CENTRIFUGAL PUMP ANALYSIS

Abstract
The experiment seeks to learn how to determine the Pressure drop and the corresponding Head loss, using
centrifugal pump.

Introduction
Radial-flow machines are characterized by the radial flow of the fluid through the machine. Radial flow
pumps and fans are better suited for larger heads at lower flow rates than axial machines.
A sketch of the centrifugal pump is shown in the figure
on right. Fluid from the inlet pipe enters the pump through
the eye of the impeller and then travels outward between
the vanes of the impeller to its edge, where the fluid enters
the casing of the pump and is then conducted to the
discharge pipe. The principle of the radial-flow pump is
different from that of the axial-flow pump in that the
change in pressure results in large part from rotary action.
Additional pressure increase is produced in the radial-
flow pump when the high velocity of the flow leaving the
impeller is reduced in the expanding section of the casing.
The major practical difference between axial- and radial-
flow pumps so far as the user is concerned is the
difference in the performance characteristics of the two
designs. The dimensional performance curves for a
typical radial-flow pump operating at a constant speed of
rotation are shown in the figure on right. Note that the
power required at shutoff flow is less than that required
for flow at maximum efficiency. Normally, the motor
used to drive the pump is chosen for conditions
corresponding to maximum pump efficiency. Hence the
flow can be throttled between the limits of shutoff
condition and normal operating conditions with no chance
of overloading the pump motor. In this latter case, a
radial-flow pump offers a distinct advantage over axial-flow pumps.
Radial-flow pumps are manufactured in sizes from l hp or less and
heads of 50 or 60ft to thousands of horsepower and heads of
several hundred feet. Figure on right shows a cutaway view of a
single-suction, single-stage, horizontal-shaft radial pump. Fluid
enters in the direction of the rotating shaft and is accelerated
outward by the rotating impeller. There are many other
configurations designed for specific applications.
Objectives

To be familiarized with the characteristics and usage of the centrifugal pump test set.
To measure the performance or efficiency of the centrifugal pump.
To know the scaling relationships and draw the Flow rate vs Head curve.
To measure the pump input, output and overall efficiency at various speed.

Methodology
Materials/Equipment/Apparatuses

Thermometer
Stopwatch
Centrifugal pump test set
Clampmeter

Procedure
1. Prepare the necessary equipments for the experiment.
2. For the first trial, fully open the suction valve and rotate the discharge valve once.
3. Turn on the centrifugal valve and measure the input voltage using the clampmeter.
4. Get the flow rate by using a stopwatch and a flowmeter.
5. Measure the discharge and suction pressure as well as the temperature of the water.
6. Record the data and repeat for different trials.

Data and Results

Voltage=221.3Vrms
Time=10 sec

Trial I V Temp Density Pin(KPa) Pout(KPa) P(KPa) Q(lps) H(m) Pe(watts) Pw(watts)
1 0.5A 0.00 39.8 992.292 0.00 2.38 233.48 0.000 23.99 110.65 0.00 0.00%
2 0.6A 4.05 40.0 992.215 -0.03 1.83 182.45 0.405 18.74 132.78 73.88 55.64%
3 0.6A 4.35 40.2 992.142 -0.10 1.70 176.58 0.435 18.14 132.78 76.80 57.84%
4 0.6A 7.40 40.5 992.027 -0.17 1.50 163.83 0.740 16.83 132.78 121.20 91.28%
5 0.6A 8.60 40.6 991.988 -0.25 1.30 152.06 0.866 15.63 132.78 131.72 99.2%
6 0.6A 8.80 40.8 991.910 -0.34 1.10 141.26 0.880 14.52 132.78 124.33 93.64%
7 0.6A 9.43 41.0 991.833 -0.40 0.90 127.53 0.943 13.11 132.78 120.29 90.59%
8 0.7A 11.24 41.0 991.833 -0.50 0.70 117.72 1.124 12.10 154.91 132.33 85.42%
9 0.6A 11.40 41.0 991.833 -0.62 0.20 80.44 1.140 8.27 132.78 91.73 69.08%
Discussion

Based on our data gathered and graphical plots formed from the experiment, the graphs had similar behavior
with graphs given for centrifugal pumps in other textbooks and articles. Some values jumped and/or waved
up and down which could be due to some errors which are unavoidable while performing. The maximum
efficiency computed was also too high which means that the experiment is not reliable.

Main reasons for the errors could be the use of an ammeter with unreliable data reading. The ammeter used
only showed the Ampere reading up to one decimal point from which it came out that the current flowing
thus the Power input was constant throughout the experiment. The ammeter should have had greater
accuracy for little changes to be noticed. Another reason for the error could be that the water was not a pure
water but a brackish and rusty water whose density could be way different from pure water. A picture of
this is also given in the appendix.

As expected with increasing Flowrate the Head decreased because it was easier for the pump to suck the
fluid. The curve of for efficiency also increased from a low value to its peak value at a point between the
maximum and minimum flowrate. The problem arises with the power curve due to the ammeter used which
nearly showed a constant electric power input from the outlet.

Supplementary Information

A centrifugal pump containing two or more impellers is called a multistage centrifugal pump. The impellers
may be mounted on the same shaft or on different shafts. For higher pressures at the outlet, impellers can
be connected in series. For higher flow output, impellers can be connected parallel.

Some problems of Centrifugal Pumps:

Cavitation
Wear of the impeller
Corrosion inside the pump caused by the fluid properties
Overheating due to low flow
Leakage along rotating shaft
Lack of prime
Surge

Conclusion

The experiment that was performed showed the same curves for its Head and Efficiency with respect to
Flowrate but was somewhat different for the Power due to that the used ammeter was inaccurate in itself.
Experiment itself could not be reliable describing the centrifugal pumps curve.
Appendices

Figure 1. Centrifugal Pump Setup Figure 2. Centrifugal Pump

Figure 3. Flow Meter Figure 4. Gate Valve

Figure 5. Water Tank Figure 6. Prewssure Gauges Figure 7. Brackish water

Reference/s
Crowe, C.T., Elger, D.F., Williams, B.C., & Roberson, J.A. (2013). Engineering Fluid Mechanics: 10th
Ed. John Wiley & Sons