Rotodynamic Pumps

1. INTRODUCTION
Three types of pumps are in use.
(1) Rotodynamic pumps which move the fluid by dynamic action of imparting momentum to the
fluid using mechanical energy.
(2) Reciprocating pumps which first trap the liquid in a cylinder by suction and then push the liquid
against pressure.
(3) Rotary positive displacement pumps which also trap the liquid in a volume and push the same
out against pressure.
Reciprocating pumps are limited by the low speed of operation required and small volumes it can
handle.
2. CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
These are so called because energy is imparted to the fluid by centrifugal action of moving
blades from the inner radius to the outer radius. The main components of centrifugal pumps are (1)
the impeller, (2) the casing and (3) the drive shaft with gland and packing.
The liquid enters the eye of the impeller axially due to the suction created by the impeller
motion. The impeller blades guide the fluid and impart momentum to the fluid, which increases the
total head (or pressure) of the fluid, causing the fluid to flow out. The fluid comes out at a high
velocity which is not directly usable. The casing can be of simple volute type or a diffuser can be
used as desired. The volute is a spiral casing of gradually increasing cross section. A part of the
kinetic energy in the fluid is converted to pressure in the casing.
Figure 1 shows a sectional view of the centrifugal pump.

Gland and packing or so called stuffing box is used to reduce leakage along the drive shaft. By
the use of the volute only a small fraction of the kinetic head can be recovered as useful static head.
A diffuser can diffuse the flow more efficiently and recover kinetic head as useful static head. A view
of such arrangement is shown in Figure 2. Diffuser pump are also called as turbine pumps as these
resembles Francis turbine with flow direction reversed.

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2.1 Impeller
The impeller consists of a disc with blades mounted perpendicularly on its surface. The
blades may of three different orientations. These are (i) Radial, (ii) Backward curved, and (iii)
Forward curved. Backward and forward refers to the direction of motion of the disc
periphery. Of these the most popular one is the backward curved type, due to its desirable
characteristics, which reference to the static head developed and power variation with flow
rate.

2.2 Classification
As already mentioned, centrifugal pumps may be classified in several ways. On the basis
of speed as low speed, medium speed and high speed pumps. On the basis of direction of
flow of fluid, the classification is radial flow, mixed flow and radial flow. On the basis of head
pumps may be classified as low head (10 m and below), medium head (10-50 m) and high
head pumps. Single entry type and double entry type is another classification. Double entry
pumps have blades on both sides of the impeller disc. This leads to reduction in axial thrust
and increase in flow for the same speed and diameter. Figure 3 illustrates the same. When
the head required is high and which cannot be developed by a single impeller, multi staging
is used. In deep well submersible pumps the diameter is limited by the diameter of the bore
well casing. In this case multi stage pump becomes a must. In multi stage pumps several
impellers are mounted on the same shaft and the outlet flow of one impeller is led to the
inlet of the next impeller and so on. The total head developed equals the sum of heads
developed by all the stages.

2
 Pumps may also be operated in parallel to obtain large volumes of flow. The
classification may also be based on the specific speed of the pump.
The expression for the dimensionless specific speed is given in equation 1.
N √Q
N s=
( gH )3 /4 (1)
More often dimensional specific speed is used in practice. In this case
N √Q
N s=
H 3/4 (2)
The units used are: N in rpm, Q in m3/s, and H in meter.
Typical values are given in Table 1

The best efficiency is obtained for the various types of pumps in this range of specific speeds
indicated.
3. PRESSURE DEVELOPED BY THE IMPELLER
The general arrangement of a centrifugal pump system is shown in Figure 4.

3
Hs—Suction level above water level.
Hd—Delivery level above the impeller outlet.
hfd, hfs—friction, m.
Vs, Vd—pipe velocities.
Applying Bernoulli’s equation between the water level and pump suction,
2
Pa V s Ps
=H s +h fs + +
γ 2g γ (3)
2
P s Pa Vs
= −H s −h fs−
γ γ 2g (4)
Similarly applying Bernoulli’s theorem between the pump delivery and the delivery at the tank,
P d V 2d Pa V 2d
+ = +H d +hfd +
γ 2g γ 2g (5)
P d Pa
= +H d +hfd
γ γ (6)
where Pd is the pressure at the pump delivery. From Equation (4) and (6).
2
Pd Ps Pa Pa V s
− = +H d +h fd − + +H s + hfs
γ γ γ γ 2g
2 2
Pd Ps Vs Vs
− =H d +H s +h f + =H e +
γ γ 2g 2g (7)
where He is the effective head.

3.1 Manometric Head

The official code defines the head on the pump as the difference in total energy heads at
the suction and delivery flanges. This head is defined as manometric head.
The total energy at suction inlet (expressed as head of fluid)
Ps V 2s
= + +Z
γ 2g s
where Zs is the height of suction gauge from datum.
The total energy at the delivery of the pump

4
 Pd V 2d
= + +Z d
γ 2g
Zd is the height of delivery gauge from datum.
∴ The difference in total energy is defined as Hm
P d P s (V d −V s )
( )
2 2
= − + + ( Z d −Z s )
γ γ 2g
From equation 7,
2
Pd Ps Vs
− =H e +
γ γ 2g
Substituting
V 2d
H m=H e + + ( Z d −Z s )
2g (8)
2
As (Zd – Zs) is small and V /(2g) is also small as the gauges are fixed as close as possible.
∴ Hm = Static head + all losses.

4. ENERGY TRANSFER BY IMPELLER

The energy transfer is given by Euler Turbine equation applied to work absorbing machines,
W =−( u1 V u −u 2 V u ) =u2 V u −u1 V u
1 2 2 1

This can be expressed as ideal head imparted as

u 2 V u −u1 V u
1
H ideal = 2

g (9)
The velocity diagrams at inlet and outlet of a backward curved vaned impeller is shown in Figure 5.
The inlet whirl is generally zero. There is no guide vanes at inlet to impart whirl. So the inlet triangle
is right angled.

V1 = Vf1 and are radial

5
 V1 Vf
tan β 1 = or 1
u1 u1
V u =0
1
u2 V u
H ideal = 2

g (10)
From the outlet triangle,
πD2 N
u2 =
60
Vf
2
V u =u2 −
2 tan β2

( )
u2 V f2
H ideal = u2 −
g tan β 2 (11)
Manometric efficiency is defined as the ratio of manometric head and ideal head.
H m×g
ηm =
u2 ( u2 −V f / tan β 2 )
2

Hm = Static head + all losses (for practical purposes).

Mechanical efficiency
Energy transferred to the fluid
ηmech=
Work input
( u2 V u ) Qρ2
ηmech =
Power input (12)
Overall efficiency
Static head ×Q×ρ×g
ηo =
Power input (13)
There are always some leakages of fluid after being imparted energy by the impeller.
Volume delivered
Volumetric efficiency=
Volume pas sin g through impeller (14)
Thus
ηo =η m η mech ηvol (15)
Vd2/2g is not really useful as output of the pump. Hence the useful amount of energy transfer (as
head, is taken as (Ha).
u2 V u
V
2
H a= − d 2

g 2g
By algebraic manipulation, this can be obtained as
2 2 2
u −V cosec β2
H a= 2 f
2g (16)
4.1 Slip and Slip Factor
In the analysis it is assumed that all the fluid between two blade passages have the same
velocity (both magnitude of direction). Actually at the leading edge the pressure is higher and
velocity is lower. On the trailing edge the pressure is lower and the velocity is higher. This leads

6
 to a circulation over the blades, causing a non uniform velocity distribution. The average angle
at which the fluid leaves the blade is less than the blades angle. The result is a reduction in the
exit whirl velocity Vu2. This is illustrated in the following figure.

The solid lines represent the velocity diagram without slip. The angle 2 is the blade angle.
The dotted lines represent the velocity diagram after slip. The angle 2′ < 2. It may be seen that
Vu2′ < Vu2. The ratio Vu2′/Vu2 is known as slip factor. The result of the slip is that the energy
transfer to the fluid is less than the theoretical value.
u 2 V u2
H th =σ s
g (17)
where s is the slip coefficient or slip factor.

4.2 Losses in Centrifugal Pumps

Mainly there are three specific losses which can be separately calculated. These are
(i) Mechanical friction losses between the fixed and rotating parts in the bearings and gland and
packing.
(ii) Disc friction loss between the impeller surfaces and the fluid.
(iii) Leakage and recirculation losses. The recirculation is along the clearance between the
impeller and the casing due to the pressure difference between the hub and tip of the impeller.
The various losses are indicated in Figure 7.

7
5. OPERATION OF PUMPS IN SERIES AND PARALLEL

In case more flow is required the old pump and the new pump will operate in parallel. There are
also additional advantages in two pump operation. When the load is low one of the pump can
operate with a higher efficiency when the load increases then the second pump can be switched on
thus improving part load efficiency. The characteristics of parallel operation is depicted in Figure 15.

The original requirement was Q1 at H1. Pump 1 could satisfy the same and operating point is at 1.
When the flow requirement and the system characteristic is changed such that Q2 is required at
head H1, then two pumps of similar characteristics can satisfy the requirement. Providing a flow

8
 volume of Q2 as head H1. It is not necessary that similar pumps should be used. Suitable control
system for switching on the second pump should be used in such a case.
When the head requirement is changed with flow volume being the same, then the pumps
should work in series. The characteristics are shown in Figure 16.

The flow requirement is Q. Originally head requirement was H1 met by the first pump alone. The
new requirement is flow rate Q and head H2. This can be met by adding in series the pump 2, which
meets this requirement. It is also possible to meet changes in both head and flow requirements by
the use of two pumps. Suitable control system should be installed for such purposes.

6. SPECIFIC SPEED AND SIGNIFICANCE

Some of the dimensionless parameters pertaining to pumps have been derived in the chapter on
Dimensional analysis. These are derived from basics below:
7.1. Flow coefficient:
3
Q∝V f A ∝uDb∝uDD∝DnDD∝ ND
Q
=cons tan t
ND 3 (19)
For similar machine and also the same machine. In the case of same machine D is constant.
Q Q Q
=cons tant or 1 = 2 , unit quantity
N N1 N2

7.2. Head parameter:

2 2 2
H ∝u / g∝ D N /g
gH
=cons tan t
N 2D2 (20)
The head parameter is constant for similar machines. For the same machine
H1 H2
= , unit head
N 21 N 22
7.3. Power parameter:
Multiplying the two parameters,

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 gH Q ρ QgH P
= =
N 2 D 2 ND 3 ρN 3 D5 ρN 3 D 5 (21)
7.4. Specific speed:

Specific speed= 3/4√

Flow parameter
√ Head parameter
Specific speed= √Q ⋅ N 1 .5 D1 .5
1/2 1 .5 3 /4
N D ( gH )
N s = √ 3 /4
N Q
( gH )
This quantity is known as the specific speed of pumps. This is dimensionless.
N √Q
N s=
In practice H 3/4 is in usage.
One definition for the specific speed is the speed at which the pump will operate delivering unit
flow under unit head.

Actually the significance of the specific speed is its indication of the flow direction, width
etc. of the impeller. This is illustrated in Figure 17. It is seen that different types of pumps have
best efficiency at different specific speeds.

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7. CAVITATION
What is cavitation and where and why it occurs will be discussed in the chapter on turbines. In
the case of pumps, the pressure is lowest at the inlet and cavitation damage occurs at the inlet. For
cavitation to occur the pressure at the location should be near the vapour pressure at the location.
Applying the energy equation between sump surface and the pump suction,
P s V 2s Pa
+ +Z= −h fs
γ 2g γ (22)
where Z is the height from sump surface and pump suction. The other terms have their usual
significance. The term hfs should include all losses in the suction line.
Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) is defined as the available total suction head at the pump inlet
above the head corresponding to the vapour pressure at that temperature.
P s V 2s P v
NPSH= + −
γ 2g γ (23)
where Pv is the vapour pressure.
From Equation 22,
Pa P v
NPSH= − −Z−h fs
γ γ
Thoma cavitation parameter is defined by
P a Pv
− −Z −hfs
NPSH γ γ
σ= =
H H
At cavitation conditions,
Ps P v
σ =σ c and =
γ γ
Pa Pv
− −Z−h fs
γ γ
σ c=
H (24)
The height of suction, the frictional losses in the suction line play an important role for avoiding
cavitation at a location. When pumps designed for one location is used at another location,
atmospheric pressure plays a role in the onset of cavitation. Some authors use the term “suction
specific speed, ‘ns”. Where H in the general equation is substituted by NPSH. One correlation for
critical cavitation parameter for pumps is given as

( )
4/3
ns
σ c=
175 (25)
These equations depend upon the units used and should be applied with caution.

8. AXIAL FLOW PUMP

A sectional view of axial flow pump is shown in Figure 18.

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 The flow in these machines is purely axial and axial velocity is constant at all radii. The blade
velocity varies with radius and so the velocity diagrams and blade angles will be different at different
radii. Twisted blade or airfoil sections are used for the blading. Guide vanes are situated behind the
impeller to direct the flow axially without whirl. In large pumps inlet guide vanes may also be used.
Such pumps are also called as propeller pumps. The head developed per stage is small, but due to
increased flow area, large volumes can be handled.
A comparison of values of parameters is given in Table 2.

The whirl at inlet is zero. The velocity triangles are given in Figure 19.

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 Va is constant at all sections both at inlet and outlet. u varies with radius. Hence 1 and 2 will
vary with radius.
u2 V u
H th = 2

g as in the case of centrifugal pumps.

All other efficiencies are similar to the centrifugal pump.

9. SAMPLE PROBLEMS
Example No. 1
The following details refer to a centrifugal pump. Outer diameter: 30 cm. Eye diameter : 15 cm.
Blade angle at inlet : 30°. Blade angle at outlet: 25°. Speed 1450 rpm. The flow velocity remains
constant. The whirl at inlet is zero. Determine the work done per kg. If the manometric efficiency is
82%, determine the working head. If width at outlet is 2 cm, determine the power o = 76%.

Given:
Outside diameter = 30 cm
Eye diameter = 15 cm
Blade angle at inlet = 30 deg
Blade angle at outlet = 25 deg
Speed = 145 rpm
Flow velocity is constant and whirl at inlet is zero.
Manometric efficiency = 82%
Width at outlet = 2 cm
o = 76%.

Required:
Word done per kg
Working head
Power

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Solution:

π ×0 .3×1450
u2 = =22 .78 m/s
60
π ×0 .15×1450
u1 = =11. 39 m/s
60
From inlet velocity diagram.
V f =u 1 tan β 1 =11 .39 tan30=6 .58 m/s
1

From the outlet velocity diagram,

Vf 6 .58
2
V u =u2 − =22. 78− =8 .67 m/s
2 tan β2 tan 25
=u 2 V u =22. 78×8 . 67=197 .5 N⋅m/kg
Work done per kg = 2

Working head
H m×g
ηm =
u2 V u
2

H m×9 . 81
0 . 82=
197 .5
H m=16 . 51 m
Solving for power:
3
Flow rate=Q=π×0.3×0.02×6.58=0.124 m / s
Q×ρ×g×H m
Power input=
ηo
0.124×1000×9 . 81×16 .51
Power input= =26 , 426 W=26. 43 kW
0 .76

Example No. 2

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A homologous model of a centrifugal pump runs at 600 rpm against a head of 8 m, the power
required being 5 kW. If the prototype 5 times the model size is to develop a head of 40 m determine
its speed, discharge and power. The overall efficiency of the model is 0.8 while that of the prototype
is 0.85.

Given:
Model speed = Nm = 600 rpm
Model head = Hm = 8 m
Model power = Pm = 5 kW
Model Overall efficiency = m = 0.80
Prototype Size = 5 x Model Size
Prototype head = Hp = 40
Prototype efficiency = m = 0.85

Required:
Prototype speed (Np), discharge (Qp), and power (Pp)

Solution:

(1) Q∝D H
2 1/2
from
Q= AV f , A ∝Db ,b∝D ,V f ∝u∝ √ H
ND
u∝ DN ∝ √ N ∴ =const .
(2) √H
Pm×η m 5000×0 . 80
Qm= = =0 . 05097 m 3/ s
ρ gH m 1000×9 . 81×8
From (1)
Qp Qm
=
D 2p H 1/2
p D2m H 1/2
m
2 1/2

( )
Dp H p 40 1/ 2
Q p =Q m 2 1/ 2
=0 . 05097 ( 5 )2 =2. 8492 m3 / s
Dm H m 8
From (2)
N p D p N m Dm
= 1/2 .
H 1/2
p Hm

( )
1/2

( ) ( 15 )=268 . 32 rpm
Hp Dm 40 1 /2
N p =N m =600
Hm Dp 8
Prototype power
Q p ρ gH p ( 2. 8492 ) ( 1000 )( 9. 81 ) ( 40 )
P p= = =1 , 315 ,323 W =1315 .3 kW
ηp 0 . 85

Example No. 3
The diameter and width of a centrifugal pump impeller are 50 cm and 1.5 cm. The pump runs at
1200 rpm. The suction head is 6 m and the delivery head is 40 m. The frictional drop in suction is 2 m
and in the delivery 8 m. The blade angle at outlet is 30°. The manometric efficiency is 80% and the
overall efficiency is 75%. Determine the power required to drive the pump. Also calculate the
pressures at the suction and delivery side of the pump.

15
Given:
D2 = 50 cm = 0.50 m
b2 = 1.5 cm = 0.015 m
Suction head = 6 m
Delivery head = 40 m
Frictional drop in suction = 2 m
Frictional drop in delivery = 8 m
Blade angle at outlet, 2 = 30 deg
Manometric efficiency = 0.80
Overall efficiency = 0.75

Required:
Power required to drive the pump
Pressures at the suction and delivery side of the pump

Solution:
Inlet swirl is assumed as zero.
Total head against the pump is
H m=40+6+2+8=56 m
π ×0 .5×1200
u2 = =31. 42 m/ s
60
gH m
ηm=
u2 V u 2
9. 81×56
0. 8=
31 . 42×V u
2
V u =21. 86 m/ s
2

To calculate Vf2 , the velocity triangle is used.

Vf
tan β 2 = 2

u 2−V u2
Vf
tan 30= 2

31. 42−21. 86
V f =5. 52 m/s
2

Flow rate,
3
Q=πD2 b 2 V f =π ×0 .5×0 .015×5 .52=0 .13006 m / s
2

Power,
Q×ρ×g×H m 0 .13006×1000×9. 81×56
Power= =
ηo 0 . 75
Power=95 ,266 W=92.3 kW
Considering the water level and the suction level as 1 and 2
P1 P2 V 22
+0+0= +Z+ +losses
γ γ 2g

16
P1
=10. 336 m
γ
P2 5. 522
10 .336= +6+ +2
γ 2×9 . 81
P2
=0 .783 m
γ absolute

Consider suction side and delivery side, as 2 and 3

P2 V 2 u2 V u 2 P3 V 23
2
+ + = +
γ 2g g γ 2g
V 3=√ 21. 862 +5.522 =22.55 m/s
P3 5 .522 31. 42×21. 86 22 .55 2
=0 .783+ + − =46. 43 m
γ 2×9.81 9. 81 2×9. 81 absolute

Example No. 4
A centrifugal pump has been designed to run at 950 rpm delivering 0.4 m 3/s against a head of 16 m.
If the pump is to be coupled to a motor of rated speed 1450 rpm. Calculate the discharge, head and
power input. Assume that the overall efficiency is 0.82 remains constant.
Given:
N1 = 950 rpm
Q1 = 0.4 m3/s
H1 = 16 m
N2 = 1450 rpm
Overall efficiency = 0.82

Required:
Q2 = discharge
H2 = head
P2 = power input

Solution:
For a given pump, diameter, blade angles and physical parameters remain the same.
Hence, we can derive the following relations. (Similar to unit quantities).
Q= AV f , A is constant ∴ Q ∝ V
f
Vf ∝ u and u ∝ N ∴ Q ∝ N or Q/N = constant
Q2 N 2
=
Q1 N 1 (1)
For centrifugal pump, H ∝ u2 ∝ N2
H
=cons tan t
N2

( )
2
H 2 H2
=
H1 H1
(2)

17
Power ∝ QH ∝ N.N2 ∝ N3

( )
3
P2 N 2
=
P1 N 1
(3)
Using the equation (1), (2), (3)
ρ×Q1×g×H 1 1000×0 . 4×9 . 81×16
P1= = =76 , 566 W=76 . 57 kW
ηo 0 .82

Q2 =Q 1
( ) ( )
N2
N1
=0 . 4
1450
950
=0 . 61 m3 / s

( ) ( )
2
N2 1450 2
H 2 =H 1 =16 =37. 27 m
N1 950

( ) ( )
3
N2 1450 3
P2 =P 1 =76 . 57 =272 kW
N1 950
Check :
ρ×Q2 ×g×H 2 1000×0 . 61×9 . 81×37 . 27
P2 = = =271 ,984 W=272 kW
ηo 0 . 82

Example No. 5
The dimensionless specific speed of a centrifugal pump is 0.06. Static head is 30 m. Flow rate is 50
l/s. The suction and delivery pipes are each of 15 cm diameter. The friction factor is 0.02. Total
length is 55 m other losses equal 4 times the velocity head in the pipe. The vanes are forward curved
at 120°. The width is one tenth of the diameter. There is a 6% reduction in flow area due to the
blade thickness. The manometric efficiency is 80%. Determine the impeller diameter. Inlet is radial.
Given:
Ns = 0.06
H = 30 m
Q = 50 l/s = 0.05 m3/s
Suction and delivery pipe diameter = 15 cm = 0.15 m
Friction factor f = 0.02
L = 55 m
Other losses = 4 times the velocity head
Forward curve vanes at 120 degrees
Width is 1/10 of diameter
6% reduction in flow area
Manometric efficiency = 0.80
Inlet is radial

Required:
Impeller diameter

Solution:
Frictional head is calculated first. Velocity in the pipe
Q×4 0 . 05×4
V= = =2. 83 m/s
π×d 2 π ×( 0. 15 )2

18
Total loss of head

=
flV 2
2 gd
+4 ( )
V2
2g

=
( 0. 02 )( 55 ) ( 2. 83 )2
2 ( 9. 81 )( 0 .15 )
+4 (
2 .832
2×9.81
=4. 63 m )
Total head against which pump operates = 30+4.63 = 34.63 m
Speed is calculated from specific speed
N √Q
N s=
( gH )3 /4
3/4
0 . 06 [ ( 9. 81 ) ( 34 . 63 ) ]
N= =21. 23 rps
√0 . 05
Flow velocity is determined:
D
Flow area=π ×D× ×( 1−0. 06 )=0 .2953 D 2
10
Q 0 .05 0. 1693
Vf = = =
2 A 0 . 2953 D2 D
2

u=π DN=π ( D )( 21 .23 )=66.7 D

gH
ηm =
u2 V u
2
9. 81×34 .63
0. 8=
66 . 7 DV u
2

6. 367
Vu =
2 D
From velocity diagram,

0 . 1693
Vf2 D2
tan 60= =
V u −u2 6 . 367
2 −66 . 7 D
D
Rearranging,
3
115 .52 D −11.028 D+0 .1693=0
Solving, D = 0.3 m.

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- End -

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