CHEMICAL ENGINEERING PRACTICAL 3 REPORT

THE CENTRIFUGAL PUMP

SURNAME AND INITIALS STUDENT NUMBER GROUP B

HLAMBISA S 21908369 B2
HOSHE N 21920507 B2
DUBAZANE SM 21944410 B2

Table of Contents
SUMMARY.........................................................................................................................................3

1
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................4
Theory...................................................................................................................................................5
Experimental method and apparatus....................................................................................................6
Results...................................................................................................................................................8
Discussion............................................................................................................................................18
CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................................................19
References...........................................................................................................................................20

SUMMARY

2
The centrifugal pump is one of the widely used equipment to pump liquid.
The main objective of this experiment was to observe the characteristics relationship between
flowrate of the fluid, pressure and power (input and output) and learn how the results varies
when pump is operated in parallel and in series.
The two stages of the centrifugal pump technical equipment were used. During the operation
of this pump the following happens; the priming was the first step, it was done by the closing
of the valves and the pump was started. The delivery pump is fully opened to allow flowing
of liquid within the pump. The pump is switched on to supply electrical power to drive the
pump so that the pump will start operating. The middle valve can be opened or closed
depending on the type of operation performed at that time. For every two minutes, flowrates
and delivery pressure we recorded.

Like the most pumps, a centrifugal pump converts rotational energy. A portion of energy
goes into kinetic energy of the fluid. The fluid gains both velocity and pressure while passing
through the impeller. The results were taken and compared for both operations.

After the pumping process, tables and graphs are then formulated to clearly view the trend
when comparing the two operations.

3
 Introduction
A centrifugal pump is a mechanical device used to convert energy of an electric motor, first
into velocity and then into pressure energy of a fluid that is being pumped. Centrifugal pump
is one of the mostly used pumps in any process plants and the are many reasons they are the
one who are mostly use such as; they have low operating costs, low maintenance, uniform
flow etc. and This pump consists of two main parts; impeller and the volute/diffuser.
Impeller is the only moving part, which is attached to a shaft and driven by a motor. The
diffuser also called volute houses the impeller and captures and direct the water off the
impeller with the help of the centrifugal force.
In the impeller its where the electrical energy is converted to kinetic energy. Bernoulli’s
principle is introduced in this process and it is the one that focuses more on the increase and
decrease of velocity and pressure. Bernoulli's principle states that an increase in the speed of
a fluid occurs simultaneously with a decrease in static pressure or a decrease in the fluid's
potential energy.
This experiment is important so that we can be able to understand the relationship that
pressure and flow rate share. The objectives for this practical is to observe the characteristics
of the centrifugal pump when operated both in series and parallel mode, also to be able to
identify how does the increase of the volumetric flow rate influence the pressure and how fast
the water flows as the speed is increased.
This practical focuses more on the Affinity law which is about the changes in pump capacity,
head and efficiency. It is all about the absolute pressure versus gauge pressure.

4
 Theory
Many hydraulic systems employ centrifugal pump for the principles to move fluid through a
piping system. These centrifugal pumps are all depending on centrifugal force as the
fundamental principle by which they operate. Centrifugal force affects an object or material
moving in a circular pattern by causing it to pull away from the central axis or canter point of
the path along which it travels.

This force can be used to regulates the pressure and motion within a pumping unit, and when
applied in combination with a number of other centrifugal pumping principles, forms an
integral part of hydraulic mechanisms. General a centrifugal pump is based around a casing
filled with fluid, usually water. A special unit within the casing exerts fast rotary motion that
causes the water to spin, generating centrifugal force that channels it through a discharge
outlet. Discharged water creates a vacuum for atmospheric pressure to force more water out
of the casing. It is a continuous process, dependant mostly on continued rotary motion and a
constant supply of water. Most centrifugal pumps rely on rotating impellers or vanes to
provide rotary motion, though the design and implementation of these systems can vary
according to capacity and project requirements.

Firstly, the concept is a cylindrical can with a pair of rotary vanes along its interior can be
attached to a shaft. This shaft has a pulley unit responsible for agitating the can with
rotational movements. Once the can is filled with water, the pulley begins to rotate the shaft
at high speed, causing the can to spin. As the water in the can rotates, centrifugal force pushes
it out toward the walls of the can where it is pressed against the edges of its container. As
water cannot continue moving outward through the walls of the can, it begins to climb
upward, eventually overflowing while the water at the centre point is drawn downward. The
overflowing water moves at the same velocity as it does at the rim, meaning that the kinetic
energy it produces can be maintained if the water is caught and more water is supplied to the
pump. Therefore, a receiving container is usually employed to catch the spilling water and a
surplus tank is attached to the shaft to maintain a continuous supply of liquid.

5
Equations

Name Relevant equations

Pressure head H=Hd -Hs

Electrical power P=V×I×cosø

Mechanical power P=2π×N×T/60

Capacity recommended by affinity laws Q2/Q1=N2/N

6
 Experimental method and apparatus
THE FULLY LABELLED DIAGRAM FOR THE CENTRIFUGAL PUMP

INLETPRESSURE
E

FLOWRATE

OUTLETPRESSURE

SPEEDCONTROLLER

SWITCH

PRESSURE
DELIVERY LINE
DELIVERY

WATER
MOTOR
TANK

PUMP
BALLVALVE
SUCTIONLINE
PRESSURE
SUCTION

 IF THE BALL VALVE IS OPEN IT IS PARALLEL TO THE PIPE LINE

 WHEN IT IS CLOSE IT IS PERPENDICULAR TO THE PIPE LINE
 SWITCH MUST BE ON ONE

7
THE OPERATING CONDITIONS

 Firstly, the priming was done to avoid cavitation that may be developed in a pipe line,
which may lead the pump to fail to pump the fluid.
 All the necessary valves must be opened
 The time was set to be 2 minute on a stop watch to take readings with their SI units.

The variables that were measured are:

 Flowrate
 Inlet Pressure
 Outlet pressure
 Power

Experimental procedure
 The bench was connected to the power supply
 The tank was filled with water
 The pumps were first operated individually, followed by series and parallel
operation.
 Before the beginning of the practical the pumps were left for a while so that they
could be primed.
 The plug was removed from the top of the pump impeller.
 The pump delivery valve was fully opened for a series and parallel connection.
 The pump was started and the pump was allowed to run at maximum speed.
 The suction pump was opened; flow rate was observed through the venture
meter.
 Second pump was allowed to operate; button pump was started the delivery
valve was slowly opened.
 The middle valve was initially closed for series connection.
 And suction and delivery valve pressures, torque readings for both pumps
readings were taken.
 Similarly, for parallel connection except that the middle valve was fully open.
 All the readings were taken

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  To stop the process both G1 and G2 were switched off along with an E.L.C.B

Results
Raw data for pumps used individually

 Pump 1 G1

Speed flow rate(F11) P11 P12 Multi panel L1/L2/L3

meter
(Rev/min [L/hr]
) [bar] [bar]

10 13,7 0,013 0,10 0,31 L3

20 31,9 0,010 0,20 0,35 L2

30 49,4 0,025 0,37 0,51 L2

40 64,6 0,003 0,60 0,65 L2

50 83,6 0,012 0.86 0,85 L2

P11-pressure at suction
P12-pressure at delivery

9
 PUMP G2

Speed P13 P14 Multi panel L1/L2/L3

Volumetric Flow
meter
rate (F12)
[Rev/min
]
[Bar] [Bar]
[L/hr]
10 14,5 0,022 0,022 0.17 L3

20 33,1 0,019 0,14 0,25 L3

30 51,5 0,013 0,31 0,34 L3

40 65,9 0,005 0,55 0,48 L3

50 81,5 0,003 0,82 0.64 L3

P11-pressure at suction
P12-pressure at delivery

10
  Raw data for pumps in series line operation

Pump G1

Speed(rev/min) Flow rate P11 P12 Multi panel L1/L2/L3

meter

[L/hr] [bar] [bar]

10 00,2 0,015 0,06 0,35 L2

20 00,2 0,015 0,08 0,47 L2

30 51,4 0,065 0,37 0,48 L2

40 68,8 0,102 0,62 0,71 L2

50 86,3 0,155 0,91 0,81 L2

P11-pressure at suction

P12-pressure at delivery

11
Pump G2

Speed Flow rate P13 P14 Multi panel L1/l2/l3

meter
[rev/min] [L/hr] [bar] [bar]

10 00,2 0,023 00,25 0,23 L3

20 00,2 0,023 00,25 0,49 L3

30 46,4 0,013 00,33 0,34 L3

40 65,9 0,005 00,58 0,47 L3

50 78,8 0,004 00,88 0,63 L3

P11-pressure at suction

P12-pressure at delivery

12
 The raw data for parallel line operation

Pump G1

Speed Flow rate P11 P12 Multi panel L1/L2/L3

meter
[rev/mi] [L/hr] [bar] [bar]

10 00,2 0,013 0,07 0,43 L3

20 30,7 0,010 0,20 0,37 L3

30 45,1 0,003 0,38 0,49 L3

40 65,5 0,004 0,61 0,75 L3

50 74,7 0,007 0,76 0,77 L3

P11-pressure at suction
P12-pressure at delivery

13
PUMP G2

Speed Flow rate P13 P14 Multi panel L1/L2/L3

meter

[rev/min] [L/hr] [bar] [bar]

10 00,2 0,023 00,25 0,35 L3

20 00,2 0,022 00,25 0,48 L3

30 45,8 0,006 00,33 0,34 L3

40 58,5 0,003 00,51 0,44 L3

50 74,9 0,002 00,75 0,61 L3

P11-pressure at suction

P12-pressure at delivery

14
Sample calculations

FOR G1

PRESSURE HEAD=Hd-Hs [this equation is used to calculate the pressure heads shown on
the table below]

SINGLE SERIES calculated PARALLEL calculated

calculated values values G1 (bar) values G1 (bar)
G1 (bar)
0,087 0,045 0,057

0,190 0,065 0,190

0,365 0,305 0,377

0,597 0,518 0,606

0,848 0,755 0,753

For G2

PRESSURE HEAD=Hd-Hs [this equation is used to calculate the pressure heads shown on
the table below]

SINGLE calculated values SERIES calculated values PARALLEL calculated

G2 (bar) G2 values G2 (bar)
(bar)
0 0,002 0,002
0,121 0,002 0,003
0,297 0,317 0,324
0,545 0,575 0,507
0,817 0,876 0,748

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Graphs showing the pressure head vs flowrate for single pump, series
operation and parallel operation [G1 and G2]

G1 GRAPHS

fl ow rate vs pressure head in g1

0.9 0.85
0.8
single pressure head (bar)

0.7
0.6
0.6
0.5
0.37
0.4
0.3
0.19
0.2
0.09
0.1
0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
flow rates (l/hr)

series pressure head vs fl ow rates in g1

0.8 0.76

0.7
series pressure head (bar)

0.6 0.52
0.5
0.4
0.31
0.3
0.2
0.07
0.10.05
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 1 00
flow rates (l/hr)

16
 fl ow rates vs parallel pressure head in g1
0.8 0.75

0.7
0.61
parallel pressure head (bar)

0.6
0.5
0.38
0.4
0.3
0.19
0.2
0.10.06
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
flow rates (l/hr)

G2 GRAPHS

pressure head vs flowrate G2 for a single pump

90
80
70
pressure head[bar]

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9
flowrate[L/hr]

17
PRESSURE HEAD VS FLOWATE FOR G2 GRAPH FOR SERIES
90
80
70
PRESSURE HEAD[bar]

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
flow rate Q[L/hr]

PRESSURE VS FLOWRATE G2 GRAPH FOR PARALLEL

80
70
60
pressure head[bar]

50
40
30
20
10
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8
FLOW RATE Q[L/hr]

18
 Discussion
By looking at the result that we obtained especially in series and parallel operation we saw
that as we increase the speed from 10-50 the flow rate for water also increases along with
multi panel meter readings. The pressure in suction line decreases but in delivery line
increases.

When we reach the speed 50 rev/min in the parallel lines operation the was an overflow of
water entering the tank from the delivery line which eventually made the water tank to be full
in a way that the water was spilling on the other side of the tank where the water in pumped
before the entering the suction line.

Sources of error:

 The pump speed was faulty this may result to inaccuracy of pump efficiency.
 The efficiency of the pump is very low, which shows that the machinery might not be
functioning at its maximum capacity.
 Make sure all the valves are fully opened before starting the pump.
 Make sure that the isolation switch is opened and the pump is allowed to allowed to
run maximum speed.

Graph 1 shows a graphical representation of the pump performance at both operating speeds.
The discharge is plotted against the total head to provide the pump system curve. If a specific
flow rate was required for a particular purpose, the system curve indicates the total head
which must be overcome at that flow

Beyond the run-out point of the 'total head' plot, the pump itself is at risk from an effect
known as cavitation. This effect occurs when cavities form in the fluid which is being
pumped. If such cavities form at the suction of the pump, the efficiency of the pump will
drop, and damage to the pump will be inevitable.

Graph 2 indicates the graphical representation of the non-dimensional groups calculated as

part of the analysis of the data. The graph shows considerable similarity between the data
sets, at both speeds.

Although the curves are not perfect, it is reasonable to assume that this is the case, due to
errors/uncertainties.

19
 CONCLUSION
The speed of the pump is directly proportional to the flow rate of the liquid for both parallel
and series operations. The graphs clearly show that as we increase the flowrate of the system
the pressure head also increases. The input power required by the impeller follows an
approximately linear relationship with the flow discharge. There are numerous errors
associated with the results from the experiment. These errors originate from the measured
quantities, such as delivery/suction pressure and the manometer readings. The errors are more
severe at the greater speed, due to unstable flow.

Therefore, the affinity law was obeyed in this practical.

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 References
 https://theconstructor.org/practical-guide/centrifugal-pump-working-types/2917/
 https://www.thomasnet.com/articles/pumps-valves-accessories/centrifugal-principles/
 Understanding Centrifugal Pump Curves - a
href="http://www.cheresources.com/centrifugalpumps5.shtml">http://www.cheresour
ces.com/centrifugalpumps5.shtml
 Buckingham Pi Theorem, Dimensional Analysis - Introduction to Fluid
Mechanics[Chapter 10, page 171-180]

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