FM-II (CH342)

Fluid Machinery
Dr. Hammad Amjad

Faculty of Materials and Chemical Engineering

Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology
 System Curve/Operating Point 2

• The pump curve describes how a centrifugal pump performs in isolation from plant equipment. However, a flow
system may consist of reservoirs, pipes, fittings, and a performance of a pump that is used to convey the fluid
in practice is determined by the resistance of the system. A graphical representation of these factors is called
the system curve or head loss curve.
• Consider, for example, a general piping system with elevation change, major
and minor losses, and fluid acceleration. If we apply the energy equation
between points 1 and 2 to the system, we will have required net head Hrequired:

p α1v p αv 
+
ρg  g
+ z+ ha = +
ρg  g
+ z  + hr + h L

p − p αv  − α1v
Hrequired = ha = + + ( z  − z ) + h
L
ρg g

In a general system, the change in static pressure, dynamic pressure, and elevation may be either positive
or negative, while irreversible head losses are always positive. In many mechanical and civil engineering
problems in which the fluid is a liquid, the elevation term is important, but when the fluid is a gas, such as in
ventilation and air pollution control problems, the elevation term is almost always negligible.
 p − p αv  − α1v  l K 
Hrequired = + + ( z  − z ) +   f +  L v 2
ρg g   gd g 
p − p αv  − α1v  l KL  2
= + + ( z  − z ) +   f +  
Q
ρg g   gA 
d  gA 
When reservoirs are open and very large, then:
 l KL  2
Hrequired = ( z  − z ) +   f +   Q = ( z 2
− z1 ) + KQ 2
( System Equ. )
  gA d  gA 

Falling head
where Δz is the difference in elevation between the water surfaces of the source

curve
and destination reservoirs, the first term in the square brackets is the sum of the
head losses due to friction, and the second term is the sum of the local head

Rise head
losses, and K depends on the pipe sizes and lengths, friction factors, and minor

curve
loss coefficients. Above equation gives the required relationship between hsystem
and Q for pipeline system, and this relationship is commonly called system
curve.
Operating point : Hrequired = Havailable Operating point of a piping system is
p − p αv 22 − α1v12
where Hrequired = + + ( z  − z ) + hL ,total established at the Q where the system curve
ρg g
and the pump performance curve intersect.
and Havailable is obtained from manufacture `s data
Friction and Lift: 4
All actual flow systems have some frictional pressure drop and some elevation change. Thus, all system head-flow
curves may be treated as the sum of a frictional component and a static-lift component. The head for the complete
system at any flow rate is the sum of the frictional and lift heads. The system head-flow curve is plotted in Fig.
 KL  
Hrequired = ( z  − z ) +   f
l

 gA d
+   
 gA  Q

static suction lift pure friction
Pure friction:

Total Head Static

Delivery
Head

Friction+ Lift: +ve

Static
Suction -ve
Head
 Head results from elevation of the liquid relative to the pump center line. 5

✓ Static Discharge Head (hd) is the vertical distance in feet between the pump
centerline and the point of free discharge or the surface of the liquid in the
discharge tank.

✓ Suction Lift (hs): A pump’s suction head is a measure of the maximum depth
from which a pump can raise water via suction.

▪ If the liquid level is above pump centerline, hs is positive.

▪ If the liquid level is below pumping centerline, hs is negative. Negative hs Suction Lift
condition is commonly denoted as a “suction lift” condition.

• Total Static Head (hT) is the vertical distance in feet between the free level of
the source of supply and the point of free discharge or the free surface of the
discharge liquid.

HT = Hd  Hs
Suction Head
Possible Operation Scenarios (planned): 6

Churn

Shifting of the operating points when

changing the aperture of a throttle valve

pumps Carry Out

Shifting of the operating points when changing the

dia of the piping network
Shifting of the operating points when changing
the speed of the pump
Fixed-vs Variable Speed Pump:
Fixed-speed pump Variable-speed pump

▪ Fixed-speed pumps operate at a constant speed on the curve, delivering

flow rates and pressures determined by a single point on their performance
curve. They lack flexibility, potentially operating away from BEP during
varying system demands.
▪ Variable-speed pumps adjust speed, allowing operation at different points
on their performance curve. They can deliver varying flow rates/pressures
based on system needs within a shaded area on performance chart.
Possible Operation Scenarios (Unplanned): 8

Operational Problems
Operating point's position shift: (a)
The operating point of a centrifugal pump is the intersection of the pump
characteristic curve (H/Q curve) and the system characteristic curve Hsys /Q.
H/Q is the pump-based variable, Hsys/Q the the system-based variable.
For a given pump, it is clear that as the system equation changes, the operating
point will shift. For example, if the pipe friction increases due to pipe wall
fouling, the system curve changes, resulting in the operating point A shifting to
point B in Fig (a). with a reduction in flowrate and efficiency.

Intersection at more than one operating point or near the dip (b)
There are unfortunate situations where the system curve and the pump
performance curve intersect at more than one operating point. This can occur
when a pump that has a dip in its net head performance curve is mated to a
system that has a fairly flat system curve, as illustrated in Fig. (b). Although
rare, such situations are possible and should be avoided, because the system
may “hunt” for an operating point, leading to an unsteady-flow situation
 Pump Systems 9

In cases where a single pump is inadequate to achieve a desired operating condition (Q or H), multiple pumps can
be used. When faced with the need to increase volume flow rate or pressure rise by a small amount, adding an
additional pump in series or in parallel with the original pump is more feasible. Combinations of pumps are referred
to as pump systems, and the performance curve of a pump system is determined by the arrangement.
Pump Combination (Series): Q QA QB

• Single suction

• Provide greater Head for same flow rate

• Pump performance curve is the VERTICAL sum

Pump A provides ℎ𝐴 Pump B provides ℎ𝐵
• Pumping water/oil from deep boreholes

n  gQA+ B HA+ B
Properties: Hcombined = H
i =1
i
= HA + HB + .... Bhptot = bhpA + bhpB ηcombined =
bhpA+ B

QA = QB = Q =conservation of mass
H A + H B = H =conservation of energy
 Qcombined = QA = QB Qcombined = Max (QA , QB )
Hcombined = 2H Hcombined = H A + HB

▪ Pump performance curve (dark blue) for three dissimilar pumps in series. At low values of volume flow rate, the
Hnet=∑Hi.
▪ However, to avoid pump damage and loss of combined net head, any individual pump should be shut off and
bypassed at flow rates larger than that pump’s free delivery, as indicated by the vertical dashed red lines.
▪ If the three pumps were identical, it would not be necessary to turn off any of the pumps, since the free delivery
of each pump would occur at the same volume flow rate.
Pump Combination (Parallel):
• Multiple suctions

• Provide Greater Flow Rate for Same Head

• Pump Perf. Curve is the HORIZONTAL sum

• Pumping sanitary-sewer pump stations and in public water-supply systems

n
Properties: Qcombined = Q
i =1
i
= QA + QB + ....

Bhptot = bhpA + bhpB

 gQA+ B HA+ B
ηcombined =
bhpA+ B

H1 = Ho − KQ 2
2
Q
H2 ,P = Ho − K   Similar pumps in parallel
2
( for 2 parallel pumps )
 12
▪ Pump performance curve (dark blue) for three
pumps in parallel. At a low value of net head, the
combined capacity is equal to the sum of the
capacity of each pump by itself.
▪ However, to avoid pump damage and loss of
combined capacity, any individual pump should
be shut off at net heads larger than that pump’s
shutoff head, as indicated by the horizontal
dashed gray lines. That pump’s branch should also
be blocked with a valve to avoid reverse flow.
▪ If the three pumps were identical, it would not be
necessary to turn off any of the pumps, since the
shutoff head of each pump would occur at the
same net head.
Problem: Pump working in series 13
Two water pumps are arranged in series. The performance data for both pumps follow the parabolic curve fit Havailable = H0 −
aQ2. For pump 1, H0 = 6.33 m and coefficient a = 0.0633 m/(Lpm)2; for pump 2, H0 = 9.25 m and coefficient a = 0.0472
m/(Lpm)2. In either case, the units of net pump head H are m, and the units of capacity Q are Lpm. Calculate the combined
shutoff head and free delivery of the two pumps working together in series. At what volume flow rate should pump 1 be shut
off and bypassed?

Solution:
We are to calculate the combined shutoff head and free delivery for two pumps in
series and discuss why the weaker pump should be shut off and bypassed above
some flow rate.

First sketch the graph for two pumps using Havailable = H0 − aQ2 for pump 1 and pump 2

Pump 1: Havailable = 6.33 − 0.0633Q2

Pump 2: Havailable = 9.25 − 0.0472Q2

Change Q and sketch

EXAMPLE 14–1 Operating Point of a Fan in a Ventilation System 14

A local ventilation system is used to remove air and contaminants produced by a dry-cleaning operation
(Fig.) The duct is round and is constructed of galvanized steel with longitudinal seams and with joints
every 30 in (0.76 m). The inner diameter (ID) of the duct is D = 9.06 in (0.230 m), and its total length is
L = 44.0 ft (13.4 m). There are five CD3-9 elbows along the duct. The equivalent roughness height of
this duct is 0.15 mm, and each elbow has a minor (local) loss coefficient of KL = 0.21. To ensure
adequate ventilation, the minimum required volume flow rate through the duct is Q = 600 cfm (ft3/min),
or 0.283 m3/s at 25°C. Literature from the hood manufacturer lists the hood entry loss coefficient as 1.3
based on duct velocity. When the damper is fully open, its loss coefficient is 1.8. A centrifugal fan with
9.0-in inlet and outlet diameters is available. Its performance data are shown in Table, as listed by the
manufacturer.
Predict the operating point of this local ventilation system and draw a plot of required and
available fan pressure rise as functions of volume flow rate. Is the chosen fan adequate?

𝜈air, 25 oC = 1.562 × 10−5 m2/s, 𝜌air, 25 oC = 1.184 kg/m3, patm = 101.3 kPa.
 15
SOLUTION: 𝜈air, 25 oC = 1.562 × 10−5 m2/s, 𝜌air, 25 oC = 1.184 kg/m3, patm = 101.3 kPa, Q = 0.283 m3/s
Given:
𝛼turbulent = 1.05, ε = 0.15mm, KL,elbow = 0.21, KL,entry = 1.3, KL,exit = 1.8.
• p2=p1=patm,
p − p αv 22 − α1v12
• v1=0 due to large area, Hrequired = + + ( z  − z ) + hL ,total
• z2-z1=negligible for gases
ρg g

αv 22 αv 22  l  v 22  l  v 22
Hrequired = + hL ,total = +  f +  KL  =  α + f +  K L 
g g  d  g  d  g
ε D= ( 0.15 mm ) / ( 230 mm )= 6.52 × 10 − Minor losses : ΣK L = 1.3 + 5 ( 0.21) + 1.8 = 4.15

Dv D  4Q  4Q
 ( 6.81 m s )
2
Re = =  2 
=  13.4 m
ν ν  πD  πνD Hrequired = 1.05 + ( 0.0209 ) + 4.15 
 0 . 230 m (
  9.81 m s
2
)
=
(
4 0.283 m s 3
) = 15.2 m of air
(
π 1.562  10−5 m2 s ( 0.230 m )) ρair
Hrequired ,inches of H O = Hrequired ,air
= 1.00 × 105 2
ρwater

1.184 kg m3  1 in 
From the Moody chart/Colebrook = (15.2 m )  
998.0 kg m3  0.0254 m 
equation @ given ε/D and Re: f = 0.0209
= 0.709 inches of H2O
So, for
Q= 0.283 m3/s, Hreq= 0.709 inches H2O
We repeat the calculations at several values of volume flow rate
and compare to the available net head of the fan in Fig. The
operating point is at a volume flow rate of about 650 cfm, at
which both the required and available net head equal about
0.83 inches of water. We conclude that the chosen fan is
more than adequate for the job.

Discussion: The purchased fan is somewhat more powerful

than required, yielding a higher flow rate than necessary. The
difference is small and is acceptable; the butterfly damper valve
could be partially closed to cut back the flow rate to 600 cfm if
necessary. For safety reasons, it is clearly better to oversize
than undersize a fan when used with an air pollution control
system.