MPE Laboratory Sheet for Fluid Mechanics

1.0 TITLE

Centrifugal Pump Performance Experiment

2.0 OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this experiment are

1.1 To determine the characteristic curve of a centrifugal pump
1.2 To determine the characteristic curve for two centrifugal pumps in serial
operation.
1.3 To determine the characteristic curve for two centrifugal pumps in parallel
operation.

3.0 THEORY

3.1 Pump Characteristic Curve

The actual pump head gained by a fluid as a function of the flowrate can be obtained
from the pump characteristic curve provided by the pump manufacturers as shown in
Figure 1. The intersection of the pump characteristic curve and the system curve
represents the operating point for the system. The useful head produced by the pump
at the operating point matches the head requirements of the system at that flow rate.

Figure 1: Pump characteristic curve for a centrifugal pump and the

system curve for a piping system
3.2 Centrifugal Pump Connected in Parallel

If a single pump does not provide enough flowrate for a given application, connecting
two pumps in parallel, as shown in Figure 2, can rectify the problem. The effective
two-pump characteristic curve is obtained by adding the flowrates of each pump at the
same head. Figure 2 shows the characteristic curve of two identical pumps (the pumps
do not have to be the same). Notice that when two pumps are connected in parallel,
the operating points shift from A to B, providing not only increased flowrate as
required but also greater head.

Figure 2: Two centrifugal pumps connected in parallel

3.3 Centrifugal Pump Connected in Series

On the other hand, if a single pump does not provide enough head for a given
application, two pumps connected in series, as shown in Figure 6, can be a remedy.
The effective two-pump characteristic curve is obtained by adding the head of each
pump at the same flowrate. Figure 3 shows the characteristics curve of two identical
pumps in series (the pumps do not have to be the same). It can be seen that the
operating point shifts from A to B, thereby providing not only increased head as
required but also greater flow.

Figure 3: Two centrifugal pumps connected in series

4.0 GENERAL EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION

4.1 Unit Assembly

Figure 1: Serial/Parallel Centrifugal Pump Test Rig

1. Centrifugal Pump, P1 4. Rotameter

2. Centrifugal Pump, P2 5. Pressure Gage
3. Circulation Tank

4.2 Process Diagram

By opening and closing the appropriate valves from among valves V1, V2, V3 and

V4, the following three different pump operations can be obtained.

(1) Single pump operation.

(2) two centrifugal pumps in serial operation.

(3) two centrifugal pumps in parallel operation.

 Figure 2: Process Diagram for Serial/Parallel Centrifugal Pump Test Rig

5.0 EQUIPMENT OPERATING PROCEDURE

5.1 General Start-up Procedure

Before conducting any experiment, it is necessary to do the following checking to

avoid any misused and malfunction of equipment.

1. Make sure that the circulation tank is filled with water (the pipe exit must be at
least 10 cm below the water surface).

2. Make sure that valve V5 is in fully close position.

3. Switch on the main power supply.

4. With the aid of Figure 2, check whether the valves V1, V2, V3 and V4 are to be
closed or opened according to the desired pump operation.

5. Turn on pump and slowly open V5 until the desired flowrate is achieved.

IMPORTANT:

1. Never operate the pumps when there is no liquid in the pipeline as this will
cause serious damage to the pumps. The water level in the circulation tank
must be at least 10 cm above the pipe exit).

2. Do not operate the pump either below or above its limit of operating flowrate
as given in Table 1.
 Table 1
Pump Minimum Maximum
Operation Flowrate (LPM) Flowrate (LPM)

Single 40 90

Serial 40 90

Parallel 40 180

5.2 General Shut-down Procedure

1. Turn off the pump.

2. Make sure that valve V5 is in fully close position.

3. Switch off the main power supply.

6 EXPERIMENT

Design the experiments in order to meet the given objectives.

7 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Show the results appropriately in the form of table, graph or others. Conduct the
appropriate analysis and discuss the finding.

Data taken from the experiment need to be stamped by lab officer.

8 REPORT

Submit the FORMAL REPORT within 7 days from this experiment. Report must be
typed. Similarity test will be conducted using Turnitin where similarity index of 20%
is considered passing mark. Formal report must contain the following standard
content:

1. Title

2. Objective

3. Introduction and Theory

4. Apparatus

5. Procedures

6. Data and results

7. Analysis and discussion

8. Conclusion

9. References

Refer to course information for the distribution of marks.