Aguilar Module 1 Activity No. 5 Experiment No. 1
Aguilar Module 1 Activity No. 5 Experiment No. 1
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT
EXPERIMENT # 1
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION
OF A CENTRIFUGAL PUMP
III. APPARATUS
• Multi – Pump Test Rig – is an apparatus
that can accommodate both rotodynamic
and positive displacement pumps. It is
supplied with a centrifugal pump, a turbine
pump, a gear pump and piston pump. It has
been designed to demonstrate the
operating characteristics: head flow and
efficiency of a series of different types of
Figure II-a: Multi – Pump Test Rig
pumps, each having a broadly similar input power.
https://www.moleymagneticsinc.com/understanding-how-centrifugal-pumps-work/
Denis Papin, a French-born inventor that developed the first centrifugal pump, one
with straight vanes used for local drainage. A centrifugal pump is a mechanical device
made to move a fluid by means the transfer of rotational energy provided by the impellers.
A fluid enters rapidly towards the impeller’s axis (eye) and is cast out by centrifugal force
along its circumference through the vane tips of the impeller. The impeller, on the opposite
side to the eye, is connected through a drive shaft to a motor and rotated at high speed
(typically 500-5000rpm). The rotational motion of the impeller accelerates the fluid out
through the impeller vanes into the pump casing. Here are some types of impellers we
use today:
https://www.michael-smith-engineers.co.uk/resources/useful-info/centrifugal-
pumps
Pumps fall into two main categories: positive displacement pumps and
rotodynamic pumps. In a positive displacement pump, a fixed volume of fluid is forced
from one chamber into another. The centrifugal pump is, by contrast, a rotodynamic
machine. Rotodynamic (or simply dynamic) pumps impart momentum to a fluid, which
then causes the fluid to move into the delivery chamber or outlet. Turbines and centrifugal
pumps all fall into this category. Centrifugal pumps are widely used in industrial and
domestic situations. Due to the characteristics of this type of pump, the most suitable
applications are those where the process liquid is free of debris, where a relatively small
head change is required, and where a single operating capacity or a narrow range of
capacities is required. The general design is usually simple with few mechanical parts to
fail, however, and it is possible to operate a centrifugal pump outside ideal parameters
while maintaining good reliability. The centrifugal pump converts energy supplied from a
motor or turbine, first into kinetic energy and then into potential energy. The motor driving
the impeller imparts angular velocity to the impeller. The impeller vanes then transfer this
kinetic energy to the fluid passing into the center of the impeller by spinning the fluid,
which travels outwards along the vanes to the impeller casing at increasing flow rate. This
kinetic energy is then converted into potential energy (in the form of an increase in head)
by the impeller casing (a volute or a circular casing fitted with diffuser vanes) which
provides a resistance to the flow created by the impeller, and hence decelerates the fluid.
The fluid decelerates again in the outlet pipe. As the mass flow rate remains constant,
this decrease in velocity produces a corresponding increase in pressure as described by
Bernoulli’s equation.
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/pber.html
Pump Operating Characteristics
Pump performance is defined by the flow rate and head. Head is the sum of the
static head, velocity head, pressure head and head losses. Head or dynamic head is
expressed in “meters of water.”
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑, 𝐻 = 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑐 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑 + 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑 + 𝑉𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑 + 𝐹𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑
𝑃2 −𝑃1 𝑣2 2 −𝑣1 2
𝐻= + + (𝑍2 − 𝑍1 )
𝛾 2𝑔
𝑵√𝑸
𝑵𝒔 = where: N – rotational rpm; Q – discharge in GPM and H –
𝑯𝟑/𝟒
head in ft
Similar Pumps:
𝑵𝟏 √𝑸𝟏 𝑵𝟐 √𝑸𝟐 𝑸𝟏 𝑸𝟐
a. = b. 𝟑 =
𝑯𝟏 𝟑/𝟒
𝑯𝟐 𝟑/𝟒
𝑵𝟏 𝑫𝟏 𝑵𝟐 𝑫𝟐 𝟑
𝑸𝟏 𝑵𝟏 𝑯𝟏 𝑵 𝟐 𝑷𝟏 𝑵 𝟑
= = ( 𝟏) = ( 𝟏)
𝑸𝟐 𝑵𝟐 𝑯𝟐 𝑵 𝟐 𝑷𝟐 𝑵 𝟐
𝑸𝟏 𝑫𝟏 𝑯𝟏 𝑫 𝟐 𝑷𝟏 𝑫 𝟑
= = ( 𝟏) = ( 𝟏)
𝑸𝟐 𝑫𝟐 𝑯𝟐 𝑫 𝟐 𝑷𝟐 𝑫 𝟐
V. PROCEDURES
SETTING UP THE EQUIPMENT:
1. Clean the multi – pump test rig especially the motor part and the water reservoir to
avoid blocking the pipe.
2. Check and ensure that the parts of the multi – pump test rig is working especially
the equipment that are going to use.
3. Pour water to the reservoir at least ¾ of the tank.
4. Paste a small white paper in the belt of the centrifugal pump and motor for the
purpose of measuring the speed.
5. Calibrate the equipment for measuring torque. Make sure that it is in the zero mark
before starting the experiment
6. Set – up the multi – pump test rig for the experiment.
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES:
1. It is better to perform the experiment outside since it uses a lot of water. Connect
the plug of the multi – pump test rig to the outlet using an extension.
2. The electrical supply and the motor drive are switched on by pressing the button
at the upper part of the multi – pump test rig. Adjust the pressure head in a desired
pressure.
Figure IV-d: Switching on the Electrical Supply and the Motor Drive
3. Measure the speed of the motor by using an instrument called tachometer. It is
simply to calibrate just point the upper part of tachometer to the small white paper
in the belt of the motor.
4. Measure also the torque of the motor by using equipment similar to weighing scale.
Adjust the weight that is attached to the equipment to measure the correct value
of the torque.
5. After measuring the speed and torque, start to close the discharge valve and
measured the liters of water trap for 20 seconds for the purpose of measuring the
volume flow rate.
https://www.linquip.com/blog/type
s-of-centrifugal-pumps
https://www.linquip.com/blog/type
s-of-centrifugal-pumps
b. Based on impeller suction
https://www.linquip.com/blog/types-of-centrifugal-pumps
a. Single Suction – Here, the fluid flows from only one inlet, then into the eye
or inlet of the impeller.
b. Double Suction - This is one where two identical impellers are connected
back-to-back in the same shaft, with computations based on one half total
capacity. This pump is used when the flow rate is too high that the single-
suction pump will not suffice.
c. Based on type of volute
https://www.linquip.com/blog/types-of-centrifugal-pumps
a. Single Volute – In a single volute casing, the impeller discharges into one
volute that wraps completely around the impeller.
b. Double Volute – This kind of pump has 2 cutwaters located 180o apart from
each other.
https://thepipingtalk.com/types-of-pumps-used-in-process-industry-centrifugal-pumps/
a. Top – Top and Side – Side: These pump arrangements are centrifugal
pumps whose suction (inlet) and discharge (outlet) are arranged parallel to
each other.
b. End – Top: This is the common type of centrifugal pump whose suction and
discharge are arranged perpendicular to each other.
2. What are the different types of centrifugal pumps? Discuss each briefly.
a. Based on shaft orientation
b. Based on orientation of case – split
c. Based on bearing support and
d. Based on shaft connection to driver.
https://www.dxpe.com/different-types-centrifugal-pumps-applications/
a. Based on shaft orientation
• End suction – a centrifugal pump that has a casing with suction or inlet
going out one end and discharge coming out the other. Typically, these
pumps are single stage (one impeller).
• Horizontal Split – this type of pump has its casing divided into two distinct
chambers which is different with an end suction pump
.
c. Based on bearing support and
• Single row deep groove ball bearing – has a filling slot in both inner and
outer rings. This also accommodates more balls than a standard deep
groove ball bearing.
• Double row angular contact ball bearing – has two rows of steel balls
arranged adjacent to each other. This kind of bearing support can
withstand both axial and radial loads from both faces.
https://www.linquip.com/blog/types-of-pump-couplings/
d. Based on shaft connection to driver.
• Rigid shaft coupling – permits neither axial nor radial relative motion
between the shafts of the pump and motor unit.
• Flexible coupling – transmits the driving torque between the pump and
motor. In addition, this coupling performs a secondary function of
accommodating a set amount of misalignment between the driving and
driven shafts.
• Gear coupling – are used to transmit high torque at high speeds, which
makes them ideal for large pumps and motors.
• Disc coupling – transmits the torque between the bolts through a series
of thin, stainless-steel discs assembled together.
𝑃 = 3.5𝐻𝑃
𝐷1 = 8𝑖𝑛 = 0.2032𝑚.
𝐷2 = 6𝑖𝑛 = 0.1524𝑚 ; 𝑧2 = 2𝑓𝑡 = 0.3048𝑚
𝑔𝑎𝑙 𝑚3
𝑄 = 150 = 0.0095
𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑠
𝑝𝑠𝑖
𝑃1 = −4𝑖𝑛𝐻𝑔 ( ) = −1.965𝑝𝑠𝑖 = −13.54 𝑘𝑃𝑎 (𝑣𝑎𝑐)
2.036𝑖𝑛𝐻𝑔
𝑃2 = 26𝑝𝑠𝑖 = 179.21 𝑘𝑃𝑎
𝑆𝑜𝑙 ′ 𝑛:
𝑃2 − 𝑃1 𝑣22 − 𝑣12
𝐻𝑝 = + + (𝑧2 − 𝑧1 )
𝛾 2𝑔
𝑚3 𝑚3
𝑄 0.0095 0.0095
𝑣2 = =𝜋 𝑠 = 0.521 𝑚 ; 𝑣1 =
𝑄
=𝜋 𝑠 = 0.293 𝑚
𝐴2 (0.1524𝑚)2 𝑠 𝐴1 (0.2032𝑚)2 𝑠
4 4
𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛,
𝑚 2 𝑚 2
179.21𝑘𝑃𝑎 − (−13.54𝑘𝑃𝑎) (0.521 𝑠 ) − (0.293 𝑠 )
𝐻𝑃 = [ ]+ 𝑚 + 0.3048𝑚
𝑘𝑁 2 (9.81 )
9.81 3 𝑠2
𝑚
𝐻𝑝 = 19.96𝑚
𝑚3 𝑘𝑁 𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝑊 𝐻𝑃
𝑃𝑝 = 𝑄𝛾𝐻𝑃 = 0.0095 (9.81 3 ) (19.96𝑚) ( )( )( )
𝑠 𝑚 𝑘𝑁 − 𝑚 𝑘𝐽 0.746𝑘𝑊
𝑠
𝑷𝒑 = 𝟐. 𝟓 𝑯𝑷
𝑃𝑃 2.5𝐻𝑃
𝜂= 𝑥100% = 𝑥100% = 71.43%
𝑃 3.5𝐻𝑃
𝜼 ≈ 𝟕𝟐%
4. A centrifugal pump designed for 1800 rpm and head of 60.9 m has a capacity of
189.3 liters/s with a power input of 130.6 kW. What effects will a speed reduction
to 1200 rpm have on the head, capacity and power input of the pump? What will
be the changes in these variables if the impeller diameter is reduced 304.8 mm to
254 mm while the speed is held constant at 1800 rpm. Neglect the effects of fluid
viscosity. Ans. 27 m, 126.2 L/s, 38.7 kW and 42.29 m, 157.75 L/s, 75.58 Kw
𝐺𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛:
𝑁1 = 1800𝑟𝑝𝑚
𝐻1 = 60.9𝑚
𝐿
𝑄1 = 189.3
𝑠
𝑃1 = 130.6𝑘𝑊
𝐷1 = 304.8𝑚𝑚 = 0.3048𝑚
𝑅𝑒𝑞 ′ 𝑑:
𝑎. ) 𝐻2 , 𝑄2 , 𝑃2 𝑖𝑓 𝑁2 = 1200𝑟𝑝𝑚
𝑏. ) 𝐻2 , 𝑄2 , 𝑃2 𝑖𝑓 𝐷2 = 254𝑚𝑚 = 0.254𝑚
𝑆𝑜𝑙 ′ 𝑛:
𝐻2 𝐷2 2 𝑁2 2 𝑄2 𝐷2 𝑁2
𝑎. ) = ( ) ( ) ; 𝐷2 = 𝐷1 = ( ) ; 𝐷2 = 𝐷1
𝐻1 𝐷1 𝑁1 𝑄1 𝐷1 𝑁1
𝑄2 1200𝑟𝑝𝑚
𝐻2 1200𝑟𝑝𝑚 2 =
=( ) 𝐿 1800𝑟𝑝𝑚
60.9𝑚 1800𝑟𝑝𝑚 189.3 𝑠
𝑳
𝑯𝟐 = 𝟐𝟕𝒎. 𝑸𝟐 = 𝟏𝟐𝟔. 𝟐
𝒔
𝑃2 𝛾2 𝐷2 3 𝑁2 3
= ( ) ( ) ( ) ; 𝐷2 = 𝐷1 ; 𝛾1 = 𝛾2
𝑃1 𝛾1 𝐷1 𝑁1
𝑃2 1200𝑟𝑝𝑚 3
=( )
130.6𝑘𝑊 1800𝑟𝑝𝑚
𝑷𝟐 = 𝟑𝟖. 𝟕𝒌𝑾
𝐻2 𝐷2 2 𝑁2 2 𝑄2 𝐷2 𝑁2
𝒃. ) = ( ) ( ) ; 𝑁2 = 𝑁1 = ( ) ; 𝑁2 = 𝑁1
𝐻1 𝐷1 𝑁1 𝑄1 𝐷1 𝑁1
𝐻2 0.254𝑚 2
=( ) 𝑄2 0.254𝑚
60.9𝑚 0.3048𝑚 =
𝐿 0.3048𝑚
189.3 𝑠
𝑯𝟐 = 𝟒𝟐. 𝟐𝟗𝒎.
𝑳
𝑸𝟐 = 𝟏𝟓𝟕. 𝟕𝟓
𝒔
𝑃2 𝛾2 𝐷2 3 𝑁2 3
= ( ) ( ) ( ) ; 𝑁2 = 𝑁1 ; 𝛾1 = 𝛾2
𝑃1 𝛾1 𝐷1 𝑁1
𝑃2 0.254𝑚 3
=( )
130.6𝑘𝑊 0.3048𝑚
𝑷𝟐 = 𝟕𝟓. 𝟓𝟖𝒌𝑾
VII. COLLECTION OF DATA
TABLE 1: The Speed at 1104 rpm for 20 seconds
WATER BRAKE
Q POWER TORQUE (N- POWER EFFICIENCY
V (L/min) P2 P1 (W) m) (W) (%)
V1 = 8 L 24 20.59 0 8.24 0.525 60.7 13.57
V2 = 8.3 L 24.90 20.59 0 8.55 0.525 60.7 14.09
V3 = 8.7 L 26.10 20.59 0 8.96 0.525 60.7 14.76
V4 = 9 L 27.00 20.59 0 9.27 0.525 60.7 15.27
V5 = 8.5 L 25.50 20.59 0 8.76 0.525 60.7 14.43
AVE. 25.50 20.59 0 8.756 0.525 60.7 14.43
COMPUTATION:
After collecting the data for this experiment, some computations are needed to complete
the data table above. Please refer to the sample computation below:
Based on the gathered and computed data, it is observed that as the researchers
adjusted the pressure head on a desired pressure (Table 1, 20.59 kPa to Table 5, 38.74
kPa). As a result, the flow rate, water power, torque, and brake power have increased.
One factor is the speed. It increased when the pressure was manipulated. There’s no
problem with the time because it is fixed at 20 seconds for all of the trials.
Furthermore, the power of the pump increases rapidly by the increase in rotational
speed. Based on the data above, the fluid climbed up with the pump’s rpm and because
of this the pump test rig worked more efficient. By providing a graph between the relation
of flow rate and pump speed, it will help us to understand the concept.
SPEED VS FLOW RATE
45
40
35
FLOW RATE, L/MIN
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
1104 1210 1317 1410 1505
SPEED, RPM
By looking at the graph, we can conclude that the speed (rpm) is directly
proportional to the flow rate (L/min).
IX. CONCLUSION
There are factors that affected the performance of the multi-pump test rig as the
pressure was increased throughout the trials conducted. The parameters that changed
are the speed, head, power, torque, and flow rate. In measuring these parameters, there
are certain procedure that we should do to avoid false data. One is calibration of the
equipment like tachometer which measures speed, and a medium similar to weighing
scale. It should be adjusted to get the correct torque reading. As a student that’s
conducting an online class, I’ve watched YouTube videos about the operation of multi-
pump test rig so that I can visualize it. This experiment will surely help me in my future
career once I found a job or build a business that handles pump operations.
X. REFERENCES
Team, L. (2022, August 13). Types of centrifugal pumps: Classification & working
principles. linquip. Retrieved August 16, 2022, from https://www.linquip.com/blog/types-
of-centrifugal-
pumps/#:~:text=Accordingly%2C%20radial%2C%20Axial%2C%20and,three%20types%
20of%20centrifugal%20pumps
Thepipingtalk, & Thepipingtalk. (2019, October 8). Types of pumps used in process
industry – centrifugal pumps. The piping talk. Retrieved August 16, 2022, from
https://thepipingtalk.com/types-of-pumps-used-in-process-industry-centrifugal-pumps/
Horizontal split case pumps and their applications: Industrial pumps. Pump Engineering
Co. (2018, April 30). Retrieved August 17, 2022, from
https://www.pumpengineering.net/blog/horizontal-split-case-pumps-
applications/#:~:text=The%20casing%20can%20be%20split,horizontal%20split%20cas
e%20pump%2C%20respectively.
North Ridge Pumps. (n.d.). Retrieved August 17, 2022, from
https://www.northridgepumps.com/article-217_split-casing-pump-
guide#:~:text=A%20split%20casing%20pump%20is,for%20producing%20high%20volu
me%20flows.
Max. (2022, May 8). What are the different types of pump couplings? linquip. Retrieved
August 17, 2022, from https://www.linquip.com/blog/types-of-pump-couplings/
Useful information on centrifugal pumps. Michael Smith Engineers ltd. (n.d.). Retrieved
August 23, 2022, from https://www.michael-smith-engineers.co.uk/resources/useful-
info/centrifugal-pumps