Table of Contents

Pages

A. Objectives 2
B. Introduction 2
C. Theories and Analysis 7
D. List of Apparatus 10
E. Procedure 11
F. Set-up of Apparatus 12
G. Final Data Sheet 12
H. Graphs 13
I. Sample Computation 14
J. Questions and Answers 16
K. Discussion 17
L. Conclusion 18
M. References 18

A. Objectives
 1. To familiarize ourselves with the basic characteristic and operation of a centrifugal pump.
2. To determine the dynamic head, water power, brake power, output capacity as well as the
pump efficiency at different speed
3. To be able to plot a performance curve of a centrifugal pump.

B. Introduction

Centrifugal pump is one of the simplest pieces

of equipment. Its purpose is to convert energy of an
electric motor or engine into velocity or kinetic energy
and then into pressure of a fluid that is being pumped.
The energy changes occur into two main parts of the
pump, the impeller and the volute. The impeller is the
rotating part that converts driver energy into the kinetic
energy. The volute is the stationary part that converts
the kinetic energy into pressure.
Liquid enters the pump suction and then the eye
Figure 1: A Centrifugal Pump
of the impeller.
When the impeller rotates, it spins the liquid sitting in
the cavities between the vanes outward and imparts
centrifugal acceleration. As the liquid leaves the eye
of the impeller a low pressure area is created at the
eye allowing more liquid to enter the pump inlet.
Technically, centrifugal force is the apparent outward
force that draws a rotating body away from the center
Figure 2: Centrifugal force
of rotation. It is caused by the inertia of the body as
the body's path is continually redirected. In
Newtonian mechanics, the term centrifugal force is
used to refer to one of two distinct concepts: an inertial force (also called a "fictitious" force)
observed in a non-inertial reference frame, and a reaction force corresponding to a centripetal
force

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 Hydraulic head is a concept that relates the energy in an incompressible fluid to the
height of an equivalent static column of that fluid. From Bernoulli's Principle, the total energy at
a given point in a fluid is the energy associated with the movement of the fluid, plus energy from
pressure in the fluid, plus energy from the height of the fluid relative to an arbitrary datum. Head
is expressed in units of height such as meters or feet.
There are four types of head used to calculate the total head in and out of a pump:
1. Velocity head is due to the bulk motion of a fluid (kinetic energy).
2. Elevation head is due to the fluid's weight, the gravitational force acting on a column of
fluid.
3. Pressure head is due to the static pressure, the internal molecular motion of a fluid that
exerts a force on its container.
4. Resistance head (or friction head or Head Loss) is due to the frictional forces acting
against a fluid's motion by the container.

Centrifugal Parts and Functions

1. Casing
The casing of a centrifugal pump serves to house the impeller and create a chamber for
liquid to be pumped through. The drive pieces of a centrifugal pump also are housed in the
casing.

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 Figure 3: Parts of Centrifugal force

2. Suction and Discharge Nozzles

Built into the casing itself, the suction and discharge nozzles serve as ports for water to
enter and exit from, respectively. Typically, suction nozzles are placed on the end of the pump
and discharge nozzles are located on the top.
3. Seal Chamber and Stuffing Box
Both seal chamber and stuffing box refer to the portion of the pump between the shaft
and casing where the sealing mechanism of the pump is housed. Seal chambers utilize a
mechanical seal, whereas stuffing boxes achieve the sealing purpose through some form of
packing. Regardless of the method used, the chamber is used to prevent liquid from exiting the
pump.

4. Bearing Housing
The bearing housing is used to enclose and protect the shaft bearings, ensuring proper
alignment. The housing will also include some type of method for lubricating the bearings and
cooling the pump.
5. Impeller
The main moving portion of the centrifugal pump, an impeller is a specially designed
component critical for proper functioning of the pump. Depending on the suction type and
mechanical construction of the pump, the actual design of the impeller may vary.
6. Shaft
The shaft transfers the electrical or mechanical energy powering the pump directly to the
impeller. In addition, the shaft is responsible for supporting any other moving parts on the pump.

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The shaft is responsible for a great deal of both energy transfer and structural support and
therefore must be carefully machined.

Important Terminologies

1. Hydraulics is defined as the study of fluids at rest and in motion. In water and wastewater that
almost invariably means water, and water containing solids.
2. Discharge Head is the vertical distance between the pump datum point and the liquid surface
in the receiving tank. The pump datum is at the center line for horizontal pumps and at the
entrance eye of the impeller for vertical pumps.
3. Suction Head: if the water to be pumped has its surface ABOVE the center of the pump, then
this relationship is called a "suction head". More technically, it is the positive vertical distance
between the pump datum and the liquid surface in the suction well. Suction head is illustrated in
Figure 4.

Figure 4: Suction Head

4. Static Head is the distance that the water is

to be lifted. Therefore, if the liquid level is above the datum, then it is a "positive value", as the
water does not need to be pumped to that elevation. In the calculation:
Static Head, (ft) = Discharge Head, (ft) - Suction Head, (ft)

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5. Suction Lift: If the liquid level is BELOW the pump datum, then it is a negative value, as that
is additional elevation that the water has to be lifted up to the pump zero level. This case is
termed as having a suction lift. Suction Lift is illustrated in Figure 5.
6. Friction Head is the head necessary to overcome the friction in the pipes, fittings, valves,

Figure 5: Suction Lift

elbows, etc. This information is gathered empirically, and then recorded in tables so that we can
estimate these values according to the flow, the pipe size, the pipes material it is constructed out
of, pipe age and any deposits, the type of valve, etc. This additional resistance to flow must be
compensated for, in order to deliver the desired flow rate. Please refer to the illustrations for
suction head and suction lift, where you will notice that the friction head in feet, is added to the
static head which results in a new value called the Total Head or Total Dynamic Head.

7. Total Head or Total Dynamic Head is the sum of the Static Head and the Friction Head.
Also it is expressed as the difference between the discharge head and the suction head,
employing Bernoulli’s equation. The Total Head, or TDH, is the value used in the horsepower
calculations.

C. Theories and Principles

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 Centrifugal pumps employ centrifugal force to lift liquids from lower to higher elevation.
Its basic principle of operation is illustrated in Figure 5 and 6. If a cylindrical can with vanes is
mounted on a shaft with a pulley for rotating the can at high speed, centrifugal force acts on the
water to press the water outward to the walls of the can. This causes the water to press outward
sharply; since it cannot move beyond the walls of the can, pressure forces the water upward,
causing it to overflow whiles the water near the center of the can is drawn downward.
Atmospheric pressure forces the water downward,
Figure 5: Centrifugal Pump Principle
since vacuum is created near the center as the water
moves outward toward the sides of the can.
Since the water that spills over the top has a
high velocity that is equal to the rim speed, the
kinetic energy that has been generated is
wasted, unless an arrangement is made to
catch the water and an additional supply of
water is provided (see Figure 6). In the
illustration, a receiver catches the water as it

Figure 6: Centrifugal Pump Principle

spills over and a supply tank is connected with
the hollow shaft to supply water to the can. Instead
of rotating the can, only the vanes can be rotated to obtain the same result.
From Figure 7, liquid led into the center
of the impeller is picked up by the vanes and
accelerated to a high velocity by rotation of the
impeller and discharged by centrifugal force
into the casing and out the discharge. When
liquid is forced away from the center or the
“eye” of the impeller, a vacuum is created and
more liquids flow in. Consequently there is a
constant flow through the pump.
Figure 7: Centrifugal Pump

b. Engineering Analysis, Equations and Formula

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 The following equations and principles are fundamental to centrifugal pumps’
performance analysis.
Bernoulli's principle is the underlying princile for the energy tranformations in
hydraulic rams. Bernoulli’sprinciple can be derived from the principle of conservation of energy.
This states that, in a steady flow, the sum of all forms of mechanical energy in a fluid along a
streamline is the same at all points on that streamline. This requires that the sum of kinetic
energy and potential energy remain constant. Bernoulli’s equation is:
P 1 v 12 P 2 v22
+ +z +h = + +z +h
γ 2g 1 1 γ 2g 2 2
Where P is pressure, γ is specific weight, v is velocity, z is elevation and h is friction loss.
A continuity equation in physics is an equation that describes the transport of a
conserved quantity. Since mass, energy, momentum, electric charge and other natural quantities
are conserved under their respective appropriate conditions, a variety of physical phenomena
may be described using continuity equations. Continuity equation is written as:
Q 1=Q2
A 1 V 1= A2 V 2
where Q is flow rate or capacity, A is area and V is velocity.
Darcy Weisbach Equation is the most common equation use to get the friction loss in
pipes and fittigs. It relates the head loss or pressure loss due to friction along a given length of
pipe to the average velocity of the fluid flow. The equation is named after Henry Darcy and
Julius Weisbach. Darcy Weisbach equation is written in the form:
Pump efficiency is the measure of the effectiveness of the pump to convert input energy
into desired output. In centrifugal pumps, it is expressed as the ratio between the water power
and input power from the motor.
Pump efficiency for a three phase generator is given as:

℘ Q× γ × TDH
η pump = =
IP √ 3 EI cosθ

The capacity is determined by computing the volume of water collected in the discharge
tank.
VH2O = A x H

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where A is the area and H is the height of the tank.
Total dynamic head is the difference between dynamic discharge head and dynamic
suction head:
TDH = Hd - Hs
P d v d2
Where:Hd = dynamic discharge head: H d = + + z +h
γ 2 g d fd
P s v s2
Hs = dynamic suction head: H s = + + z +h
γ 2 g s fs

Formula for Water Power (WP), Power Input (IP) and Brake Powers are given
below:
℘=Q× δ ×TDH × SG
PI =√ 3 EI × cosθ
BP m=η m × PI
BP p=ηt × B Pm
Finally, the formulas for pump and overall efficiencies are given below:

WP
η p = BP x 100%
WP
ηo = PI x 100%

D. List of Apparatus
Stop
Watc
1. Digital Pressure Gauge
2. Tachometer
h
3. Amprobe
4. Steel Tape
5. Stop watch

Tacho
E. Procedures Ampr Steel mete
obe Tape r
1. Fill up the suction tank with water from
the main supply and measure the height of the water level.

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2. Set the desired speed of the pump through pulley adjustment.
3. Mark the initial level of water in the discharge tank.
4. With the discharge quick release valve closed and the suction quick release valve open, start
the pump.
5. Throttle the valve to attain the desired pressure.
6. For trial 1, start the performance by simultaneously opening the discharge quick release valve
and closing the suction quick release valve.
7. Duration of the trial is one (1) minute.
8. Before the end of the duration, measure the electric current leading to the motor using the
amprobe and the speed of the pump using the tachometer.
9. After the trial, close the discharge quick release valve and open the suction quick release
valve.
10. Switch off the motor.
11. Mark the final level of water in the discharge tank and measure the weight of water
discharged using the water tank calibration.
12. For the succeeding trials, vary the discharge pressure and the speed of the pump as indicated
in the data sheet and repeat the above procedure.
13. Compute all the necessary requirements needed to complete the data sheet.

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 F. Setup of Apparatus

Tria Discharge Pump Line Height Pump Total Power Water Pump Pump Overall
l Pressure Speed Current (in) Capacity Dynamic Input Power Brake Efficiency Efficiency
(psi) (RPM) (A) (GPM) Head (HP) (HP) Power (%) (%)
(ft) (HP)

1 16 1301 3.57 48 58.919 37.570 3.911 0.559 2.503 22.333 14.293

2 18 1304 9.20 36 39.279 42.203 3.759 0.419 2.406 17.415 11.147

3 21 1581 12.13 28 71.194 51.604 4.957 0.928 3172 29.256 18.721

4 24 1585 11.90 48 63.829 56.358 4.863 0.908 3.112 29.177 18.672

5 30 1808 17.07 35 85.923 72.995 6.975 1.584 4.464 35.484 22.710

6 32 1810 16.73 31.25 78.558 77.308 6.863 1.534 4.375 35.063 22.440

G.
Final Data Sheet
This setup shows the arrangement of the components for the experiment. Two tanks were used,
H. Graphs
suction and discharges tanks. Pipings were also evident in the setup, which are connected through
appropriate
1. Roughfittings.
SketchThe pumpvsuses
of Head cone belts to allow shifting of velocity of the pump for trial
Capacity
variation.
Based from this graph, there is a decrease in head with increase in capacity at a particular
pump speed.

2. Rough Sketch of Brake Horse Power vs Capacity

Based from this graph, there is an increase in brake power with increase in capacity at a
particular pump speed.
3. Rough Sketch of Efficiency vs Capacity

Lowest Belt Speed

11 1300 rpm
 Lowes
1

Lowest
130

Based from this graph, there is an increase in efficiency with increase in capacity at a
particular pump speed.

I. Sample Computation
Given: (Using Data from Trial 5) (see Final Data Sheet)
Pdischarge = 30 psi ∆h = 12 in
N = 1796, 1809, 1820 (in rpm) za = 34 in
I = 17.4 A, 18.3 A, 15.5 A ddischarge =1.5 in
zs = h = 35 in
Required:
a. Average Pump Speed f. Power Input
b. Average Line Current g. Water Power
c. Pump Capacity h. Brake Power
d. Discharge Velocity i. Pump Efficiency
e. Total Dynamic Head j. Overall Efficiency
Solution:
a. Average Pump Speed
N 1 + N 2 + N 3 1796 rpm+1809 rpm+1820 rpm
N= = =1808rpm
3 3
b. Average Line Voltage
I 1 + I + I 17.4 A+18.3 A +15.5 A
I= = =17.07 A
3 3
c. Pump Capacity
π 2
D ×∆h
V 4 π
Q= = = ¿ ¿¿
t t 4
d. Discharge Velocity

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 Q Q 85.293 gpm 1 f t3 1 min ft
v=
A discharge
=
π 2
=
π 1 2
×(7.481 gpm
×) 60 s
=15.4843
s
4
( d discharge ) ( )
4 8
ft

e. Total Dynamic Head

P d v d2 P v2
TDH =H d −H s= ( )(
+ + z d +h fd − s + s + z s+ hs
γ 2g γ 2g )
Pd v d 2
TDH = (
+ + z −( z s )
γ 2g d )
TDH =¿
TDH =72.995 ft
f. Power Input
1 hp
PI =√ 3 EI cosθ=√3 ( 220 V ) ( 17.07 A )( 0.8 ) × =6.975hp
746 W
g. Water Power
Q ×TDH × SG ( 85.923 gpm ) × ( 72.995 ft ) ×(1.00)
℘= = =1.584 hp
3960 3960
h. Brake Power (Pump)
B P p=ηt ( B P p )=ηt ( ηm × IP )=0.8 × 0.8× 6.975 hp=4.464 hp
i. Pump Efficiency
℘ 1.584 hp
ηp= ×100 %= ×100 %=35.484 %
B Pp 4.464 hp
i. Overall Efficiency
℘ 1.584 hp
ηo = ×100 %= ×100 %=22.710 %
IP 6.975 hp

J. Questions and Answers

1. What is the principle behind the centrifugal pump?
Centrifugal pumps use the concept of centrifugal force to raise fluid from lower pressure
to higher pressure. The transfer of energy from the mechanical rotation of the impeller to the
motion and pressure of the fluid is usually described in terms of centrifugal force.
2. Enumerate the different classification of centrifugal pump.
Centrifugal pumps can further be classified as

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 end suction pumps  submersible pumps
 in-line pumps  self-priming pumps
 double suction pumps  axial-flow pumps
 vertical multistage pumps  regenerative pumps
 horizontal multistage pumps
3. What are the advantages of the centrifugal pump?
Centrifugal pumps are simple in construction and can be made in wide varieties of materials.
Moreover, they can be operated at higher speed compared to other pumps like rotary pumps. A
centrifugal pump takes up little floor space relative to say a plunger pump and weighs
comparatively little so minimal structural reinforcement is required for the load bearing floor
space. Also, it has a low initial cost as well as low maintenance cost since all motion is rotary
and there are no sensitive parts such as the valves in a plunger pump. No air vessels or alleviators
are required in operating centrifugal pumps.
4. What is a specific speed?
Specific speed is defined as the speed in revolutions per minute at which a geometrically
similar impeller would operate if it were of such a size as to deliver one gallon per minute
against one foot of hydraulic head. For centrifugal pumps, it is given by the formula:
N √Q
Ns=
H3/4
5. What is a volute centrifugal pump?
It is a pump that is able to covert velocity to pressure head due to gradually spiral case. Volute
pumps are widely used in irrigation. They are of simple construction, the only moving parts
being the impeller and shaft. The impeller is housed in a casing (volute).

K. Discussion

The second experiment concerns with the operation and performance test of centrifugal
pumps. Centrifugal pumps, from our previous courses, are mechanical devices that are capable of
moving fluid prom one point to another through the use of the concept of centrifugal force. They
are use is variety of application: commercial, industrial and residential. In this experiment, we
can note several observations about centrifugal pumps, with regards to its performance. Firstly,

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we can see from the data that as we increase the pump speed, the discharge pressure increases.
This is brought by the increase in the velocity of the suction fluid which causes increase in the
potential energy in the form of pressure. Second, we can see that if we increase the speed, the
line current also increases, which is caused by the variation of the power requirement of the
pump. Third, with increase in capacity, the total dynamic head at a particular speed setting
decreases. This can be explained by conservation of energy principle. Before the operation, the
pump has a constant level of potential and kinetic energy. As the capacity increases, the kinetic
energy increases, and causes a decrease in the potential energy. Reducing the potential energy
reduces the height of which the water can be raised. Fourth, we also observed that as the capacity
increases, the power input also increases. Since increasing the pump capacity requires increase in
speed, the motor compensates for that increase. And increasing the motor velocity increases the
power input. Fifth, increasing the capacity increases the efficiency of the pump. Sixth, we
observed that the affinity laws are evident in the results, more particularly in the head-capacity
relationship.
We also learned the operation of a centrifugal pump fro the experiment. Water from a
reservoir is led to the pump, through a line called the suction line through the effect of
centrifugal force. As the water enters the eye of the pump, the impeller accelerates and
compresses the fluid, and discharges it to the volute. In this phase, the kinetic energy of flowing
is converted to potential energy in the form of pressure. Then, the water comes out of the
discharge and is led to the storage tank which is at considerable height from the pump centerline.

L. Conclusion
Our group was successful in the performance of the experiment. We are able to fulfill the
experiment’s objectives. In light of the generalities obtained from the experiment, the following
conclusions were raised. First, centrifugal pumps are mechanical devices that utilize various
forms of energy to move fluid from one point to another, through the concept of centrifugal
force. Second, increasing the speed of the pump increases the line current and the discharge
pressure. Third, increasing the capacity of the pump decreases the total dynamic head; based
from conservation of energy principle. Fourth, increasing the capacity increases the efficiency
and the brake power of the pump. Finally

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M. References

 Bar-Meir, Genick.2011. Basic of fluid mechanics. Chicago: Genick Bar-Meir

 Young, Hugh D. and Roger A. Freedman. 2007. University Physics. California: Pearson
Education Inc.
 www. centrifugal pumps.org
 www. allaboutpumps.com

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