EXPERIMENT NO.

3
PERFORMANCE TEST OF SERIES CONNECTED CENTRIFUGAL PUMP
NAME 1. DATE PERFORMED: SCORE:
2.
3. DATE SUBMITTED
4.
5. INSTRUCTOR:
SECTION
Engr. Eisley John Tiongson
GROUP #

I. OBJECTIVE:

The activity aims to determine the characteristic performance of an centrifugal pump

connected in series considering the different parameters and variations.

II. LEARNING OUTCOME (LO):

The students shall be able to:

1. Discuss the principle of centrifugal pump connected.

2. Compute the difference in efficiency of centrifugal pump connected in series.
3. Illustrate graphical representation of correlation of data.
4. Interpret data and relate result to governing scientific principle.
5. Develop professional work ethics, including precision, neatness, safety and ability to
follow instruction.

III. DISCUSSION:
Series Connected – High Head / Low Flow

Centrifugal pumps are connected in series if the discharge of one pump is connected to the
suction side of a second pump. Two similar pumps, in series, operate in the same manner as a two-
stage centrifugal pump. Each of the pumps is putting energy into the pumping fluid, so the resultant
head is the sum of the individual heads. Some things to consider when you connect pumps in series:

 Both pumps must have the same width impeller or the difference in capacities (GPM or Cubic
meters/hour.) could cause a cavitation problem if the first pump cannot supply enough liquid to
the second pump.
 Both pumps must run at the same speed.
 Be sure the casing of the second pump is strong enough to resist the higher pressure. Higher
strength material, ribbing, or extra bolting may be required.
  The stuffing box of the second pump will see the discharge pressure of the first pump. You
may need a high-pressure mechanical seal.
 Be sure both pumps are filled with liquid during start-up and operation.
 Start the second pump after the first pump is running.

To connect two pumps in series means that the discharge from the first pump is piped into the
inlet side of the second pump (see figure 1.). In this type of arrangement all the flow successively
passes from one pump to the next with each pump adding more energy to the water. This is a typical
arrangement in multi stage turbine or submersible pump where the same discharged passes through
all stages and each build additional head.

Total Water Power

Efficiency ( e )= x 100 %
Total Brake Power

Where Q is the flowrate or discharge of pumps connected in parallel/series, γ is the specific

kN
weight of the water (9.8066 3 ), TDH is the total dynamic head and TBP is the sum of power of 2
m
pumps.

Figure 1. Series Connected Centrifugal Pump

Torque – It is the rotational equivalent of linear force..
T =F x R
Where,
T −Torque Applied
F−Force
R−Radius of the dynamometer ' s arm
Power Input of the Pump or Brake Power – the power input of a pump or brake power is the power
delivered to the pump shaft.
Tn
BP=
9.549 x 106
Where,
Bp−Brake Power , kW
T −Torque Applied , N−mm
n−angular speed of pump , rpm

Power Output of the Pump or Water Power – the power output of pump or water power based on pump
volume and the pump total head.
℘=γQTDH
Where,
℘−Water Power
3
γ−specific weight of water , 9.81 kN /m
Q−Pump Volume Flow Rate
TDH −Total Dynamic Head

Total Dynamic Head – the head corresponding to the energy input to the system, m.
TDH =∆ h P +∆ hK + ∆ h Z + hL
Where,
h P−Pressure Head
h K −Velocity Head
h Z −Elevation Head
h L −Head Loss
IV. PROCEDURE:
Safety Procedure:
Pump Start – Up Procedure:
1. Open the suction and discharge valve.
2. Check the water level in the sump tank, if not at safe water level, refill the tank to its
required level.
3. Start the motor by pressing the start button (green button).
4. Check the speed control, must be set on 0 rpm
5. Check the pressure gauges to ensure that the pump quickly reaches the correct
discharge pressure. If not, stop the motor by pressing the red button and inform the
laboratory instructor and technician.
Experiment Procedure:
1. Connect the pumps in series
2. The pumps are to be tested under 5 shaft rotational speed (1500, 2000, 2500, 3000
and 3500 rpm) simultaneously.
3. Gathered all necessary data specifically Net Brake Force, Suction Pressure,
Discharge Pressure, and Volume flow rate for each trial per rotational speed.
4. Plot the characteristic performance curve of pumps connected in parallel connection
considering Total Dynamic Head (TDH), Water Power (WP), Volume flow rate (Q)
and Efficiency (ep).
V. MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT:
 VI. DATA AND RESULTS:

DYNAMOMETER’S ARM:
ELEVATION HEAD PER PUMP:

Table 1. Series Connected Pump Data Sheet 1

Pump Rotational Speed Net Brake Force Suction Pressure Discharge Pressure
Trial (RPM) (N) (Psi) (Psi)
Pump 1 Pump 2 Pump 1 Pump 2 Pump 1 Pump 2 Pump 1 Pump 2

Table 2. Series Connected Pump Data Sheet for Pump 2

 Discharge
Trials Total Dynamic Head Total Brake Power Total Water Power Total Efficiency
(m3 / s)
(m) (Kw) (Kw) (%)
1

NOTE:

*TDH = Pressure Head + Velocity Head + Elevation Head

*EFFICIENCY = WP / BP
*Compute for the WP and BP for each pump
*Show all necessary computations
VII. COMPUTATIONS:

VIII. DISCUSSION OF RESULTS:

IX. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: