‫اسم التجربة‬

Series and parallel pumps

‫دعاء عالء لفته‬. ‫م‬.‫ م‬-:‫استاذ المادة‬

‫ميكانيك الموانع‬

‫ كاظم مجيد كاظم عاشور‬-:‫االسم‬

‫ هندسة نفط مسائي‬-:‫الكلية‬

‫ الثانية‬-:‫المرحلة‬

Introduction:
Centrifugal pumps are often used together to enhance either the flow rate or the
delivery pressure beyond that available from the single pump. For some piping
system designs, it may be desirable to consider a multiple pump system to meet
the design requirements. Two typical options include parallel and series
configurations of pumps which require a specific performance criteria. In serial
operation the heads of the pumps are added and in parallel operation the flow
rates (capacities) of the pumps are added.
The experimental unit provides the determination of the characteristic behavior
for single operation and interaction of two pumps. The apparatus consists of a
tank and pipework which delivers water to and from two identical centrifugal
pumps. The unit is fitted with electronic sensors which measure the process
variables. Signals from these sensors are sent to a computer via an interface
device, and the unit is supplied with data logging software as standard.
Purpose:
To investigate the result on discharge and total head of operating pumps in
series and in parallel.
Apparatus:
1. Series and parallel pumps demonstration unit (Figure 1).
2. Interface device.
3. PC with suitable software installed.

Figure 1: Series and parallel pump demonstration unit

Setting the flow path
The system may be configured to drive flow using single, series or parallel pumps.
The system valves are as shown:

Valves should be set to configure the system as follows. The software should also
be set to the corresponding flow path to ensure that the correct calculations are
performed.
Single Pump:

Series Pumps:
Parallel Pumps:

The two pumps are motor-driven centrifugal pumps. On pump 1, the speed of the
motor is adjustable to give a range of 0 to 100%, allowing operation as a single
pump for pump performance analysis. Pump 2 is an identical model but is run at its
design speed, which is equivalent to a setting of 80% on the variable-speed pump
for a 50Hz electrical supply, or 100% for a 60 Hz supply.

Exercise A (Series pumps) Theory:

A single pump may be insufficient to produce the performance required. Combining
two pumps increases the pumping capacity of the system. Two pumps may be
connected in series, so that water passes first through one pump and then through
the second. When two pumps operate in series, the flow rate is the same as for a
single pump but the total head is increased. The combined pump head-capacity
curve is found by adding the heads of the single pump curves at the same capacity.

Figure 3: Pump curve for two pumps in series

Equipment Set Up:
If the equipment is not yet ready for use, proceed as follows:
1. Ensure the drain valve is fully closed.
2. If necessary, fill the reservoir to within 10cm of the top rim.
3. Check that both pumps are fitted with similar impellers (the impellers may be
viewed through the clear cover plate of each pump).
4. Ensure the inlet valve and gate valve are both fully open.
5. Set the 3-way valve for flow in series.
6. Ensure the equipment is connected to the interface device and the interface
device is connected to a suitable PC. The red and green indicator lights on the
interface device should both be illuminated.
7. Ensure the interface device is connected to an appropriate mains supply, and
switch on the supply. Switch on the interface device.
8. Run the software. Check that 'IFD: OK' is displayed in the bottom right corner
of the screen and that there are values displayed in all the sensor display
boxes on the mimic diagram.

Procedures:
1. Both pumps must be used at the same setting in this experiment to ensure
identical performance. As the speed of pump 2 is fixed at its design
operational point, pump 1 should be set to match - select 80% for a 50Hz
electrical supply, or 100% for 60 Hz.
2. Allow water to circulate until all air has been flushed from the system.
3. If results are already available for a single pump across its full flow range, load
those results into the software now and jump to the section of this exercise
using two pumps. If results are not available then proceed as follows:

Single pump performance:

a. Close pump 2 outlet valve and open pump 1 outlet valve.
b. In the software, on the mimic diagram, set the 'Mode' to 'Single' by selecting
the appropriate radio button.
c. Rename the results sheet to 'Single'.
d. Select the (Go) icon to record the sensor readings and pump settings on the
results table of the software.
e. Close the gate valve to reduce the flow by a small amount. Select the (Go) icon
again.
f. Continue to close the gate valve to give incremental changes in flow rate,
recording the sensor data each time.
g. After taking the final set of data, fully open the gate valve.

Series pump performance:

4. Create a new results sheet using the (New) icon. Rename this new results
sheet to 'Series'. In the software, on the mimic diagram, set the 'Mode' to
'Series' by selecting the appropriate radio button.
 5. Open pump 2 outlet valve, close pump 1 outlet valve and wait for any air to
circulate out of the system.
6. Select the (Go) icon to record the sensor readings and pump settings on the
results table of the software.
7. Close the gate valve to reduce the flow by a small increment. Select the (Go)
icon again.
8. Continue to close the gate valve to give incremental changes in flow rate,
recording the sensor data each time.
9. After taking the final set of data, fully open the gate valve again.
Pumps in parallel exercise may be performed immediately after this experiment
without closing the software; otherwise, save the results and ensure they are
available for exercise B when required. (It may also be advisable to save the results
from this exercise before starting exercise B even if continuing straight on, to ensure
that the data is not lost in the event of a computer failure. The results sheet may be
overwritten with the combined results once exercise B has been completed).

Results:
On a base of flow rate, plot a graph of total head gain for the single pump and for
two pumps connected in series. Calculate the difference between the total head
gain for single and series pumps.

Conclusion:
Does the total head gain for the two pumps in series match the theoretical
prediction of twice the head gain for a single pump (assuming the two pumps
used gave identical performance)?
Theory:
A single pump may be insufficient to produce the performance required. Combining
two pumps increases the pumping capacity of the system. Two pumps may be
connected in parallel, so that half the flow passes through one of the pumps and the
other half through the second pump. When two pumps operate in parallel, the total
head increase remains unchanged but the flow rate is increased. The head-capacity
curve is found by adding the capacities of the single pump curves at the same head.

Figure 4: Pump curve for two pumps in parallel

Equipment Set Up:

If the equipment is not yet ready for use, proceed as follows:
1. Ensure the drain valve is fully closed.
2. If necessary, fill the reservoir to within 10cm of the top rim.
3. Check that both pumps are fitted with similar impellers (the impellers may be
viewed through the clear cover plate of each pump).
4. Ensure the inlet valve and gate valve are both fully open.
5. Set the 3-way valve for flow in parallel.
6. Fully open the pump 1 outlet valve and pump 2 outlet valve. Opening both
valves fully ensures that the outlet pressure on both pumps is equal.
7. Ensure the equipment is connected to the interface device and the interface
device is connected to a suitable PC. The red and green indicator lights on the
interface device should both be illuminated.
8. Ensure the interface device is connected to an appropriate mains supply, and
switch on the supply. Switch on the interface device.
9. Run the software. Check that 'IFD: OK' is displayed in the bottom right corner
of the screen and that there are values displayed in all the sensor display
boxes on the mimic diagram.
10. In the software, on the mimic diagram, set the "Mode" to "parallel" by
selecting the appropriate radio button.

Procedures:
1. Both pumps must be used at the same setting in this experiment, to ensure
identical performance. As the speed of pump 2 is fixed at its design
operational point, pump 1 should be set to match - select 80% for a 50Hz
electrical supply, or 100% for 60 Hz.
2. Allow water to circulate until all air has been flushed from the system.
3. Exercise A should be performed before this experiment, and the results loaded
into the software if the software is not still open from that exercise. If the
software is still open from exercise A, then create a new results sheet by
selecting the (New) icon. Rename the current (blank) results sheet to
'Parallel'.
4. Select the (Go) icon to record the sensor readings and pump settings on the
results table of the software.
5. Close the gate valve to reduce the flow by a small increment. Select the (Go)
icon again.
6. Continue to close the gate valve to give incremental changes in flow rate,
recording the sensor data each time.
7. After taking the final set of data, fully open the gate valve. Set Pump 1 to 0%
and switch off both pumps.

Results:
On a base of flow rate, plot a graph of total head gain for the single pump and for
two pumps connected in parallel. Calculate the difference between the capacity
for single and parallel pumps. Conclusion:
Does the total head gain for the two pumps in parallel match the theoretical
prediction of twice the capacity of a single pump (assuming the two pumps used
gave identical performance)?
Compare the graphs for pumps in series and pumps in parallel, and describe the
similarities and differences.