Q.1: What are characteristic curves?

These curves are graphical representation to find the behavior and performance of the fluid moving
machinery under different working conditions.

These are curves which are characteristic of a particular fluid moving machinery which helps in
studying the performance of the machinery under various conditions. These curves pertaining to
any machinery are supplied by its manufacturers based on actual tests.

The graphic curve that shows the relation between two variables and it
shows the abilities of rotating equipment at various operating conditions; for example, the
performance curve for a compressor would include rotor speed for various intake and outlet p
ressures versus gas flowrate adjusted for temperature, density, viscosity, head, and
other factors.

Q.2: How Characteristic Curves are used in calculations and in selection of fluid moving
machinery e.g. Pump, Compressor and Fan etc.

 The data that must be obtained in testing a fluid moving machinery are the following:

1. The speed of the turbine N

2. The discharge Q

3. The net head H

4. The power developed P

5. The overall efficiency η

 The characteristic curves obtained are the following:

a) Constant head curves or main characteristic curves

b) Constant speed curves or operating characteristic curves

c) Constant efficiency curves or Muschel curves

 Constant head curve

Maintaining a constant head, the speed of the turbine is varied by admitting different rates of
flow. The power P developed is measured mechanically. From each test the unit power Pu, the unit speed
Nu, the unit discharge Qu and the overall efficiency o are determined. The characteristic curves drawn
are

a) Unit discharge vs unit speed

 b) Unit power vs unit speed

c) Overall efficiency vs unit speed

 Constant speed curves

In this case tests are conducted at a constant speed varying the head H and suitably adjusting
the discharge Q. The power developed P is measured mechanically. The overall efficiency is aimed at its
maximum value. The curves drawn are

a) P VS Q

b) o VS Q

c) o VS P

d) o VS % Full Load

 Constant efficiency curves

These curves are plotted from data which can be obtained from the constant head and constant speed
curves. The object of obtaining this curve is to determine the zone of constant efficiency so that we can
always run the turbine with maximum efficiency. This curve also gives a good idea about the performance
of the fluid moving machinery at various efficiencies.
SERIES AND PARALLEL

When pumps are in series operation where one pump just charges into the section of another what we
see is an increase in head but no increase in flow rate so series operation will increase the pressure or
increase the head but will not increase the volumetric flow rate. And here we can see the difference in
head

In parallel operation if we have one pump if we added 2nd identical pump the curve will look like this