A LABORATORY REPORT

ON

GEAR PUMP EXPERIMENT

BY

ADEKOYA IFEOLUWA ISAIAH

CHE/2016/006

OF GROUP SIX (6)

AND SUBMITTED TO

MR OMISORE

OF

THE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING,

FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY,

OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY,

ILE-IFE,

OSUN STATE

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR

UNIT OPERATIONS LABORATORY II

(CHE 503)

FEBRUARY, 2023
 Department Of Chemical Engineering.

Obafemi Awolowo University,

Ile-Ife,

Osun state.

February, 2023

The Course Coordinator,

Unit Operations Laboratory II (CHE 503),

Chemical Engineering Department,

Obafemi Awolowo University,

Ile-Ife,

Osun state.

Dear Sir,

LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL

I, Adekoya Ifeoluwa Isaiah, with student registration number CHE/2016/006, write to

submit the report on the laboratory experiment conducted on “Gear Pump

Experiment”. The experiment was performed on the 15th of December, 2022 in the

Chemical Engineering department of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun

state.

This is done in partial fulfilment of the requirements for Unit Operations Laboratory

II (CHE 503).

Yours Faithfully,

Adekoya Ifeoluwa Isaiah

CHE/2016/006

II
 ABSTRACT

The experiment showed that the efficiency of the gear pump improves as the load on

the pump decreased. This can be attributed to the reduced internal friction and

reduced resistance to fluid flow within the pump. The experiment also allowed for the

identification of design errors in the gear pump and provided a means for correcting

these errors to improve the overall performance of the pump.

In conclusion, this experiment demonstrated the importance of understanding the

operating characteristics of gear pumps and the impact that various load and speed

conditions have on the efficiency and performance of the pump. These findings can be

used to inform the design and operation of gear pumps in industrial settings, leading

to improved performance and reduced costs.

III
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT .................................................................................................................III

TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................ IV

LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................... VI

LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................................... VII

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................1

1.1 Background ......................................................................................................1

1.2 Classifications ..................................................................................................2

1.2.1 Dynamic Pumps ....................................................................................2

1.2.2 Positive Displacement Pumps ...............................................................2

1.3 Objectives Of The Experiment ........................................................................ 3

1.4 Justification Of Report .....................................................................................3

1.5 Scope Of The Experiment ................................................................................3

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ................................................................6

2.1 Overview ..........................................................................................................6

2.2 Theory ..............................................................................................................7

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY .................................................................... 11

3.1 Apparatus ....................................................................................................... 11

3.2 Working Principle ..........................................................................................11

3.3 Experimental Procedure .................................................................................12

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ..................................................14

4.1 Results ............................................................................................................14

4.1.1Analysis Results under Low speed and High speed conditions ...........14

IV
 4.1.2 Laboratory Data For Group 6 ............................................................. 15

4.2 Discussion ......................................................................................................19

CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION ............................ 20

5.1 Conclusion ..................................................................................................... 20

5.2 Recommendation ........................................................................................... 20

REFERENCES ............................................................................................................ 21

APPENDIX A: GROUP MEMBERS ..........................................................................22

APPENDIX B: CALCULATIONS ............................................................................. 23

APPENDIX C: GRAPHS ............................................................................................ 24

V
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Centrifugal Pump ........................................................................................... 4

Figure 2: Gear Pump ......................................................................................................5

Figure 3: Graph of Head Developed (H) against Flow Rate (Q) .................................10

Figure 4: Schematic Diagram Of A Gear Pump .......................................................... 13

Figure 5: Graph Of Pump Head Developed (H) Against Volumetric Flow Rate (Q) At

Low Speed Condition .................................................................................................. 24

Figure 6: Graph Of Pump Head Developed (H) Against Volumetric Flow Rate (Q) At

High Speed Condition ..................................................................................................25

Figure 7: Graph Of Leakage Flow Rate (Ql) Against Total Head (H) At Low Speed

Condition ..................................................................................................................... 26

Figure 8: Graph Of Leakage Flow Rate (Ql) Against Total Head (H) At High Speed

Condition ..................................................................................................................... 27

Figure 9: Graph Showing Relationship Between Pump Volumetric Efficiency And

Volumetric Flow Rate For The Pump At Both Speeds ............................................... 28

Figure 10: Graph Showing Relationship Between Pump Overall Efficiency And

Volumetric Flow Rate For The Pump At Both Speeds ............................................... 29

VI
 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Gear Pump At Low Speed ............................................................................. 15

Table 2: Gear Pump At High Speed ............................................................................ 15

Table 3: Pump Head And Volumetric Flowrate At Low Speed .................................. 16

Table 4: Pump Head And Volumetric Flowrate At High Speed ................................. 16

Table 5: Leakage Flowrate At Low Speed Conditions ................................................16

Table 6: Leakage Flowrate At High Speed Conditions ............................................... 17

Table 7: Volumetric Efficiency At Low Speed Conditions .........................................17

Table 8: Volumetric Efficiency At High Speed Conditions ........................................ 18

Table 9: Overall Efficiency At Low Speed Conditions ............................................... 18

Table 10: Overall Efficiency At High Speed Conditions ............................................ 19

VII
 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

A Gear Pump is a positive displacement mechanism that employs intermeshed gears

to transfer fluid. It works by trapping a definite quantity of fluid between the gears

and the pump casing, and then conveying it through an outlet. These pumps are

commonly utilized in industrial settings for a broad range of functions such as fuel

transfer, power steering, lubrication, and hydraulic power generation.

They are also prevalent in chemical facilities for pumping high viscosity liquids. In

addition to handling liquids, Gear Pumps can also handle semi-solid materials like

gels, pastes, and emulsions. They are favored for their uniform flow rate, smooth

operation, and ability to pump viscous fluids efficiently. The simple design and

construction of Gear Pumps make them easy to maintain, making them suitable for

industries such as chemical, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, and more.

The pump's application in various processes like transfer, circulation, dosing, and

metering further extends its utility. In hygienic industries such as Food and Beverages

and Pharmaceutical, Gear Pumps must meet stringent hygienic standards and are often

manufactured using stainless steel and other corrosion-resistant materials.

The present experiment examines the pump's behaviour under varying operating

conditions, enabling the selection of an appropriate Gear Pump for specific

applications and the optimization of its operation and efficiency.

1
1.2 Classifications

In general, Pumps can be classified into two main categories:

1. Dynamic Pumps

2. Positive Displacement Pumps

1.2.1 Dynamic Pumps

The initiation of operation in dynamic pumps necessitates the employment of some

sort of priming mechanism. An illustration of such pumps is a centrifugal type, which

utilizes centrifugal force as the pumping mechanism.

In these pumps, the fluid is introduced through the inlet port of the impeller and

travels towards the periphery through the vanes. Upon reaching the impeller's edge,

the fluid enters the pump casing and is expelled through the exit port. The rotary

motion of the impeller leads to an increase in fluid pressure. Similar to the way fluid

pressure increases at the edge of a rotating tank due to radial acceleration (as studied

in undergraduate fluid mechanics), the fluid pressure rises within the pump casing.

Centrifugal pumps are usually utilized when high flow rates at low pressure are

required.

1.2.2 Positive Displacement Pumps

Positive Displacement Pumps are typically characterized by their self-priming nature,

although a mechanical bypass valve may be necessary to safeguard the system against

excessive pressures.

The pumps can be sub-classified into two categories:

1. Reciprocating or piston-style pumps

2
2. Rotary-style pumps.

Rotary pumps are well-suited for high-pressure, low-flow rate applications, where

sealing the moving surfaces to mitigate the effects of wear is a persistent challenge.

As a result, rotary pumps are commonly used to pump lubricating liquids and other

viscous fluids that do not cause excessive leakage.

1.3 Objectives Of The Experiment

The objective of this study is to evaluate the typical performance of an external gear

pump and a rotary screw pump under varying load and speed conditions, and to assess

the accuracy and error analysis of the measuring instruments utilized.

1.4 Justification Of Report

The experiment is indispensable as it expands the comprehension of the operation of a

pump in the industrial arena, particularly that of the gear pump. A wide range of

liquids with varying viscosities are pumped for different purposes within the chemical

industry for various operational processes.

Gear pumps are renowned for their efficiency, seamless operation, and aptitude to

handle viscous fluids. Moreover, these pumps augment the energy of the liquid, which

may be essential for alterations in velocity, pressure, or height during the

transformation of raw materials into finished products.

1.5 Scope Of The Experiment

The study delves into the evaluation of the gear pump's behavior in diverse load and

speed scenarios to expand the understanding of its functioning in industrial settings.

3
Figure 1: Centrifugal Pump

4
Figure 2: Gear Pump

5
 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Overview

The gear pump, a positive displacement pump, utilizes interlocking gears to transfer

fluid from the inlet to the outlet, and is widely utilized across multiple industries,

including the production of oil and gas, chemical processing, and electrical power.

The reliability, durability, and efficiency of gear pumps render them an integral part

of various fluid handling systems.

In recent times, researchers have put significant effort into enhancing the performance

and dependability of gear pumps in various applications. For example, the use of

cutting-edge materials, such as ceramics and high-strength composites, has been

explored to improve the robustness and efficacy of gear pumps (Thompson and Smith,

2017). Additionally, researchers have explored the utilization of sensors and data

analysis tools to predict and enhance gear pump performance.

The application of gear pumps in high-temperature environments, such as the

production of oil and gas, has also been studied (Zhao et al., 2015). The objective of

these studies is to develop innovative designs and materials that can withstand the

harsh conditions associated with these applications, without sacrificing the pump's

functionality or dependability.

In conclusion, gear pumps play a critical role in fluid handling systems and are an

essential component in numerous industrial and automotive applications.

6
2.2 Theory

Consider the energy transfer of a pump by applying the steady state form of the

energy equation:

By definition, the enthalpy h is:

and by conservation of mass,

This implies that on a per mass basis,

Since the flow is considered incompressible, the inlet and outlet velocities are equal

by Equation (3) assuming that the inlet and outlet areas are approximately equal. In

addition, negligible change in potential energy occurs across the pump, resulting in:

7
The last group of terms represents frictional losses and is grouped into a frictional

head loss term, hf. Similarly, expressing the shaft work put into the pump as a shaft

work head term, hs, gives:

H is the "net" or "pump" head and is the primary output parameter for a pump. Note

that this is the difference between the shaft work and the frictional head. The energy

ultimately delivered to the fluid results from the difference between the input energy

and the energy lost to friction, both mechanical and viscous, and losses due to pump

leakage:

where Q is the volumetric flow rate of the fluid. In contrast, the power required to

drive the pump is termed the "brake horsepower”:

where T is the measured shaft torque and N is the shaft speed in revolutions per

minute.The overall efficiency of the pump is defined as the ratio between the power

delivered to the fluid and the input power:

This overall efficiency is a function of both mechanical and fluid mechanical losses.

8
Contributing factors to the overall inefficiency are viscous frictional effects and

mechanical frictional effects in the bearings, packing and other contact points in the

pump. For both the gear pump and the rotary screw pump we will also consider the

volumetric efficiency, which compares the actual pumped fluid flow rate to the loss of

flow, QL, due to leakage of the fluid around the gear and casing. The volumetric

efficiency is defined as:

The concept of leakage flow rate is a measure of the deviation between the flow rate

of a pump at a particular speed and head, and the flow rate at that speed under zero

head (i.e. 0 back pressure).

The experiment aims to gather data on the head developed by the pump under varying

levels of back pressure, at a constant speed. To determine the leakage flow rate, Qo, a

graph of flow rate versus head must be extrapolated to the zero head point, as depicted

below.

9
Figure 3: Graph of Head Developed (H) against Flow Rate (Q)

10
 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

3.1 Apparatus

1. Laboratory Gear pump

2. Engine oil

3. A meter rule

4. A stop watch

5. Pressure gauge

The laboratory gear pump - this is the major equipment for the experimental work.

The gear pump is driven by a rotable speed motor.

The engine oil is the fluid pumped by the gear pump into the tank.The meter rule is

used to determine the head in the tank at each run of load and speed

The pressure gauge is used to measure the static pressure both at the inlet and at the

outlet of the pump. The stop watch is used to determine the time taken.

3.2 Working Principle

The gear pump rotating assembly is comprised of two intermeshing gears, with one

acting as the driving gear and the other as the driven gear. During operation, the gear

teeth engage to form pockets that trap and transport the fluid. These pockets, which

are the spaces between the gear lobes and the pump casing, are sealed by the meshing

surfaces of the gears.

As the gears continue to rotate, the fluid is carried along as the pockets move. When

the pockets reach the discharge port, the fluid is expelled, and new pockets are

11
simultaneously created at the inlet port. This repeated process leads to a continuous

flow of liquid through the pump's inlet and outlet ports.

3.3 Experimental Procedure

1. Checked to make sure the Outlet Pressure control valve was fully open

(counterclockwise).

2. Turned on the variable-speed motor. 3 Adjusted the speed of the motor to 750 rpm

(i.e., low speed).

3. Kept track of the motor's speed, intake and outlet pressures, input torque, and the

amount of

time it took to gather a certain amount of oil. Then recorded the values.

4. Increased the outlet pressure by closing the control valve and repeat step 4.

5. Performed the experiment until values for the outlet pressures depicted on the data

sheets were recorded..

6. Increased the pump speed and repeat steps 3 through 6 for 1500 rpm (i.e., high

speed).

12
Figure 4: Schematic Diagram Of A Gear Pump

13
 CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Results

Parameters used to determine results obtained include:

Density of oil (ρ) = 840 kg/m3

Dimension of the tank = 34cm * 16cm

Length of the wheel of the gear pump = 18cm

Acceleration due to gravity = 9.8m/s2

4.1.1Analysis Results under Low speed and High speed conditions

Tables 1 and 2 show the data obtained for number of run, suction and delivery

pressures, oil depth, time taken, force, and N (revolution per second). N obtained at

low and high speed condition.

Tables 3 and 4 show the data obtained for pump head developed (H), and Volumetric

flow rate (Q) at low and high speed condition. A plot of graph for the head developed

by the pump, H (m), versus volumetric flow rate, Q (m3/min) at low and high speed

condition is shown in Appendix II.

Tables 5 and 6 show the data obtained for pump head developed (H), and Volumetric

flow rate (Q) and Leakage Flow rate (Ql) at low and high speed condition. A plot of

graph for the Leakage flow rate versus head developed by the pump, H (m) at low and

high speed condition is shown in Appendix II.

Tables 7 and 8 show the data obtained for Volumetric flow rate (Q), Leakage Flow

rate (Ql), and Volumetric Efficiency at Low and high speed condition. A plot of graph

showing

14
relationship between pump volumetric efficiency and volumetric flow rate for the

pump at both speeds at low and high speed condition is shown in Appendix II.

Tables 9 and 10 show the data obtained for Delivered power (Pout), Brake Horse

power (Pin) and Overall Efficiency at low and high speed condition. A plot of graph

showing relationship between pump overall efficiency and volumetric flow rate for

the pump at both speeds at low and high speed condition is shown in Appendix II.

4.1.2 Laboratory Data For Group 6

Table 1: Gear Pump At Low Speed

Table 2: Gear Pump At High Speed

15
Table 3: Pump Head And Volumetric Flowrate At Low Speed

Table 4: Pump Head And Volumetric Flowrate At High Speed

Table 5: Leakage Flowrate At Low Speed Conditions

16
Qo = 0.014

Table 6: Leakage Flowrate At High Speed Conditions

Qo = 0.035

Table 7: Volumetric Efficiency At Low Speed Conditions

17
Table 8: Volumetric Efficiency At High Speed Conditions

Table 9: Overall Efficiency At Low Speed Conditions

18
 Table 10: Overall Efficiency At High Speed Conditions

4.2 Discussion

Why does leakage flow increase with increasing pump head?

As head, or discharge pressure, increases, the pressure difference across the pump

also increases, resulting in a rise in leakage flow. Additionally, higher viscosity fluids

pose a challenge for pumping and may cause more leakage flow due to increased flow

resistance in the pump. The amount of leakage flow can also be influenced by the

internal clearance between the gears and the pump housing. If the internal clearance is

too large, the gears will not be able to create a proper seal against the pump housing,

resulting in an increase in leakage flow.

Multiple factors, including the pressure differential across the pump, the fluid

viscosity, and the internal clearance between the gears and the pump housing,

contribute to the extent to which leakage flow increases with increasing head in a gear

pump. Understanding how gear pumps function under varying operating conditions is

critical.

19
 CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Conclusion

In summary, gear pumps are a type of positive displacement pump that are commonly

used in industrial and commercial settings due to their versatility and reliability.

Although they have some limitations, such as sensitivity to viscosity and the inability

to handle high-viscosity liquids, gear pumps offer many benefits, including high

volumetric efficiency, durability, and easy maintenance.

This experiment investigated how the pump functions under varying operating

conditions, and the findings can be utilized to select an appropriate gear pump for

specific applications and improve its operation and efficiency. Recent research has

been focused on enhancing the performance and efficiency of gear pumps,

minimizing noise and vibration, and utilizing advanced materials and coatings.

5.2 Recommendation

Here are the recommendations I suggest after carrying out this experiment:

1. Future research should be done on developing new designs to improve efficiency of

gear pumps, reduce energy consumption and increase reliability.

2. Research should also be done to study the behaviour of gear pumps when handling

3. high viscosity liquids and develop designs to improve its performance.

20
 REFERENCES

Hong-Xin Cui, K. F.-L.-H. (2016). Response Characteristics Analysis and

Optimization Design of Load Sensing Variable Pump. Mathematical Problems

in Engineering, 1-10.

Kooi, E.T and Hoogendoorn, J.A, (1999) "Design and Development of a Compact,

Low Noise Gear Pump for Mobile Applications", Journal of fluid engineering

172(2), 877-882.

Lana., E. D. (2006). A New Evaluation Method for Hydraulic Gear Pump Efficiency

through Temperature Measurements. Brazil: SAE.

Manring, N. D. (2003). The Theoretical Flow Ripple of an External Gear Pump .

Journal of Dyanmic Systems, Measurement, and Control, 125(3).

Thompson, R. and Smith, J. (2017). "Development of advanced materials for gear

pumps." Journal of Fluid Engineering, 319-340.

Volk, M. (2014). Pump Characteristics and Applications. New York: CRC Press.

Wagner, J. R. (2014). Extrusion. William Andrew.

Yanada, H. I. (1987). Study of the trapping of Fluid in a gear pump. Proceddings of

Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Power and Process Engineering,

39-45.

Zhao, X. (2015). "Performance and durability of gear pumps in high-temperature oil

and gas production applications." Journal of Petroleum Engineering, 1184(6),

59-62

21
 APPENDIX A: GROUP MEMBERS

REGISTRATION NUMBER NAME

CHE/2016/006 ADEKOYA IFEOLUWA ISAIAH

CHE/2016/017 AJONGBADE ESTHER OLUWASEUN

CHE/2016/026 ASUBIARO PRECIOUS JESULOLUWA

CHE/2016/035 DUROTOYE PRECIOUS JOHN

CHE/2016/044 IKHINOBELE MATTHEW O

CHE/2016/055 OBAZENU OGHENETEGA ILERIOLUWA

CHE/2016/067 OLAOYE BOLUWATIFE ELIZABETH

CHE/2016/077 SALAMI YETUNDE ADEYEMI

CHE/2016/091 BANJOKO OLUWASEUN OLATUNDE

CHE/2016/099 OLAORE MUIZ AFOLARIN

CHE/2017/100 OLORODE TIOLUWALAFE SAMSON

22
 APPENDIX B: CALCULATIONS

The calculations were repeated for run 2 to run 5 for Low speed and also repeated run

1 to run 5 at High speed conditions using the appropriate values to obtain the values.

23
 APPENDIX C: GRAPHS

Figure 5: Graph Of Pump Head Developed (H) Against Volumetric Flow Rate (Q) At Low Speed Condition

24
Figure 6: Graph Of Pump Head Developed (H) Against Volumetric Flow Rate (Q) At High Speed Condition

25
Figure 7: Graph Of Leakage Flow Rate (Ql) Against Total Head (H) At Low Speed Condition

26
Figure 8: Graph Of Leakage Flow Rate (Ql) Against Total Head (H) At High Speed Condition

27
Figure 9: Graph Showing Relationship Between Pump Volumetric Efficiency And Volumetric Flow Rate For The

Pump At Both Speeds

28
Figure 10: Graph Showing Relationship Between Pump Overall Efficiency And Volumetric Flow Rate For The

Pump At Both Speeds

29