1

University of Balamand
Faculty of engineering
Department of Mechanical engineering

INSTRUMENTATION AND EXPERIMENTATION 2

MECH244 – Fall 2022/2023

Centrifugal Pump.

Group 1

A report submitted to dr. Michel Daaboul

Submitted by: Elias Jehi

Hayat Jaber
Michael Jdaidany
Ryan Nasr
2

Table of Contents
List of Figures............................................................................................................................................3
List of tables:..............................................................................................................................................3
Abstract:.....................................................................................................................................................4
Introduction:..............................................................................................................................................5
Background:..............................................................................................................................................6
Test description:........................................................................................................................................8
Experimental procedure:........................................................................................................................10
Results and calculations:.........................................................................................................................12
Discussion:...............................................................................................................................................17
Conclusion:..............................................................................................................................................17
References:...............................................................................................................................................18
Appendix:.................................................................................................................................................18
3

List of Figures
Figure 1: Centrifugal pump and its components [1]........................................................................5
Figure 2: The first machine [3]........................................................................................................7
Figure 3: Experimental setup [2].....................................................................................................8
Figure 4: Tachometer [4].................................................................................................................9
Figure 5: The V-Notch[4]..............................................................................................................10
Figure 6:Graph representing the Delta H vs. the volumetric flow rate.........................................17
Figure 7: Graph representing the pump static efficiency vs the discharge....................................17

List of tables:
Table 1: Data for 60% power, part 1............................................................................................10
Table 2: Data for 60% power, part 2............................................................................................10
Table 3: Data for 70% power, part 1............................................................................................10
Table 4: Data for 70%, part 2.......................................................................................................11
Table 5: Data for 80%, part 1.......................................................................................................11
Table 6: Data for 80%, part 2.......................................................................................................11
Table 7: Data for quarter opened valve, part 1.............................................................................12
Table 8: Data for quarter opened valve, part 2.............................................................................12
Table 9: Table for half opened valve, part 1................................................................................12
Table 10: Data for half opened valve, part 2................................................................................13
Table 11: Data for three quarter opened valve, part 1..................................................................13
Table 12: Data for three quarter opened valve, part 2..................................................................13
4

Abstract:

One of the centrifugal pump experiment’s goals is to determine the operating points of the
centrifugal pump in order to identify the factors that affect its overall efficiency. Furthermore,
data values for the pump were recorded, at different powers of 60%, with an average Rpm=1813,
70%, with an average Rpm= 2124, and 80% with an average Rpm= 2488, by adjusting the valve
openings ¼, ½, ¾ and adjusting power.
5

Introduction:
The centrifugal pump is a mechanical device designed by means of the transfer of rotational
energy from one or more driven rotors, called impellers. The fluid enters through an inlet duct,
where a low-pressure zone is created by the rotation of the impellers, and the high-pressure zone
is at the outer diameter of the pump where the fluid will travel to and exit through the discharge
outlet.

Figure 1: Centrifugal pump and its components [1]

We can also control the pressure/velocity relation by adjusting the opening of the valve and the
power of the pump. We then note the values measured by our system for comparing later on.
(Water height, delivery head, suction head, torque, RPM…)

To measure the RPM, we used a device called “TACHOMETER” which basically emits a laser
on a spinning object which a refractive material on it and displays its rotation speed in round per
minute.

In addition, the pressure is at its maximum when the flow of water is zero (valve is closed). As
the flow increases, the pressure starts to decrease (Bernoulli’s principle).
6

Objectives:

This experiment aims to study the performance of the pump for different conditions and values
of the parameters (valve opening and pump power)

Specifically:

 Check the relationship between the head and rate of discharge at various valve openings
for different rotational speeds.
 Do the same but at various rotational speeds for different valve openings.
 Calculate the motor and pump static efficiency.
 Acquire a graphical relationship between pump static efficiency versus discharge.
 Calculate the specific speed.

Background:

Historical background:
The first machine that could be characterized as a centrifugal pump was a mud lifting machine
which appeared in 1475 in a treatise by Francesco di Giorgio Martini, an Italian Renaissance
engineer. True centrifugal pumps were not developed until the late 17th century, when Denis
Papin built one using straight vanes. The curved vane was introduced by British inventor John
Appold in 1851.
7

Figure 2: The first machine [3]

Theoretical background:
Theoretically, in ideal conditions, this pump’s phenomenon is explained by Bernoulli’s equation
which demonstrates how pressure decreases as the speed of the flow increases and vice versa.

We also used the following formulas to calculate our values for each different setting of pressure
and flow speed (controlled by the valve opening and pump power).

 H (m) = Delivery Head H2 – Suction Head H1

9.81 ×Q × ∆ H
 water power (W )=
60
2 πNT
 Motor output (W )=
60
 motorinput ( W )=V . I
water power
 pump overall efficiency =
motor input
motor output
 Motor efficiency=
motor input
 Specific speed ns
N . √Q
ns=0.211
∆ H .075
8

where D=0.35m (impeller diameter)

N=rotational speed (rpm)

g=9.81 m/s2

ρ= 1000 kg/m3

P= Motor output(W)

Test description:

Materials used:

 A 90° V-Notch centrifugal pump

 Water & supply tank
 Tachometer
 DC motor
 Fixed scale to measure the height of water

Figure 3: Experimental setup [2]

9

Figure 4: Tachometer [4]

Figure 5: The V-Notch[4]

10

Experimental procedure:

Before beginning the experiment:

 Verify that the suction and discharge valves on the pump are both open.
 Fill the tank to roughly 5 mm below the "V notch shelf" in the lower compartment and to
the bottom of the V notch in the top compartment.
 Remove the sight glass scale locking screws and adjust the scale so that the zero line
corresponds to the water level in the sight glass. Retighten the locking screws on the sight
glass scale.
 Check that the tachometer is ready for use in measuring rpm.
 Set the motor speed to zero.
 Connect the power supply wire to a 220/240-volt outlet.
 Turn on the power and the control box switch. The red light shows the existence of
electricity.
 Confirm that the tachometer is set and ready to be utilized for rpm readings.

Once the above precautions are done, the experiment starts.

The procedure is divided into two parts one in which the motor's rotational speed is fixed and
the flow is observed for each constant power setting, and the other in wherein the valve
opening is fixed and the motor's power is controlled for each case. The primary purpose of
these experiments is to determine the efficiency of the motor and pump, then analyze and
evaluate the data to create a scalar termed "specific speed."

Constant Rotational Speed Tests:

 To begin, we set the power percentage for each needed value (60%, 70%, 80%) and
set the flow rate valve to completely open.
 We start the engine and use the tachometer to measure its speed.
 When the engine begins to give energy to the system, the water level rises.
11

 According to the graph, the acquired V-notch water height can immediately lead us to
the matching flow rate.
 Suction and delivery heads are also obtained.
 The equipment displays both voltage and current. They allow us to determine the
motor's power.
 The power provided to the pump may be calculated using the indicated torque and
average rpm.
 We repeat the procedure with several valve settings (½ open, ¼ open, ¾ open, and
closed valve) with a constant rotational speed. For each constant power (rotational
speed) value of 60%, 70%, and 80%, the steps are repeated.

Constant valve setting tests:

 We begin by turning the valve on ¼ and fixing it.

 Each time, several motor powers are specified.
 In the constant valve setting tests, all of the steps from procedure of the constant
rotational speeds must be repeated.
 We take measurements for all of the appropriate valve openings ½, ¼, and ¾ open.
12

Results and calculations:

60% POWER , Average Rpm = 1813

Valve Suction Delivery V- Torque Voltag Ampere Rpm ΔH Volumetri
Opening Head Head notch e (V) s (A) c flow-
H1 (m) H2 (m) height rate
(mm) (1/min)
0 0 6.68 0 1 101 2 1812 6.6 0
8
0.25 0 4.22 62 1.5 101 2.5 1809 4.2 80
2
0.5 0 2.81 74 1.8 101 3.45 1813 2.8 115
1
0.75 0 0.7 78 1.8 101 3.4 1814 0.7 145
1 0 0.35 79 1.8 101 3.5 1818 0.3 150
5
In this experiment, we determined the discharge rate Q, the H, the water power, the motor
output, and the motor input in Watts, as well as the pump overall efficiency, motor efficiency,
and pump static efficiency. All of these numbers were determined for the various power levels
and valve configurations.

60% POWER , Average Rpm = 1813

Water Motor Motor Pump Overall Motor Pump Static
Power (W) Output (W) Input (W) Efficiency Efficiency Efficiency
0 189.66 202 0 0.9389 0
55.2 284.01 Table 1: Data for 60% power,
252.5 0.2186part 1 1.1248 0.1944
52.83 341.57 348.45 0.1516 0.9803 0.1547
16.59 341.75 343.4 0.0483 0.9952 0.0485
8.58 342.51 353.5 0.0243 0.9689 0.0251
Table 2: Data for 60% power, part 2

70% POWER , Average Rpm = 2124

Valve Suction Delivery V-notch Torque Voltag Ampere Rpm ΔH Volumetric
Opening Head Head H2 height e (V) s (A) flow- rate
H1 (m) (m) (mm) (1/min)
0 0 8.44 0 1.3 100 2.5 2111 8.44 0
0.25 0 7.03 72 1.9 100 3.6 2123 7.03 118
13

0.5 0 3.52 77 2.1 120 4 2127 3.52 140

0.75 0 2.11 80 2.1 122 4.3 2130 2.11 153
1 0 0.7 80 2.2 122 4.5 2131 0.7 153
Table 3: Data for 70% power, part 1

70% POWER , Average Rpm = 2124

Water Motor Motor Pump Motor Pump
Power (W) Output (W) Input (W) Overall Efficiency Static
Efficiency Efficiency
0 287.24 250 0 1.14896 0
135.63 422.19 360 0.37675 1.17275 0.3212535
80.57 467.51 480 0.1678542 0.9739792 0.1723386
52.78 468.17 524.6 0.10061 0.8924323 0.1127368
17.51 490.7 549 0.0318944 0.8938069 0.0356837
Table 4: Data for 70%, part 2

80% POWER , Average Rpm = 2488

Valve Suction Delivery V- Torque Voltag Ampere Rpm ΔH Volumetri
Opening Head Head notch e (V) s (A) c flow-
H1 (m) H2 (m) height rate
(mm) (1/min)
0 0 11.25 0 1.6 140 2.5 2467 11.2 0
5
0.25 0 9.84 75 2.4 140 4.5 2484 9.84 130
0.5 0 6.33 80 2.6 140 5 2493 6.33 153
0.75 0 4.22 85 2.7 140 5.5 2497 4.22 180
1 0 3.52 85 2.8 140 6 2500 3.52 180
Table 5: Data for 80%, part 1

80% POWER , Average Rpm = 2488

Water Motor Motor Overall Motor Pump Static
Power (W) Output (W) Input Efficiency Efficiency Efficiency
(W)
0 413.14 350 0 1.1804 0
209.15 623.98 630 0.33198413 0.99044444 0.33518703
158.35 678.43 700 0.22621429 0.96918571 0.23340654
124.19 705.65 770 0.16128571 0.91642857 0.17599376
103.59 732.67 840 0.12332143 0.87222619 0.14138698
Table 6: Data for 80%, part 2
14

Table 7: Data for quarter opened valve, part 1

Valve 1/4 Open
Motor Suction Delivery V-notch Torque Voltage Amper Rpm ΔH Volumetric
Power Head H1 Head H2 height (V) s (A) flow- rate
(%) (m) (m) (mm) (1/min)
40 0 0 0 1 74 1.5 1191 0 0
50 0 0 65 1.2 85 2 1485 0 90
60 0 3.52 65 1.2 100 3 1805 3.52 90
70 0 7.03 71 1.9 120 3.5 2114 7.03 115
80 0 10.55 75 2.4 140 4.5 2462 10.5 130
5

Valve 1/4 Open

Water Motor Motor Overall Motor Pump Static
Power (W) Output (W) Input (W) Efficiency Efficiency Efficiency
0 124.66 111 0 1.1230631 0
0 186.52 170 0 1.0971765 0
51.8 226.71 300 0.1726667 0.7557 0.2284857
132.18 420.4 420 0.3147143 1.0009524 0.3144148
224.24 618.45 630 0.3559365 0.9816667 0.3625839
Table 8: Data for quarter opened valve, part 2
15

Valve 1/2 Open

Motor Suction Delivery V-notch Torque Voltage Ampers Rpm ΔH Volumetric
Power Head H1 Head H2 height (V) (A) flow- rate
(%) (m) (m) (mm) (1/min)
40 0 0 0 1 67 1.75 1178 0 0
50 0 0.07 70 1.3 82 2.5 1476 0.0 110
7
60 0 1.76 75 1.7 101 3.2 1801 1.7 130
6
70 0 2.81 78 2.1 120 4 2138 2.8 145
1
80 0 6.33 85 2.7 141 5.5 2524 6.3 183
3

Valve 1/2 Open

Water Motor Motor Overall Motor Pump Static
Power Output (W) Input Efficiency Efficiency Efficiency
(W) (W)
0 123.3 117.25 0 1.05159915 0
1.26 200.83 205 0.00614634 0.97965854 0.00627396
37.41 320.46 323.2 0.11574876 0.99152228 0.11673844
66.62 469.93 480 0.13879167 0.97902083 0.14176579
189.4 713.28 775.5 0.24422953 0.91976789 0.26553387
Table 10: Data for half opened valve, part 2

Table 9: Table for half opened valve, part 1

Valve 3/4 Open
Motor Suction Delivery V-notch Torque Voltage Amperes Rpm ΔH Volumetric
Power Head Head H2 height (V) (A) flow- rate
(%) H1 (m) (m) (mm) (1/min)
16

40 0 0 0 1.1 69 2 1184 0 0
50 0 0 75 1.4 85 3.6 1491 0 130
60 0 0.7 79 1.8 101 3.4 1814 0.7 150
70 0 1.83 81 2.2 121 4.1 2145 1.83 160
80 0 4.92 87 2.8 142 5.5 2535 4.92 187
Table 11: Data for three quarter opened valve, part 1

Valve 3/4 Open

Water Motor Motor Overall Motor Pump Static
Power (W) Output (W) Input (W) Efficiency Efficiency Efficiency
0 136.32 138 0 0.9878261 0
0 218.48 306 0 0.7139869 0
17.17 341.76 343.4 0.05 0.9952242 0.0502399
47.87 493.92 496.1 0.0964926 0.9956057 0.0969185
150.43 742.92 781 0.192612 0.951242 0.2024848
Table 12: Data for three quarter opened valve, part 2

Figure 6:Graph representing the Delta H vs. the volumetric flow rate
17

Figure 7: Graph representing the pump static efficiency vs the discharge

Discussion:
The water head is lowering when Q is rising, according to Graph 1 (delta H versus Q for the
same power). In essence, the same amount of power is being applied to a larger volume of water;
as a result, the head loss and power per unit mass both decreases. Additionally, because of their
proportionality, as power increases, the delta H also increases. Another thing to note is that the
power level of 60% is when the overall pump efficiency is at its highest. This centrifugal pump
almost probably features a radial vane impeller.

After analyzing the results, we could say that pump is offset.

This system faces numerous types of losses according to the type of the power.
For example, mechanical losses are found because of the friction done while the shaft is
working. Moving on to the motor efficiency, when the motor is in motion, it is safe to say that
the friction in there is constant and the efficiency rises the load proportionally.

Conclusion:
We can notice that the pump overall efficiency is way too low and that could due to multiple
reading errors such as the delivery pressure. However, it is most likely that reading error in the
18

V-notch height has the biggest effect on these values because its function with respect to "Q" is
exponential which means that the slightest difference in mm could significantly change the Q
value especially at high values.

References:
Attention Required! | Cloudflare. (n.d.). Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://tfpumps.com/

[1]

Just a moment. . . (n.d.). Retrieved November 6, 2022, from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333399087_Unsteady_Flow_Numerical_Simul

ations_on_Internal_Energy_Dissipation_for_a_Low-Head_Centrifugal_Pump_at_Part-

Load_Operating_Conditions [2]

Pump Specialist UK - Michael Smith Engineers. (n.d.). Retrieved November 6, 2022, from

https://www.michael-smith-engineers.co.uk/ [3]

All the graphs and tables were obtained using Microsoft excel.

Not cited pictures are taken by the team during the experiment. [4]
19

MECH244 Manual; Centrifugal pump experiment.

Appendix:
Specific Speed
The capacity and efficiency of a centrifugal pump are partially governed by the impeller design.
For a desired flow rate and added head, there will be one optimum impeller design. The
quantitative index used to optimize the impeller design is known as specific speed nS.
The table below lists the impeller designs that are appropriate for different specific speeds.

Specific Speed vs. Impeller Impeller Type

Design Appropriate Range of
Specific speed (rpm)
500 – 1000 Radial Vane
2000 – 7000 Mixed Flow
9000 and above Axial Flow

Formulas used:

 Δ𝐻=𝐻2−𝐻1
gQ ∆ H
 Water power ( W )=
60
2 πNT
 Motor output (W )=
60
 Motor input =V∗I
Motor output
 Motor efficiency=
Motor input
Motor power
 Pump static effieciency=
Motor input
N √Q
 Specific speed n s= 0.75
∆H

Abbreviations:

- N is the rotational speed (rpm)

- D = 0.35 m (Impeller Diameter)

- g = 9.81 𝑚/𝑠2
- P is the Motor output (W)
- Q is the flow rate.

Title page Hayat Jaber

20

Abstract Hayat Jaber

Introduction & objectives Michael Jdaidany
Background Michael Jdaidany
Test description Hayat Jaber
Results Ryan Nasr
Discussion Elias Jehi
Conclusion Elias Jehi
References & Appendix Hayat Jaber