Pumps in Parallel PDF
Pumps in Parallel PDF
Turbo lap
➢ Abstract
➢ Introduction
The objective the experiment is to determine the flow rates and
pressure head of a single pump and of two identical pumps. In this
experiment, centrifugal pumps have been used to determine the flow
rates and the pressure head. This experiment is conducted in series
and parallel to identify the pressure different in both pumps.
Centrifugal pump is known as one of the most widely used pumps for
transferring liquids. It’s also known as a device to transfer mechanical
energy from a prime mover into fluid energy to produce the flow of
liquids. The pump is connected in 2 ways; in series and another as
parallel pump. Centrifugal pumps are connected in parallel because to
provide enough flow rates compare to centrifugal pump that
connected in series, the function is to provide enough head for the
flow of liquids.
1. Pumps in Parallel
Pumps are often installed in Parallel in systems which exhibit
considerable variations in flow or when the system has variable flow
requirements and when these requirements can be achieved by
switching the parallel pumps on and off. Typically, pumps installed in
parallel are of a similar type and size. The pumps however can be of a
different size, or the pumps can be speed-controlled which of course
means the pump performance curves will be different.
When several smaller pumps are installed in parallel, the system can
be controlled to optimize or minimize the number of pumps operating
and the pumps which are on will operate at or close-to the BEP (best
efficiency point). To operate at the most optimal point, one of the
pumps installed in parallel must have variable speed control.
2. Pumps in Series
Many pumping applications require fluids to be transported over long
distances and against high static heads or total heads which are well
in excess of the head that can be developed by a single pump.
Examples of such scenarios would be, pumping tailings, power station
ash, underground fill and pumping concentrates. Centrifugal pumps
are occasionally installed in series to increase the operating range and
standby capacity of the plant. Multi-stage pumps can be considered as
a series type installation of single-stage pumps. However, single
stages in multi-stage pumps cannot be decoupled.
If one of the pumps in a series type installation is not operational, it
causes considerable resistance to the system. In an effort to overcome
this, a bypass with non-return valve could be installed.
Should the head of a single pump not be sufficient for an application, pumps can
be combined in series to obtain an increase in head. The combined pumps need
not be of the same design.
For two pumps in series:
(1) Q1 = Q2 = Q
(2) Hm = Hm1 + Hm2
(3) Hs = Hs1 + Hs2
Figure show the combined H-Q characteristic for the cases of identical pumps
connected in series. It will be observed that the operating point changes in the
case of two pumps.
➢ Method
Each configuration (single pump, two pumps in series,
and two pumps in parallel) will be tested at pump speeds
of 60, 70, and 80 rev/sec. For each speed, the bench
regulating valve will be set to fully closed, 25%, 50%,
75%, and 100% open. Timed water collections will be
performed to determine flow rates for each test, and the
head, hydraulic power, and overall efficiency ratings will
be obtained.
➢ Equipment
The following equipment is required to perform the
pumps experiment:
• P6100 hydraulics bench, and
• Stopwatch.
➢ Equipment Description
➢ Theory