TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES - MANILA

CHE 409 S.Y. 2020-2021

Experiment 1

Performance Characteristics of Centrifugal Pumps

Arlene Joy Santos, Jastene Alyssa Marcos, Jonan Garcia, Michelle Veras
Abstract- An experiment was conducted to determine the operating characteristics of the centrifugal pump, especially the
efficiency variation of centrifugal pumps at discharge rates and heights. Materials used to measure the computed discharge
rates were tachometer, wattmeter, v-notch set-up, hook gauge and measuring scale. The substance used was water. Efficiency
rates gathered from the three trials are at 31.25%, 35.43%, and 36.38%. Furthermore, the experiment was able to determine
the correlation of the actual discharge rate of the pump to the following: input power, output power and total head. There were
no dramatic changes observed from the graphical representation of data gathered. Moreover, a close-to-linear plot can be seen
from it.

Index Terms- Centrifugal Pumps, Tachometer, Impeller, Wattmeter, Hook gauge, V-notch set-up.

1 INTRODUCTION 2 MATERIALS AND METHODS

Centrifugal pumps are hydraulic machines 2.1 MATERIALS
which convert mechanical energy into 2.1.1 Centrifugal Pump Set-up
hydraulic energy through the use of the
centrifugal force that acts on the fluid [1]. The 2.1.2 Wattmeter
centrifugal force is the result of the rotation of
2.1.3 Tachometer
the pump’s impeller. The fluid enters the
inlet of the centrifugal pump under 2.1.4 V-notch Setup
atmospheric pressure and flows into the 2.1.5 Hook Gauge
eye of the impeller. The centrifugal force
applied on the fluid, allows it to move 2.1.6 Measuring Scale
away from the impeller eye and out along 2.2 PROCEDURE
the impeller vanes to their extreme tip
where the liquid is then forced against the 2.2.1 Switch on the pump by pressing
inside walls of the volute and out through the start button.
the discharge of the pump [2].Centrifugal 2.2.2 Rotate the handle to set the speed
pumps are widely used for high volume low of the motor until it reaches the
pressure applications, such as transferring required setting and check the speed
fluids between tanks at well sites [3]. The using the tachometer.
experiment is designed to determine the
performance of the centrifugal pump and to
plot its operating characteristics.

Jonan P. Garcia†, Jastene Alyssa Marcos†, Arlene Joy Santos†, Michelle E. Veras†
†
fourth year student of B.S. Chemical Engineering in Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila
TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES - MANILA
CHE 409 S.Y. 2020-2021
Experiment 1

2.2.3 Open the delivery valve and

allow the water to flow in the channel.
Record the hook gauge reading at the
V-notch before and after opening the
valve to find discharge.
2.2.4 Record the delivery pressure
reading corresponding to the
discharge.
2.2.5 Record the suction head pressure
reading corresponding to the
discharge.
2.2.6 Note the wattmeter reading
corresponding to the discharge.
2.2.7 Repeat the steps from procedure
2.2.3 for the other trials.

3. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
The experimental set-up mainly consists of a
centrifugal pump. The pump is turned on to
start and a handle is rotated to set a speed of
the motor. It is then measured using a
tachometer. From there, a valve is opened
letting water to flow into the channel up to the
crest level. Initial and final readings of water
level are accounted for to determine the head
of water (delta H) and the actual discharge.
Delivery pressure of water discharge is also
measured from the delivery gauge as well as
suction head pressure from suction gauge to
determine the total head (H). A wattmeter is
used to measure the discharge flow. From the
gathered data, input power and output power
are calculated in order to determine the
efficiency of the centrifugal pump. Graphical
analysis was also plotted to determine the
relationships of the pumps discharge to the
input, output, efficiency and total head. This
experiment is repeated three times with
different readings gathered.

Jonan P. Garcia†, Jastene Alyssa Marcos†, Arlene Joy Santos†, Michelle E. Veras†
†
fourth year student of B.S. Chemical Engineering in Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila
TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES - MANILA
CHE 409 S.Y. 2020-2021
Experiment 1

4 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Discharge. As per the previous paragraph, in

The aim of the experiment is to conduct a
performance test on the pump and plot its
operating characteristics. Table 4.1 indicates
the centrifugal pump’s average performance
during the three (3) trials done.
calculating the head in terms of meters,
manometer readings are taken into account.
The equivalent Head in meters can be derived
from the following equation:
𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑 (𝑚) = 𝑃/(𝜌𝑔)

Average where 𝑃 = 𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒

Wattmeter Reading 408.33W
𝜌 = 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑
Actual Discharge 9.87x10^4 m^3/s
Total Head 6.96 m 𝑔 = 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑑𝑢𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑦
Input Power 1960 W
Output Power 672.01 W
Efficiency 34.35%
TABLE 4.1. TABULATED AVERAGED TRIAL RESULTS In this case, the density of the fluid is that of
water. Consequently, the total head for each
No pumps operate at a hundred percent trial were computed as
(100%) efficiency; mechanical input power
will always be greater than the output power.
The pump’s manometer shows the differential 𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑 (𝐻) = 𝐻𝑑 + 𝐻𝑠 + 𝑧
pressure of the suction and discharge. The
corresponding head is then measured through where 𝐻𝑑 = 𝐷𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑
the specific gravity of the fluid- in this case,
𝐻𝑠 = 𝑆𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑
water. The curves featured in Figures 4.1 to 4.4
are all performances taken at 1000 rpm in 𝑧 = 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑
three consecutive (3) separate trials.

FIGURE 4.1. EFFICIENCY VS ACTUAL DISCHARGE GRAPH

FIGURE 4.2. TOTAL HEAD VS ACTUAL DISCHARGE GRAPH

Efficiency is affected by the discharge of the

fluid as it relies on the input and output power.
As seen in Figure 4.1, the long tail signifies the
indirect relationship between the two
characteristics- Efficiency and Actual

Jonan P. Garcia†, Jastene Alyssa Marcos†, Arlene Joy Santos†, Michelle E. Veras†
†
fourth year student of B.S. Chemical Engineering in Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila
TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES - MANILA
CHE 409 S.Y. 2020-2021
Experiment 1
FIGURE 4.3. INPUT POWER VS ACTUAL DISCHARGE GRAPH
In figure 4.2., no dramatic decline can be
observed. Albeit, the same relationship with
Figure 4.1 can be deduced. As per Figure 4.3,
the relationship between Input Power and
Actual Discharge is somewhat directly
proportional. Knowing that power is derived
from the mass flow rate multiplied by work, it
is inferred that power is directly proportional
to the flow rate- actual discharge.
FIGURE 4.4. OUTPUT POWER VS ACTUAL DISCHARGE GRAPH
Howbeit, the relationship is different for the
output power. In relation to Figure 4.4, output
power is affected by the fluid itself. The
greater the density of the fluid the greater
output power can be derived from it.
Jonan P. Garcia†, Jastene Alyssa Marcos†, Arlene Joy Santos†, Michelle E. Veras†
†
fourth year student of B.S. Chemical Engineering in Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila
FIGURE 4.5. CONSOLIDATED GRAPH OF PUMP CHARACTERISTICS
In summation, the different characteristics are
all affected by the actual discharge of the fluid.
Referring to Figure 4.5, Efficiency, Total Head
and Output Power follows the same trend
whilst the Input power is in contrast with the
rest.
5 CONCLUSION
Based on the experimental observations, we
conclude that the experiment satisfies the
given results. The performance characteristics
of centrifugal pumps were obtained by three
trials. Based on the acquired results, the
different parameters were calculated which
effectuates the graph illustrated.
The centrifugal pump shows a relationship
between flow rate and total head. As shown
graphically, the head curve for a radial flow
pump is relatively flat and that the head
decreases gradually as the flow increases. The
given data also shows that there is an increase
of speed which modifies accordingly with the
increasing efficiency.
TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES - MANILA
CHE 409 S.Y. 2020-2021
Experiment 1

6 CALCULATIONS Trial 2
H(m) = 2m + 4.6m + 0.43m
Actual Discharge (Qact)
H(m) = 7.03 m
𝟓
𝑸𝒂𝒄𝒕 = (𝟏𝟒. 𝟏𝟕)(𝒉)𝟐 Trial 3
H(m) = 3m + 4.2m + 0.43m
where h= Head of Water
H(m) = 7.63 m
Trial 1
5
𝑄𝑎𝑐𝑡 = (14.17)(14.02)2
Input Power (W)
𝑸𝒂𝒄𝒕 = 𝟏𝟎𝟒𝟐𝟖. 𝟗 𝒄𝒎𝟑 /𝒔 𝑰𝒏𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 (𝑾) = 𝑾𝑹 ∗ 𝑾𝑪 ∗ 𝜼𝒎 ∗ 𝑵𝑷

Trial 2 where WR = Wattmeter Reading

5
WC = 2 W
𝑄𝑎𝑐𝑡 = (14.17)(13.71)2
𝜼𝒎 = 𝟎. 𝟖
𝑸𝒂𝒄𝒕 = 𝟗𝟖𝟔𝟏. 𝟗𝟔 𝒄𝒎𝟑 /𝒔 Np = 3

Trial 3
5 Trial 1
𝑄𝑎𝑐𝑡 = (14.17)(13.41)2
𝑰𝒏𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 (𝑾) = (𝟒𝟐𝟓𝑾)(𝟐𝑾)(𝟎. 𝟖)(𝟑)
𝑸𝒂𝒄𝒕 = 𝟗𝟑𝟑𝟏. 𝟑 𝒄𝒎 /𝒔 𝟑 𝑰𝒏𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 (𝑾) = 𝟐𝟎𝟒𝟎
Trial 2
𝑰𝒏𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 (𝑾) = (𝟒𝟎𝟎𝑾)(𝟐𝑾)(𝟎. 𝟖)(𝟑)
Total Head (H)
𝑰𝒏𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 (𝑾) = 𝟏𝟗𝟐𝟎 𝑾
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑 (𝐻) = 𝐻𝑑 + 𝐻𝑠 + 𝑧
Trial 3
𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝐻𝑑 = 𝐷𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑
𝑰𝒏𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 (𝑾) = (𝟒𝟎𝟎𝑾)(𝟐𝑾)(𝟎. 𝟖)(𝟑)
𝐻 𝑠 = 𝑆𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑 𝑰𝒏𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 (𝑾) = 𝟏𝟗𝟐𝟎 𝑾
𝑧 = 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑
Trial 1 Output Power (W)

H(m) = 1m + 4.8m + 0.43m 𝑶𝒖𝒕𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 (𝑾) = 𝒚 ∗ 𝑸𝒂𝒄𝒕 ∗ 𝑯

H(m) = 6.23 m where y = 9810 N/m3

Qact = Actual Discharge
H= Total Head

Jonan P. Garcia†, Jastene Alyssa Marcos†, Arlene Joy Santos†, Michelle E. Veras†
†
fourth year student of B.S. Chemical Engineering in Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila
TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES - MANILA
CHE 409 S.Y. 2020-2021
Experiment 1

Trial 1 7 APPENDIX
𝑶𝑷 = (9810 𝑁/𝑚3) ∗ (10428.93 𝑐𝑚3 /𝑠) 7.1 EXPERIMENT SET-UP
∗ (6.23 𝑚)

𝑶𝑷 = 𝟔𝟑𝟕. 𝟑𝟖 𝑾

Trial 2
𝑶𝑷 = (9810 𝑁/𝑚3) ∗ (9861.96 𝑐𝑚3 /𝑠) ∗
(7.03 𝑚) 𝑶𝑷 = 𝟔𝟖𝟎. 𝟏𝟐 𝑾

Trial 3
𝑶𝑷 = (9810 𝑁/𝑚3) ∗ (9331.3 𝑐𝑚3 /𝑠) ∗ (7.63 𝑚)

𝑶𝑷 = 𝟔𝟗𝟖. 𝟒𝟓 𝑾 1

7.2. RAW DATA GATHERED

Efficiency
𝑂𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3
𝜂= 𝑥 100 Initial
𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 1.24 cm 1.24 cm 1.24 cm
Reading
Trial 1 Final
15.26 cm 14.95 cm 14.65 cm
Reading
637.4 𝑊 Head of
𝜂 = 𝑥 100 14.02 cm 13.71 cm 13.41 cm
Water
2040 𝑊
Actual 10428.9 9861.96 9331.3
𝜼 = 𝟑𝟏. 𝟐𝟓% Discharge 𝑐𝑚3 /𝑠 𝑐𝑚3 /𝑠 𝑐𝑚3 /𝑠
Delivery
Head 1.0 m 2.0 m 3.0 m
(Hd)
Trial 2 Suction
Head 4.8 m 4.6 m 4.2 m
680.12 𝑊
𝜂 = 𝑥 100 (Hs)
1920 𝑊 z 0.43 m 0.43 m 0.43 m
Total
𝜼 = 𝟑𝟓. 𝟒𝟑% 6.23 m 7.03 m 7.63 m
Head (H)
Wattmete
r Reading 425 W 400 W 400 W
Trial 3 (Wr)
Input
698.45 𝑊 2040 W 1920 W 1920 W
Power
𝜂 = 𝑥 100
1920 𝑊 Output
637.4 W 680.12 W 698.5 W
Power
𝜼 = 𝟑𝟔. 𝟑𝟖% Efficiency 31.25% 35.43% 36.38%

Jonan P. Garcia†, Jastene Alyssa Marcos†, Arlene Joy Santos†, Michelle E. Veras†
†
fourth year student of B.S. Chemical Engineering in Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila
TECHNOLOGICAL INSTITUTE OF THE PHILIPPINES - MANILA
CHE 409 S.Y. 2020-2021
Experiment 1

REFERENCES:
[1] “Centrifugal Pump – Components,
Working, Types and Application.” The
Constructor, 28 Sept. 2018,
theconstructor.org/practical-
guide/centrifugal-pump-working-
types/2917/?fbclid=IwAR07XjP2ody_t9yMw
EAKv6XI2tE9PhSvzMgjB2JF6YVXX19lfUMlUL
GLCLI.
[2] “Fluid Machinery - Centrifugal Pump.”
Fluid Machinery - Centrifugal Pump | RT Labs,
rtlabs.nitk.ac.in/?q=article/fluid-machinery-
centrifugal-pump.
[3] Crumpton, Howard. “Chapter 8 Pumping
and Stimulation.” Well Control for Completions
and Interventions, Gulf Professional
Publishing, Cambridge, MA, 2017.

Jonan P. Garcia†, Jastene Alyssa Marcos†, Arlene Joy Santos†, Michelle E. Veras†
†
fourth year student of B.S. Chemical Engineering in Technological Institute of the Philippines-Manila