Experiment No.

07
Objective:
To investigate the characteristics of Centrifugal pump.

Experimental Setup:
Multi pump test Bench

Figure: Apparatus Diagram

Theory:
Introduction
What is Centrifugal Pump?
A centrifugal pump is a machine that uses rotation to impart velocity to a liquid and then
converts that velocity into the flow.

A centrifugal pump is a mechanical device designed to move a fluid by means of the

transfer of rotational energy from one or more driven rotors, called impellers. Fluid enters
the rapidly rotating impeller along its axis and is cast out by centrifugal force along its
circumference through the impeller’s vane tips. The action of the impeller increases the
fluid’s velocity and pressure and directs it towards the pump outlet. The pump casing is
specially designed to constrict the fluid from the pump inlet, direct it into the impeller and
then slow and control the fluid before discharge
Main parts of Centrifugal Pump
There are a few components that virtually every centrifugal pump has in common. These
components include:

 An impeller
 A volute or diffuser style casing
 A shaft
 Bearings
 A sealing arrangement
Impeller
The impeller is a rotor used to increase the kinetic energy of the flow. Impeller
design is the most significant factor for determining the performance of a centrifugal
pump. A properly designed impeller optimizes flow while minimizing
turbulence and maximizing efficiency.

Types of Impeller
 Open Impeller: Open impellers have the vanes free on both sides. Open
impellers are structurally weak. They are typically used in small-diameter,
inexpensive pumps and pumps handling suspended solids.

Figure: Open impeller

 Semi Impeller: The vanes are free on one side and enclosed on the other.
The shroud adds mechanical strength. They also offer higher efficiencies
than open impellers. They can be used in medium-diameter pumps and with
liquids containing small amounts of suspended solids. Because of the
minimization of recirculation and other losses, it is very important that a
small clearance exists between the impeller vanes and the casing.
 Figure: Semi-Open Impeller
 Closed Impeller: The vanes are located between the two discs, all in a
single casting. They are used in large pumps with high efficiencies and low
required Net Positive Suction Head. The centrifugal pumps with closed
impeller are the most widely used pumps handling clear liquids. They rely
on close-clearance wear rings on the impeller and on the pump casing. The
closed impeller is a more complicated and expensive design not only
because of the impeller, but the additional wear rings are needed.

Figure: Closed Impeller

Volute/Casing
The casing contains the liquid and acts as a pressure containment vessel that
directs the flow of liquid in and out of the centrifugal pump. The volute is a curved
funnel that increases in area as it approaches the discharge port. The volute of a
centrifugal pump is the casing that receives the fluid being pumped by the impeller,
slowing down the fluid’s rate of flow. Therefore, according to Bernoulli’s principle, the
volute converts kinetic energy into pressure by reducing speed while increasing pressure.
Some centrifugal pumps contain diffusers. A diffuser is a set of stationary vanes that
surround the impeller. The diffuser directs the flow, allows a more gradual expansion
and therefore increases the efficiency of the centrifugal pump.
Shaft
The impeller is mounted on a shaft. A shaft is a mechanical component for
transmitting torque from the motor to the impeller.

Bearing
Bearings constrain relative motion of the shaft (rotor) and reduce friction between the
rotating shaft and the stator. There are at least 5 common types of bearing, each of which
operates on different principles:
 Plain bearing
 Rolling-element bearing
 Jewel bearing etc.

Figure: Parts of Centrifugal Pump

Working of Centrifugal Pump

Centrifugal pumps are used to induce flow or raise the pressure of a liquid. Its working is
simple. At the heart of the system lies impeller. It has a series of curved vanes fitted inside
the shroud plates. The impeller is always immersed in the water. When the impeller is made
to rotate, it makes the fluid surrounding it also rotates. This imparts centrifugal force to the
water particles, and water moves radially out.

Since the rotational mechanical energy is transferred to the fluid, at the discharge side of
the impeller, both the pressure and kinetic energy of the water will rise. At the suction side,
water is getting displaced, so a negative pressure will be induced at the eye. Such a low
pressure helps to suck fresh water stream into the system again, and this process continues.
 From foregoing discussions, the negative pressure at the eye of the impeller helps to
maintain the flow in the system. If no water is present initially, the negative pressure
developed by the rotating air, at the eye will be negligibly small to suck fresh stream of
water. As a result, the impeller will rotate without sucking and discharging any water
content. So, the pump should be initially filled with water before starting it. This process is
known as priming.

The impeller is fitted inside a casing. As a result, the water moves out will be collected
inside It, and will move in the same direction of rotation of the impeller, to the discharge
nozzle.

From the illustrations of the pump so far, one specialty of the casing is clear. It has an
increasing area along the flow direction. Such increasing area will help to accommodate
newly added water stream and will also help to reduce the exit flow velocity. Reduction in
the flow velocity will result in an increase in the static pressure, which is required to
overcome the resistance of the pumping system.

Figure: Schematic diagram of centrifugal Pump

Pump Efficiency Curves

Figure: Pump Efficiency Curve

Pump performance curves are primarily used to predict the variation of the
differential head across the pump, as the flow is changed. But in addition, a variation of
efficiency, power, NPSH required, etc. As the flow is changed, can also be represented
on the pump performance curves by the manufacturer. It is important to be able to read
and understand the pump curve for selection, testing, operation and maintenance of
pumps.

Typically, a pump performance curve will carry information about the following points.

Variation of differential head Vs flow

This is the primary information reported in the pump performance curves and
very Important information regarding most of the pump calculations related to the
differential pressure across the pump. As shown in the sample performance curves,
usually 3 curves of differential head Vs. volumetric flow are reported.

Differential head Δh is related to differential pressure ΔP by the equation, ΔP = ρgΔh.

1. The curve of the differential head for Rated Impeller Diameter represents the variation
of the differential head with the volumetric flow for the impeller with a rated diameter
which will actually be provided with the pump.
2. Variation of the differential head with the volumetric flow for Maximum Impeller
Diameter is plotted for the impeller with the maximum diameter that can be
accommodated within the pump. This impeller can be used in case of flow through the
pump is increased or if more differential head is required in the future, with the same
pump.

3. Variation of the differential head with the volumetric flow for Minimum Impeller
Diameter is plotted for the impeller with minimum possible diameter. If the flow or
differential head requirement is reduced in the future, this impeller can be used with
lower power consumption.

Although the 3 curves are plotted for a wide range of volumetric flow rates, the
actual operation is to be limited within the Maximum and Minimum allowable flow rates
as indicated in the sample pump performance curve. Values of the maximum and
minimum flow limits are given by the pump manufacturer.

The point on differential head axis (Y-axis) where each of these 3 curves
terminates, represents the shut-off differential head for that particular impeller diameter.
For normal intended operation, the shut-off differential head for rated impeller diameter
is important.

It should be noted that the pump curves for differential head Vs. volumetric flow
rate are plotted for a particular liquid density. If in the future the process liquid or even
just liquid density is changed, that effect has to be considered to finally determine the
differential pressure. In such a case, revised volumetric flow should be calculated and
located on the pump curve and the corresponding differential head should be then
determined from the curve for the appropriate impeller diameter. This differential head
should then be used along with the changed liquid density to determine the differential
pressure across the pump.

Pump Efficiency

As indicated in the sample pump performance curve above, the plot of pump
efficiency against volumetric flow rate is also commonly reported on the pump
performance curves. When the theoretical pumping power requirement is divided by this
efficiency for the corresponding flow, the result is a pump shaft power requirement. The
calculated pump shaft power has to be provided by an electric motor.

The efficiency curve typically has a maximum within the allowable operating
range. This maximum is also known as the Best Efficiency Point (BEP) as indicated in
the sample curves. The normal operation should be preferably done close this best
efficiency point for minimum power requirements.
 Sometimes a plot of Pump Shaft Power requirement is also done against the
volumetric flow rate on the performance curves. This curve readily gives the value of the
power requirement for a particular flow rate.

NPSHR (Net Positive Suction Head Required)

Every pump requires certain Net positive suction head (NPSH) or safe and
smooth operation and to avoid cavitation in the pumps. The pump manufacturer provides
these values by plotting them against the volumetric flow. As seen from the performance
curves, NPSH requirement increases for an increase in volumetric flow. When designing
a pump system and positioning the pump, it must always be ensured that NPSH Available
is higher than the NPSH requirement as per pump curves

Applications/Uses
Centrifugal pumps are used in buildings for pumping the general water supply, as a
booster and for domestic water supplies. The design of a centrifugal pump makes them useful
for pumping sewage and slurries. They are also used in fire protection systems and for
heating and cooling applications. In addition, they are popular in the beverage, dairy, food,
and light chemical industries

Centrifugal pumps are commonly used for pumping water, solvents, organics, oils, acids,
bases, and any ‘thin’ liquids in both industrial, agricultural and domestic applications. In
fact, there is a design of centrifugal pump suitable for virtually any application involving low
viscosity fluids.

Experimental Procedure
1. Check that the circulation tank is filled with water.
2. Switch on the main power supply.
3. Turn on the pump and slowly open the Flow control valve until the maximum flow rate
is achieved.
4. Ensure that all setting follows the equipment set-up.
5. Note down flow rate and pressures.
6. Test the pump characteristics by changing the flow rate.
7. Turn off the pump.
8. Switch off the main power supply.

Formulae
Overall Efficiency η Overall= (Power Fluid /Power Electrical) X 100%
Power (Fluid) PFluid = g.Q.H.ρWater
Volumetric Flow Rate Q(m3/s) = Flow in LPM / 60000
Pump Head H (m) = P2-P1 /ρg
Water Density ρ= 1000 Kg/m3
Observations and Calculations:
Sr Flowrate P1(gauge) P2(gauge) Q RP Pump Power Power %
# (LPM) (N/m2) (N/m2) (m3/Sec) M Head Fluid Electric Efficiency
(m) (W) (W)

Graphs
Draw Following Graphs

 Flow rate vs Efficiency

 Flow Rate bs Head
 Flow Rate vs Brake Horsepower

Specimen Calculation:
Conclusion:
 Rubrics
CLO_2: Analyze the acquired experimental data to investigate its relationship theoretically in
pumps and turbines.

Criteria Excellent (4) Good (3) Fair (2) Poor (1) score

Instruments and Instruments and Instruments or

Technical Some misuse or
tools are used tools are mostly tools are
Soundness / inefficiency in
appropriately and used misused or
performance instrument usage
effectively appropriately ineffective

Data is
Data is mostly Data is
comprehensive,
comprehensive, incomplete,
relevant, and Data is somewhat
Data relevant, and irrelevant, or
accurately comprehensive
Collection accurately inaccurately
recorded. Data is and relevant. Data
and recorded. Data is recorded. Data
effectively presentation is
Presentation mostly presentation
presented using adequate
effectively lacks clarity or
appropriate tables,
presented coherence
graphs, and visuals
Analysis Analysis
demonstrates deep demonstrates
Analysis addresses Analysis lacks
understanding of understanding of
some relevant depth or
the data and the data and
aspects. relevance.
Data addresses all addresses most
Conclusions are Conclusions
Analysis relevant aspects. relevant aspects.
somewhat are illogical or
Conclusions drawn Conclusions
supported and not supported
are logical, well drawn are mostly
logical by data
supported, and logical and
aligned with data supported

Scoring Guide:
 4: Excellent - Exceeds expectations; demonstrates exceptional proficiency and mastery.
 3: Good - Meets expectations; demonstrates solid understanding and competency.
 2: Fair - Partially meets expectations; some areas need improvement or refinement.
 1: Poor - Does not meet expectations; significant deficiencies or lack of understanding.