Practical 7: H - Q Characteristics of Centrifugal Pumps

Elizabeth Jones (1146048), Busiswa Mdluli (741581), Nokuthula Mnisi (916315), Sibusiso Ngcobo (1109177),
Simangele Sibisi (558907)

GROUP 36

CHMT3004: Chemical Engineering Laboratory2018 Resources

Email: chmtgroup36@gmail.com

Published: 21 May 2018

ABSTRACT

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS ARE THE MOST COMMON TYPE OF PUMPS USED IN INDUSTRY – AGRICULTURE,
MUNICIPAL WATER AND WASTEWATER PLANTS, POWER GENERATION PLANTS, PETROLEUM AND MANY
OTHER INDUSTRIES (HANSEN T, 2016). CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS WORK BY CONVERTING A ROTATIONAL
ENERGY FROM A MOTOR TO INDUCE A FLOW OR RAISE THE PRESSURE OF LIQUID (SCOTTTECH, 2017). IN
THIS EXPERIMENT WE ARE TO ACQUIRE THE PRESSURE HEAD VERSUS FLOWRATE RELATIONSHIP AS WELL AS
THEIR EFFICIENCIES AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS OF 707.1RPM, 811.7RPM, 954.9RPM AND 1031 RPM.
CALIBRATION WAS REQUIRED SO THAT WE ARE ABLE TO OBTAIN FLOWRATES FOR THESE SPEEDS AT
DIFFERENT HEIGHT. FROM THE FLOWRATES WE CALCULATED THE PRESSURE HEAD THEN PROCEEDED TO PLOT
OUR RESULTS. THE MAXIMUM HEAD WAS 4.73M AT 707.1 RPM, 4.76M AT 811.7RPM, 4.83M AT 954.6
RPM AND 5.25M AT 1031 RPM (BEING THE HIGHEST).THE RESULTS OBTAINED WERE COMPARED WITH
AFFINITY LAWS USING A THEORETICAL SPEED OF 500RPM. FROM THESE RESULTS WE CAN CONCLUDE AT
MAXIMUM SPEED WE ACHIEVE MAXIMUM HEAD, AS WELL AS MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY.

KEYWORDS:

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS, EFFICIENCY, HEAD, FLOWRATE, PRESSURE DROP

1. Introduction:
Pumps are widely used in chemical plants for the
transportation of fluids petroleum, chemical, and
aerospace industries (Guo, et al., 2016). They are
particularly important for raising, compressing and
transferring of fluids over long distances. (Kramer,
2010)
A centrifugal pump is classified under the dynamic
pumps family. They are commonly used because
they are cost effective and they can operate under
a wide range of conditions. Centrifugal pumps
convert input power to kinetic energy in the
fluid by accelerating the fluid by a revolving
device called an impeller (Singh, 2009).
Operating characteristics of a pump are shown
by plotting head against flowrate, this is known
as an H-Q curve. These plots will be done for a
pump at 707.1, 811.7, 954.9 and 1031 rpm. An
H-Q curve is different for every pump with
different diameter and speed. These curves
give the characteristics of a pump. It is
observed that the flowrate of the flow through
the pump is inversely proportional to the head.
As the rotational pump speed is increased the
H-Q curve will shift upwards, thus increasing
the head. This happens because the
centrifugal force, which allows flow through
the impeller is proportional to the square root
of the rotational speed (Kulkarni, 2014). Figure
1 depicts this relationship;
Figure 1. H-Q curves at different speeds
(Cooper, 2016)
1.1. Affinity laws:
Affinity laws are used to express the
relationship between variables involved in the
pump performance such as head, volumetric
flow rate, shaft speed and power. (Coulson &
Richardson, 1999) These laws will be used to
compare the accuracy of the experimental
data.
For a constant diameter, D
𝑁1
Q1 = Q2(𝑁2) - equation 1, (Q α N)
𝑁1 2
H1 = H2(𝑁2) - equation 2, (H α N2)
(Jacobsen, 2009)
1.2. Industrial applications
Centrifugal pumps use an impeller to
converting rotational energy into kinetic
energy pushing the medium through the
chamber or casing. (Best Solutions for
Centrifugal Pumps, 2015) The impeller induces
a pressure difference that creates suction
causing more of the medium to gush in the
chamber and continue flow. This method of
transporting fluid has proved to be cost
effective in most instances at various
industries as compared to other pumps such as
those of Positive Displacement Pumps.
Centrifugal pumps are very versatile and used
in various industries namely:
1. Oil refineries and power plants
Oil refineries and power plants are often made
of different sections and unit sets. Pumps act
as the heart of the unit transporting fluid from
this equipment to the next just as the human
heart would do for the body. (Krishnan, 2017)
2. Municipal water applications
Single-stage radial flow centrifugal pumps are
the predominant pump type used in water and
wastewater applications. (Kramer, 2010)
3. Numerous Building Applications
Centrifugal Pumps are most common in fire
protection sprinkler systems, drainage and air
conditioning systems or to provide booster
services into homes. (Best Solutions for
Centrifugal Pumps, 2015)
4. Food and beverage production
Centrifugal Pumps are used to transfer low-
viscosity fluids and food within the plant. This
pump specifically is an affordable option and
also flexible since it can deliver flow rates of up
to thousands of gallons. (Shaffer, 2017)
5. Pharmaceuticals
Used to transfer glucose, lactose and other
drugs and personal care products of low or
medium viscosity. (Centrifugal Pump and its
Application, 2015)
2. Aims and objectives:
The primary objective of this experiment is to
determine the characteristic of a pump in
terms of the head and flowrate of the fluid.
The aim is to compare the raw data from the
lab with affinity laws and literature values.
Our secondary objectives is understand the
mechanism of a centrifugal pump, and to
investigate the relationship between pump
speed and pressure drop how these variables
affect the efficiency of a centrifugal pump.
Hypothesis: Based on Figure 1 it is expected
that the pump head will be less when the
flowrate of the fluid in the piping system is high
compared to when it is low. Thus indicating an
inversely proportional relationship.
Secondly, for a single pump, a change in pump
speed influences the maximum head achieved.
Based on equation 1 and 2 above, and Figure
1, it is inferred that the speed of a pump is
directly proportional to the maximum head
achieved. This hypothesis will be tested by
drawing H-Q curves similar to Figure 1 and
comparison with affinity laws.
3. Experimental Plan:
The H-Q curves for the centrifugal pump were
determined by measuring the speed of the
pump, the pressure drop and the head that is
overcome by the pump.
To correlate the results using appropriate
theory
3.1. Experimental Procedure:
Experimental set-up and Apparatus:
Instead of a manometer, a pressure
drop gauge was used.
Figure 2.
Similar experimental set up (Fristam, 2016)
The system, labeled Figure 2 consists of:
N.B: The actual lab set-up slightly differed from
that in Figure 2 in that instead of a manometer,
we used a pressure drop gauge. A large water
tank, centrifugal pump, rotameter and five
valves. In addition to the system, other
apparatus necessary for the experiment are a
stopwatch, a beaker for collecting water from
the pipe outlet and a stroboscope for
recording the speed.
3.2. Experimental procedure:
Calibration of rotameter
 Close V-4 and fully open V-3.
 Open V-1 fully, and adjust the speed of
the pump to give a maximum float
height.
 Measure the speed of the pump using
a stroboscope.
 The flow rate was adjusted to a float
height below zero using V-2.
 Collect water from the outlet of stream
attached to V-3 using a 4l beaker.
Record the time taken to collect a
measured amount of water.
 Repeat the above procedure 3 times,
with the rotameter float height
 increased by 3cm from below zero used as guideline since the specific operating
through to the maximum height. speed will be determined during the practical.
 Ensure that pump speed remains
constant throughout.

3.3. Data for H-Q curves:

 Measure the speed of the pump.

 Adjust V-1 such that the float is at a

height of 0cm
 Record the pressure drop gauge
readings on both the left and right
limbs.
 Increase the height of the float in steps
of 3cm and record the pressure drop
gauge readings and taken for each
height. This should be done until the
maximum height used in the
calibration procedure is reached.
 Measure the rotameter height at flow
rate=0, by closing V-1 and taking down
pressure drop readings.
 The speed of the pump can be changed
by turning the speed knob of the pump.
 Repeat this procedure at various pump
speeds.
3.4. Precautions:
All valves, except for valve 4, need to be fully
open to allow for the uninhibited flow, prior to
the performance of the experiment.
Ensure that there is a sufficient amount of
water in the tank, to prevent the pump from
sucking air instead of water.
Check the bleed screws at the top of the
pumps, which allow the removal of any air
which has accumulated in the pumps.
3.5. Preliminary results:
The pump performance curve below shows
that total head will decrease as flowrate
increases. Although a curve is defined for a
specific operating speed (rpm) and at set inlet
and outlet diameter of the pipe, this curve is
Figure 3. Pump performance curve (Singh,
2009)
4. Results and discussion:
4.1. Calibration Curve:
Calibration formed the first part of our
experiment. Results from the lab are under
Appendix A1, Calibration data is on Table
A.1.1. The calibration curve was used to
acquire the volumetric flowrate produced by
the pump at different heights. Figure 3.1 is a
display of the calibration results obtained.
The graph’s R2 is 0,9897 which is precise to
one. There are two points on the graph area
that do not touch the curve thus the R2 value
is not 0.9980. This could be due to the
continuous fluctuations of the rotameter
height while recording lab results.
However since the difference between the
obtained and acceptable R2 is 0.0090 then the
differences between the two values is only
0,90% < 1%. As a result, it can be deduced that
this differences is relatively insignificant and
thus for the purposes of this investigation can
be ignored.
Thus we can continue on a basis of linearity
and make use of interpolation and
extrapolation where needed.
 18 Where 𝛥𝑧 is the elevation and was measured
16 y = 20,242x - 5,3791 to be 1,09m
14
R² = 0,9897 For all Q-H curves, the head (m) was
12
calculated using the above equation 2. The
Height (cm)

10
flowrates were obtained from the calibration
8
curve.
6
4.1.2. H-Q curves at various speeds:
4
2
0
0 0,5 1 1,5
Volmetric Flowrate (L/s)
Figure 4.1A Calibrated height vs. volumetric
flowrate

After calibration results for flowrate, pressure

drop and rotameter height were recorded at
each pump speed and results thereof
tabulated and attached on appendices. Please
refer to Appendix: A1, Table A.1.2.

For each speed the head was calculated (refer

to appendix A1) and thus the H-Q curves were
plotted. Below are the equations and
assumptions that were used:

4.1.1. Calculations Figure 4.2B. Pump Head vs Flowrate at different

speeds.
Bernoulli’s equation was used to calculate
head loss. The values calculated are found in A general trend from Fig.4.2B indicates that
Table 2.1 the flowrate of water increased as head loss
𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡−𝑃𝑖𝑛 𝑉𝑜𝑢𝑡 2 −𝑉𝑖𝑛^2
hp = + +zout-zin eqn 2.1 decreased. Thus we can confirm that the
𝜌𝑔 2𝑔
(Smits, 2018) flowrate is inversely proportional to the head,
this correlates to affinity laws, equation 1 and
Refer to section 10 for detailed nomenclature 2.
and units used for eqn 2.1. This was expected since more pressure is
required to lift the liquid as elevation
For this equation, the assumption that no increases. The maximum head at 707,1rpm
energy losses due to friction occurred. A being 4.73m; 4.76m at 811.7 rpm; 4.83m at
second assumption that inlet and outlet 954.6 rpm, and 5,25m at 1031rpm. The 5,25m
velocities were the same was also made, was the highest head compared to the three
reducing the equation to: lower speeds. This implies that at high pump
speeds the maximum head will be obtained,
𝛥𝑃 i.e. a process requiring a fluid or liquid to reach
hp = 𝜌𝑔 + 𝛥𝑧 eqn 2.2
the highest possible head, the pump should be
operated at high speeds. This also applies for
viscous fluids. However the head in the latter
will be relatively lower compared to a non- 𝑁1 2
Equation 2 (H1 = H2(𝑁2) ) was used to obtain
viscous fluid.
the heads at pump speed 500 rpm by using
5. Affinity Laws: the volumetric flowrate, and the heads
There are two methods used to alter the obtained theoretically at 707.1 rpm.
characteristic curve of a pump. These include 14
changing the impeller diameter and/or
12
changing pump speed. The Affinity Laws are
rules used to correlate the head and flowrate 10
to differences in pump speeds and impeller

Head(m)
diameter (Bachus L. and Custodio A., 2003). 8
These laws will be used to compare the
6
accuracy of the experimental data. There are
two sets of Affinity Laws that are applicable to 4
centrifugal pumps characterized by either
keeping the diameter or the pump speed 2
constant (Volk, 2005).
0
0 0,2 0,4 0,6 0,8
Recall equation 1 and 2, section 1.1. Flowrate Q
𝑁1
Q1 = Q2(𝑁2) - equation 1
exp head affinity head

𝑁1 2 Poly. (exp head ) Poly. (affinity head)

H1 = H2(𝑁2) - equation 2
Figure 5.2. Experimental flowrate vs the head at
experimental pump speed 813.5 rpm and affinity
Head vs Pump speed: pump speed 500 rpm.
𝑁1 2
H1 = H2(𝑁2)
Head correlations of each pump speed to a
theoretical speed of 500 rpm: 20
18
16
14
12
Axis Title

10
8
6
4
2
0
0 0,2 0,4 0,6 0,8 1 1,2
Axis Title

exp head affinity head

Poly. (exp head) Poly. (affinity head)

Figure 5.3. Experimental flowrate vs the head at

Figure 5.1. Experimental flowrate vs the head at 954.9 rpm (experimental) and affinity pump speed
experimental pump speed 707.1 rpm and affinity 500 rpm.
pump speed 500 rpm.
 25 Volumetric flowrate vs Pump speed:

20 𝑁1
Q1 = Q2(𝑁2)
15
The affinity flowrates can be calculated using
10 equation 1. This equation implies that the
volumetric flowrate is directly related to the
5 pump speed, allowing us to easily find the
volumetric flowrates for some theoretical
0 value which has not been experimentally
0 0,2 0,4 0,6 0,8 1 1,2
investigated.
exp head affinity head
Poly. (exp head) Poly. (affinity head) Attached is Appendix B1 on affinity laws. Table
B1.1 has volumetric flowrates and the affinity
Figure 5.4. Experimental flowrate vs the head at
experimental pump speed 1031 rpm and affinity
laws calculated volumetric flowrates at
pump speed 500 rpm. theoretical pump speed of 500 rpm.

5.1. Pump Efficiency

The value of input power (0.55kW) was
taken from the manufacturer’s booklet.
Since the model used for the
experiment is no longer available a
similar model was used (SAFLO SK50).

Power was used to calculate the

efficiency of the pump.

𝑄𝐻𝜌
Ƞ = 3,67 eqn. 3 (Fristam, 2016)
𝑁
Ƞ = overall efficiency
Q = volumetric flowrate (m3/s)
N= power (kW)
For efficiency values calculated refer to
Appendices C1.

Figure 5.5 Pump Head vs Flowrate at different

speeds with their affinity heads calculated at 500
rpm. Figure 5.5 Efficiencies at different speeds.
The efficiency curves show a directly
proportional relationship between efficiency
and head although the relationship is not
linear.
According to (Coulson & Richardson, 1999)
centrifugal pumps have high efficiencies at
high speeds. This correlates to the trend
observed in Fig.3.4. From equation 2.2 we can
deduce that the efficiency of the pipe is
directly proportional to the flowrate, density
and pump head. Furthermore since the liquid
of interest in this case is water, implies that the
viscosity effects in the pipe are minimal
therefore the frictional losses negligible, hence
increasing the pump’s efficiency.
6. Conclusion:
In industry the main objective is to achieve
optimum efficiency of transporting fluids using
a pump. The results obtained indicate that to
increase the efficiency of the centrifugal
pump, the pump speed and flowrate of the
fluid should be operated at high speeds. This is
reflected in Figure 5.4 and correlates with
equation 2.
Furthermore, efficiency is also directly
dependent on the density and viscosity of the
fluid. The density and viscous effects of fluid
will determine the ease with the fluid flows
through the piping systems and the actual
pump. Depending on the size of the
production, the size of the pump, its diameter
particularly, determines the volume of fluid
that flows through the pump. Thus directly
affects efficiency since a pump with large
diameter will imply that a larger volume of
fluid can be pumped.
Finally, it was observed that the pressure drop
decreased with an in increase in pump speed.
The relationship in equation 1 and 2 confirm
this. Therefore the centrifugal pump used,
correlated with the theoretical values.
7. Acknowledgements:
We acknowledge Mrs Z. Mthabela who guided is
in compiling and helped improve the quality
and presentation of our work in this journal.
8. References:
Bachus L., Custodio A., (2003). Know and
Understand Centrifugal Pumps; The Affinity Laws,
Chapter 4, Pages 39-43
Cooper, P., 2016. Speed Control of Pumps.
[Online] Available at:
https://www.pumpsaudit.com/speed-control-of-
pumps[Accessed 10 April 2018].
Coulson, J. M. & Richardson, J. F., 1999. Coulson &
Richardson Chemical Engineering. 6 ed.,C8 pp.
329-341. London(England): Pergamon Press.
Engineering ToolBox, (2003). Pump Affinity Laws.
[online] Available at:
https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/affinity-
laws-d_408.html [Accessed 17 May. 2018]
Fristam, 2016. Centrifugal pumps.
Available at: https://www.fristam.de/wp-
content/uploads/2016/03/centrifugal_pumps.pdf
[Accessed 26 April 2018].
Jacobsen, C. B., 2009. Centrifugal Pumps,
s.l.:Grundfos Management A/S.
Kulkarni, S., 2014. Parametric Study of Centrifugal
Pump and its Performance Analysis using CFD..
IJETAE, IV(7), p. 55.
ScottTech, 2017. Mahans Thermal Products.
[Online]
Available at: http://mahans.com/how-does-a-
centrifugal-pump-work/
[Accessed 26 April 2018].
Smits, A., 2018. Applications of Bernoulli's
equation. In: A. Smits, ed. A Physical Introduction
to Fluid Mechanics. New York: Princeton
University, p. 83.
T, H., 2016. Dultmeier Sales. [Online]
Available at:
https://www.dultmeier.com/technical-
library/how-does-a-centrifugal-pump-work.php
[Accessed 26 April 2018].
Volk, M.W., (2005). Pump Characteristics and
Applications. 2nd Ed. CRC Press.Zone, P., 2017.
Centrifugal Pumps - Working, Applications &
Types | Power Zone. [Online]
Available at:
https://www.powerzone.com/centrifugal-pumps-
working-applications-types-power-zone[26/04/18
10. Nomenclature:

H Pressure-Head achieved by pump

𝑁 Shaft Rotational Speed (rpm)
hp Pressure Head (m)
𝛥𝑃 Change in Pressure Drop(Pa)
𝜌 Density of Water (kg/m3)
g Gravitationalacceleration (m/s2)
Δz Elevation (m)
Ƞ Overall Efficiency (%)
N Power (kW)
Q Volumetric Flowrate (m3/s)
Appendices:
A1: Results from lab
Table A.1.1 table showing the rotameter height, pressure drop, head, flowrates and
efficiency at pump speed= 707.1 rpm
Height (cm) ∆P (Pa) Flowrate Head (m) efficiency
0 35530 0,26574 4,729427561 17,24365846
3 34963 0,41395 4,67134832 26,53102583
6 32830 0,56215 4,452859747 34,34433685
9 29864 0,71034 4,149044882 40,43694223
12,1 27197 0,86351 3,875857342 45,91970177
13,2 24531 0,91785 3,602772235 45,37038067

Table A.1.2 table showing the rotameter height, pressure drop, head, flowrates and
efficiency at pump speed= 813.5 rpm
Rotameter ∆P () ∆P (Pa) Flowrate(m3/s) head(m) efficiency
height (cm)

0,04 14,5 27881,58811 0,267715641 4,75598143 19,26876529

3,03 13,35 27388,70978 0,415428317 4,705494659 29,58898903
6,03 12,18 25852,67278 0,563635016 4,548154513 39,82822099
9,04 10,15 23708,10528 0,712335738 4,328481052 48,06686009
9,4 10,13 21302,26555 0,730120541 4,082044817 47,07807261

Table A.1.3 table showing the rotameter height, pressure drop, head, flowrates and
efficiency at pump speed=954.9 rpm
Rotameter ∆P (Pa) 133,322 Flowrate(m3/s) head(m) efficiency
height (cm)

0 21,45 28597,65266 0,265739551 4,829329728 19,12653676

3 21,025 28031,0325 0,41394625 4,771289396 29,48342842
6 19,975 26631,1474 0,562152949 4,627895633 39,72349348
9 18,5 24664,64215 0,710359648 4,426461537 47,9335179
12 16,35 21798,21077 0,858566347 4,132845737 55,36024058
13,9 16,12 21491,56927 0,95243059 4,101435675 59,09262846

Table A.1.4 table showing the rotameter height, pressure drop, head, flowrates and
efficiency at pump speed= 1031 rpm
Rotameter height(m) Pressure drop Calculated Head Flowrate(m3/s) Efficiency
(Pa)
0,000 32663,986 5,246 0,266 19,127
0,030 32130,696 5,191 0,414 29,483
0,060 31730,729 5,150 0,562 39,723
0,090 29464,248 4,918 0,710 47,934
0,121 27331,090 4,700 0,864 55,679
0,139 25597,899 4,522 0,952 59,093
B1: DATA CALCULATED FROM AFFINITY LAWS

TableB.1.1 table showing flowrate at 707.1 rpm and the experimental head. The affinity
head was calculated using affinity laws.
Average Flowrate Experimental Affinity Pump
(L/s) Pump Head
Head (m)
(m)
0,26574 4,729428 9,458674
0,41395 4,671348 9,342517
0,56215 4,45286 8,905549
0,71034 4,149045 8,297931
0,86351 3,875857 7,751566
0,91785 3,602772 7,205406

TableB.1.2 table showing flowrate at 813.5 rpm and the experimental head. The affinity
head was calculated using affinity laws.
Average Flowrate Experimental Affinity Pump
(L/s) Pump Head
Head (m) (m)
0,267715641 4,75598143 3,12139973
0,415428317 4,70549466 3,00820025
0,563635016 4,54815451 2,98933366
0,712335738 4,32848105 2,92330063
0,730120541 4,08204482 2,87141753

TableB.1.3 table showing flowrate at 954.9 rpm and the experimental head. The affinity
head was calculated using affinity laws.
Average Flowrate Experimental Affinity Pump
(L/s) Pump Head Head (m)
(m)
0,265739551 4,82933 17,61419
0,41394625 4,771289 17,4025
0,562152949 4,627896 16,87949
0,710359648 4,426462 16,14479
0,858566347 4,132846 15,07388
0,95243059 4,101436 14,95931
TableB.1.4 The affinity heads calculated using affinity laws.
pump 707,1 rpm 813.5 rpm 954,9 rpm 1031 rpm
speed
Affinity 9,458673701 12,58969637 17,61418837 22,40619063
heads at 9,342517447 12,45605137 17,40249577 21,3872005
500 rpm 8,905548683 12,03955171 16,87949053 21,04753713
8,297930608 11,45804772 16,14479269 20,68999673
7,751566007 10,80569921 15,0738772 20,10005508
7,205406267 - 14,95931415 19,45648236

Table C1.1 volumetric flowrates and the affinity laws calculated volumetric flowrates at
theoretical pump speed of 500 rpm.
707,1 rpm 813,5 rpm 954,9 rpm 1031 rpm
Volumetric affinity Volumetric affinity Volumetric affinity Volumetric affinity
flowrate volumetric flowrate volumetric flowrate volumetric flowrate volumetric
flowrate flowrate flowrate flowrate
0,26574 0,187908 0,267716 0,164546 0,26574 0,139145 0,26574 0,128875
0,41395 0,29271 0,415428 0,255334 0,413946 0,216748 0,413946 0,20075
0,56215 0,397504 0,563635 0,346426 0,562153 0,294352 0,562153 0,272625
0,71034 0,502291 0,712336 0,437822 0,71036 0,371955 0,71036 0,3445
0,86351 0,6106 0,730121 0,448753 0,858566 0,449558 0,863507 0,418771
0,91785 0,649024 0,952431 0,498707 0,952431 0,461897

CALCULATION: C.1.1
Calculation of affinity volumetric flowrate (500 rpm) from the experimental flowrate at 707.1
rpm.
𝑁1
𝑄1 = 𝑄2 ( )
𝑁2
500𝑟𝑝𝑚
= ( 0,26574m3/s) ( )
701.1𝑟𝑝𝑚
= 0.187m3/s
The same calculation was carried out for 813.5 rpm; 954,9rpm and 1031rpm using the same
equation to obtain the volumetric flowrate at a theoretical speed of 500 rpm.