TOPIC 4: PUMPS AND TURBINES

OBJECTIVES
1. Understand the role of pumps and turbines as energy-conversion devices and use,
appropriately, the terms head, power and efficiency.

2. Be aware of the main types of pumps and turbines and the distinction between
impulse and reaction turbines and between radial, axial and mixed-flow devices.

3. Match pump characteristics and system characteristics to determine the duty

point.

4. Calculate characteristics for pumps in series and parallel and use the hydraulic
scaling laws to calculate pump characteristics at different speeds.

5. Select the type of pump or turbine on the basis of specific speed.

6. Understand the mechanics of a centrifugal pump and an impulse turbine.

7. Recognise the problem of cavitation and how it can be avoided.

 ENERGY CONVERSION
Pumps: electrical/mechanical energy → fluid energy

Turbines: fluid energy → electrical/mechanical energy

total head

pipeline
PUMP

total head

pipeline

TURBINE
 ENERGY
𝑝 𝑉2
Energy per unit weight = head, 𝐻 𝐻= +𝑧+
𝜌𝑔 2𝑔

Power = rate of conversion of energy (fluid) power = 𝜌𝑔𝑄𝐻

powerout
Efficiency 𝜂=
powerin
powerout
Turbines: 𝜂=
𝜌𝑔𝑄𝐻

Pumps: 𝜌𝑔𝑄𝐻
𝜂=
powerin
 EXAMPLE

A pump lifts water from a large tank at a rate of 30 L s–1. If

the input power is 10 kW and the pump is operating at an
efficiency of 40%, find:

(a) the head developed across the pump;

(b) the maximum height to which it can raise water if the

delivery pipe is vertical, with diameter 100 mm and
friction factor 𝜆 = 0.015.
 TYPES OF PUMPS AND TURBINES:
Impulse vs Reaction Turbines
𝑝 𝑉2
𝐻= +𝑧+
𝜌𝑔 2𝑔

Impulse turbine (Pelton wheel; water wheel)

– change in velocity → change in head

Reaction turbine (Francis turbine, Kaplan turbine, windmill)

– change in pressure → change in head
 TYPES OF PUMPS AND TURBINES:
Positive-Displacement vs Dynamic Pumps

Positive-displacement (heart; bicycle pump; peristaltic pump)

– change in volume

Dynamic pump
– no change of volume; continuous transfer of energy
– commonest are rotodynamic pumps
 TYPES OF PUMPS AND TURBINES:
Radial, Axial and Mixed-Flow Devices

Radial Axial Mixed

high head, low head,

low flow high flow
 PUMPS
"eye" (intake)

impeller vane

Centrifugal pump

volute

rotation
flow

Axial-flow pump

Inward-flow reaction turbine  centrifugal pump

(e.g. Francis turbine)

Propeller turbine  axial-flow pump

(e.g. Kaplan turbine; windmill)
 TURBINES
• Pelton wheel
– very-high head; hydropower

• Francis turbine
– intermediate head; hydropower (pumped storage)

• Kaplan turbine
– low head; axial flow

• Wells turbine
– wave energy

• Bulb turbine
– tidal power

• Archimedean screw
– small-scale hydro-power
PELTON WHEEL
PELTON WHEEL
FRANCIS TURBINE
KAPLAN TURBINE
ARCHIMEDEAN SCREW
 PUMP CHARACTERISTICS
Head: 𝐻 vs 𝑄
Input power: 𝐼 vs 𝑄
Efficiency: 𝜂 vs 𝑄

 
I

I
H H

Q Q
centrifugal pump axial-flow pump
 PUMP CHARACTERISTICS:
Lab Results
1.1 Head vs Discharge (2800 rpm) 1.2 Input Power vs Discharge (2800 rpm)

12.0 350

10.0 300

250
8.0
200
H (m)

I (W)
6.0
150
4.0
100

2.0
50

0.0 0
0 50 100 150 0 50 100 150
Q (L min-1) Q (L min-1)

1.3 Efficiency vs Discharge (2800 rpm)

50
45
40
35
30
 (%)

25
20
15
10
5
0
0 50 100 150
Q (L min-1)
 SYSTEM CHARACTERISTICS
The pump is required to:
• lift fluids through a certain height (static lift, ℎ𝑠 )
• overcome frictional (and other flow-related) losses

𝐻 = ℎ𝑠 + 𝑎𝑄2

delivery reservoir

delivery main
static lift
hs
suction main
Pump
suction head

Sump
 DUTY POINT
The discharge 𝑄 is such that … the head provided by the pump
exactly matches the system head (static lift + losses)

H
system
characteristic

duty
point
hs pump
characteristic

The corresponding (𝑄, 𝐻) is called the duty point.

Ideally, this should be close to the maximum-efficiency point.

 EXAMPLE
A water pump was tested at a rotation rate of 1500 rpm. The following data was
obtained. (𝑄 is quantity of flow, 𝐻 is head of water, 𝜂 is efficiency).

𝑄 (L s–1) 0 10 20 30 40 50
𝐻 (m) 10.0 10.5 10.0 8.5 6.0 2.5
𝜂 0.0 0.40 0.64 0.72 0.64 0.40

It is proposed to use this pump to draw water from an open sump to an elevation
5.5 m above. The delivery pipe is 20.0 m long and 100 mm diameter and has a
friction factor of 0.005.

If operating at 1500 rpm, find:

(a) the maximum discharge that the pump can provide;

(b) the pump efficiency at this discharge;

(c) the input power required.

 PUMPS IN PARALLEL AND SERIES
H

Parallel two pumps in parallel

Same head: 𝐻 single pump

Add discharges: 𝑄1 + 𝑄2
double the flow

H
two pumps in series

double
the head
Series

Same discharge: 𝑄
single pump
Add heads: 𝐻1 + 𝐻2

Q
PUMPS IN PARALLEL AND SERIES:
Lab Results

3.1 Head vs Discharge (Series)

20.0

15.0

Measured
H (m)

10.0
Scaled

5.0

0.0
0 50 100 150
Q (L min-1)
 EXAMPLE
A rotodynamic pump, having the characteristics tabulated below, delivers water from a
river at elevation 102 m to a reservoir with a water level of 135 m, through a pipe of length
1 km and diameter 350 mm. The friction factor of the pipe may be taken as 𝜆 = 0.035 and
minor losses from valves and fittings can be described by a loss coefficient 𝐾 = 9.

𝑄 (m3 s–1) 0 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20

𝐻 (m) 60 58 52 41 25
𝜂 (%) --- 44 65 64 48

(a) Calculate the discharge and head in the pipeline (at the duty point).

If the discharge is to be increased by the installation of a second identical pump:

(b) determine the unregulated discharge and head produced by connecting the pump:
(i) in parallel;
(ii) in series;

(c) determine the power demand at the duty point in the case of parallel operation;

(d) in the case of parallel operation, if the total flow is throttled by a valve to 0.12 m3 s −1 ,
calculate the head lost across the valve.
 DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
Variables and dimensions:
discharge 𝑄 [L3T–1]
pressure change 𝜌𝑔𝐻 [ML–1T–2]
power 𝑃 [ML2T–3]
rotor diameter 𝐷 [L]
rotation rate 𝑁 [T–1]
fluid density 𝜌 [ML–3]
fluid viscosity 𝜇 [ML–1T–1]

# variables = 7
# dimensions = 3 (M,L,T)
# dimensionless Π groups = 4

Scales: 𝐷, 𝑁, 𝜌

𝑄 𝑔𝐻 𝑃 𝜌𝐷2 𝑁
Π1 = Π2 = 2 2 Π3 = Π4 = = Re
𝑁𝐷3 𝑁 𝐷 𝜌𝑁 3 𝐷5 𝜇
discharge head power viscosity
 DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS

𝑄 𝑔𝐻 𝑃 𝜌𝐷2 𝑁
Π1 = Π2 = 2 2 Π3 = Π4 = = Re
𝑁𝐷3 𝑁 𝐷 𝜌𝑁 3 𝐷5 𝜇
discharge head power viscosity

• For fully-turbulent flow there is no significant dependence on Π4 (Re)

• Any one of Π1 , Π2 , Π3 can be replaced by:

Π1 Π2 𝜌𝑔𝑄𝐻
= =𝜂 efficiency (for pumps)
Π3 𝑃
or the reciprocal of this for turbines
 EXAMPLE

A ¼-scale model centrifugal pump is tested under a head of

7.5 m at a speed of 500 rpm. It was found that 7.5 kW was
needed to drive the model. Assuming similar mechanical
efficiencies, calculate:

(a) the speed and power required by the prototype when

pumping against a head of 44 m;

(b) the ratio of the discharge in the model to that in the

prototype.
 HYDRAULIC SCALING LAWS
(“Affinity Laws”)
𝑄 𝑄 𝑔𝐻 𝑔𝐻 𝑃 𝑃
= = =
𝑁𝐷3 1
𝑁𝐷3 2
𝑁 2𝐷2 1 𝑁 2𝐷2 2 𝜌𝑁 3 𝐷5 1
𝜌𝑁 3 𝐷5 2

Speed
For the same pump/turbine and working fluid (same 𝐷, 𝜌):
2 3
𝑄2 𝑁2 𝐻2 𝑁2 𝑃2 𝑁2 𝜂1 = 𝜂2
= = =
𝑄1 𝑁1 𝐻1 𝑁1 𝑃1 𝑁1

discharge  speed head  speed2 power  speed3

Size
For different-sized, but geometrically similar devices at same speed (same 𝑁, 𝜌):
3 2 5
𝑄2 𝐷2 𝐻2 𝐷2 𝑃2 𝐷2 𝜂1 = 𝜂2
= = =
𝑄1 𝐷1 𝐻1 𝐷1 𝑃1 𝐷1
FINDING THE DUTY POINT AT A NEW PUMP SPEED
2
𝑄2 𝑁2 𝐻2 𝑁2
Hydraulic scaling: = =
𝑄1 𝑁1 𝐻1 𝑁1

H
N2 System characteristic

N1
New duty point

Hs

Q
 FINDING THE PUMP SPEED FOR A GIVEN DUTY
POINT
H
N2 System characteristic

Plot a hydraulic-scaling curve back from the

required duty point (𝑄2 , 𝐻2 ) on the system N1
New duty point (Q2 , H 2 )
curve at unknown speed 𝑁2 :
Scaling curve
2 through
𝐻 𝑄 (Q1 , H 1 ) duty point
=
𝐻2 𝑄2
Hs
This will cut the given curve at point (𝑄1 , 𝐻1 ).

Q
The unknown speed 𝑁2 can be found from the ratio of discharges or ratio of heads:
2
𝑁2 𝑄2 𝑁2 𝐻2
= or =
𝑁1 𝑄1 𝑁1 𝐻1
 EXAMPLE
Water from a well is pumped by a centrifugal pump which delivers water to a reservoir
in which the water level is 15.0 m above that in the sump. When the pump speed is
1200 rpm its pipework has the following characteristics:

Pipework characteristics:
Discharge (L s–1): 20 30 40 50 60
Head loss in pipe (m): 1.38 3.11 5.52 8.63 12.40

Pump characteristics:
Discharge (L s–1): 0 10 20 30 40
Head (m): 22.0 21.5 20.4 19.0 17.4

A variable-speed motor drives the pump.

(a) Plot the graphs of the system and pump characteristics and determine the
discharge at a speed of 1200 rpm.

(b) Find the pump speed in rpm if the discharge is increased to 40 L s–1.
 EXAMPLE
A variable-speed pump draws water from a reservoir to an elevated tank. The difference in water
levels between the reservoir and the tank is 10 m. The pipe between them has length 𝐿 = 150 m,
diameter 𝐷 = 150 mm and friction factor 𝜆 = 0.02. Minor losses can be lumped into an overall
minor loss coefficient 𝐾, which is unknown. The characteristics of the pump at the operational speed
are given in the table below.

Pump characteristics at 2400 rpm

Discharge (L s–1) 16 26 36 47 57
Head (m) 39.0 36.4 31.3 22.9 12.1
Efficiency (%) 50.8 65.9 70.0 60.5 38.0

(a) Determine the head loss due to friction as a function of discharge, giving numerical values of the
function coefficients and stating the units used for head and discharge.

The discharge at the duty point is 46 L s–1.

(b) Find the pump head and power consumption at the duty point.
(c) Determine the overall minor loss coefficient, 𝐾.

After a rearrangement of facilities, the elevated tank is raised by 15 m and the pipe lengthened by
70 m. Through careful engineering, minor losses have been significantly reduced and can be assumed
to be negligible (𝐾 ≈ 0).
(d) If the same discharge is to be maintained, find the new rotation speed of the pump.
 SPECIFIC SPEED (PUMPS)
Most important parameters are discharge and head:
𝑄 𝑔𝐻
Π1 = Π2 =
𝑁𝐷3 𝑁 2 𝐷2

Find a combination independent of D ... (Π1 )2 𝑄2 𝑁 4

=
(Π2 )3 (𝑔𝐻)3

1/4
... and proportional to N: Π12 𝑄1/2 𝑁
=
Π23 (𝑔𝐻)3/4

Since 𝑔 is constant, it follows that, as speed changes,

𝑄1/2 𝑁
𝐻3/4
is the same at any given (e.g. maximum) efficiency.
 SPECIFIC SPEED (PUMPS)
Specific speed is that rotation rate which will generate 1 unit of head for 1 unit of
discharge:
𝑄1/2 𝑁
𝑁𝑠 = 3/4
𝐻

• Single value, calculated at maximum-efficiency point.

• Usual units (UK): 𝑁 in rpm, 𝑄 in m3 s–1, 𝐻 in m.

• Less-common alternative: dimensionless specific speed,

𝑄1/2 𝑁
𝐾𝑛 =
(𝑔𝐻)3/4

• Typical ranges:
Type 𝑵𝒔
Centrifugal 10 – 70 large head
Mixed flow 70 – 170
Axial > 110 small head
 EXAMPLE

A pump is needed to operate at 3000 rpm (i.e. 50 Hz)

with a head of 6 m and a discharge of 0.2 m3 s–1. By
calculating the specific speed, determine what sort of
pump is required.
 SPECIFIC SPEED (TURBINES)
Most important parameters are head and (output) power:
𝑔𝐻 𝑃
Π2 = Π3 =
𝑁 2 𝐷2 𝜌𝑁 3 𝐷5

(Π3 )2 (𝑃/𝜌)2 𝑁 4
Find a combination independent of D ... =
(Π2 )5 (𝑔𝐻)5
1/4
... and proportional to N: Π32 (𝑃/𝜌)1/2 𝑁
=
Π25 (𝑔𝐻)5/4

Since 𝜌 and 𝑔 are constant, it follows that, as speed changes,

𝑃1/2 𝑁
𝑁𝑆 = 5/4
𝐻
is the same at any given (e.g. maximum) efficiency.
 SPECIFIC SPEED (TURBINES)
Specific speed is that rotation rate which will generate 1 unit of power for 1 unit of
head:
𝑃1/2 𝑁
𝑁𝑆 = 5/4
𝐻

• Single value, calculated at maximum-efficiency point.

• Usual units (UK): 𝑁 in rpm, 𝑃 in kW, 𝐻 in m.

• Less-common alternative: dimensionless specific speed,

(𝑃/𝜌)1/2 𝑁
𝐾𝑛 =
(𝑔𝐻)5/4
• Typical ranges:
Type 𝑵𝒔
Pelton wheel (impulse) 12 – 60 very large head
Francis turbine (radial) 60 – 500 large head
Kaplan turbine (axial-flow) 280 – 800 small head
MECHANICS OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
'Eye' (intake)

Impeller vane

Volute
 MECHANICS OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
u2=r2

w2
2 w1

u1=r1 resultant, v
u = r

 vane
w 

v
u impeller velocity (𝑢 = 𝑟𝜔)
w velocity relative to the impeller vt
v=u+w absolute velocity vr

Radial velocity 𝑣𝑟 determined by flow rate 𝑄

Whirl velocity 𝑣𝑡 is a combination of impeller (𝑟𝜔) and tangential velocity relative to vanes
 MECHANICS OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

resultant, v
u = r
torque = rate of change of angular momentum

𝑇 = 𝜌𝑄(𝑣𝑡2 𝑟2 − 𝑣𝑡1 𝑟1 )
 vane
w

power = torque  angular velocity

v
𝜌𝑔𝑄𝐻 = 𝜌𝑄(𝑣𝑡2 𝑟2 − 𝑣𝑡1 𝑟1 )𝜔
vt
Impeller velocity 𝑢 = 𝑟𝜔 vr

Euler’s turbomachinery equation:

1
𝐻= (𝑣 𝑢 − 𝑣𝑡1 𝑢1 )
𝑔 𝑡2 2
 EFFECT OF BLADE ANGLE
1
𝐻= (𝑣 𝑢 − 𝑣𝑡1 𝑢1 )
𝑔 𝑡2 2
resultant, v
1 u = r
Usually, small inlet whirl velocity: 𝑣𝑡1 ≈ 0. 𝐻 = 𝑣𝑡2 𝑢2
𝑔
𝑄
𝑣𝑟 = = 𝑤 sin 𝛽  vane
𝐴 w
𝑣𝑡 = 𝑢 − 𝑤 cos 𝛽
v
𝑢2 𝑄
𝐻 = (𝑢2 − cot 𝛽)
𝑔 𝐴 vt
𝐻 = 𝑎 − 𝑏𝑄 vr

β  90 (forward-facing blades)

β = 90

β  90 (backward-facing blades)

Q
 EXAMPLE

A centrifugal pump is required to provide a head of

40 m. The impeller has outlet diameter 0.5 m and inlet
diameter 0.25 m and rotates at 1500 rpm. The flow
approaches the impeller radially at 10 m s–1 and the
radial velocity falls off as the reciprocal of the radius.
Calculate the required vane angle at the outlet of the
impeller.
 MECHANICS OF A PELTON WHEEL

bucket
v
jet u

spear valve

bucket
jet

Force (on fluid) = mass flux  change in velocity

Change in velocity easiest to establish in the frame of the bucket

Change in 𝑥 velocity = 𝑘(𝑣 − 𝑢) cos 𝜃 − (𝑣 − 𝑢) k(v-u)

= −(𝑣 − 𝑢)(1 − 𝑘 cos 𝜃)
v-u 
−𝐹 = −𝜌𝑄(𝑣 − 𝑢)(1 − 𝑘 cos 𝜃)
Power = force (on bucket)  velocity (of bucket) = 𝐹𝑢

𝑃 = 𝜌𝑄(𝑣 − 𝑢)𝑢(1 − 𝑘 cos 𝜃) (per jet)

 MECHANICS OF A PELTON WHEEL bucket
v
jet u
Power (per jet) 𝑃 = 𝜌𝑄(𝑣 − 𝑢)𝑢(1 − 𝑘 cos 𝜃)
1 2 1
(𝑣 − 𝑢)𝑢 = ( 𝑣) − ( 𝑣 − 𝑢)2
2 2
1
Theoretical maximum power when runner speed equals half the jet speed: 𝑢 = 𝑣
2

If 𝜃 = 180° and 𝑘 = 1, this corresponds to the absolute k(v-u)

velocity on exit being 0 and all kinetic energy converted.
v-u 

In practice:
• 𝜃 ≈ 165° (to avoid interference with the following bucket)
• it is the jet velocity 𝑣 which is controlled; (turbine synchronised to the electricity grid)
• the optimal speed ratio 𝑢/𝑣 is nearer 0.46.

Other considerations:
• Head at device, 𝐻 = (head at reservoir) − (head losses along pipeline)
• Maximum jet velocity, 𝑣 = 𝑐𝑣 2𝑔𝐻
• Orifice coefficient, 𝑐𝑣 ≈ 0.97 − 0.99
 EXAMPLE

In a Pelton wheel, 6 jets of water, each with a diameter

of 75 mm and carrying a discharge of 0.15 m3 s–1
impinge on buckets arranged around a 1.5 m diameter
Pelton wheel rotating at 180 rpm. The water is turned
through 165° by each bucket and leaves with 90% of the
original relative velocity.

Neglecting mechanical and electrical losses within the

turbine, calculate the power output.
 CAVITATION

• Bubbles of vapour form if pressure is too low; a problem on:

– inlet / suction side of pump
– outlet / draft tube of turbine

• Subsequent bubble collapse causes:

– surface pitting
– vibration
– noise
– loss of performance
CAVITATION
 NET POSITIVE SUCTION HEAD
1
𝑝0 − 𝑝cav 𝑝 + 𝜌𝑉 2 − 𝑝cav
NPSH = = 2
𝜌𝑔 𝜌𝑔

𝐻pump inlet = 𝐻sump − head loss pump inlet

𝑝 𝑉2 𝑝atm zinlet
+𝑧+ = − ℎ𝑓 patm
𝜌𝑔 2𝑔 inlet
𝜌𝑔

𝑝 𝑉2 𝑝atm sump
+ = − 𝑧inlet − ℎ𝑓
𝜌𝑔 2𝑔 inlet
𝜌𝑔

𝑝atm − 𝑃cav NPSH available (NPSHa)…

NPSH𝑎 = − 𝑧inlet − ℎ𝑓
𝜌𝑔 … compare with NPSH required (NPSHr)

To prevent cavitation, keep NPSH as large as possible by:

• keeping 𝑧inlet small (better still: negative – i.e. below level in sump)
• keeping 𝑉 small (use large-diameter pipes)
• keeping ℎ𝑓 small (use short, large-diameter pipes)

Keeping the pump below the level in the sump is also useful for pump-priming.
 EXAMPLE SHEET
A variable-speed pump is used to supply water from a reservoir to an elevated tank. The difference in water levels
between the reservoir and the tank is 7 m. The pipe between them has length 𝐿 = 300 m, diameter 𝐷 = 200 mm and
friction factor 𝜆 = 0.03. Minor losses can be lumped into an overall minor loss coefficient 𝐾 = 25. The characteristics of
the pump at the operational speed are given in the table below.

Pump characteristics at 2900 rpm

Discharge, 𝑄 (L s –1 ) 10 25 40 55 70 85
Head, 𝐻 (m) 37.6 35.3 30.9 24.4 15.5 4.2
Efficiency, 𝜂 (%) 22 54 78 86 71 25

(a) Find the system characteristic (head as a function of discharge), giving numerical values and the units that you have
chosen to use for head and discharge.

The rotational speed of the pump is adjusted to supply a discharge of 45 L s–1.

(b) Determine the rotational speed and power consumption of the pump.

(c) Explain what is meant by cavitation and why it can cause damage in hydraulic systems.

The pump inlet is located 5 m above the reservoir level and the suction pipe has length 10 m. The diameter and friction
factor of the suction pipe are the same as those provided above. Minor losses on suction side can be accommodated by a
loss coefficient 𝐾𝑢 = 4.5.

(d) Assuming that atmospheric pressure is 101.2 kPa and the vapour pressure of water at the operating temperature
1.7 kPa, determine the Net Positive Suction Head available at pump inlet (NPSHa) for the given discharge.

(e) Is the pump expected to cavitate if the Net Positive Suction Head required (NPSHr) for the given discharge is 2.7 m?