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CHAPTER 3
Positive Displacement Hydraulic Pumps

1. General
The pump is known as the source of hydraulic power, or may be defined the heart
of the hydraulic circuits. If the heart (pump) stopped the machine will be also stopped.
The pump mainly converts the mechanical energy into hydraulic energy in the form of
pressure and flow of fluid.

The positive displacement pump is universally used for fluid power systems.
There are many advantages of the positive displacement pump, those are:

- High pressure capability

- Small, compact size
- High volumetric efficiency
- Many applications
- Low pressure losses
- Available for high viscous fluids

All the pumps, this include the positive displacement pump, working with the
same principle, which is the mechanical power of the prime mover (always rotor)
converted to a kinetic energy to the fluid. Thenafter, the kinetic energy is then converted
to the pressure by a diffuser.

2. Classification of positive displacement pump

Positive displacement pump could be classified with respect to many parameters,

like size, shape of rotor, pressure range, and etc. The most classification method is with
respect to the function of the pumping or the shape of the rotor, as follows, Fig. 3.1.

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- Reciprocating pump
- Piston pump
- Gear pump
- Vane pump
- Screw pump

Piston pump Gear pump

Screw pump Vane pump

Fig. 3.1 Positive displacement pump.

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3. Concept of Pumping System

The main elements of a pumping system are:

Supply side (suction or inlet side)

Pump (with a driver)
Delivery side (discharge or process)

The energy delivered to a pump by the driver is spent on useful energy to move
the fluid and to overcome losses:

From the pump user viewpoint, there are two major parameters of interest: Flow
and Pressure.

Flow, is a parameter that tells us how much of the fluid needs to be moved (i.e.,
transferring from a large storage tank to smaller drums for distribution and sale, adding
chemicals to a process, etc.).

Pressure, tells us how much of the hydraulic resistance needs to be overcome by

the pumping element, in order to move the fluid. In a perfect world of zero losses, all of
the input power would go into moving the flow against given pressure.

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Fig. 3.2 Pump system.

We remember that work equals force multipled by distance:

Fig. 3.3 Concept of power transfer to the fluid.

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The power of the pump

The efficiency of the pump can be deduced as;

4. Gear pump

Gear pumps are of the multirotor displacement type. The four main types of gear
pumps are external gear pumps, internal gear pumps, screw pumps, and gerotors.
External gear pumps (see Fig. 3.4) consist of: the housing (1), mounting flange (2), drive
shaft (3), two side plates (4), bearing bush (5), two gears (9 and 10), and disc (6). The
driving gear (9) is connected to the driving shaft (3).

The pumping chamber is formed by the surfaces of two adjacent teeth, the inner
surface of the housing, and the two side plates. During the rotational movement of the
gears, the un-meshing gears release the pumping chambers. The resulting underpressure,
together with the pressure in the suction line, forces the fluid to flow to the pump inlet
port (7). This fluid fills the pumping chambers, and then is moved with the rotating gear
from the suction side to the pressure side. Here, the gears mesh once more and displace
the fluid out of the pumping chambers and prevent its return to the suction zone.

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Fig. 3.4 External gear pump.

The theoretical discharge from the gear pump could be calculated from the
following equation:

Where,

Qt = is the theoretical discharge from the pump

N = the r.p.m of the gear of the pump

The volume of the pump can be determined by the next equation:

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5. Screw pump

The screw pump is an axial flow positive displacement unit, using the screw
rotation to force the fluid from the suction side to the delivery line. There are two main
types, which is single screw pump and twin screw pump, as shown in Figs 3.5 & 3.6.

Fig. 3.5 Single screw pump.

Fig. 3.6 Twin screw pump.

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6. Vane pump

Vane-type hydraulic pumps generally have circularly or elliptically shaped

interiors and fiat end plates. Figure 3.7 illustrates a vane pump with a circular interior. A
slotted rotor is fixed to a shaft that enters the pump-housing cavity through one of its end
plates. A number of small rectangular plates or vanes are set into the slots of the rotor.

As the rotor turns, centrifugal force causes the outer edge of each vane to slide
along the surface of the housing cavity. The cavities formed by the vanes, the end plates,
the housing, and the rotor enlarge and shrink as the rotor and vane assembly rotates. An
inlet port is installed in the housing so fluid may flow into the cavities as they enlarge. An
outlet port is provided to allow the fluid to flow out of the cavities, as they become small.

Fig. 3.7 Vane pump.

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7. Piston pump

All piston pumps operate on the principle that a piston reciprocating in a bore will
draw in fluid as it is retracted and expel it on the forward stroke. Two basic designs are
radial and axial, both are available as fixed- or variable-displacement models. A radial
pump has the pistons arranged radially or at 90 degrees to the centerline of the drive shaft
(Fig. 3.8).

In an axial configuration, the pistons are parallel to each other and to the axis of
the cylinder block. The latter may be further divided into in-line and bent axis types. A
further distinction is made between pumps that provide a fixed delivery and those able to
vary the flow of the hydraulic fluid. Variable-delivery pumps can be further divided into
those able to pump fluid from zero to full delivery in one direction of flow and those able
to pump from zero to full delivery in either direction.

Fig. 3.8 Piston pump.

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8. Reciprocating pump

The reciprocating pump is the eldest type of the fluid pumps, the main parts and
the operation is as seen in Fig. 3.9.

Fig. 3.9 Reciprocating pump.

1) A cylinder C. in which a piston P works. The movement of the piston is

obtained by a connecting rod. which connects the piston und the rotating
crank.
2) A suction pipe, connecting the source of water and the cylinder.
3) A delivery pipe. into which the water is discharged from the cylinder.
4) A suction valve a. which admits the flow from the suction pipe into the
cylinder.
5) A delivery valve b, which admits the llow from the cylinder into the
delivery pipe.

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During the suction stroke. the piston P moves towards right ( i .2., from 0 to
IRG), thus creating vacuum in the cylinder. This vacuum causes the suction valve rt to
open and the water enters the cylinder. During the delivery stroke, the piston P move
towards left (Le., from l8U to 360) thus increasing pressure in the cylinder, This
increase in pressure causes the suction valve a to close and delivery valve b to open. and
the water is forced into the delivery pipe.

A reciprocating pump is also called a positive displacement pump. as it discharges

a definite quantity of liquid during the displacement of its piston or plunger. This is why
a reciprocating pump is ideally suitable for grouting operations in dam foundations.

The reciprocating pump can be classified as :

- Single acting or double acting

- Single cylinder, double cylinder, or triple cylinder.
- With or without air vessels

The discharge of the single acting reciprocating can be calculated from the next
equation:

Where,

L = Length of the piston stroke, m

A = Cross sectional area of the piston, m2

N = r.p.m of the crank shaft

For double acting reciprocating pump the discharge will be doubled Q=Q x 2

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In practice, the actual discharge is less than the theoretical discharge. The
difference between theoretical discharge und actual discharge is known as slip of the
pump. This theory is similar to the coefficient of discharge.

Sometimes, the actual discharge of a reciprocating pump. is more than the

theoretical discharge. In such case. the coefficient of discharge will be more than unity.
And the corresponding slip is known its negative slip of the pump. This happens, when
the suction pipe is long and delivery pipe is short and pump is running at high speeds.
This causes the delivery valve to open before completion of` the suction stroke and some
water is pushed into the delivery pipe. before the piston commences its delivery stroke.

Power required to drive a reciprocating pump

The power of the pump is a function of the discharge and the total head, as
follows:

in kW
Where,

Hs = is the suction head, m

Hd = is the delivery head, m

Q = discharge, m3/s

specific weight of the fluid = g

The actual power needed to drive the pump is greater than the theoretical power,
this is due to the losses.

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8.1 Indicator diagram of a reciprocating pump

Fig. 3.10 Indicator diagram.

Where,

Hd = delivery head, m

Hs = suction head, m

L = length of the stroke of the pump, m

Fig. 3.11 Piston and crank of the pump.

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Effect of Acceleration of piston on the indicator diagram

We have seen in Art. 36-8 that some acceleration pressure head is caused due to
the acceleration of the piston. We have also seen that at the beginning of the suction
stroke, the pressure head is below the atmospheric pressure head by (Hs + Ha), where Ha
is the acceleration pressure head. In the middle of the suction stroke, the pressure head is
below the atmospheric pressure head by Hs, (as the acceleration pressure head, (Ha = 0,
when 9 = 90). At the end of the suction stroke, the pressure head is below atmospheric
pressure head by (Hs - Ha). Therefore we can modify the indicator diagram, for the
suction stroke, as shown in Fig. 3.12.

Similarly, at the beginning of the delivery stroke, the pressure head is above the
atmospheric pressure by (Hd + Ha). In the middle of the delivery stroke, the pressure head
is above the atmospheric pressure head by Hd. At the end of the delivery stroke, the
pressure head is above the atmospheric pressure head by (Hd - Ha). Therefore we can
modify the indicator diagram for delivery stroke also as shown in Fig. 3.12.

Fig. 3.12 Effect of Acceleration of piston on indicator diagram.

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8.2 Actual Indicator diagram of a reciprocating pump with friction on both

suction and delivery lines

We have seen that whenever the water is flowing through a pipe, there is always
some loss of head due to friction of the pipe, which offers resistance to the flow of water.
Similarly, as the water is flowing through the suction and delivery pipes, of a
reciprocating pump, there will be some loss of head, due to friction, in both the pipes.
Now consider a reciprocating pump lifting water from a sump.

Now we shall discuss the effect of this pipe friction on the indicator diagram at
the beginning, middle and end of the stroke one by one.

1. At the beginning of the stroke, = 0. Therefore the velocity of water in the pipe
is zero, consequently there is no loss of head due to friction.

2. At the middle of the stroke, = 90. Therefore sin = l. Therefore the loss of
head due to friction,

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3. At the end of the stroke, l80. Therefore the velocity of water in the pipe is
zero, consequently there is no loss of head due to friction.

Now we shall study the effect of friction along with the effect of acceleration of
piston on the indicator diagram.

In the suction stroke

l. At the beginning of the suction stroke, Hf is zero- Therefore pressure head will
be below the atmospheric pressure head by (HS + Ha).

2. In the middle of the suction stroke, Ha is zero. Therefore pressure head will be
below the atmospheric pressure head by (Hs + Hf).

3. At the end of the suction stroke. Hf is zero. Therefore pressure head will be
below the atmospheric pressure head by (Hs Ha).

In the delivery stroke

1. At the beginning of the delivery stroke, Hf is zero. Therefore pressure head will
be above the atmospheric pressure by (Hd + Ha).

2. In the middle of the delivery stroke, Ha is zero. Therefore pressure head will be
above the atmospheric pressure head by (Hd + Hf).

3. At the end of the delivery stroke, Hf is zero. Therefore pressure head will be
above the atmospheric pressure head by (Hd - Ha).

Now we can update the indicator diagram of the reciprocating pump, and take in
consideration the effect of the friction and the effect of the acceleration, as shown in Fig.
3.13.

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Fig. 3.13 Actual Indicator Diagram.

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8.3 Reciprocating pump with air vessels

An air vessel is a cast iron closed chamber, having an opening at its base, through
which the water flows into the vessel or from the vessel. The vessel is filled up with
compressed air. The air vessels are fitted to the suction pipe and delivery pipe closes to
the cylinder of the pump, as shown in Fig. 3.14.

Fig. 3.14 Reciprocating pump with air vessels.

The object of fitting the air vessels is to obtain a uniform discharge from a
reciprocating pump. Consider an air vessel fitted to the delivery pipe as shown in
Fig.3.14. During the first half of the delivery stroke, the piston moves with acceleration,
thus forcing the water into the delivery pipe with a velocity more than the mean velocity.
The excess flow of water, flows into the air vessel thus compressing the air inside the
vessel. During the second half of the delivery stroke, the piston moves with retardation
thus forcing the water into the delivery pipe, with a velocity less than the mean velocity.
The water, stored into the air vessel, then starts flowing into the delivery pipe, thus
making up the deficiency of the flow.

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Thus the discharge in the delivery pipe, beyond the air vessel, is more or less
uniform. But for all practical purposes, velocity of water in the delivery pipe, beyond air
vessel is taken to be uniform.

Similarly, on the suction side the water first flows from the suction pipe into the
air vessel (during first half of the suction stroke) and then from the air vessel to the
cylinder (during the second half of the suction stroke). Thus for all practical purpose,
velocity of water in the suction pipe up to the air vessel is also taken to be uniform.

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Problems

1) A single acting reciprocating pump, having a bore of l50 mm diameter and a

stroke of 300 mm length discharges 200 liters of water per minute. Neglecting
losses, find (i) theoretical discharge in liters/min (ii) coefficient of discharge, and
(iii) slip of the pump.
2) A single acting reciprocating pump having cylinder diameter of 150 mm and
stroke 300 mm is used to raise water through a total height of 30 meters. Find the
power required to drive the pump, if the crank rotates at 60 r.p.m.
3) A double acting reciprocating pump of plunger diameter 100 mm and stroke of
250 mm length is discharging water into a tank fitted 20 m higher than the axis of
the pump. lf the pump is rotating at 45 r.p.m., rind the power required to drive the
pump.
4) A single acting reciprocating pump has plunger of diameter 150 mm and stroke of
length 400 mm. It draws water from a depth of 4-5 in through a pipe 8 m long and
80 mm diameter at 25 r.p.tn. If the atmospheric pressure head is i03 m, find the
pressure head on the piston at the beginning and end of the suction stroke.
5) A single acting reciprocating pump has plunger of diameter 150 mm and stroke of
300 mm. The lengths of suction and delivery pipe are 6-5 m and 39 m
respectively and both the pipes are of the same diameter of 75 mm. The axis of
the pump is 5 m above the level of water in the sump and 33 m below the delivery
water level. lf the atmospheric pressure head is l0-3 m of water and coefficient of
friction for both the pipes is 0-0}, find the pressure head on the piston at the
beginning, middle and end of the suction strokes. Take speed of the crank as 30
r.p.m.
6) A single action reciprocating pump has a plunger of diameter 300mm and stroke
of 200 mm. If the speed of the pump is 30 r.p.m. and it delivers 6.5 litres/sec of
water, fine the coefficient of discharge and the percentage slip of the pump.
7) A double acting reciprocating pump has a stroke of 300 mm and a piston of
diameter 150 mm. The delivery and suction heads are 26 m and 4 m respectively
including friction heads. If the pump is working at 60 r.p.m., Find power required
to drive the pump with 80% efficiency.

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8) A single action reciprocating pump, having plunger diameter 125 mm and stroke
length 300 mm is drawing water from a depth of 4 meters from the axis the
cylinder at 24 r.p.m. The length and diameter of suction pipe is 9 meters and 75
mm respectively. Find the pressure head on the piston at the beginning and end of
the suction stroke, if the barometer reads 10.3 m of water.
9) Example 4 :- A single acting reciprocating pump has plunger diameter of 200 mm
and stroke length 300 mm. The suction pipe is 100 mm diameter and 8 meters
long. The pump draws water 4 meters below the cylinder axis at 30 r.p.m. Find
the pressure head on the piston :
1. at the beginning of the suction stroke,
2. in the middle of the suction stroke, and
3. at the end of the suction stroke.
Take f = 0.01 and atmospheric pressure head = 10.3 meters of water.
10) A single acting reciprocating pump has a stroke of length 150 mm. The suction
pipe is 7.5 meters long and the ratio of plunger diameter to the suction diameter is
4/3. The water level in the pump is 2.5 meters below the axis of the pump
cylinder, and the pipe connecting the sump and pump cylinder is 75 mm diameter.
If the crank is running at 75 r.p.m. Find the pressure head on the piston (a) in the
beginning of the suction stroke, (b) in the middle of the suction stroke, and (c) in
the end of the suction stroke. Take coefficient of friction as 0.01.
11) A double acting reciprocating pump runs at 90 r.p.m. The diameter and stroke are
100 mm and 250 mm respectively. The suction pipe is of 100 mm diameter and 5
m long. Calculate the maximum permissible suction lift assuming no air vessel is
fitted and separation occurs at 2 m of water absolute.
12) A single action reciprocating pump ( with no air vessel ) has a plunger of 80 mm
diameter and a stroke of 150 mm. It draws water from a sump 3 m below the
pump axis through a suction pipe 30 mm diameter and 4.5 m long.
13) A single acting reciprocating pump of 250 mm diameter and 500 mm stroke
delivers water through a 100 mm diameter vertical delivery pipe to a tank situated
at 15 meters above corresponds to 23 kPa. When the delivery pipe is:
(i) vertical from the pump and then horizontal up to the tank.

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(ii) horizontal from the pump and then vertical up to the tank.
Assume atmosphere pressure head as 10.3 m.
14) A double acting pump has a cylinder of 200 mm diameter and stroke of 400 mm.
The pump delivers water to a height of 10 meters through a pipe 36 meters long
and 150 mm diameter at 40 r.p.m. Find the pressure in the cylinder at the
beginning of the delivery stroke, if a large vessel is fitted in the delivery pipe at
the same level of the pump, but 3 meters from the cylinder. Take f = 0.008.

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