Tom Chambet

H00386411

Heriot-Watt University
School of Engineering & Physical Sciences

3rd Year Mechanical Engineering Laboratory

Centrifugal Pump

Summary/Abstract

In this lab, we were introduced to centrifugal pumps in a practical way to compare reality
and theory regarding different characteristics. The main goal of it was to understand that
pump speed has a major effect on the efficiency of the pump but also on the developed
head. We concluded that The higher the flow rate, the higher the friction and therefore the
pressure drop and pump efficiency decreases when speed is increasing.
Finding the characteristic curve of a centrifugal pump helps to understand what is the best
speed to run the pump but it is not enough. We should also analyse the system
characteristic curve to find the intersection of these two curves that is in fact the optimized
operating point for the installation to choose what type of pump we will be using and at
what speed.

Introduction

Pumps are devices designed to transform the mechanical energy of a motor into hydraulic
energy. Most often it is a matter of moving a liquid from one level to another. The
centrifugal pump is a rotating machine that pumps a liquid by forcing it through an impeller.
It is the most common type of industrial pumps and domestic pumps. This is the pump that
we are going to analyse in this lab.
It’s very important to select the correct pump for a specific application because each pump
have different characteristics with their optimum operating conditions. Choosing the wrong
pump could affect the wear of the pump or even result in a lack of pressure head.
The versatility and flexibility of centrifugal pumps make them the number one choice for
moving fluids in a variety of industries such as agriculture, wastewater treatment plants,
municipal water treatment schemes, power plants, pharmaceutical, chemical, mining,
petroleum and many others.
They are the primary pumps used to pump municipal water in residential buildings. In
addition, the design of centrifugal pumps makes them suitable for applications involving
sludge and wastewater. Since centrifugal pumps can handle high viscosity liquids, they are
also used in food and beverage applications, milk processing and dairy industries.

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The objectives for this laboratory are to work with centrifugal pumps to determine the
typical characteristics of those pumps, identify the relationship between the developed head
and flow rate, efficiency and flow rate and to determine the effects caused when running a
pump at different speeds.

Theory

Pump characteristics are usually quoted in the form of graphs of head vs. flowrate and
efficiency vs. flowrate. Using these, the correct pump can be selected for the desired
flowrate and pressure. Once the required head and flowrate have been determined, the
overall efficiency is calculated from
power output
Percentage efficiency = ×100
power input

Where power input = electrical power input to pump = V x I (watts)

Power output = work done by pump on fluid = volumetric flowrate x pressure
Q∆ P
∴ Efficiency= × 100 %
VI
Also
∆ P=ρgh
Where P = pressure (N/m2)
ρ = density (kg/m3)
g = acceleration due to gravity (m/s2)
and h = head (m)
In our case, we are looking for the head h and the pressure drop ΔP is known, so
∆P
h=
ρg
In this experiment, we will measure the pump delivery pressure for a range of flowrates. we
will then change the speed of the pump motor and repeat these to see what affect this has
on the pump’s characteristics.

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In order to find the speed of the pump (rpm) with the voltage of the pump, we need to use
the pump characteristics. They indicate that for a voltage of 230V the speed of the pump is
2800 rpm. So for 175V the speed will be (175*2800)/230 = 2130 rpm.

Equipment

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The pump speed is controlled by voltage; the voltage can be adjusted with the voltage dial.
Water is stored in a buffer tank. The input of the pump is connected to the tank with a pipe.
A suction valve is located on this pipe. The output of the pump is connected to a rotameter
with a pipe. A discharge valve is located on this pipe in order to vary the flowrate. The
output of the rotameter goes back to the buffer tank with an opened end pipe. A pressure
gauge is connected between the input and output of the pump in order to measure pressure
loss. The flowrate can be measured using the rotameter and the calibration chart.

Procedure

Warning: As a safety precaution ensure water does not come into contact with the electrics
present in the experiment. Starting at low power setting for the pump may damage the
motor windings so begin the experiment with the pump running at full speed (245 V) and
with the suction and discharge valves both fully open.

Steps to follow:
1. Fully open the discharge valve and suction valve.
2. Rotate the voltage dial all the way so that when you turn on the pump, it starts at full
speed.
3. Press the green switch and then the red switch to turn on the pump.
4. Rotate the voltage dial in order to get the speed needed for the first measurements
(230V).
5. Rotate the discharge valve to vary the flowrate through the rotameter.
6. Wait 30 seconds to enable the values to become steady again.
7. Write down the voltage, current, head and pressure drop.
8. Repeat 5. 6. 7. In order to have 6 different flowrates.
9. Repeat 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. With a new pump speed (175V)
10. Use the chart provided to extrapolate the flowrate.
11. Press the red switch and then the green switch to turn off the pump.

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Pump characteristic curves

16
14
12
10
Head (m)

8
6
4
2
0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Flowrate (m³/s)

2800 Rpm 2130 Rpm

Results & Discussion

The curves above show head decreases in a slightly parabolic way as a function of the flow
rate, which is in line with the results expected for a real pump because the pressure losses
are due to friction and dissipation linked to the flow. This is consistent with the results
expected from a real pump because the friction and dissipation of the flow are the main
causes of the pressure drop. The higher the flow rate, the higher the friction and therefore
the pressure drop.
We
Efficiency curves can
16 see
14 that
12 as
Efficiency (%)

10
8
6
4
2
0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Flowrate (m³/s)

2800 Rpm 2130 Rpm

expected the higher pump speed the higher head will be. This matches perfectly with the
theory.

The efficiency of the pump increases as the flow rate increases before reaching a maximum
and decreases very slightly towards the maximum flow rate.

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For the pump running at 2800 rpm, the maximum efficiency is 11% reached at a flowrate of
0,000288 m^3/s. For the pump running at 2130 rpm, the maximum efficiency is 14.7%
reached at a flowrate of 0,000288 m^3/s. This means that efficiency decreases when the
speed goes up, this matches the theory because the higher speeds the pump is running the
higher the head loss is to do friction.
What we need to understand with these curves is that the pump speed is very important
because it changes the pump efficiency and the head. A could ratio must be found between
these two characteristics in order to find the best speed that the pump should run at for a
specific application.
The characteristic curve of the pump is not sufficient to determine the maximum flow rate of
the pump. In fact, we also need to know the characteristic curve of the circuit in order to
determine the point of intersection of these two curves and thus determine the operating
point of the installation. This is not done in this lab but could be an interesting way to
develop.
The experiment could be improved by using digital sensors rather than a pressure gauge
because it is much more precise and it will delete the human errors while reading the
results. We could also add more values so that the curve is more accurate and wait longer
between each one so that it is more correct, we tend to rush a bit because of the limited
time.

Conclusion

In this lab we worked with a centrifugal pump in order to determine the typical
characteristics of those pumps, identify the relationship between the developed head and
flow rate, efficiency and flow rate and to determine the effects caused when running a pump
at different speeds. This is what we found:

 Pump efficiency decreases when speed is increasing

 The higher the flow rate, the higher the friction and therefore the pressure drop.
 The efficiency of the pump increases as the flow rate increases before reaching a
maximum and decreases very slightly towards the maximum flow rate.
 Finding the perfect speed pump to maximise efficiency when matching the needed
developed head is the key to have a pump that works properly and does not wear off
or get damaged quickly
Although, to be able to choose the right pump with the right characteristics, you should
know the characteristic curve of the circuit in order to determine the operating point of the
installation.

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References

[1] https://www.dxpe.com/different-types-centrifugal-pumps-applications/

[2] https://studylibfr.com/doc/6178571/tp-n%C2%B02-bis---etude-approfondie-des-pompes-
centrifuges

[3]
https://www.academia.edu/39511468/TP_etude_des_caracteristique_fondamentales_des_pompes_
centrifuges

Bibliography

https://thesis.library.caltech.edu/1141/1/Adkins_dr_1986.pdf