ENT 462 Turbomachinery Laboratory Module

EXPERIMENT : SINGLE STAGE & MULTI STAGE

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

1. INTRODUCTION

Fig. 1: Elements of a centrifugal pump

Centrifugal pumps are widely used for pumping all kind of liquids, including that are corrosive or
viscous, or which contain suspended solids. They range in size from small units, such as the circulating
pumps used in domestic central heating systems, to large pumps, such as are used to raise great amounts
of water in hydropower pumped storage schemes.

Fig 1 shows the essential components of a centrifugal pump. An impeller, consisting of a disc
which carries a number of curved vanes, rotates within a fixed chamber. Rotation of the impeller causes
water to be drawn from the inlet pipe into the rotating passages between the vanes, where the centrifugal
effect produces an increase in total head. It is discharged from the rotating passages into the spiral
chamber, usually referred to as the volute the delivers to the outlet pipe. The proportions of the impeller
depend on the pump duty. If the flow rate is low and the head rise high, the pump will have a narrow
impeller, and the ratio of outlet to inlet diameter will be large. If, however, a larger flow with a smaller
head rise is needed, the impeller will be wider, with a smaller diameter ratio. The flow will also have an
axial component, particularly near to the impeller’s inlet, as illustrated in Fig 1. As the required flow rate
continues to increases in relation to the desired rise in total head, the axial component also increases in
relation to the radial, resulting ultimately in a construction in which the outlet diameter is no longer than
diameter. Such a pump is described as an axial flow unit rather than the inlet diameter. Such a pump is
described as an axial low unit a centrifugal one.
ENT 462 Turbomachinery Laboratory Module

2. OBJECTIVES

2.1 Experiment 1: Single-stage Centrifugal Pump

1. To observe and understand the operation of a single-stage centrifugal pump.

2. To determine the relationship between speed, flow rate and pressure of a single-stage centrifugal pump.
3. To determine the efficiency of a single-stage centrifugal pump.

2.2 Experiment 2: Three-Stage Centrifugal Pump

1. To observe and understand the operation of a multi-stage centrifugal pump.

2. To determine the relationship between speed, flow rate and pressure of a multi-stage centrifugal pump.
3. To determine the efficiency of a multi-stage centrifugal pump.

3. TYPICAL ARRANGEMENT FOR A PUMP TEST

Fig 2: Schematic arrangement for laboratory test of a pump

ENT 462 Turbomachinery Laboratory Module

In the typical test stand shown in Fig 2, the centrifugal pump is driven by an electric motor which may be
set to run at any chosen speed N, as indicated by the speed counter. The pump draws from a water storage
tank and delivers through a flow control valve, and a Venturi or orifice meter, back to the tank. Changing
the setting of the flow control valve alters the system resistance, and so changes the operating point on the
pump’s head-flow characteristic. Piezorneters are attached to the pipe work, close to the inlet and outlet
of the pump, so that the total head rise H may be recorded by a differential manometer or pressure gauge.
A further measurement is made of the differential head H across the flow meter from which the flow rate
Q is inferred from the meter calibration. In some equipment, this calibration made be made in situ by
temporarily diverting the flow from the meter into a measuring vessel. When the pump efficiency is also
to be measured, the torque T at the pump shaft is obtained by mounting the driving motor as a
dynamometer. Provision may be made for automatic data collection and processing.

4. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP

Figure 3: Actual experimental setup

4.1 Legend

A- Regulating valve E- Hydraulic oil reservoir tank

B- Multi-stage centrifugal pump F- Emergency stop button
C- Single-stage centrifugal pump G- Mains switch
D- Water reservoir tank H- Pump selector switches
ENT 462 Turbomachinery Laboratory Module

I- Stop button N - Centrifugal pump flow meter

J - Gear pump differential pressure meter O - Centrifugal pump differential pressure meter
K - Gear pump flow meter P - Frequency inverter
L - Water meter Q - Gear pump
M - Speed meter

5 Discussion

1. What is the relationship between speed, flow rate, pressure and power for a single-stage centrifugal
pump and a multi-stage centrifugal pump?

2. From the characteristic curves obtained, briefly discuss the possible applications of a centrifugal pump.

3. In order to design a pump to deliver a head of 97.5 m at a flow rate of 9.9 m 3/s (corresponding to the
best efficiency point, BEP) when rotating at 600 rev/min, a model is built and tested. If the model test
flow rate at the best efficiency point is measured as 0.14 m 3/s and hydraulic power output is 22.4 kW,
determine the model rotating speed and the model/prototype scale ratio.