Fluid Mechanics Lab

Experiment (10): Series and parallel pumps

Experiment (10): Series and parallel pumps

Introduction:
Centrifugal pumps are often used together to enhance either the flow rate or the delivery pressure
beyond that available from the single pump. For some piping system designs, it may be desirable to
consider a multiple pump system to meet the design requirements. Two typical options include
parallel and series configurations of pumps which require a specific performance criteria. In serial
operation the heads of the pumps are added and in parallel operation the flow rates (capacities) of
the pumps are added.
The experimental unit provides the determination of the characteristic behavior for single
operation and interaction of two pumps. The apparatus consists of a tank and pipework which
delivers water to and from two identical centrifugal pumps. The unit is fitted with electronic
sensors which measure the process variables. Signals from these sensors are sent to a computer via
an interface device, and the unit is supplied with data logging software as standard.
Purpose:
To investigate the result on discharge and total head of operating pumps in series and in parallel.
Apparatus:
1. Series and parallel pumps demonstration unit (Figure 1).
2. Interface device.
3. PC with suitable software installed.

Figure 1: Series and parallel pump demonstration unit

Instructors : Dr. Khalil M. ALASTAL

Eng. Mohammed Y. Mousa

Fluid Mechanics Lab

Experiment (10): Series and parallel pumps

Figure 2: Interface of one of the suitable softwares

Setting the flow path

The system may be configured to drive flow using single,
series or parallel pumps. The system valves are as shown:

Valves should be set to configure the system as follows.

The software should also be set to the corresponding flow path to ensure that the correct
calculations are performed.
Single Pump:

Instructors : Dr. Khalil M. ALASTAL

Eng. Mohammed Y. Mousa

Fluid Mechanics Lab

Experiment (10): Series and parallel pumps

Series Pumps:

Parallel Pumps:

The two pumps are motor-driven centrifugal pumps. On pump 1, the speed of the motor is
adjustable to give a range of 0 to 100%, allowing operation as a single pump for pump performance
analysis. Pump 2 is an identical model but is run at its design speed, which is equivalent to a setting
of 80% on the variable-speed pump for a 50Hz electrical supply, or 100% for a 60 Hz supply.
Exercise A (Series pumps)
Theory:
A single pump may be insufficient to produce the performance required. Combining two pumps
increases the pumping capacity of the system. Two pumps may be connected in series, so that water
passes first through one pump and then through the second. When two pumps operate in series, the
flow rate is the same as for a single pump but the total head is increased. The combined pump headcapacity curve is found by adding the heads of the single pump curves at the same capacity.

Instructors : Dr. Khalil M. ALASTAL

Eng. Mohammed Y. Mousa

Fluid Mechanics Lab

Experiment (10): Series and parallel pumps

Figure 3: Pump curve for two pumps in series

Equipment Set Up:

If the equipment is not yet ready for use, proceed as follows:
1. Ensure the drain valve is fully closed.
2. If necessary, fill the reservoir to within 10cm of the top rim.
3. Check that both pumps are fitted with similar impellers (the impellers may be viewed through
the clear cover plate of each pump).
4. Ensure the inlet valve and gate valve are both fully open.
5. Set the 3-way valve for flow in series.
6. Ensure the equipment is connected to the interface device and the interface device is connected
to a suitable PC. The red and green indicator lights on the interface device should both be
illuminated.
7. Ensure the interface device is connected to an appropriate mains supply, and switch on the
supply. Switch on the interface device.
8. Run the software. Check that 'IFD: OK' is displayed in the bottom right corner of the screen and
that there are values displayed in all the sensor display boxes on the mimic diagram.
Procedures:
1. Both pumps must be used at the same setting in this experiment to ensure identical
performance. As the speed of pump 2 is fixed at its design operational point, pump 1 should be
set to match - select 80% for a 50Hz electrical supply, or 100% for 60 Hz.
2. Allow water to circulate until all air has been flushed from the system.
3. If results are already available for a single pump across its full flow range, load those results into
the software now and jump to the section of this exercise using two pumps. If results are not
available then proceed as follows:

Instructors : Dr. Khalil M. ALASTAL

Eng. Mohammed Y. Mousa

Fluid Mechanics Lab

Experiment (10): Series and parallel pumps

Single pump performance:

a. Close pump 2 outlet valve and open pump 1 outlet valve.
b. In the software, on the mimic diagram, set the 'Mode' to 'Single' by selecting the appropriate
radio button.
c. Rename the results sheet to 'Single'.
d. Select the (Go) icon to record the sensor readings and pump settings on the results table of the
software.
e. Close the gate valve to reduce the flow by a small amount. Select the (Go) icon again.
f. Continue to close the gate valve to give incremental changes in flow rate, recording the sensor
data each time.
g. After taking the final set of data, fully open the gate valve.
Series pump performance:
4. Create a new results sheet using the (New) icon. Rename this new results sheet to 'Series'. In the
software, on the mimic diagram, set the 'Mode' to 'Series' by selecting the appropriate radio
button.
5. Open pump 2 outlet valve, close pump 1 outlet valve and wait for any air to circulate out of the
system.
6. Select the (Go) icon to record the sensor readings and pump settings on the results table of the
software.
7. Close the gate valve to reduce the flow by a small increment. Select the (Go) icon again.
8. Continue to close the gate valve to give incremental changes in flow rate, recording the sensor
data each time.
9. After taking the final set of data, fully open the gate valve again.
Pumps in parallel exercise may be performed immediately after this experiment without closing the
software; otherwise, save the results and ensure they are available for exercise B when required. (It
may also be advisable to save the results from this exercise before starting exercise B even if
continuing straight on, to ensure that the data is not lost in the event of a computer failure. The
results sheet may be overwritten with the combined results once exercise B has been completed).
Results:
On a base of flow rate, plot a graph of total head gain for the single pump and for two pumps
connected in series. Calculate the difference between the total head gain for single and series
pumps.
Conclusion:
Does the total head gain for the two pumps in series match the theoretical prediction of twice the
head gain for a single pump (assuming the two pumps used gave identical performance)?

Instructors : Dr. Khalil M. ALASTAL

Eng. Mohammed Y. Mousa

Fluid Mechanics Lab

Experiment (10): Series and parallel pumps

Exercise B (Parallel pumps)

Theory:
A single pump may be insufficient to produce the performance required. Combining two pumps
increases the pumping capacity of the system. Two pumps may be connected in parallel, so that half
the flow passes through one of the pumps and the other half through the second pump. When two
pumps operate in parallel, the total head increase remains unchanged but the flow rate is increased.
The head-capacity curve is found by adding the capacities of the single pump curves at the same
head.

Figure 4: Pump curve for two pumps in parallel

Equipment Set Up:

If the equipment is not yet ready for use, proceed as follows:
1. Ensure the drain valve is fully closed.
2. If necessary, fill the reservoir to within 10cm of the top rim.
3. Check that both pumps are fitted with similar impellers (the impellers may be viewed through
the clear cover plate of each pump).
4. Ensure the inlet valve and gate valve are both fully open.
5. Set the 3-way valve for flow in parallel.
6. Fully open the pump 1 outlet valve and pump 2 outlet valve. Opening both valves fully ensures
that the outlet pressure on both pumps is equal.
7. Ensure the equipment is connected to the interface device and the interface device is connected
to a suitable PC. The red and green indicator lights on the interface device should both be
illuminated.
8. Ensure the interface device is connected to an appropriate mains supply, and switch on the
supply. Switch on the interface device.
9. Run the software. Check that 'IFD: OK' is displayed in the bottom right corner of the screen and
that there are values displayed in all the sensor display boxes on the mimic diagram.
6

Instructors : Dr. Khalil M. ALASTAL

Eng. Mohammed Y. Mousa

Fluid Mechanics Lab

Experiment (10): Series and parallel pumps

10. In the software, on the mimic diagram, set the "Mode" to "parallel" by selecting the appropriate
radio button.
Procedures:
1. Both pumps must be used at the same setting in this experiment, to ensure identical
performance. As the speed of pump 2 is fixed at its design operational point, pump 1 should be
set to match - select 80% for a 50Hz electrical supply, or 100% for 60 Hz.
2. Allow water to circulate until all air has been flushed from the system.
3. Exercise A should be performed before this experiment, and the results loaded into the software
if the software is not still open from that exercise. If the software is still open from exercise A,
then create a new results sheet by selecting the (New) icon. Rename the current (blank) results
sheet to 'Parallel'.
4. Select the (Go) icon to record the sensor readings and pump settings on the results table of the
software.
5. Close the gate valve to reduce the flow by a small increment. Select the (Go) icon again.
6. Continue to close the gate valve to give incremental changes in flow rate, recording the sensor
data each time.
7. After taking the final set of data, fully open the gate valve. Set Pump 1 to 0% and switch off both
pumps.
Results:
On a base of flow rate, plot a graph of total head gain for the single pump and for two pumps
connected in parallel. Calculate the difference between the capacity for single and parallel pumps.
Conclusion:
Does the total head gain for the two pumps in parallel match the theoretical prediction of twice the
capacity of a single pump (assuming the two pumps used gave identical performance)?
Compare the graphs for pumps in series and pumps in parallel, and describe the similarities and
differences.

Instructors : Dr. Khalil M. ALASTAL

Eng. Mohammed Y. Mousa