BANGLADESH UNVERSITY OF

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

Department of Chemical Engineering

Course number: Ch.E 206

Course title: Chemical Engineering
Laboratory-I
Name of experiment: Study of centrifugal pump,
pipe fittings and valves

Date of performance: 25/11/18

Date of submission: 2/12/18
Submitted to:
Mr. Ahaduzzaman Nahid
Lecturer, BUET

Submitted by:
Sifat Hossain
ID: 201602019
Group: A1|| Level: 2|| Term: 2
Partners’ ID: 1602016,
1602017, 1602018, 1602020,
1402020
 Summary:
Stationary fluid is rarely used in practical cases. Most of the times proper usage of fluids
call for them to be transported from one place to another. Although carrying stationary fluid in
portable tanks are a way to do this, this not possible for all cases. As such, delivery methods for
fluids called for an alternative and pipes and various pipeline fittings were innovated for the
purpose. But fluid itself cannot move unless subjected to a pressure gradient, which is why pumps
are so important. But sometimes fluid flow may also need to be regulated, which gave the idea for
valves. A wide range of pipe, pipe fittings, pumps and valves exists for the proper transportation
of fluid and knowledge about their proper usage is essential to deliver, regulate and harness the
power of flowing fluid and put it to proper use. Various other conditions, such as cost, longevity,
objectives, capacity are also considered before a fluid flow system is setup and run. The objective
of the experiment is to make aware about these.
 Definition and functionalities of pump:
A fluid on its own has very limited power to flow, only moving when it has an elevation
or pressure difference between two points. So to make fluid flow in any necessary direction, it
must be given energy in that direction, this is the premise of a pump. A pump is supplied
mechanical energy by a motor which was given electrical energy. This power is transferred into
the fluid the pump is working with, giving it a tendency to flow in a specific direction. As a pump
works with fluid, regular maintenance is necessary for it to function properly. In most cases, a
pump is installed at the beginning of a pipeline, so as to generate the pressure head needed for a
fluid to reach a certain height.

Figure 1: Typical Household water supply system using tanks, pipes, pumps and other
fittings
High performance pumps are used in industries to flow a large capacity of fluid form one
place to another in a steady rate all the time of operation. Medium scale pumps are used to supply
water, gas and other fluids to household and consumer levels. Smaller pumps are used in various
medicinal instruments, such as an artificial heart or a dialysis machine. All these types of pumps
can be categorized into various different sections based on their numerous features and
characteristics.

Types of pumps and their functions:

The two most well-known types of pumps are as follows:

 Reciprocating pump
 Centrifugal pump

Reciprocating pump:
A reciprocating pump is a
class of positive displacement pump.
It is mainly used when a small volume
of fluid is to be subjected to high
pressure, also when the fluid is highly
viscous. For this type of pump, the
main function is its piston like action,
where the working fluid is contained
in a cylinder and is acted upon by a
piston. If these types of pumps are Figure 2: Reciprocating Pump

well maintained, they can last for a long time surviving vigorous wear. The various parts of this
type of pump are piston, crank, suction and delivery pipe etc.
 Centrifugal pump:
A centrifugal pump a subclass of dynamic
asymmetric power consuming turbo machinery. These
pumps are mainly used when a high flowrate is necessary
for a low viscous fluid, such as water or kerosene. These
pumps work by transferring the rotational energy supplied
to it by the motor into the working fluid drawn in from a
nearby reservoir, thereby giving it kinetic energy. This is
done by an impeller which is the main component of the Figure 3: Centrifugal pump
machine. Other parts include its shaft, casing and rings.

Advantages and disadvantages:

Reciprocating pump:
Advantages:
 Supplies high pressure at outlet
 Generates high suction lift
 Priming is not necessary
 Can be used for air also
 Higher efficiency
 Suitable for low flow applications
 Consistent rate of discharge

Disadvantages:
 More moving parts mean more costly
 Higher maintenance cost
 Inconsistent flowrate
 Relief valve needed
 Variable torque
 Pulsating flow
 Heavy and bulky in shape
  High wear and tear
 May damage itself

Centrifugal pump:
Advantages:
 Lower initial cost
 Low floor space
 Low maintenance cost
 Suitable for residential purposes
 Consistent flowrate
 Simple machine
 No need for relief valve

Disadvantages:
 Priming necessary
 Low pressure at outlet
 Not suitable for high viscous fluid
 Cavitation
 Not so efficient
 Not suitable for air
 Not suitable for high velocity
 Pipe fittings and their uses:
Pipes are used for fluid transportation and as such these need to be manipulated in such a
way as to produce desired results. To do this, various types of fittings and extensions are used at
different parts of a pipeline. With these, the flow of a fluid may be manipulated, such as, velocity,
pressure or elevation can be increased or decreased, flowrate may be changed, direction may be
altered, separation of phases may be done. Various types of fittings and their uses are given below:

Fittings
Diagram Uses and functionalities
name

Provides flexibility of flowing fluid,

changes direction of flow while
offering low friction loss. These are of
90o elbow
two types, long and short radius
elbows, with the latter having a higher
pressure loss.

Used to produce a 45o degree bend in

45o elbow the flow of fluid. Works the same way
as a 90o degree elbow would.

Used to reduce the pipe cross-sectional

area. Allows the fluid to speedup,
causing the pressure head to drop.
Reducer
Also, eccentric reducers are used to
ensure air doesn’t accumulate in the
pipe.
 Tapered or concentric reducer is used
to shift diameter between pipes. It can
Tapered
also be used at the end of a pipe or at
reducer
discharge point to make air pockets to
ensure mixing of fluid with air.

Used to make branch with the main

Plain tee pipe line. Can also be used to divert
fluid in another direction.

Used to close a pipeline not in use or

Cap which is intermittently used. Also to
protect pipe ends form corrosion.

Has the same functionalities of a cap,

Plug
can be rotated and fixed with a wrench.

Used to join ends of 2 pipes while

Coupling
minimizing friction loss.
 Also used to join ends of 2 pipes, but
Nipples
with this, it can be done internally.

Used to make another branch at a 45o

Lateral
angle with the parent line.

90o reducing Used to make a bend in the line while

elbow reducing the pipe diameter.

Used to connect 2 pipes of different

Bushing diameter, which have threading on
opposite sides.

Used to separate water from steam

Steam trap which had condensed in any parts of
the line.
 Used to connect pipes which have large
Flange diameter. This also has the lowest
friction loss.

Used to make a branch which will have

Tee reducer
a higher velocity than main line.

Used to connect two pipes. Most

common form of connection. Most
Union
friction loss occurs in this type of
fittings.

Used in centrifugal pumps to give

kinetic energy into fluid by rotating
Open with shaft when it is given mechanical
impeller power by the motor. This type of
impeller is used when the fluid may
have solids in it.

Same functionalities as an open

Semi open
impeller has. Used when fluid has
impeller
some solids in it.
 Same functionalities a the other
Closed
impellers, used when fluid has no
impeller
solids in it.

Used in pipelines to regulate fluid flow.

Specialty of this type of valve is that it
Globe valve
can control fluid flow from 0 to 100%.
This can also change flowrate.

Used to regulate flow in pipe. Only has

Gate valve on/off function. Requires pressure
relief valve.

References:
Robert L. Mott, Joseph A. Untener, February 2014, Applied Fluid Mechanics, 7th edition,
Preason.
https://www.plumbingsupply.com/pipe-fittings.html
Figure 4: Diagram of a process using various pipe fittings & valves
MARKING SCHEME: STUDY OF A CENTRIFUGAL PUMP, PIPE FITTINGS

AND VALVES
Name: Sifat Hossain

Student Number: 201602019

Section and % marks allocated Marks

Summary (10%)

Methodology (25%)

Results and Discussion(50%)

Conclusion(10%)

Overall Presentation(5%)

Total(100%)