Match between pump &

system
In industrial situation the resistance often varies for various
reasons
If the resistance factor increases, the slope of the system
curve (Resistance vs flow) increases & intersect the
characteristic curve at a lower flow.
The designed operating points are chosen as close to the
highest efficiency point as possible.
Large industrial systems requiring different flow rates often
change the flow rate by changing the characteristic curve with
change in blade pitch or RPM

If K changes system curve

shifts

PUMPS IN PARALLEL

Pumps Need not to be identical.

Total flow is sum of individuals.
Pump B can not be added until operating point is
above its shutoff head.
gQA B H A B
Combined Efficiency is

T

550bhp A B

PUMPS IN SERIES
Pumps Need not to be
identical.
Total head is sum of
individuals.
Required head should
be larger than either
A and B can provide
Combined Efficiency
is

gQA B H A B
T
550bhp A B

Unstable operation (Hunting)

If the characteristic is
such that the system
finds two flow rates for
a given head it cannot
decide where to stay.
The pump could
oscillate between
points. It is called
hunting.

Turbines
Devices:

Extracts Energy From Fluids:

Turbines

TYPES OF TURBINES
REACTION TURBINES
Francis Radial Turbines
Francis Mixed Flow Turbines
Francis Propeller Turbines

IMPULSE TURBINES

Reaction Turbines

Francis Turbines

Kaplan Turbines

Impulse Turbines

Reaction Turbines Theory

Torque estimation using
1D flow assumption

Pw T Q r2Vt 2 rV
1 t1

Pw T Q u2Vt 2 u1Vt1 Q u2V2 cos 2 u1V1 cos 1

Vn 2 V2 sin 2 proportional to Q
If Q changes for constant runner speed u2,
Vanes must be adjusted to a new angle 2 so that w2 still follows the
blade surface
Thus adjustable inlet vanes are very important to avoid shock loss.

Power Specific Speed

Same as those of pumps
For turbines these are represented in terms of power coefficient

CH CH CP

CQ CQ CP BHP C
P
gHQ

performance curves for a Francis

turbine, n = 600 r/min, D = 2.25 ft,
Nsp = 29.

= 0.89, CQ* 0.34

CP* 2.7

CH* 9.03

Power Specific Speed

Rigorous form, dimensionless
Lazy but common form,
Not dimensionless
N sp 273.3N sp/

N
/
sp

1
2

CP
5
4

CH

n bhp

gH

RPM bhp

N sp
H , ft
5

2
5

Some more info

Impulse Turbines Analysis

What does a low Nsp means
RPM bhp

N sp
1. A high head
H , ft

2. Relatively low power (as Q will be small)

Consider the definition of Power specific speed
For the given condition a reaction turbine would require
1. a very high speed
2. a massive casing thickness to accommodate high pressure
5

Hence; turbine needed should have low speed and the high pressure
limited to a smaller region to operate at BEP
The impulse turbines are ideal for this situation
Since Nsp is low, n is low and the high pressure is confined to the
small nozzle converting the high head to an atmospheric pressure
jet of high velocity
Jet strikes the buckets and imparts a momentum change
Elliptical split-cup shape buckets to get max momentum transfer
Named Pelton wheels, after Lester A. Pelton (18291908)

Impulse Turbines Analysis

F Q V j u 1 cos
Force exerted on the bucket
Power extracted

P Fu Qu V j u 1 cos
where
u 2 nr

Theoretical power of an impulse turbine is parabolic in bucket speed

u and is maximum when dP/du = 0

1
u Vj
2
*

Impulse Turbines Analysis

For a perfect nozzle, the entire available head would be converted to
jet velocity Vj = (2gH)1/2
There are 2 to 8 percent nozzle losses
Hence, a velocity coefficient Cv is used

V j Cv 2 gH

12

0.92 Cv 0.98

The theoretical impulse turbine efficiency

2 1 cos Cv
where

2 gH

12

Maximum efficiency occurs

when d/d = 0

1
Cv 0.47
2

Impulse Turbines Analysis

Efficiency of an impulse turbine calculated

for a Pelton wheel, diameter 2 ft:
solid curve ideal, 180, Cv = 1.0
dashed curve actual, 160, Cv = 0.94
open circles data

Table-1

Table-2
Density
Temp
gm/cm
(C)
3

Temp
(F)

2.15

2.36

40

104

55.3

51.1

32

4.58

4.85

60

140

149.4

130.5

41

6.54

6.8

80

176

355.1

293.8

10

50

9.21

9.4

95

203

634

505

11

51.8

9.84

10.01

96

205

658

523

12

53.6

10.52

10.66

97

207

682

541

13

55.4

11.23

11.35

98

208

707

560

14

57.2

11.99

12.07

99

210

733

579

15

59

12.79

12.83

100

212

760

598

20

68

17.54

17.3

101

214

788

618

25

77

23.76

23

110

230

1074.6

...

30

86

31.8

30.4

120

248

1489

...

37

98.6

47.07

44

200

392

11659

7840

Temp
(C)

Temp
(F)

-10

14

Vap
Pressure
(mmHg)

Vap
Pressure
(mmHg)

Density
gm/cm
3

Table-3

Axial flow pump cross section

Radial flow pump cross section

Mixed flow pump cross section

Cut Away Sections Of A Centrifugal Pump

Impellers Of A Centrifugal Pump

For rotating bodies

Torque applied = Rate of change of angular momentum
To r V m&
out r V m& in

To rout Vout m&out

rin Vin m &in