MCHE 3450

Mechanical Engineering Laboratory

Centrifugal Pump
Experiment Performed 01/28/15
Report Submitted 02/11/15
Group 2
By:
Damon Dunwody
And team

I certify that all the writing here is our own and not acquired from
external sources. We have cited sources appropriately and
paraphrased correctly. We have not shared our writing with students
outside our group, nor have we acquired any written portion of this
document from past or present students.

Abstract:
Working with the centrifugal pump in this lab allows the students to have a better visual of total
dynamic head (TDH) and cavitation. For the lab, the pump used was setup with clear casings and
piping, flow rate sensors, a rotometer, and pressure sensors at the inlet and outlet of the pump.
Part A of the procedure called for the impeller to be spinning at 1800 RPM. The computer
recorded data after every one full turn of the discharge valve until the valve was fully closed.
During the experiment, the impeller spun at 1796 RPM. The information collected consisted of
the flow rate, motor speed, motor torque, motor power, outlet pressure and inlet pressure. In the
experiment, the flow rate ranged from 47.91 GPM to 0.01 GPM, the motor speed essentially
stayed constant at 1796 RPM, motor torque ranged from 1.401 ft-lbf to 0.443 ft-lbf, motor power
ranged from 0.479HP to 0.152HP, the outlet pressure ranged from 5.775 PSIG to 15.11 PSIG, and
the inlet pressure ranged from -1.905 PSIG to -0.679 PSIG. With this data the total dynamic
discharge head (TDDH), the total dynamic suction head (TDSH), the TDH, hydraulic power and
the pumps efficiency were calculated. The results of the calculations was that the TDDH ranged
from 5.042ft to 6.763ft, the TDSH ranged from 2.530ft to 2.724ft, the TDH ranged from 2.512ft
to 4.039ft, the hydraulic power ranged from 0.36466HP to 0.00012HP, and the pump efficiency
ranged from 0.761 to .00081. Pump performance curves were then made with the calculated
TDH, motor power, and pump efficiency values. Part B of the procedure helped visualize
cavitation. The pump was run with the suction valve at first wide open but then slowly closed by
full rotations. At each full rotation of the suction valve, the same information was recorded that
was measured in part A. Bubbles began to form once cavitation began and pictures were taken.

Introduction:
This lab uses a centrifugal pump powered by a variable- speed electric motor, which pumps water
through a closed-loop system to demonstrate concepts of total dynamic head (TDH), liquid flow
rate, pump efficiency, and cavitation. The total dynamic head data will be gathered at one pump
speed by using a specific pump impeller. The cavitation concept will only be visually observed by
the students as to understand its harmful characteristics. For this pump and lab, the PumpLab
system will be used for collecting the data from the centrifugal pump in real time. The system is
made up of a closed circuit with a reservoir and all see-through piping and valves, along with
flow rate sensors, a highly visual flow rotometer, centrifugal pump with interchangeable
impellers, a controller connected to the computer, and a software interface that allows the user to
control the pump speed. With all this information that is available, total dynamic head of the
pump can be calculated, along with finding the efficiency of the pump with each closing turn of
the discharge valve. From there, the students will be able to plot the performance curves of their
impeller including their findings all on one plot.

Technical Background:
The principle total dynamic head, the basic centrifugal pump theory, and cavitation can
be explained through fluid mechanics. Net head illustrates the pumps performance. The net head
is the difference in the Bernoulli head between the inlet and outlet of the pump. The general
equation for Bernoulli head can be expressed as:

Bernoulli head = pressure head + velocity head + static head

P V2
+ +z)
g 2 g

The net head used to portray the pumps performance can also be called the total dynamic head
(TDH). The total dynamic discharge head and the total dynamic suction head can each be
expressed as a Bernoulli head. The total dynamic head equation can be expressed as:

Total Dynamic Head = total dynamic discharge head total dynamic suction head

TDH =

P V2
+ +z
g 2 g

) (

outlet

P V2
+ +z
g 2 g

inlet

In a centrifugal pump the fluid enters the pump at the eye and forced to the outer edge of
an impeller by rotation. To make sure that there is enough head to make the fluid flow into the
impeller eye, the net positive suction head (NPSH) can be calculated. The head due to absolute
pressure ( H a , the head due to elevation ( H z , the head due to friction loss ( H f , the
velocity head ( H v , and the head due to vapor pressure ( H vp , are added together to
obtain the net positive suction head, as seen in the equation below:

+ H z H f + H v H vp
NPSH =H a

For a centrifugal pump to work properly the available NPSH should be higher than the required
NPSH. The required NPSH is the minimum NPSH that is needed for the pump to operate in a
desired manner. If the available NPSH is not higher that the required NPSH, bubbles will form in
the pipe due to lack of pressure. The bubbles will travel into the impeller. Once in the impeller the
bubbles will be pushed to the outer edge where the pressure is higher. The bubble will then
implode releasing energy. This process is called cavitation. This released energy is transmitted to
the impeller, which can cause damage over time and loss in efficiency.

Procedure:
Part A: TDH study
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Select English UNITS on the prompt screen.

Click Start DAQ button (data should be flowing on graphs).
Click Pump Lab button.
Set motor speed to 1800 RPM using on-screen slide switch (or type in value).
Click Run Motor button.
Click on Map View tab.
Click Clear Plot button, then click Map Point button. Record flow rate [GPM], motor
speed [RPM], motor torque [ft-lbf], motor power [HP], outlet pressure [PSIG], and inlet

pressure [PSIG].
8. Close Discharge Valve 1 full turn, and allow map points to fully settle, and then click
Map Point. Repeat the measurements in step 11.
9. Repeat step 12 until Discharge Valve is fully closed, then click Stop Motor button.
10. Open Discharge Valve all the way.
11. Click Write Data to File button, and save file as:
Group#_Red_1800_TDH_MMDDYY.txt.
Part B: Cavitation study by visual learning
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Set motor speed to 1800 RPM using on-screen slide switch (or type in value).
Click Run Motor button.
Click on Map View tab.
Click Clear Plot button, then click Map Point button.
Close Suction Valve 1 full turn, and allow map points to fully settle, and then click Map

Point
6. Repeat step 20 until Suction Valve is fully closed, then click Stop Motor button. Take
photos of any interesting results.
7. Open Suction Valve all the way
8. Click Write Data to File button, and save file as:
Group#_Red_1800_NPSHr_MMDDYY.txt .

Results and Discussion:

1800 RPM Experimental
Data

Table 1
Valve
Turns
from
Open
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23

Flow
Motor
rate
speed
[GPM]
[RPM]
47.91
1796
47.54
1796
47.44
1796
48.09
1796
47.59
1796
47.74
1796
47.31
1796
46.97
1796
47.12
1796
46.92
1796
46.51
1796
46.25
1796
46.07
1796
44.91
1796
44.53
1796
43.91
1796
42.09
1796
40.48
1796
37.07
1797
32.72
1797
27.03
1797
20.53
1798
15.27
1798
0.01
1799

(Discharge Valve)
Outlet
Motor
Motor
pressur
torque [ftpower
e
lbf]
[HP]
[PSIG]
1.401
0.479
5.775
1.401
0.479
5.785
1.401
0.479
5.725
1.401
0.479
5.77
1.401
0.479
5.75
1.401
0.479
5.84
1.401
0.479
5.765
1.401
0.479
5.885
1.401
0.479
5.985
1.401
0.479
5.995
1.401
0.479
6.14
1.401
0.479
6.245
1.401
0.479
6.395
1.328
0.454
6.565
1.328
0.454
6.845
1.328
0.454
7.2
1.328
0.454
7.685
1.254
0.429
8.375
1.18
0.404
9.32
1.106
0.379 10.415
0.959
0.328
11.62
0.811
0.278
12.73
0.738
0.252 13.415
0.443
0.152
15.11

Inlet
pressur
e
[PSIG]
-1.905
-1.92
-1.876
-1.87
-1.905
-1.858
-1.917
-1.899
-1.876
-1.843
-1.846
-1.829
-1.82
-1.767
-1.729
-1.691
-1.635
-1.479
-1.367
-1.238
-1.061
-0.911
-0.811
-0.679

Table 2
Flow
rate
[GPM]
47.91
47.54
47.44
48.09
47.59
47.74
47.31
46.97
47.12
46.92
46.51
46.25
46.07
44.91
44.53
43.91
42.09
40.48
37.07
32.72
27.03
20.53
15.27
0.01
Table
3

1800 RPM Calculated TDH Data

TDDH
(ft)
5.042
5.043
5.031
5.041
5.036
5.054
5.038
5.060
5.080
5.081
5.108
5.127
5.155
5.185
5.237
5.304
5.392
5.521
5.694
5.895
6.115
6.319
6.444
6.763

TDHS
(ft)
2.530
2.526
2.535
2.537
2.529
2.539
2.527
2.530
2.534
2.540
2.539
2.542
2.543
2.551
2.558
2.564
2.572
2.600
2.617
2.636
2.664
2.687
2.703
2.724

TDH
(ft)
2.512
2.516
2.496
2.504
2.506
2.515
2.511
2.530
2.545
2.541
2.569
2.585
2.612
2.633
2.679
2.740
2.820
2.921
3.077
3.259
3.452
3.632
3.742
4.039

1800 RPM Calculated Efficiency Data

Hydrau
Pump
Flow
lic
Motor
efficienc
rate
power
power
y
[GPM]
[HP]
[HP]
[%]
0.3646
47.91
6
0.479 0.76129
0.3624
47.54
6
0.479 0.75671
0.3588
47.44
0
0.479 0.74906
0.3649
48.09
4
0.479 0.76189
0.3614
47.59
7
0.479 0.75462
0.3638
47.74
3
0.479 0.75957

47.31
46.97
47.12
46.92
46.51
46.25
46.07
44.91
44.53
43.91
42.09
40.48
37.07
32.72
27.03
20.53
15.27
0.01

0.3600
3
0.3601
7
0.3634
7
0.3612
5
0.3620
3
0.3623
4
0.3646
8
0.3583
6
0.3615
4
0.3645
2
0.3596
6
0.3582
7
0.3456
7
0.3231
1
0.2827
3
0.2259
6
0.1731
5
0.0001
2

0.479

0.75162

0.479

0.75192

0.479

0.75880

0.479

0.75418

0.479

0.75581

0.479

0.75644

0.479

0.76134

0.454

0.78933

0.454

0.79635

0.454

0.80291

0.454

0.79220

0.429

0.83513

0.404

0.85563

0.379

0.85253

0.328

0.86197

0.278

0.81279

0.252

0.68709

0.152

0.00081

Performance Curves - Red Impeller

pump efficiency
TDH [ft]
motor power [HP*100]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Calculations:
Once the raw data was collected from the centrifugal pump, the total dynamic head
(TDH) of the pump at each turn was needed. In order to find the TDH, the following equation
was used

TDH =TDDH TDSH

(1)

To find the TDH the total dynamic discharge head (TDDH) and the total dynamic suction
head were needed. The TDDH and the TDSH were found using the following equations

Pd V 2d
TDDH = + + z d
g 2 g

(2)

P V
TDSH = s + s + z s
g 2 g

(3)

as the density of water, g as the acceleration due to

With P being the Pressure,

gravity, V as the velocity of the water and z being the elevation of the water at that point. By
substituting (2) and (3) into (1) the new equation is obtained

Pd V 2d
Ps V 2s
TDH =
+ +z
+ +z
g 2 g d
g 2 g s

)(

(4)

However for the lab, a simplified equation was given for the pressure and velocity heads. The
equations have built in conversion factors and allow for more efficient calculation.. The static
heads for both the suction and discharge end of the pump were also given as constant values.

hp=

2.31( P)
SG

h v=

.002593(GPM )2
(ID)4

(5)
(6)

P
=h p
g

(7)

V
=h
2g v

(8)

z s=0 ft

(9)

z d=1 ft

(10)

GPM stands for gallons per minute or the volumetric flow rate, ID stands for inner
diameter of the pipe in inches, SG stands for the specific gravity of water, and P stands for the
absolute pressure. Because the absolute pressure was needed for the equations, the atmospheric
pressure had to be found. The atmospheric pressure was found to be 14.828 psi and was added to
each pressure from the lab data accordingly. The inner diameter is given as 1.85 in and 1.6 in for
the suction pipe and the discharge pipe respectively. By substituting (7), (8), (9), and (10) into (4)
the new equation is reached

P
2

( d+ 14.828) .002593 (GPM)d

2.31
+
+1
SG
( ID)2d

TDH =

(11)

By using (11), the data from the experiment can be used to find the TDH at each valve
turn. For example, the TDH is calculated at a flow rate of 47.91 gallons/min.

)(

2.31(5.775+14.828) .002593(47.91)d
2.31(1.905+14.828) .002593 ( 47.91 )s
TDH =
+
+1
+
+0
2
1
1
(1.6)d
(1.85)2s
TDH =49.50130.360=19.141 ft

In addition to finding the TDH for each valve turn, the hydraulic power was also
determined. Once again, a simplified equation was given for the water hydraulic power with built
in conversion factors. The equation is

WHP=

(GPM )(TDH )( SG)

3960

(12)

The hydraulic power at 47.91 gallons/min is found using TDH from the previous calculation and
(12)

WHP=

( 47.91)(19.141)(1)
=.23158 HP
3960

From the new hydraulic power calculated we can find the pump efficiency for the pump at each
flow rate using the equation

Pump efficiency=

hydraulic power
motor power

(13)

For an example, the pump efficiency at 47.91 gallons/min is

pump efficiency=

.23158
=.48345
.479

Discussion:
In fluid dynamics, one learns the concept of head involves the relation between the
energy at a point in the pump to height of an equivalent static column of the fluid. To calculate
head at a certain point in a pump, Bernoullis equation is used. The total dynamic head expresses
each pumps performance. Total dynamic head is the difference in the Bernoulli head at the outlet
and the inlet of a pump. This can also be referred to as the difference between the total dynamic
discharge head and the total dynamic suction head.
As seen in figure 1, as the flow rate of the pump decreases the total dynamic head increases. The
velocity head of the pump, at the inlet and outlet, are decreasing less than the pressure head is
increasing, at the inlet and outlet. This causes the total dynamic head to increase. In addition to

total dynamic head, figure 1 also shows that as the flow rate decreases, the pump efficiency
increases. However, once the flow rate reaches a certain rate, the pump efficiency plummets.

Sometimes when the pressure at a pump inlet decreases, small air pockets are created in
the fluid. Once those air pockets travel to the area of the pump with higher pressure. Being
exposed to the higher pressure, the air pockets explode and release the excess energy to the
surrounding pipe. This process is called Cavitation. As you can see in figure 2 the pump has fluid
traveling with no cavitation. However, in figure 3 you can clearly see air bubbles formed on the
left side and then collapsed on the right side. Cavitation is terrible for pumps and piping as it can
cause efficiency in the pump to drop. Cavitation can also be very harmful to a pipe and cause
erosion overtime, which makes it something to avoid at all costs. Some examples that may cause
cavitation are reducing the size of the suction valve or raising the pump too high above the fluid
source.

Conclusion:
From Figure 1, it looks as though pump efficiency increases as the volumetric flow rate
decreases. Also as the total dynamic head of the pump increases so does the pump efficiency.
Based on this, one could create a pump operating guideline for someone who requires the most
efficiency out of the centrifugal pump. The guideline would state to use a slower flow rate, in
order to generate a higher total dynamic head, and therefore a more efficient pump.

Appendix:
Using (5) and (6) from the calculations section, the pressure head and velocity head were
found for the inlet and outlet of the pump

hp=

2.31( P)
SG

(5)

h v=

.002593(GPM )2
(ID)4

(6)

At 0 turns the flow rate is 47.91gpm, the outlet pressure is 5.775psig, and the inlet
pressure is -1.905psig. The inlet inner diameter was given at 1.85 in and the outlet inner diameter
was given at 1.6 in.

hp=

2.31(5.775)
1

= 49.59293 ft

hp =

2.31 (1.905 )
1
= 29.85213 ft

hv=

.002593( 47.91)2
(1.6)4
= .908186 ft
2

.002593( 47.91)
hv=
(1.85)4

= .508122 ft
The static head for the discharge was given at 1 ft and the suction head was given at 0 ft.
With the static head, the velocity head, and the pressure head calculated at both the discharge and
suction ends, the total dynamic could be found using (4)

TDH =( 49.5293+.908186+1 ) ( 29.85213+ .508122+ 0 )=19.14086 ft

Excel was used to calculate the values for all 23 turns of the valve in order to save time
and efficiency. The data from the lab was easily accessible and was easily transcribed into excel.

In order to find the hydraulic power of the pump at each turn, (12) was used

WHP=

(GPM )(TDH )( SG)

3960

(12)

At 47.91 gpm, the TDH was calculated to be 19.14086 ft and the specific gravity of water is
known to be 1.

WHP=

( 47.91)(19.14086)(1)
3960
= .23158 Hp

Again due to the 23 valve turns, excel was used to calculate the rest of the hydraulic powers.
Excel was also used to calculate the pump efficiency of the pump at each valve turn by imputing
(13). The hydraulic power formerly calculated is .23158 Hp and the motor power from the
experimental data is .479 Hp at a flow rate of 47.91 gpm.

Pump efficiency=
Pump efficiency=

hydraulic power
motor power

.23158
.479
= .48345

(13)