Characteristics of Centrifugal Pumps

Objective:
1. To study the characteristics of horizontal single stage pump operation with variable
flow rate and pump speeds.
2. To study the characteristics of two identical pumps in series operation with variable
flow rate and pump speeds.
3. To study the characteristics of two identical pumps in parallel operation with variable
flow rate and pump speeds.

Apparatus:
• Series and Parallel Pump Test Rig

Basic Procedure:
1. Fill the circulation tank with water.
2. Make sure Valve ‘V5’ is in fully close position.
3. Switch on the main power supply.
4. Turn on the main switch located on the left bottom corner on control panel. Ensure all digital
indicators illuminate.
5. Check for the following valve positions:

Pump Operation Running Pump Fully Open Valve Fully Close Valve
Single Pump Pump 1 (P1) V1 and V4 V2 and V3
Series Both Pump V1 and V3 V2 and V4
Parallel Both Pump V1, V2 and V4 V3

6. Turn on the pump and slowly open discharge valve ‘V5’ until the maximum flow rate is achieved.
Follow the experiment procedures to determine the desire flow rate.
 7. Use the pump speed selector switch to monitor the pump speed.
8. Use the pressure selector switch to monitor the pressure in the pipe.
9. To increase the speed of a pump, select the pump by pump selector and then turn the speed
controller clockwise and vice versa.
10. After using the equipment, turn off the pumps, completely close valve V5, turn off the main switch
and then switch off the main supply.

Assembly and Parts identification:

Modal: FM 07A (SOLTEQ)

1. Pump 1 4. Speed Sensor

2. Pump 2 5. Pressure Gauge
3. Water Tank 6. Pressure Transmitter

Back View:
 Figure 1 (b) Back view

Process Diagram for Series and Parallel Pump Test Rig:

Figure 1 (c) Process diagram

Formulas Used for Calculation:

𝑃𝑂𝑊𝐸𝑅𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑
Overall Efficiency ∏ 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙 = × 100%
𝑃𝑂𝑊𝐸𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙
Power (fluid) 𝑃𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑 = 𝑔 ∙ 𝑄 ∙ 𝐻 ∙ 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟

Gravitational 𝑔 = 9.81 𝑚/𝑠2

Acceleration

Volumetric flow rate (𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑖𝑛 𝐿𝑃𝑀)

𝑄
𝑃2 − 𝑃1
𝐻(m) =
𝜌𝑔
Pump Head
Pressure unit [P1,P2] is Pascal
Unit conversion : 1 bar = 100000
Pascal
Water Density 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 1000 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3

Experiment 1: Single Pump

Operation
Objective: To study the characteristics of horizontal single stage pump operation with variable flow rate
and pump speeds.

Equipment Set Up:

Sr. # Fully Close Valve Fully Open Variable Pump Condition

Valve Parameter On
1 V2 and V3 V1 and V4 V5 Pump 1 Maximum
Motor Speed
2 V2 and V3 V1 and V4 Motor Speed Pump 1 V5 fully open

Procedure:
1. Follow the basic procedure as explained above.
2. Ensure that all setting follows the equipment set up.
3. Test the pump characteristics under the following conditions and record the data:
i. Maximum motor speed; varied V5 opening
 ii. V5 fully open; varied motor speed.

Graphs:
1. Plot the pressure difference (PT3-PT1) pump head (meter) vs. flow rate for condition i.
2. Plot efficiency vs. flow rate for condition i.
3. Plot flow rate vs. pump speed for condition ii.
4. Plot the pressure difference (PT3-PT1) pump head (meter) vs. pump speed for condition ii.

Note: write the analysis at the end of each graph.

Safety precautions:
1. Never operate the pumps when there is no liquid in the pipeline. It will cause serious damage to
the pumps. (Water Level above PVC pipe 10 cm)

2. Do not operate pump above and below its limit as given below:

MINIMUM FLOWRATE MAXIMUM FLOWRATE

ORIENTATION
(LPM) (LPM)
Single 40 120
Series 40 120
Parallel 40 240
 PT3- Pump Efficiency

Experiment 1: Single Pump Operation

Data Sheet:

i) Single pump operation with variable flow rate

Flow Speed Power PT1 PT3 PT3- Pump Efficiency

rate (RPM) (Watt) (bar) (bar) PT1 head, H (%)
107.5 2042 454 0.87 1.14 0.27 2.75 10.6
101.5 2042 454 0.89 1.26 0.37 3.77 13.76
95.2 2042 454 0.9 1.37 0.47 4.79 16.4
90.2 2042 454 0.91 1.48 0.57 5.81 18.85
84.9 2042 454 0.92 1.55 0.63 6.42 19.6
79.2 2042 454 0.93 1.63 0.7 7.14 20.3
74.8 2042 454 0.94 1.69 0.75 7.65 20.5
69.8 2042 454 0.95 1.75 0.79 8.06 20.2

ii) Single pump operation with variable pump speeds

Speed Flow Power PT1 PT3 PT3- Pump

(RPM) rate (Watt) (bar) (bar) PT1 head, H
1618 85.2 292 0.92 1.07 0.15 1.53
1705 89 338 0.91 1.08 0.17 1.73
1812 97.2 377 0.89 1.10 0.21 2.14
1906 102.1 397 0.88 1.11 0.23 2.34
2012 107.1 445 0.87 1.12 0.25 2.55
2106 111.3 496 0.86 1.13 0.27 2.75
2216 115.6 555 0.85 1.14 0.29 2.95
2306 119.6 604 0.84 1.16 0.32 3.26
Experiment 2: Pumps in Series Operation
Objective: To study the characteristics of two identical pumps in series operation with variable flow
rate and pump speeds.

Equipment Set Up:

Sr. # Fully Close Valve Fully Open Variable Pump Condition

Valve Parameter On
1 V2 and V4 V1 and V3 V5 Both Maximum
Motor Speed
2 V2 and V4 V1 and V3 Motor Speed Both V5 fully open

Procedure:
1. Follow the basic procedure as explained above.
2. Ensure that all setting follows the equipment set up.
3. Test the pump characteristics under the following conditions and record the data:
iii. Maximum motor speed ; varied V5 opening
iv. V5 fully open; varied motor speed.

Graphs:
1. Plot the pressure difference (PT3-PT1) pump head (meter) vs. flow rate for condition i.
2. Plot efficiency vs. flow rate for condition i.
3. Plot flow rate vs. pump speed for condition ii.
4. Plot the pressure difference (PT3-PT1) pump head (meter) vs. pump speed for condition ii.
5. Compare and discuss the pump performance between single pump and series pump operation.

Note: write the analysis at the end of each graph.

 PT3- Pump Efficiency

Experiment 2: Series Pump Operation

Data Sheet:

i) Series pump operation with variable flow rate

Flow Speed Power PT1 PT3 PT3- Pump Efficiency

rate (RPM) (Watt) (bar) (bar) PT1 head, H (%)
108.6 2215 1022 0.87 1.14 0.27 2.755 4.78
88.2 2215 1022 0.91 2.27 1.36 13.877 19.56
70.8 2215 1022 0.94 2.79 1.85 18.877 21.35
49 2215 1022 0.97 3.29 2.32 23.673 18.538
30.1 2215 1022 0.98 3.56 2.58 26.32 12.66
10.7 2215 1022 0.99 3.8 2.81 28.67 4.9

ii) Series pump operation with variable pump speeds

Speed Flow Power PT1 PT3 PT3- Pump

(RPM) rate (Watt) (bar) (bar) PT1 head, H
1002 51.5 356 0.96 1.02 0.06 0.612
1202 60.6 403 0.95 1.04 0.09 0.918
1404 74.3 505 0.93 1.06 0.13 1.326
1604 82.9 586 0.91 1.08 0.17 1.734
1808 89.8 728 0.89 1.1 0.21 2.142
2018 108.9 916 0.86 1.13 0.27 2.755
2209 112.7 1097 0.86 1.13 0.27 2.755

Experiment 3: Pumps in Parallel Operation

Objective: To study the characteristics of two pumps in parallel operation with variable flow rate and
pump speeds.

Equipment Set Up:

Sr. # Fully Close Valve Fully Open Variable Pump Condition

Valve Parameter On
1 V3 V1, V2 and V5 Both Maximum
V3 Motor Speed
2 V3 V1, V2 and Motor Speed Both V5 fully open
V3

Procedure:
1. Follow the basic procedure as explained above.
2. Ensure that all setting follows the equipment set up.
3. Test the pump characteristics under the following conditions and record the data:
v. Maximum motor speed ; varied V5 opening
vi. V5 fully open; varied motor speed.

Graphs:
1. Plot the pressure difference (PT3-PT1) pump head (meter) vs. flow rate for condition i.
2. Plot efficiency vs. flow rate for condition i.
3. Plot flow rate vs. pump speed for condition ii.
4. Plot the pressure difference (PT3-PT1) pump head (meter) vs. pump speed for condition ii.
5. Compare and discuss the pump performance curve between single pump and parallel pump
operation.

Note: write the analysis at the end of each graph.

 PT3- Pump Efficiency

Experiment 3: Pumps in Parallel Operation

Data Sheet:

i) Parallel pump operation with variable flow rate

Flow Speed Power PT1 PT3 PT3- Pump Efficiency

rate (RPM) (Watt) (bar) (bar) PT1 head, H (%)
40.1 2222 810 0.97 2.21 1.24 1.265 1.02
60.6 2222 810 0.95 1.99 1.04 1.061 1.29
80.6 2222 810 0.92 1.77 0.85 0.867 1.38
101.2 2222 810 0.88 1.47 0.59 0.602 1.22
119.2 2222 810 0.9 1.18 0.28 0.285 0.685

ii) Parallel pump operation with variable pump speeds

Speed Flow Power PT1 PT3 PT3- Pump

(RPM) rate (Watt) (bar) (bar) PT1 head, H
1024 54 343 0.97 1.04 0.07 0.0714
1204 63.2 367 0.96 1.05 0.09 0.0918
1404 73.2 407 0.94 1.07 0.13 0.1326
1603 88 486 0.92 1.1 0. 18 0.1836
1810 97.5 565 0.9 1.13 0. 23 0.2346
2002 108.9 678 0.87 1.16 0.29 0.2959
2201 118.1 823 0.86 1.19 0.33 0.3367
Discussion of Results and Conclusions:
Experiment 1: Single Pump Operation
➢ Flowrate vs Pump Head
A near linear line with a decreasing behavior shows that an inverse relation exists
between flowrate and pump head.

Pump Head vs Flowrate

8
Pump Head (m)

2
68 73 78 83 88 93 98 103 108
Flowrate (LPM)

➢ Flowrate vs Efficiency
Upon graphical analysis, we conclude that with an increase in flowrate a decrease in
efficiency percentages is observed. A plausible explanation for this could be the
increased extraction of flow at the same rpm.

Efficiency vs Flowrate

20

18
Efficency (%)

16

14

12

10
68 73 78 83 88 93 98 103 108
Flowrate (LPM)
 PT3- Pump Efficiency

➢ Flowrate vs Pump Speed

A near linear line with an increasing behavior shows that a direct relation exists
between flowrate and pump speed.

Flowrate vs Pump Speed

120

115

110
Floweate (LPM)

105

100

95

90

85
1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 2100 2200 2300 2400
Pump Speed (RPM)

➢ Pump Speed vs Pump Head

A near linear line with an increasing behavior shows that a direct relation exists
between pump speed and pump head.

Pump Head vs Pump Speed

3.5

3
Pump Head (m)

2.5

1.5

1
1600 1700 1800 1900 2000 2100 2200 2300 2400
Pump Speed (RPM)

Experiment 2: Series Pump Operation

➢ Flowrate vs Pump Head
A near linear line with a decreasing behavior shows that an inverse relation exists
between flowrate and pump head.

Pump Head vs Flowrate

27

22
Pump Head (m)

17

12

2
10 30 50 70 90 110
Flowrate (LPM)

➢ Flowrate vs Efficiency
Upon graphical analysis, we conclude that with an increase in flowrate a decrease in
efficiency percentages is observed. However, this only true to a certain power value
known as the critical point. The before mentioned critical point is defined by a value of
approximately 1100 Watts. Efficiency increases till our power curve reaches 1100
Watts. When this value is crossed, a decrease in efficiency is observed with
increasing flowrate.

Efficiency vs Flowrate
22

19
Efficiency (%)

16

13

10

4
10 30 50 70 90 110
Flowrate (LPM)
 PT3- Pump Efficiency

➢ Flowrate vs Pump Speed

A near linear line with an increasing behavior shows that a direct relation exists
between flowrate and pump speed.

Flowrate vs Pump Speed

111

101
Flowrate (LPM)

91

81

71

61

51
1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200
Pump Speed (RPM)

➢ Pump Speed vs Pump Head

A near linear line with an increasing behavior shows that a direct relation exists
between pump speed and pump head.

Pump Head vs Pump Speed

3

2.5
Pump Head (m)

1.5

0.5
1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200
Pump Speed (RPM)

Experiment 3: Parallel Pump Operation

➢ Flowrate vs Pump Head
 In parallel combination, flowrates become additive. The total applied flowrate 𝑄𝑡 splits
into 𝑄1 and 𝑄2 at the inlet. Each pump exhibits same head at the corresponding
capacity.
𝑄𝑡 = 𝑄1 + 𝑄2
𝐻𝑡 = 𝐻1 = 𝐻2

Pump Head vs Flowrate

1.2

1
Pump Head (m)

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2
40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120
Flowrate (LPM)

➢ Flowrate vs Efficiency
Upon graphical analysis, we conclude that initially with an increase in flowrate an
increase in efficiency percentages is observed. Upon crossing a certain value, a
decrease in efficiency with increasing flowrate is observed. Parallel combination does
contribute to an additional increase in flowrate, but this comes at the cost of greater
fluid friction losses. A higher discharge pressure is induced which in return reduces
the flowrate provided by each pump. In a nutshell, more energy is required to transfer
a given fluid.

Efficiency vs Flowrate
1.4
1.3
1.2
Efficiency (%)

1.1
1
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120
Flowrate (LPM)
 PT3- Pump Efficiency

➢ Flowrate vs Pump Speed

A near linear line with an increasing behavior shows that a direct relation exists
between flowrate and pump speed.

Flowrate vs Pump Speed

120

110

100
Flowrate (LPM)

90

80

70

60

50
1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200
Pump Speed (RPM)

➢ Pump Speed vs Pump Head

A near linear line with an increasing behavior shows that a direct relation exists
between pump speed and pump head.

Pump Head vs Pump Speed

0.4
0.35
0.3
Pump Head (m)

0.25
0.2
0.15
0.1
0.05
0
1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200
Pump Speed (RPM)