Characteristics of Centrifugal Pumps

Objective:
1. To study the characteristics of horizontal single stage pump operation with variable
flow rate and pump speeds.
2. To study the characteristics of two identical pumps in series operation with variable
flow rate and pump speeds.
3. To study the characteristics of two identical pumps in parallel operation with
variable flow rate and pump speeds.
Apparatus:
• Series and Parallel Pump Test Rig

Basic Procedure:
1. Fill the circulation tank with water.
2. Make sure Valve ‘V5’ is in fully close position.
3. Switch on the main power supply.
4. Turn on the main switch located on the left bottom corner on control panel. Ensure all digital
indicators illuminate.
5. Check for the following valve positions:

Pump Operation Running Pump Fully Open Valve Fully Close Valve
Single Pump Pump 1 (P1) V1 and V4 V2 and V3
Series Both Pump V1 and V3 V2 and V4
Parallel Both Pump V1, V2 and V4 V3

6. Turn on the pump and slowly open discharge valve ‘V5’ until the maximum flow rate is
achieved. Follow the experiment procedures to determine the desire flow rate.
 7. Use the pump speed selector switch to monitor the pump speed.
8. Use the pressure selector switch to monitor the pressure in the pipe.
9. To increase the speed of a pump, select the pump by pump selector and then turn the speed
controller clockwise and vice versa.
10. After using the equipment, turn off the pumps, completely close valve V5, turn off the main
switch and then switch off the main supply.

Assembly and Parts identification:

Modal: FM 07A (SOLTEQ)

1. Pump 1 4. Speed Sensor

2. Pump 2 5. Pressure Gauge
3. Water Tank 6. Pressure Transmitter
Back View:

Figure 1 (b) Back view

Process Diagram for Series and Parallel Pump Test Rig:

Figure 1 (c) Process diagram

Formulas Used For Calculation:

𝑃𝑂𝑊𝐸𝑅𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑
Overall Efficiency ∏ 𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑙𝑙 = × 100%
𝑃𝑂𝑊𝐸𝑅𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙

Power (fluid) 𝑃𝑓𝑙𝑢𝑖𝑑 = 𝑔 ∙ 𝑄 ∙ 𝐻 ∙ 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟

Gravitational Acceleration 𝑔 = 9.81 𝑚/𝑠 2
(𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑖𝑛 𝐿𝑃𝑀)
Volumetric flow rate 𝑄(m3/s) =
60000
𝑃2 − 𝑃1
𝐻(m) =
𝜌𝑔
Pump Head
Pressure unit [P1,P2] is Pascal
Unit conversion : 1 bar = 100000 Pascal
Water Density 𝜌𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 = 1000 𝑘𝑔/𝑚3
Experiment 1: Single Pump Operation
Objective: To study the characteristics of horizontal single stage pump operation with variable flow
rate and pump speeds.

Equipment Set Up:

Sr. # Fully Close Valve Fully Open Variable Pump Condition

Valve Parameter On
1 V2 and V3 V1 and V4 V5 Pump 1 Maximum
Motor Speed
2 V2 and V3 V1 and V4 Motor Speed Pump 1 V5 fully open

Procedure:
1. Follow the basic procedure as explained above.
2. Ensure that all setting follows the equipment set up.
3. Test the pump characteristics under the following conditions and record the data:
i. Maximum motor speed ; varied V5 opening
ii. V5 fully open; varied motor speed.

Graphs:
1. Plot the pressure difference (PT3-PT1) pump head (meter) vs. flow rate for condition i.
2. Plot efficiency vs. flow rate for condition i.
3. Plot flow rate vs. pump speed for condition ii.
4. Plot the pressure difference (PT3-PT1) pump head (meter) vs. pump speed for condition ii.

Note: write the analysis at the end of each graph.

Safety precautions:
1. Never operate the pumps when there is no liquid in the pipeline. It will cause serious damage
to the pumps. (Water Level above PVC pipe 10 cm)

2. Do not operate pump above and below its limit as given below:

MINIMUM FLOWRATE MAXIMUM FLOWRATE

ORIENTATION
(LPM) (LPM)
Single 40 120
Series 40 120
Parallel 40 240
Experiment 1: Single Pump Operation
Data Sheet:

i) Single pump operation with variable flow rate

Flow Speed Power PT1 PT3 PT3- Pump Efficiency

rate (RPM) (Watt) (bar) (bar) PT1 head, H (%)
(bar) (m)
(LPM)

ii) Single pump operation with variable pump speeds

Speed Flow Power PT1 PT3 PT3- Pump

(RPM) rate (Watt) (bar) (bar) PT1 head, H
(LPM) (bar) (m)
Experiment 2: Pumps in Series Operation

Objective: To study the characteristics of two identical pumps in series operation with variable flow
rate and pump speeds.

Equipment Set Up:

Sr. # Fully Close Valve Fully Open Variable Pump Condition

Valve Parameter On
1 V2 and V4 V1 and V3 V5 Both Maximum
Motor Speed
2 V2 and V4 V1 and V3 Motor Speed Both V5 fully open

Procedure:
1. Follow the basic procedure as explained above.
2. Ensure that all setting follows the equipment set up.
3. Test the pump characteristics under the following conditions and record the data:
iii. Maximum motor speed ; varied V5 opening
iv. V5 fully open; varied motor speed.

Graphs:
1. Plot the pressure difference (PT3-PT1) pump head (meter) vs. flow rate for condition i.
2. Plot efficiency vs. flow rate for condition i.
3. Plot flow rate vs. pump speed for condition ii.
4. Plot the pressure difference (PT3-PT1) pump head (meter) vs. pump speed for condition ii.
5. Compare and discuss the pump performance between single pump and series pump operation.

Note: write the analysis at the end of each graph.

Experiment 2: Series Pump Operation
Data Sheet:

i) Series pump operation with variable flow rate

Flow Speed Power PT1 PT3 PT3- Pump Efficiency

rate (RPM) (Watt) (bar) (bar) PT1 head, H (%)
(bar) (m)
(LPM)

ii) Series pump operation with variable pump speeds

Speed Flow Power PT1 PT3 PT3- Pump

(RPM) rate (Watt) (bar) (bar) PT1 head, H
(LPM) (bar) (m)
Experiment 3: Pumps in Parallel Operation

Objective: To study the characteristics of two pumps in parallel operation with variable flow rate
and pump speeds.

Equipment Set Up:

Sr. # Fully Close Valve Fully Open Variable Pump Condition

Valve Parameter On
1 V3 V1, V2 and V5 Both Maximum
V3 Motor Speed
2 V3 V1, V2 and Motor Speed Both V5 fully open
V3

Procedure:
1. Follow the basic procedure as explained above.
2. Ensure that all setting follows the equipment set up.
3. Test the pump characteristics under the following conditions and record the data:
v. Maximum motor speed ; varied V5 opening
vi. V5 fully open; varied motor speed.

Graphs:
1. Plot the pressure difference (PT3-PT1) pump head (meter) vs. flow rate for condition i.
2. Plot efficiency vs. flow rate for condition i.
3. Plot flow rate vs. pump speed for condition ii.
4. Plot the pressure difference (PT3-PT1) pump head (meter) vs. pump speed for condition ii.
5. Compare and discuss the pump performance curve between single pump and parallel pump
operation.

Note: write the analysis at the end of each graph.

Experiment 3: Pumps in Parallel Operation
Data Sheet:

i) Parallel pump operation with variable flow rate

Flow Speed Power PT1 PT3 PT3- Pump Efficiency

rate (RPM) (Watt) (bar) (bar) PT1 head, H (%)
(bar) (m)
(LPM)

ii) Parallel pump operation with variable pump speeds

Speed Flow Power PT1 PT3 PT3- Pump

(RPM) rate (Watt) (bar) (bar) PT1 head, H
(LPM) (bar) (m)
Discussion of Results (Attach extra sheet if needed):
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Conclusion:
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