Types of Centrifugal Pumps

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UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM

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ME 10 Fluid Machinery
Assignment 4
Centrifugal Pumps
Direction: Research for the definition with inclusion picture of the Term and Definition,
Illustration, Formula and Nomenclature of the topic Centrifugal Pumps. Indicate the reference
use with proper footnoting.
Centrifugal Pumps – are used to transport fluids by the conversion of rotational kinetic
energy to the hydrodynamic energy of the fluid flow. The rotational energy typically
comes from an engine or electric motor. They are a sub-class of dynamic axisymmetric
work-absorbing turbomachinery. The fluid enters the pump impeller along or near to the
rotating axis and is accelerated by the impeller, flowing radially outward into a diffuser or
volute chamber (casing), from which it exits.
Illustration Centrifugal Pump with Basic Parts of Centrifugal Pump
1
https://mechanicalnotes.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Centrifugal_Pump.jpg
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Definition of Basic Parts of Centrifugal Pump –

Impeller - Impeller is a rotor used to increase the kinetic energy of the flow.
Casing (Volute) - The casing contains the liquid and acts as a pressure containment
vessel that directs the flow of liquid in and out of the centrifugal pump. The volute is a
curved funnel that increases in area as it approaches the discharge port. The volute of a
centrifugal pump is the casing that receives the fluid being pumped by the impeller,
slowing down the fluid’s rate of flow. Therefore, according to Bernoulli’s principle, the
volute converts kinetic energy into pressure by reducing speed while increasing
pressure. Some centrifugal pumps contain diffusers. A diffuser is a set of stationary
vanes that surround the impeller. The diffuser directs the flow, allows a more gradual
expansion and therefore increases the efficiency of the centrifugal pump.
Shaft (Rotor) - The impeller is mounted on a shaft. Shaft is a mechanical component
for transmitting torque from the motor to the impeller.
Shaft sealing - Centrifugal pumps are provided with packing rings or mechanical seal
which helps prevent the leakage of the pumped liquid.
Bearings. Bearings constrain relative motion of the shaft (rotor) and reduce friction
between the rotating shaft and the stator. There are at least 5 common types of bearing,
each of which operates on different principles:
 Plain bearing
 Rolling-element bearing
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https://www.nuclear-power.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Centrifugal-Pump-min.png
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 Jewel bearing
 Fluid bearing
 Magnetic bearing3
Formula:
Euler's pump equation =
Nomenclature:
In Eq. (2) the sum of 4 front element number calls static pressure, the sum of last 2
element number call velocity pressure look carefully on the Fig 2.2 and the detail
equation.
Ht theory head pressure; g = between 9.78 and 9.82 m/s2 depending on latitude,
conventional standard value of exactly 9.80665 m/s2 barycentric gravitational
acceleration
u2=r2.ω the peripheral circumferential velocity vector
u1=r1.ω the inlet circumferential velocity vector
ω=2π.n angular velocity
w1 inlet relative velocity vector
w2 outlet relative velocity vector
c1 inlet absolute velocity vector
c2 outlet absolute velocity vector4
Efficiency factor =
Nomenclature:
3
https://www.nuclear-power.net/nuclear-engineering/fluid-dynamics/centrifugal-pumps/parts-of-centrifugal-
pump/#:~:text=Impeller%20is%20a%20rotor%20used,is%20mounted%20on%20a%20shaft.
4
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centrifugal_pump
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The head added by the pump (H) is a sum of the static lift, the head loss due to friction
and any losses due to valves or pipe bends all expressed in meters of fluid. Power is
more commonly expressed as kilowatts (103 W, kW) or horsepower (hp = kW/0.746).
The value for the pump efficiency of pump may be stated for the pump itself or as a
combined efficiency of the pump and motor system.
The energy usage is determined by multiplying the power requirement by the length of
time the pump is operating.5
Types of Centrifugal Pumps:

Volute Type – he volute of a centrifugal pump is the casing that receives the
fluid being pumped by the impeller, maintaining the velocity of the fluid through to the
diffuser. As liquid exits the impeller it has high kinetic energy and the volute directs this
flow through to the discharge. As the fluid travels along the volute, it is joined by more
and more fluid exiting the impeller but, as the cross-sectional area of the volute
increases, the velocity is maintained if the pump is running close to the design point. If
the pump has a low flow rate then the velocity will decrease across the volute leading to
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a pressure rise causing a cross thrust across the impeller that we see as vibration. If the
pump flow is higher than design the velocity will increase across the volute and the
pressure will decrease according to the first law of thermodynamics. This will cause a
side thrust in the opposite direction to that caused by low flow but the result is the same
- vibration with resultant short bearing and seal life. 6
Diffuser Type - Diffuser casings are commonly used for vertical turbine and
multistage, high-head pumps for maximum pump reliability and where high efficiency is
of major importance. High efficiency is not the only advantage for a diffuser pump. In the
diffuser type, the impeller discharges into a uniform ring of nozzles, and consequently
the radial loading on the impeller is fully balanced (meaning zero radial load over the full
flow range). Keeping the radial load on the impeller at a minimum value over its full flow
range through the selection of a certain casing type can have a significant impact on
improving the pump life, especially since bearing failures are the second most common
reason for pump failures.
Peripheral turbine - Peripheral pumps, also referred to as regenerative pumps
(also see Side channel pumps), are centrifugal pumps whose impeller (see Peripheral
impeller) rotates in a largely concentric casing channel with an inlet and an outlet
opening. As the fluid handled repeatedly circulates between the impeller and the casing
channel the energy transferred to it is very high.
In total the fluid moves along the circumference from the inlet to the outlet of the casing
with increasing pressure. A stripper arranged between the outlet and the inlet prevents
a hydraulic short circuit between the high-pressure and the low-pressure side of the
casing channel.8
6
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volute_(pump)
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https://3.bp.blogspot.com/_gdUXJjJZBtw/SuGEUJQDcxI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/owQc-z6_MMo/w1200-h630-p-k-no-
nu/CENTRIFUGAL+PUMP.jpg
8
https://www.ksb.com/centrifugal-pump-lexicon/peripheral-pump/192176/
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Mixed flow- A mixed flow pump is a centrifugal pump with a mixed flow impeller.
The specific speeds (ns) lie between 35 and 80 rpm for low-speed mixed flow pumps,
and between 80 and 160 rpm for higher-speed mixed flow pumps (in special cases even
higher). Mixed flow pumps cover the transition range between radial flow pumps and
axial flow pumps (e. g. propeller pumps).
The impellers of mixed flow pumps with a low specific speed are combined with
an annular or volute casing; those of mixed flow pumps with a higher specific speed are
combined with a diffuser and a tubular casing. 10
9
https://www.rothpump.com/images/regenerative-turbine-pump-suction.png
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https://www.ksb.com/centrifugal-pump-lexicon/mixed-flow-pump/192030/
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11
Propeller or axial flow type - Axial flow pumps are dynamic pumps, meaning
they utilize fluid momentum and velocity to generate pump pressure. Specifically, they
are centrifugal pumps, which generate this velocity by using an impeller to apply
centrifugal force to the moving liquid. To learn more about selecting centrifugal pumps,
go to the Centrifugal Pumps Selection Guide page on IEEE GlobalSpec.
Axial flow pumps are one of three subtypes of centrifugal pumps, the others
being mixed flow and radial flow. Of these three types, axial flow pumps are
characterized by the highest flow rates and lowest discharge pressures. They direct flow
in a straight line parallel to the impeller shaft rather than radially (perpendicular to the
shaft). The impeller is shaped like a propeller and contains only a few (typically three or
four) vanes. The impeller is driven by a motor that is either sealed directly in the pump
body or by a drive shaft that enters the pump tube from the side. The impeller looks and
operates similar to a boat propeller, which is the reason why axial flow pumps are also
called propeller pumps.12
11
https://www.ksb.com/image/190456/17x11/425/275/441d10703fa1dbf687ec286a3fcfc90f/pd/schraubenradpum
pe-1.jpg
12
https://www.globalspec.com/learnmore/flow_transfer_control/pumps/axial_flow_pumps#:~:text=Axial%20flow
%20pumps%2C%20also%20called,by%20changing%20the%20impeller%20pitch.
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Characteristics of Centrifugal Pumps:

Creating a resistance to the flow controls the kinetic energy of a liquid coming out of an
impeller. The first resistance is created by the pump volute (casing), which catches the
liquid and slows it down. When the liquid slows down in the pump casing, some of the
kinetic energy is converted to pressure energy. It is the resistance to the pump’s flow
that is read on a pressure gauge attached to the discharge line. A pump does not create
pressure, it only creates flow. Pressure is a measurement of the resistance to flow.
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14
Head—Resistance to Flow
In Newtonian (true) fluids (non-viscous liquids, such as water or gasoline), the term
head is the measurement of the kinetic energy that a centrifugal pump creates. Imagine
a pipe shooting a jet of water straight into the air. The height that the water reaches is
the head. Head measures the height of a liquid column, which the pump could create
resulting from the kinetic energy the centrifugal pump gives to the liquid. The main
reason for using head instead of pressure to measure a centrifugal pump’s energy is
that the pressure from a pump will change if the specific gravity (weight) of the liquid
changes, but the head will not change. End users can always describe a pump’s
performance on any Newtonian fluid, whether it is heavy (sulfuric acid) or light
(gasoline), by using head. Head is related to the velocity that the liquid gains when
going through the pump.
All the forms of energy involved in a liquid flow system can be expressed in terms of
feet of liquid. The total of these heads determines the total system head or the work that
a pump must perform in the system. The different types of head—friction, velocity and
pressure—are defined in this section.
Friction Head (hf)
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https://www.pumpsandsystems.com/sites/default/files/Rockwell_20Fig2.jpg
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Friction head is the head required to overcome the resistance to flow in the pipe and
fittings. It depends on the size, condition and type of pipe; the number and type of pipe
fittings; flow rate; and nature of the liquid.
Velocity Head (hv)
Velocity head is the energy of a liquid as a result of its motion at some velocity (V). It is
the equivalent head in feet through which the water would have to fall to acquire the
same velocity or, in other words, the head necessary to accelerate the water. Velocity
head can be calculated using the following:
Formula:
Nomenclature:
g = 32.2 ft./sec.2
V = liquid velocity in ft./sec.15
Pressure Head
Pressure head must be considered when a pumping system either begins from or
empties into a tank that is under some pressure other than atmospheric. The pressure
in such a tank must first be converted to feet of liquid. A vacuum in the suction tank or a
positive pressure in the discharge tank must be added to the system head, whereas a
positive pressure in the suction tank or vacuum in the discharge tank would be
subtracted. The following is a formula for converting inches of mercury vacuum into feet
of liquid:
16
15
https://www.pumpsandsystems.com/characteristics-centrifugal-pumps
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The different types of head are combined to make up the total system head at any
particular flow rate. The descriptions in this section are of these combined or dynamic
heads, as they apply to the centrifugal pump.
Total Dynamic Suction Lift (hs)
Total dynamic suction lift is the static suction lift minus the velocity head at the pump
suction flange plus the total friction head in the suction line. The total dynamic suction
lift, as determined on a pump test, is the reading of a gauge on the suction flange,
converted to feet of liquid and corrected to the pump centerline, minus the velocity head
at the point of gauge attachment.
Total Dynamic Discharge Head (hd)

Total dynamic discharge head is the static discharge head plus the velocity head at the
pump discharge flange plus the total friction head in the discharge line. The total
dynamic discharge head, as determined on pump test, is the reading of a gauge at the
discharge flange, converted to feet of liquid and corrected to the pump centerline, plus
the velocity head at the point of gauge attachment. 17
Specific Speed of Centrifugal Pumps - Specific speed Ns, is used to characterize

turbomachinery speed. Common commercial and industrial practices use dimensioned
versions which are of equal utility. Specific speed is most commonly used in pump
applications to define the suction specific speed—a quasi-non-dimensional number that
categorizes pump impellers as to their type and proportions. In Imperial units it is
defined as the speed in revolutions per minute at which a geometrically similar impeller
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would operate if it were of such a size as to deliver one gallon per minute against one
foot of hydraulic head. In metric unit’s flow may be in l/s or m³/s and head in m, and care
must be taken to state the units used.
Performance is defined as the ratio of the pump or turbine against a reference pump or
turbine, which divides the actual performance figure to provide a unitless figure of merit.
The resulting figure would more descriptively be called the "ideal-reference-device-
specific performance." This resulting unitless ratio may loosely be expressed as a
"speed," only because the performance of the reference ideal pump is linearly
dependent on its speed, so that the ratio of [device-performance to reference-device-
performance] is also the increased speed at which the reference device would need to
operate, in order to produce the performance, instead of its reference speed of "1 unit."
Specific speed is an index used to predict desired pump or turbine performance. i.e., it
predicts the general shape of a pump’s impeller. It is this impeller's "shape" that predicts
its flow and head characteristics so that the designer can then select a pump or turbine
most appropriate for a particular application. Once the desired specific speed is known,
basic dimensions of the unit's components can be easily calculated. 18
Formula:
19
Nomenclature –
18
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Specific_speed#:~:text=Centrifugal%20pump%20impellers%20have
%20specific,associated%20with%20positive%20displacement%20pumps.
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20
Affinity Laws - The affinity laws (Also known as the "Fan Laws" or "Pump Laws") for
pumps/fans are used in hydraulics, hydronics and/or HVAC to express the relationship
between variables involved in pump or fan performance (such as head, volumetric flow
rate, shaft speed) and power. They apply to pumps, fans, and hydraulic turbines. In
these rotary implements, the affinity laws apply both to centrifugal and axial flows.
The laws are derived using the Buckingham π theorem. The affinity laws are useful as
they allow prediction of the head discharge characteristic of a pump or fan from a known
characteristic measured at a different speed or impeller diameter. The only requirement
is that the two pumps or fans are dynamically similar, that is the ratios of the fluid forced
are the same. It is also required that the two impellers' speed or diameter are running at
the same efficiency.21
22
20
21
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affinity_laws
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23
Nomenclature:
24
These laws assume that the pump/fan efficiency remains constant i.e., which is rarely exactly
true, but can be a good approximation when used over appropriate frequency or diameter
ranges (i.e., a fan will not move anywhere near 1000 times as much air when spun at 1000
times its designed operating speed, but the air movement may be increased by 99% when the
operating speed is only doubled). The exact relationship between speed, diameter, and
efficiency depends on the particulars of the individual fan or pump design. Product testing or
computational fluid dynamics become necessary if the range of acceptability is unknown, or if a
high level of accuracy is required in the calculation. Interpolation from accurate data is also
more accurate than the affinity laws. When applied to pumps the laws work well for constant
diameter variable speed case (Law 1) but are less accurate for constant speed variable impeller
diameter case (Law 2).
For radial flow centrifugal pumps, it is common industry practice to reduce the impeller diameter
by "trimming", whereby the outer diameter of a particular impeller is reduced by machining to
alter the performance of the pump. In this particular industry it is also common to refer to the
mathematical approximations that relate the volumetric flow rate, trimmed impeller diameter,
shaft rotational speed, developed head, and power as the "affinity laws". Because trimming an
23
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impeller changes the fundamental shape of the impeller (increasing the specific speed), the
relationships shown in Law 2 cannot be utilized in this scenario. In this case the industry looks
to the following relationships, which is a better approximation of these variables when dealing
with impeller trimming.
With shaft speed (N) held constant and for small variations in impeller diameter via trimming:25
Formula:
26
Nomenclature:
27
25
26
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Reference:
https://www.nuclear-power.net/nuclear-engineering/fluid-dynamics/centrifugal-pumps/parts-of-centrifugal-
pump/#:~:text=Impeller%20is%20a%20rotor%20used,is%20mounted%20on%20a%20shaft.
https://www.ksb.com/centrifugal-pump-lexicon/peripheral-pump/192176/
https://www.ksb.com/centrifugal-pump-lexicon/mixed-flow-pump/192030/
https://www.globalspec.com/learnmore/flow_transfer_control/pumps/axial_flow_pumps#:~:text=Axial%20flow
%20pumps%2C%20also%20called,by%20changing%20the%20impeller%20pitch.
https://www.filepicker.io/api/file/Xh0koZuIT1y1gZfskcfP/convert?
w=720&fit=crop&format=jpg&quality=100
%20specific,associated%20with%20positive%20displacement%20pumps
Province of Rizal
www.urs.edu.ph

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Republic of the Philippines

UNIVERSITY OF RIZAL SYSTEM

Email Address: ursmain@urs.edu.ph /urs.opmorong@gmail.com

Email Address: ursmain@urs.edu.ph /urs.opmorong@gmail.com

Definition of Basic Parts of Centrifugal Pump –

Email Address: ursmain@urs.edu.ph /urs.opmorong@gmail.com

Email Address: ursmain@urs.edu.ph /urs.opmorong@gmail.com