CAT 3

a) The impeller of a centrifugal pump has a diameter of 0.25 m and axial width at outlet
of 18 mm. There are 18 blades swept backwards and inclined at 270 to the tangent to
periphery. The flow rate through the impeller is 3×10−3 m3/s when it rotates at 935
rpm. Assuming one dimensional ideal flow theory, calculate the head developed by the
pump when handling water.

b) An axial flow pump operates at 500 rpm. The outer diameter of the impeller is 750
mm and the hub diameter are 400 mm. At the mean blade radius, the inlet blade angle
is 120 and the outlet blade angle is 150, both measured with respect to the plane of
impeller rotation. The pump has hydraulic efficiency of 87% and overall efficiency of
70%. Sketch the corresponding velocity diagrams at inlet and outlet and estimate from
them the following:
i. The head generated by the pump;
ii. The rate of flow through the pump;
iii. The shaft power is consumed by the pump.