REPORT ABOUT

Centrifugal pump

BY
Tarek Abd-alrhim Abd-alsamee
Section: 5

Abstract
In this report I will do an experiment to determine GRAPH PRESENTATIONS of a
centrifugal pump between Efficiency &discharge and between Pump head & discharge

And between power electric & discharge and I will talk about pumps and its types I will
concentrate on centrifugal pump and its components and cavitation

August 2022
 Experiment

1. Objective of the experiment:

the main aim of this experiment is to determine the efficiency of this
centrifugal pump, its head and consumed electrical power by this pump
and draw characteristics curves between
(Efficiency and Discharge), (pump head and Discharge) and (consumed
power and discharge).

2. Theoretical Background:

One way of illustrating pump characteristics is to construct contour lines of constant

power or efficiency on a graph of pump head plotted against pump discharge. These
allow engineers to see the maximum efficiency of a pump over a range of operating
parameters, which can assist in the selection of an appropriate pump to suit particular
conditions

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 Calculations and results:
Case 1
At speed = 1810 rpm

Speed (V) (t) (Q) P1 P2 ▲P H pump Power Efficiency(η)

[rpm] Volume Time Discharge [pa] [pa] [pa] [m] electric [%]
[m3] [s] [m3/s] [watt]

1810 0.01 11.31 8.84*10^-4 -7000 20000 27000 2.75 377.7 6.3
1810 0.01 10.86 9.21*10^-4 -7000 40000 47000 4.79 389.3 11.12
1810 0.01 12.94 7.73*10^-4 -7000 60000 67000 6.83 393.6 13.16
1810 0.01 14.15 7.07*10^-4 -7000 80000 87000 8.86 396.6 15.5
1810 0.01 16.02 6.24*10^-4 -7000 100000 107000 10.91 391 17.08

Case 2
At speed =2130 rpm

Speed (V) (t) (Q) P1 P2 ▲P H pump Power Efficiency(η)

[rpm] Volume Time Discharge [pa] [pa] [pa] [m] electric [%]
[m3] [s] [m3/s] [watt]

2130 0.01 13.06 7.65*10^-4 -7000 20000 27000 2.75 515 4.01
2130 0.005 6.77 7.39*10^-4 -7000 40000 47000 4.79 511 6.79
2130 0.005 7.51 6.67*10^-4 -7000 60000 67000 6.83 520 8.59
2130 0.005 7.50 6.67*10^-4 -7000 80000 87000 8.86 530 10.9
2130 0.01 12.21 8.19*10^-4 -7000 100000 107000 10.91 540 16.23

GRAPH PRESENTATIONS
12

10

8
Pump head [m]

0
0 0.0001 0.0002 0.0003 0.0004 0.0005 0.0006 0.0007 0.0008 0.0009 0.001
(Q)Discharge[m3/s]

3
 405

400
Power electrical[watt]

395

390

385

380

375
0 0.0001 0.0002 0.0003 0.0004 0.0005 0.0006 0.0007 0.0008 0.0009 0.001

(Q)Discharge[m3/s]

18

16

14

12
Efficiency(η)

10
[%]

0
0 0.0001 0.0002 0.0003 0.0004 0.0005 0.0006 0.0007 0.0008 0.0009 0.001
(Q)Discharge[m3/s]

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 Pumps
What is a Pump?
A pump is a device used to transfer different types of liquids or gases from one place to
another by applying mechanical action. These devices typically convert electrical energy into
hydraulic energy.
Generally, pumps are operated by mechanism (reciprocating or rotary) and take energy to do
mechanical work that moves the working fluid. This equipment is capable of lifting liquids
from low to high levels, moving fluids from low to high-pressure areas.
Pumps are powered by means of several power sources, requiring a manual operation,
electricity, engine, wind power, and more. Typically, pumps work by a vacuum in which air
pressure forces the liquid out. All pumps work by creating an area of low pressure.
Pumps have been used for so long, so it's no wonder that there are a wide variety of sizes and
types available. So let's discuss them one by one which are described below.

Types of Pumps
Following are the main types of pumps:
1. Dynamic pump
1. Centrifugal pump
1. Axial flow 2. Mixed flow 3. Peripherial
2. Special effect pump
1. Jet pump 2. Electromagnetic pump
2. Positive displacement
1. Reciprocating pump
1. Piston pump 2. Plunger pump 3. Diaphragm pump
2. Rotary pump
1. Screw pump 2. Progressive cavity pump 3. Gear pump

Dynamic Pump

A dynamic pump uses centrifugal force to create velocity in the liquid. This velocity is further
converted into pressure energy by decreasing the kinetic energy. This difference in pressure
moves the fluid through the system.
It consists of a rotating impeller that creates a vacuum that moves the fluid. The impeller is held
in the housing as it reduces the pressure at the inlet. This created motion drives the fluid
outside the housing of the pump. At this stage, the pressure builds up to send it out for
discharge.
Positive Displacement Pump
A positive displacement pump uses the reciprocating, rotary, or pneumatic motion to move the
liquid through the pump. Here, the discharge of the fluid occurs in the form of pulses instead of a
smooth liquid flow.
These types of pumps are operated by trapping a fixed amount of fluid into the pump chamber
at an inlet valve and then it discharges through an outlet valve. These pumps are utilized based
on their ability to work in high viscosity fluid at high pressure.

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 Centrifugal Pump

Introduction
Centrifugal pumps are employed to move the fluid through
the transfer of rotational energy from the rotor, this device is
known as impeller. The fluid enters the rotating impeller and
is ejected by centrifugal force through the vane tip of the
impeller.
This action of the impeller causes the fluid velocity and
pressure to increase and also directs it towards the outlet.
The pump casing is specially designed to compress fluid
from the pump inlet, direct it into the impeller and control
the fluid before discharging.
Pumps of this type are used for the water supply, fire
protection systems, and beverage industries. These are also classified into three types, which are
explained below.
Centrifugal pumps basically consist of a stationary pump casing and an impeller mounted on
a rotating shaft. The pump casing provides a pressure boundary for the pump and contains
channels to properly direct the suction and discharge flow. The pump casing has suction and
discharge penetrations for the main flow path of the pump and normally has small drain and
vent fittings to remove gases trapped in the pump casing or to drain the pump casing for
maintenance

Parts of a Centrifugal Pump

A centrifugal pump is built up of two main parts:
1. THE ROTOR (or Rotating Element).
2. THE CASING (or Housing or Body).

The Rotor
One of the greatest advantages of a centrifugal pump is that it has very few moving parts which
minimizes mechanical problems and energy losses due to friction. Other than the bearings, (and
of course the driver), the only moving part in a centrifugal pump is the Rotor. The Rotor
(Rotating Element), is made up of the following main components :
1. THE IMPELLER(S) -Often called the 'Wheel(s)'. (In the center of an impeller, is the 'EYE'
which receives the inlet flow of liquid into the 'Vanes' of the impeller).
2. THE SHAFT -The impeller(s) is/are mounted on the shaft and enclosed by a casing.
The Impellers
These consist of wheel shaped elements containing 'Curved Vanes' at the centre of which is the
liquid inlet called the 'EYE' of the impeller. The wheel(s) is/are mounted on the shaft, (together
called 'the Rotating Element' which is rotated at high speed. The liquid is thrown off the outer
edge of the vanes, and more liquid flows into the eye to take its place. The speed of rotation of
the wheel imparts kinetic energy to the liquid in the form of velocity which will be converted to
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 pressure (potential) energy. There are various types of impeller depending on the duty to be
performed by the pump.
1. The Open Impeller : This type consists of vanes attached to a central hub with no side wall or
'shroud'. It is used for pumping highly contaminated slurry type liquids.
2. Semi-Open Impeller : This type has the vanes attached to a wall or shroud on one side. It is
used mainly for lightly contaminated and abrasive liquids and slurries.
3. Closed Impeller : This impeller has the vanes enclosed on both sides by a shroud and is the
most efficient impeller, used for clean or very slightly contaminated liquids. Impellers can also be
classified according to the vane curvature - i.e. 'Backward' curve used for high flow rate.
'Forward' curve for high liquid head and 'Straight' for either service.

Shaft
The impeller is mounted on a shaft .The primary function of a centrifugal pump shaft is to
transmit torque to the impeller

2. THE CASING (or Housing or Body).

Casing
The casing is the shell or housing protecting and supporting the
components. In pumps, the casing is a significant component to
prevent leakage and even maintain pressure. There are generally
two basic types of casings: volutes and diffusers.

Volutes

When a liquid enters the outer diameter of an impeller, the volute

acts to capture its velocity and convert the velocity into pressure. The following figure
shows a schematic structure of a centrifugal pump with a volute
casing.

Diffusers

Rather than cutwater, diffusers have vanes. While the volutes have
only one or two points where the casing edge approaches the
impeller to create pressure, diffusers usually have many vanes. In
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the schematic below, the number of vanes is ten

Bearings

In general, centrifugal pumps are provided with standard ball-type anti-friction bearings
lubricated by grease or oil. These bearings are the same as those used in other objects
such as electric motors, roller skates and automobiles.

The shaft is held in place by the bearings that must be designed so that they can
withstand all the loads generated by the rotation of the impeller. Also, they have to be
sized to offer a suitable service life. Bearing failures are a common reason for pump
downtime. Therefore, engineers and end-users are often interested in the specific details
about the design of the bearing configurations.

Shaft Sleeve

Usually, a portion of the shaft located below the seals is covered with a shaft sleeve. The
shaft sleeve is made of a metal, generally bronze or stainless steel. It is designed to
operate with the ability to slide or thread on the shaft. The shaft sleeve is applied to
properly position the impeller on the shaft as well as to protect the shaft.

Seals

The place where the shaft passes through the casing is the stuffing box. Sealing must be
utilized to seal the distance between the shaft and the stuffing box wall.

Mechanical seals are different in performance, design, and cost. The simplest seal
includes only a few elements: gland, stationary seal ring (or mating ring), rotating seal
ring (or primary ring), and spring.

Gland

The gland is located around the shaft of the pump and bolts to the face of the stuffing
box directly on the pump casing.

Stationary Seal Ring

The stationary seal ring is sealed to the gland and fixed just around the pump shaft by
the gland.

Rotating Seal Ring

The rotating seal ring is sealed to the shaft using an elastomeric element and is pressed
against the stationary seal ring by a spring.

Spring

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 The spring exerts pressure on the rotating seal ring by pressing against a retaining clip or
the collar that is fastened to the pump shaft.

Advantages and Disadvantages of

Centrifugal Pumps
• Centrifugal Pumps are the most widely used type of pump for
the transfer of liquids. There are many advantages and
disadvantages associated with Centrifugal Pumps:
• Advantages:
– Simple operation.
– Low first cost and maintenance.
– Insignificant excessive pressure build up in casing.
– Impeller and shaft are the only moving parts.
– Quiet operations.
– Wide range of pressure, flow and capacities.
– Utilize small floor space in different positions.

• Disadvantages:
– High viscous liquids are not handled well.
– Centrifugal Pumps usually don’t have the
capabilities of handling high pressure
applications in comparison to other types of
pumps, i.e., Regenerative turbines.
– In general, Centrifugal pumps cannot deliver
high pressure without changes in design and
are not suitable for high pressure delivery at
low volumes except the multistage pumps.

Cavitation
The flow area at the eye of the pump impeller is usually smaller than either the flow area of the pump
suction piping or the flow area through the impeller vanes. When the liquid being pumped enters the
eye of a centrifugal pump, the decrease in flow area results in an increase in flow velocity
accompanied by a decrease in pressure. The greater the pump flow rate, the greater the pressure drop
between the pump suction and the eye of the impeller. If the pressure drop is large enough, or if the
temperature is high enough, the pressure drop may be sufficient to cause the liquid to flash to vapor
when the local pressure falls below the saturation pressure for the fluid being pumped. Any vapor
bubbles formed by the pressure drop at the eye of the impeller are swept along the impeller vanes by
the flow of the fluid. When the bubbles enter a region where local pressure is greater than saturation
pressure farther out the impeller vane, the vapor bubbles abruptly collapse. This process of the
formation and subsequent collapse of vapor bubbles in a pump is called cavitation.

Cavitation in a centrifugal pump has a significant effect on pump performance. Cavitation

degrades the performance of a pump, resulting in a fluctuating flow rate and discharge pressure.
Cavitation can also be destructive to pumps internal components. When a pump cavitates, vapor
bubbles form in the low-pressure region directly behind the rotating impeller vanes. These vapor
bubbles then move toward the oncoming impeller vane, where they collapse and cause a physical
shock to the leading edge of the impeller vane. This physical shock creates small pits on the
leading edge of the impeller vane. Each individual pit is microscopic in size, but the cumulative
effect of millions of these pits formed over a period of hours or days can literally destroy a pump
impeller. Cavitation can also cause excessive pump vibration, which could damage pump
bearings, wearing rings, and seals.
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A small number of centrifugal pumps are designed to operate under conditions where cavitation
is unavoidable. These pumps must be specially designed and maintained to withstand the small
amount of cavitation that occurs during their operation. Most centrifugal pumps are not designed
to withstand sustained cavitation.
Noise is one of the indications that a centrifugal pump is cavitating. A cavitating pump can
sound like a can of marbles being shaken. Other indications that can be observed from a remote
operating station are fluctuating discharge pressure, flow rate, and pump motor current. Methods
to stop or prevent cavitation are presented in the following paragraphs.
Net Positive Suction Head
To avoid cavitation in centrifugal pumps, the pressure of the fluid at all points within the pump
must remain above saturation pressure. The quantity used to determine if the pressure of the
liquid being pumped is adequate to avoid cavitation is the net positive suction head (NPSH).
The net positive suction head available (NPSHA) is the difference between the pressure at the
suction of the pump and the saturation pressure for the liquid being pumped. The net positive
suction head required (NPSHR) is the minimum net positive suction head necessary to avoid
cavitation.

The condition that must exist to avoid cavitation is that the net positive suction head available
must be greater than or equal to the net positive suction head required. This requirement can be
stated mathematically as shown below.
NPSHA  NPSHR
A formula for NPSHA can be stated as the following equation.
NPSHA = Psuction - Psaturation
When a centrifugal pump is taking suction from a tank or other reservoir, the pressure at the
suction of the pump is the sum of the absolute pressure at the surface of the liquid in the tank
plus the pressure due to the elevation difference between the surface of liquid in the tank and
the pump suction less the head losses due to friction in the suction line from the tank to the
pump.
NPSHA = Pa + Pst - hf - Psat
Where:
NPSHA = net positive suction head available
Pa = absolute pressure on the surface of the liquid
Pst = pressure due to elevation between liquid surface and pump suction
hf = head losses in the pump suction piping
Psat = saturation pressure of the liquid being pumped

Preventing Cavitation

If a centrifugal pump is cavitating, several changes in the system design or operation may be
necessary to increase the NPSHA above the NPSHR and stop the cavitation. One method for
increasing the NPSHA is to increase the pressure at the suction of the pump. For example, if a
pump is taking suction from an enclosed tank, either raising the level of the liquid in the tank
or
increasing the pressure in the space above the liquid increases suction pressure.
It is also possible to increase the NPSHA by decreasing the temperature of the liquid being
pumped. Decreasing the temperature of the liquid decreases the saturation pressure, causing
NPSHA to increase. Recall from the previous module on heat exchangers that large steam
condensers usually subcool the condensate to less than the saturation temperature, called
condensate depression, to prevent cavitation in the condensate pumps.
If the head losses in the pump suction piping can be reduced, the NPSHA will be increased.
Various methods for reducing head losses include increasing the pipe diameter, reducing the
number of elbows, valves, and fittings in the pipe, and decreasing the length of the pipe.

It may also be possible to stop cavitation by reducing the NPSHR for the pump. The NPSHR is
not a constant for a given pump under all conditions but depends on certain factors. Typically,
the NPSHR of a pump increases significantly as flow rate through the pump increases.
Therefore, reducing the flow rate through a pump by throttling a discharge valve decreases
NPSHR. NPSHR is also dependent upon pump speed. The faster the impeller of a pump rotates,
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 the greater the NPSHR. Therefore, if the speed of a variable speed centrifugal pump is reduced,
the NPSHR of the pump decreases. However, since a pump's flow rate is most often dictated
by the needs of the system on which it is connected, only limited adjustments can be made
without starting additional parallel pumps, if available.
The net positive suction head required to prevent cavitation is determined through testing by the
pump manufacturer and depends upon factors including type of impeller inlet, impeller design,
pump flow rate, impeller rotational speed, and the type of liquid being pumped. The
manufacturer typically supplies curves of NPSHR as a function of pump flow rate for a particular
liquid (usually water) in the vendor manual for the pump.

References
1-Babcock & Wilcox, Steam, Its Generations and Use, Babcock & Wilcox Co.

2-Cheremisinoff, N. P., Fluid Flow, Pumps, Pipes and Channels, Ann Arbor
Science

3- General Physics, Heat Transfer, Thermodynamics and Fluid Flow

Fundamentals, Genera Physics Corporation.

4- Academic Program for Nuclear Power Plant Personnel, Volume III, Columbia,
MD,

General Physics Corporation, Library of Congress Card #A 326517, 1982.

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