[SEGi University]

[Chemical Engineering Laboratory II]

SEGi University

Centrifugal Pump
Candidate’s Name: MUZAHID LATIF KHATRY
Student ID: SUKD1902597
Group Member’s Name: Salah Ahmed
Dk Zahraa Balqis
Omer khatab
Mohammed Adel

Lecturer/ Supervisor: Dr .MUHAMMAD ZULHAZIMAN

1.0 ABSTRACT

The purpose of this experiment was to operate a centrifugal pump by the transfer of
mechanical work on fluid to pressure energy. In addition, to identify its characteristics by
calculating the hydraulic power and efficiency of the pump to determine its performance. The
collected data was used in indicating the relationship between the pumps efficiency and the
flowrate. As well as the relationship between the pressure difference and the flowrate.

2.0 THEORY/INTRODUCTION
Pumps are devices that transfer mechanical energy from a prime mover into fluid energy
to produce the flow of liquids. There are two broad classifications of pumps: positive
displacement and dynamic. In the experiments, students are able to operate Horizontal Single
Stage Centrifugal Pump.

2.1 Dynamic Pumps

Dynamic pumps add energy to the fluid by the action of rotating blade, which increases
the velocity of the fluid. Figure 2 shows the construction features of a centrifugal pump, the most
commonly used type of dynamic pump
 Figure 2: Construction features of a centrifugal pump
2.2 Horizontal Single Stage Centrifugal Pump

Centrifugal pumps have two major components:

1. The impeller consists of a number of curved blades (also called vanes) attached in a
regular pattern to one side of a circular hub plate that is connected to the rotating
driveshaft.
2. The housing (also called casing) is a stationary shell that enclosed the impeller and
supports the rotating drive shaft via a bearing.

A centrifugal pump operates as follows. The prime mover rotates the driveshaft and
hence the impeller fluid is drawn in axially through the center opening (called the eye) of the
housing. The fluid then makes a 900 turn and flows radially outward. As energy is added to the
fluid by the rotating blades (centrifugal action and actual blade force), the pressure and
velocity increase until the fluid reaches the outer tip of the impeller. The fluid then enters the
volute-shaped housing whose increased flow area causes the velocity to decrease. This action
results in decrease kinetic energy and an accompanying increase in pressure.

The volute-shaped housing also provides a continuous increase in flow area in the
direction of flow to produce a uniform velocity as the fluid travels around the outer portion of
housing and discharge opening.

Although centrifugal pumps provide smooth, continuous flow, their flow rate output (also
called discharge) is reducing as the external resistance is increase. In fact, by closing a system
valve (thereby creating theoretically infinite external system resistance) even while the pump
is running at design speed, it is possible to stop pump output flow completely. In such a case,
no harm occurs to the pump unless this no-flow condition occurs over extended period with
resulting excessive fluid temperature build up. Thus pressure relief valves are not needed. The
tips of the impeller blade merely shear to through the liquid, and the rotational speed maintains
a fluid pressure corresponding to the centrifugal force established. Figure 3 shows the cutaway
of a centrifugal pump.
 Figure 3: The Cutaway of a Centrifugal Pump

3.0 APPARATUS
The unit was constructed on a stable stainless steel base plate, comprises of a fixed speed
centrifugal pump, a water sump tank and all required pipe works. It was installed with pressure
gauges and flow meter for pump characteristic studies. The pump casing was made of
transparent material; therefore the pump mechanism can be clearly visualized.
 Figure 1: Equipment Assembly

4.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

1. The circulation tank was filled with water up to the end of the pipe output was submerge
with water.
2. The suction valve was open.
3. The power supply was switched on to the pump.
4. The delivery valve was regulated to achieve the desired operating conditions.
5. The delivery valve was slowly regulated until the flowrate reached 90 LPM
6. The pressure reading on the pressure gauges was observed. When stable condition was
achieved, flowrate and pressure values were recorded.
7. Observation was repeated by decreasing flowrate as followed.

Rotameter Water
flowrate Q
(m3 /s) Suction Pressure (P1) Delivery Pressure (P2)
(×10-3 ) ΔP Pi η
kPa W
%
(FI1) LPM cmHg kgf/cm kPa kgf/cm2 kPa
2

90 1.5 10 - 13.3 0.2 19.61 6.31 9.465 5.26

80 1.32 7.5 - 9.975 0.33 32.36 22.39 29.55 16.42
70 1.18 5 - 6.65 0.45 44.13 37.48 44.23 24.57
60 1 2.5 - 3.325 0.55 53.94 50.62 50.62 28.12
50 0.83 - 0 0 0.6 58.84 58.84 48.84 27.13
40 0.67 - 0.03 2.942 0.7 68.65 65.71 44.03 24.46
30 0.5 - 0.05 4.903 0.75 73.54 68.64 34.32 19.07
0 0 - 0.05 4.903 0.85 83.36 78.46 0 0

5.0 RESULTS

Sample Calculations:
 1.33 kPa
P1 = 10 ( ¿
1 cmHg
= 13.3 kPa
98.066 kPa
P2 = 0.2 ( ¿
1 kgf /cm2
= 19.61 kPa
ΔP = P2 – P1
= 19.61 – 13.3
= 6.31 kPa
Pi = Q ΔP
= (0.0015) (6.31×103)
= 9.465 W
Pi
×100%
η = P
9.465
= ×100 %
180
= 5.258%

Pressure difference Versus Flowrate

90

80

70
Pressure difference

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Q (m3/s)

(Graph 1)
 Pump Efficiency Versus Flowrate
30

25

20
Pump Efficiency

15

10

0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Q (m3/s)

(Graph 2)

6.0 DISCUSSION
The aim of this experiment was to analyze the performance of the centrifugal
pump. As shown in the graph and results (Graph 1) the pressure difference decreases with
the increasing flowrate, since centrifugal pump does not have a fixed volume at fixed
inlet and casing. As the flowrate rises, the pump head will drop for a given impeller’s
diameter. On the other hand, if the pump head needs to increase, then the discharge flow
rate must be sacrificed. The centrifugal pump is distinct from other pumps by having a
very large flowrate with a small footprint. Which means the more flowrate the more
energy consumed.
The efficiency is the ratio between the hydraulic power and the motor power (180
W), in other words, it’s the ratio between the power coming out of the system and the
power put into the system. As it can be seen in (Graph 2) the efficiency keep increasing
with the flowrate until a certain point, when the efficiency is high the system is
minimizing loses. However, the efficiency drop might be a reason to a shock loss of eye
impeller.

7.0 CONCLUSION
To conclude, the objective of this experiment was achieved and discussed above.
The characteristics of the pump identified and the performance curves was drawn. The
pressure difference decreases gradually with the flowrate, and the rise of flowrate will
affect the efficiency of the pump.
8.0 REFERENCE
1. Petrowiki.. Centrifugal pumps. [online] Available at:
http://petrowiki.org/Centrifugal_pumps [Accessed 02 NOV . 2020]

9.0 APPENDICES

(Centrifugal Pump used to carry out the experiment)