UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND

SCHOOL OF CHEMICAL AND METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING

CHMT3004: Chemical Engineering labs

Lab 2: Centrifugal pumps

Group 9

Ntuthuko Zwane 715 710

Machiba Muofhe 746 193
Eric Mphohoni 741 711
 Lab 2: Centrifugal pumps

Eric Mphohoni 741 711 Ntuthuko Zwane 715 710 Muofhe Machiba 746 193

Demonstrator: Adolph Anga

School of Chemical and Metallurgical engineering

1. Abstract

One of the most widely encountered pumps in the industry is the centrifugal pump. This lab
experiment investigated the Q-H curve of a particular centrifugal pump and the effect of the pump
speed on the Q-H curve. Understanding of the Q-H curve is very important since it is required to
determine the most feasible conditions at which the pump can operate. In performing the lab, the
rotameter was calibrated in order to determine the flowrate at different rotameter heights. The pump
was then set to different speed by changing the impellor speed and measuring the pump speed using
a stroboscope. At each speed the rotameter was adjusted to different heights and the change in head
of the system was measured. After converting the rotameter heights to the corresponding flowrates
using the calibration curve, the Q-H curves were then plotted. The results found were in concord with
literature. As the flowrate was increased the available head of the pump decreased slowly at first and
then decreased rapidly. Keeping the flowrate constant, there was a positive relationship between the
pump speed and the available head that can be provided by the pump. The affinity laws were then
used using the experimental curves as a reference to draw the actual pump curves that were expected
from the experiment. The affinity curves gave the same relationships when compared with the
experimental curves but this is mainly due to the fact that an experimental curve was used as a
reference so the same errors found in the experiment still reflected on the affinity curves. From the
definition of geometrically similar pumps, the affinity curves should have been congruent to each
other irrespective of the Q-H curve used as a reference. This was not the case with the Q-H curves
found from this experiment because of human errors, assumptions made and the standard of the
equipment. The pump curves measured at low speeds are more reliable in determining the affinity
curves for the other pump speeds because they are more accurate. This is because when determining
the calibration curve, it became more difficult to determine the volumetric flowrate of the water using
the bucket and stopwatch method at high rotameter heights, so the pump curves at higher flowrates
and pump speeds were also affected.

Keywords: Centrifugal pump, Q-H curve, pump speed, flowrate, head, affinity laws
2. Nomenclature

𝑄 = 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒
𝐻 = 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑
𝑊𝑠 = Shaft work
𝑣 = Velocity
𝑔 = Gravitational acceleration
𝐹 = Friction
𝑧 = Height of the fluid above the reference point
𝑃 =Pressure of the fluid
𝜌 =Density of the fluid
𝐴 = 𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑎
r = radius
w = rpm reading
Contents
1. Abstract ............................................................................................................................................... 2
2. Nomenclature ..................................................................................................................................... 3
2. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 5
3. Aim ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
4. Objectives............................................................................................................................................ 5
5. Literature Review ................................................................................................................................ 6
5.1. Background .................................................................................................................................. 6
5.2. Types of pumps ............................................................................................................................ 6
5.3. Centrifugal Pump ......................................................................................................................... 6
5.4. Q-H curves .................................................................................................................................... 7
5.6. Stroboscope ................................................................................................................................. 9
5.7. Rotameters and manometers .................................................................................................... 10
5.8. Cavitation in pumps ................................................................................................................... 11
6. Methodology/Experimental procedure ............................................................................................ 12
6.1. Materials .................................................................................................................................... 12
6.2. Apparatus ................................................................................................................................... 12
Figure 6.1. Experimental Setup of the lab. ................................................................................... 12
6.3. Calibration of the Rotameter ..................................................................................................... 13
6.4. Calculation of the Q-H curve ...................................................................................................... 13
6.4. Precautions................................................................................................................................. 13
7. Results and Discussions ..................................................................................................................... 14
7.1. Calibration Curve ....................................................................................................................... 14
7.2 Experimental pump curves ......................................................................................................... 15
7.3. Affinity curves using experimental curve as basis ..................................................................... 18
8. Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................... 20
9. Recommendations ............................................................................................................................ 21
10. Acknowledgements......................................................................................................................... 21
11. References ...................................................................................................................................... 22
12. Appendices ...................................................................................................................................... 23
12.1 Appendix A ................................................................................................................................ 23
12.2 Appendix B: Data used for plotting curves ............................................................................... 23
Appendix 1B: calibration curve. .................................................................................................... 23
Appendix 2B: Data used to plot the pump curves. ....................................................................... 24
Appendix 3B: Data used to plot the pump curves by the affinity laws......................................... 26
2. Introduction

The centrifugal pump is by far the most widely used type in the chemical and petroleum industries. It
is able to pump liquids with very wide-ranging properties and suspensions with a high solids content
including, for example, cement slurries, and may be constructed from a very wide range of corrosion
resistant material (Coulson and Richardson, 1999). There are a number of factors that influence the
choice of pump to use in a process e.g. whether the fluid is viscous or non-viscous, whether the fluid
is Newtonian or non-Newtonian, whether the flow is compressible or incompressible, etc. Because of
these factors a number of different pumps have been designed to meet the different requirements,
such as reciprocating pumps, positive-displacement rotary pumps, and the centrifugal pump. A
centrifugal pump is a rotodynamic pump that uses rotating impeller to increase the pressure and the
flow of a liquid. The challenge faced with centrifugal pumps is that they cannot work with high head
and cannot deal with high viscous fluid (Anderson pump and process, 2013). In this type of a pump
the fluid is fed to the centre of a rotating impeller and it is accelerated out by centrifugal action. As a
result of the high rotational speed, the fluid acquires a high kinetic energy and a pressure difference
occurs between the suction and the delivery side forcing the liquid to move. This pressure difference
arises as a result of the interconversion of kinetic and pressure energy. This interconversion is
governed by the principle of energy balance (How does a centrifugal pump work? 2013). To analyse
the performance of a centrifugal pump, the following characteristics can be used: energy transfer in
pumps, flow, head, power specific speeds and the Affinity laws. And from this analysis pump
performance curves can be plotted. The pump curves plot either the head h, power P, or efficiency ɳ,
against the flow Q. The performance of a centrifugal pump can be varied by changing the impeller
diameter or its rotational speed (Engineering tool box n.d). The Q-H curve of a particular centrifugal
pump at different flowrates will be investigated in this experiment. The pump curve is usually given
by the manufacture but in depth understanding of this curve is very important to a Chemical Engineer
since they primarily deal with fluid flow. It also allows the adjustment of a pump to suit different
conditions and to maximise its efficiency. From results found in the Portland State University,
increasing the flowrate decreases the available pump head that can be provided by the pump. Since
we are only changing the pump speed the pump curves are expected to be congruent to each since
using the same pump is the same as using geometrically similar pumps (Coulson and Richardson).
These results also correspond with most of the literature that was checked prior to doing this lab.

3. Aim
The aim of this experiment is to observe the effect of varying the pump speeds on the Q-H for
centrifugal pumps.

4. Objectives
1. Become familiar with the operation of a centrifugal pump.
2. To measure fluid flow at 4 different pump speeds.
3. Construct the performance curve.
4. Use relevant theory to correlate the results.
5. Literature Review

5.1. Background
The transportation of a liquid requires a certain amount of energy to be fed to the fluid. This energy
is needed to counter the dynamic friction losses in the pipe and to compensate for the difference in
elevation from one point of the pipe to another (Pumps and pumping stations). The equipment
responsible for providing this energy to the fluid is known as a pump. Pumping of liquids such as
sulphuric acid, petroleum products and other raw materials from the bulk store to the process
buildings (Coulson volume, 1999), to transport drinking and sewage water over long distances. Pumps
are also required to pump fluids through process units and through heat exchangers. Pumps are so
important in the process industry that their benefits is analogous to the benefits that the current mode
of transport has on human kind.

5.2. Types of pumps

There are many factors that influence the choice of a pump such as viscosity, whether the fluid is
Newtonian or not and the corrosiveness of the fluid (Coulson volume 1). Because of this, there are
various pumps to consider for selection in the industry.

Pumps are classified into two categories: Archimedean screws/Centrifugal (impellor) pumps.

1. Archimedean screws are pumps that are capable of lifting water from one free surface to
another. The Archimedean screw is usually used in situations in which where large amounts
of water need to be transported from one free surface to another in which the level difference
between the two points is small (Pumps and pumping stations n.d).
2. Centrifugal pumps and positive displacement pipes are pumps that are capable of
transporting a liquid in combination with a closed pipe. A positive displacement pump has an
expanding cavity at the suction point that helps in trapping a fixed amount of fluid, the
discharge section has a decreasing cavity and because the volume of water is constant this
forces the water to leave the pump and this force serves as energy to the liquid (Coulson and
Richardson, 1999).

Under these categories there are other sub-categories which consists of many different types of
pumps. Also these grouping of the pumps differs with different sources based on the main
characteristic they chose to classify the pumps. However, the presence of so many different pumps in
the industry is an indication of the demand in wanting to find the most efficient pump for a particular
use hence it’s important to analyse the characteristics of some of the most commonly used pumps in
the industry.

5.3. Centrifugal Pump

This research project is solely focused on the centrifugal pumps because in chemical and petroleum
industries, the centrifugal pump is the most important and widely used, hence it is frequently
encountered by Chemical engineers. The pumps have a lot of different configurations so they can
cater for various operating conditions. Compared to other pumps they have a high efficiency, wide
range of capacity and head, ease of operation and maintenance and their design simplicity. The
following figure is an illustration of a centrifugal pump as given by Varisco solid pumping solutions:
Figure 5.1: Typical centrifugal pump

Fluid to be pumped is fed to the centre of a rotating impellor usually in an axial direction. The rotation
in the pump causes a centrifugal force that gives more kinetic energy than it needs to flow. The excess
kinetic energy is then converted to pressure energy which results in a positive difference between the
suction head (inlet) and the delivery sides of the pump/outlet (Coulson volume 1).

Affinity laws are developed mathematical expressions that are used to relate centrifugal pumps. These
laws apply to pumps that transport low viscous liquids and without cavitation (4). For geometrically
similar pumps the affinity laws are given by the following equations:
𝑛
𝑄2 = 𝑄1 (𝑛2 ) (5.1)
1

𝑛
𝐻2 = 𝐻1 ( 2 )2 (5.2)
𝑛1

𝑛
𝑃2 = 𝑃1 (𝑛2 )3 (5.3)
1

These equations offer the possibility to calculate for other Q-H curves at different pump speeds. They
are very useful since they simplify calculations and save time. They are also used in determining the
validity of the results in experiments at which the Q-H curve is plotted at different pump speeds. From
the definition of these equations it is evident that geometrically similar pumps have congruent pump
curves.

5.4. Q-H curves

The properties of a pump can be described by different relationships such as the Q-H curve, efficiency
curve, power curve and the Net Positive Suction head curve (Harding, 2014). All these relationships
are used in determining the optimum operating conditions for the pump. Of particular interest is the
Q-H also known as the performance curve. It measures the relationship between the flowrate and
head at a specific pump speed and is usually provided by the manufacturer. The head of the pump is
the available energy that is left in excess after the kinetic energy needed for the liquid to flow at a
specified flowrate has been taken into account. The head represents the available energy that can lift
the fluid from one point to another (Pump Performance n.d.). It also takes into account friction and
other losses that are experienced during flow.
For the selection of a suitable pump for a given application the performance curve is used in a
conjunction with a system curve. A system curve is a graphical representation of the fluid flow system
(Engineering toolbox 2015). It gives the relationship of the pump head pressure of a plant at the
corresponding flowrate. The pump head pressure consists of the static head and the head loss. The
static head is the sum of the height difference between the suction point and the pressure container
and the pressure difference between the two pints. The head loss is the loss of energy due to friction
and transmission flow (Edur n.d). The pump head pressure represents the resistance head that must
be overcome by the pump for different flowrates. The point of intersection between these two curves
is the most feasible point at which the pump can be operated.

The following figure shows the Q-H curve combined with a system curve to determine the operating
point (IHS Engineering 2015):

Figure 5.2. Graphical representation of a pump curve and a system curve.

The pump head can be modelled using the energy balance around the pump i.e. at the inlet and outlet
streams of the pump (ref). Using the following equation as the starting point (reference equation):
𝛥𝑣 2 𝑑𝑃
𝑊𝑠 = + 𝑔𝛥𝑧 + ∫ + 𝐹 (5.4)
2 𝜌

Neglect the friction term: F=0 (since water has a low viscosity).

Assume that the flow is incompressible i.e. constant density. Equation 5.4 becomes:
𝛥𝑣 2 1
𝑊𝑠 = 2
+ 𝑔𝛥𝑧 + 𝜌 ∫ 𝑑𝑃 (5.5)

∆𝑃 = ∫ 𝑑𝑃 = (𝜌𝐻𝑔 − 𝜌𝑤 )𝑔ℎ (5.6)

The symbol 𝑝𝑤 stands for the density of water and 𝜌𝐻𝑔 for the density of mercury. Substituting
equation 5.6 into equation 5.5.
𝛥𝑣 2 1
𝑊𝑠 = 2
+ 𝑔𝛥𝑧 + 𝜌 (𝜌𝐻𝑔 − 𝜌𝑤 )𝑔ℎ (5.7)
𝑤

𝑄
𝑣=𝐴

Substituting velocity into equation 5.7.

 𝑄2 1 1 1
𝑊𝑠 = ( − )+ 𝑔𝛥𝑧 + (𝜌𝐻𝑔 − 𝜌𝑤 )𝑔ℎ (5.8)
2 𝐴12 𝐴22 𝜌𝑤

Ws
Pump head (H) = 𝑔
.Divide the above equation by g to write it in terms of the pump head (H).

𝑄2 1 1 1
𝐻 = 2𝑔 (𝐴12 − 𝐴22) + 𝛥𝑧 + 𝜌 (𝜌𝐻𝑔 − 𝜌𝑤 )ℎ (5.9)
𝑤

But there is no change in height between the inlet and the outlet of the pump, therefore𝛥𝑧 = 0.
Equation 5.9 reduces to:
𝑄2 1 1 1
𝐻 = 2𝑔 (𝐴12 − 𝐴22) + 𝜌 (𝜌𝐻𝑔 − 𝜌𝑤 )ℎ (5.10)
𝑤

But since for the system used, there was no change in pipe diameter thus the inlet and outlet area are
constant then equation 5.10 reduces to:
1
𝐻 = 𝜌 (𝜌𝐻𝑔 − 𝜌𝑤 )ℎ (5.11)
𝑤

It is important to note that this equation provides the required head by the system.

5.6. Stroboscope
A stroboscope is an instrument that is used to determine the speed of a cyclically moving object. A
light stroboscope consists of a beam of light is produced at brief flashes corresponding to the set
frequency in the instrument, figure 5.2 shows one of several designs of a stroboscope. Depending on
its design, the rpm can be read from the back, in figure 5.2 or at some visible part of the stroboscope.
The flashes of light shine onto the rotating object where they are reflected by an appropriate marker
placed on the object, the marker is placed anywhere on the rotating object, whose speed is to be
determined. Since the object is rotating and the brief flashes of light mimic the rotary movement of
the rotating object, whenever the light is reflected at the same place from the rotating object means
that the rate at which the flashes are produced corresponds with the rate at which the object is
rotating. The rpm read at that point from the stroboscope would be rpm of the rotating device. The
read rpm can then be translated into the speed of the rotating object by the following equation
(Majozi, 2015):

𝑣 =𝜔∗𝑟 (5.12)

➢ 𝑣 is the speed of the rotating object, in the corresponding units.

➢ 𝜔 is the rpm read from the stroboscope
➢ 𝑟 is the radius of the of the object

The above equation applies for a circular rotating object but since most objects that are
encountered in such systems are circular, it can be taken as the general equation to relate the rpm
to speed of the object.
 Figure 5.3: Stroboscope

Since the stroboscope matches the flashes of light with the rotation of the object to determine the
rpm, this can lead to incorrect observations of the rpm. If the rpm of the rotating object are two times
faster than those that are observed in the stroboscope, an incorrect reading can be taken down as the
reflector will seem to be in the same position every time the flashes of light are shone onto it (the rpm
of the object would be recorded every two cycles that the objects completes, instead of one).

To determine whether the rpm being seen reflect are the actual rate of rotation of the object, the rate
at which the light from the stroboscope is being flashed has to be increased. If the rate at which the
stroboscope flashes light does not match up with the rotation of the object again at any higher rpm
being observed on the stroboscope, then the previous matching rpm that was observed is the actual
rpm of the rotating object. If they do match up again, the described procedure would have to be
repeated up to the point where they match up and can no longer do at a higher.

5.7. Rotameters and manometers

Rotameters are devices for direct measuring of the flow of moving fluid. An accounting element of
the value measured is an efflux rotational float, moving vertically in a conic transparent pipe as a result
of the action of the fluid running through the pipe. The value of the quantity measured is defined by
the height of float going up (Coulson & Richardson 1999). The main components of a rotameter are:
A transparent conic pipe, float with a conic tip, cylindrical body and a board (Flow, the basics of
rotameters 2015). A rotameter usually comes with the manufacturer’s curve that depicts the
relationship between the volumetric flowrate and the rotameter height. If this is not available the
rotameter can be calibrated using models that describe the rotameter. To avoid the complexity of the
models used in determining the flowrate of a rotameter during the calibration of the rotameter in the
experiment, a bucket and stopwatch method was used to measure the volumetric flowrate of the
water in the system at different rotameter heights. The rotameter is set to a certain height using a
valve and then a certain time is recorded to fill a certain volume in the bucket. Then the volumetric
flow rate can be measured using the following equation:
𝑉
𝑄= 𝑡

Where Q is the volumetric flow rate, V is the volume measured, and t is the time taken to fill the
volume measured. This gives the relationship between the volumetric flow rates with the rotameter
heights.
A manometer is a device used to measure pressure. It operates on the Hydrostatic Balance Principle,
which states that a liquid column of known height will exert a known pressure when the weight per
unit volume of the liquid is known (Manometer: Working principle, types and application 2015). Using
this principle the change in pressure across the pump (∆P) can be determined by finding the pressure
difference between the inlet and the outlet of the pump. ∆P is found to be:

∆𝑃 = 𝑔ℎ(𝜌𝐻𝑔 − 𝜌𝑤 ) − 𝜌𝑤 𝑔∆𝑧

But the ∆𝑧=0, since the inlet and outlet are in the same plane and at the same height. Change in
pressure becomes:

∆𝑃 = 𝑔ℎ(𝜌𝐻𝑔 − 𝜌𝑤 )

A calibration for the rotameter does the same thing as a Q-H curve just for different applications. It
gives the corresponding flowrate at a specific height. This helps to ensure that the flowrate is
maintained in the right position during operation. The following figure shows the calibration curve of
a typical rotameter:

Figure 5.4. Typical calibration curve for a rotameter

5.8. Cavitation in pumps

Caution has to be taken into account in installing the centrifugal pump to prevent cavitation. The
minimum pressure that will be achieved by the pump at any point should be above the vapour
pressure of the liquid at the pumping temperature. If the pressure goes below the vapour pressure,
vaporisation of the fluid occurs and this leads to cavitation in which the fluid forms bubbles of gas
resulting in mechanical damage to the pumps as the bubbles collapse.

To avoid cavitation from occurring it’s useful to take into account the NPSH of the pump at the suction
point. The NPSH is given by the manufacturer and it is defined as the minimum value at which the
pressure at the suction point of the pump must be so that it does not exceed the vapour pressure of
the liquid (Coulson volume 1). The NPSH must allow for a decline in pressure that is experienced at
the suction point due to an increase in the velocity of the liquid as it is sucked into the impellor. If the
NPSH is not met, this will result in vaporisation of the liquid and possible cavitation.

Ensuring that the pumps never run dry by making sure that there is always liquid within the pumps is
another important aspect that has to be taken into account to prevent cavitation. If the pump is not
filled with liquid the air that will enter in the pump will cause cavitation.

6. Methodology/Experimental procedure

6.1. Materials

➢ Lab Coat
➢ Glasses
➢ Measuring cylinder
➢ Stop watch

6.2. Apparatus

➢ Centrifugal Pump
➢ Stroboscope
➢ Manometer
➢ Four valves
➢ Rotameter
➢ Tank

The following figure shows the experimental setup of the lab:

Figure 6.1. Experimental Setup of the lab.

6.3. Calibration of the Rotameter

1. Before switching the pump on, valve 3 should be fully closed, valves 1,2 and 4 should be fully
opened. This should be done so that water can be collected from the stream connected to
valve 3.
1. The pump was switched on and set to a relatively high speed.
2. A rotameter height of 5 cm was set by adjusting valve 2 accordingly.
3. A time interval of hfru seconds was used to collect water from the outlet of the pipe that had
valve 4, by the use of a bucket.
4. After the set time interval was reached, the bucket was removed from the outlet of the pipe.
5. A measuring cylinder was then used to determine the volume of water that had been
collected.
6. A quotient of the collected volume of water and the chosen time interval gave the volumetric
flowrate of water at the corresponding float height. This is shown in equation number
7. The same procedure was repeated three times at the same float height and the average
volumetric flowrate was determined. This was done so that the volumetric flowrate used is
more reliable.
8. The above was repeated while changing the float height by 5 cm from the previous height,
which is, using heights 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 cm.

6.4. Calculation of the Q-H curve

1. Valve 4 is closed; valves 1 and 3 are fully opened to create closed flow system.
2. The speed is set using the speed knob on the motor and the actual speed of the pump is
obtained using the stroboscope.
3. For each pump speed, the rotameter height is varied to get different flow rates.
4. Then, the manometer height is recorded for each rotameter height is recorded for each
rotameter height for each pump speed.
5. Using the flowrates obtained from calibration the Q-H curve can be plotted.

6.4. Precautions

1. There should be water in the pump before operation to ensure that it is able to suck water.
2. The amount of water in the water collecting tank should be above the inlet of the pipe that is
to circulate water.
3. The height in the arms of the manometer should be level before the experiment starts.
4. Check that the bleed screws at the top are working properly since they control the removal of
air that has accumulated in the pumps.
5. The stroboscope should be operated at pump speeds greater than a 1000rpm but not close
to 999 as pump speeds at this range cause the pump to trip and that results in erroneous
results.
 6. Valve 1 should be fully open at all times to prevent cavitation in the pump.

Actions to take to circumvent or to check the mentioned precautions (the suggestions are numbered
as the precautions):

1. To check whether there is water in the pump, valves 1, 2 and 3 have to be opened, with
the pump on, and the bleed screw loosened. If water escapes out of the bleed screw hole
then that is an indication that there is water in the pump. This also helps in releasing air
that was within the pump.
2. Water can be poured in manually into the collecting tank to ensure that it submerges the
pipe.
3. The imbalance in the arms of the manometer is caused by the presence of air in either or
both arms. Valve 5 should be used accordingly to allow air to escape from the manometer
arms until they are level.
4. If upon operation of the pump water escapes the circulation by loosening the bleed screw,
the procedure is explained well in point 1, then the bleed is functional. This also implies
that if water comes out of the screw when it is still tight, it means it is malfunctioning.
5. If the pump trips because of high speeds it means lower speeds should be used.

7. Results and Discussions

7.1. Calibration Curve

The following figure shows the calibration results of the rotameter where the float height was
measured at different volumetric flowrates.

25

y = -5E-06x2 + 0.0261x - 7.8711

20
R² = 0.9998
float height(cm)

15

10

0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600
Volumetric flowrate(ml/s)

Figure 7.1: calibration curve for the rotameter.

There is a positive relationship between the flowrate and the float height for the rotameter. The
results found correspond to the definition of a rotameter given in section 5.7 of the literature review.

A polynomial fitting was used to analyse the data. An R2-value of 0.9998 was obtained which shows
there is a strong correlation between the two variables. In comparison to the calibration curve found
from ….., the trend between the two graphs is the same. Additional data for the calibration curves is
given in appendix 1B.

7.2 Experimental pump curves

Q-H curves were measured at pump speeds of 1238, 1420, 1637 and 1752 rpm respectively. The
following curves show the relationship between the volumetric flowrate and the available head for a
speed of 1238 and 1637 rpm respectively. The other 2 figures are given appendix …

51

50

49
Head(cm)

48

47

46

45
450 550 650 750 850 950 1050 1150 1250
Volumetric flowrate(ml/s)

Figure 7.2: Pump curve for a pump speed of 1238 rpm.

90

88

86
Head(cm)

84

82

80

78
450 650 850 1050 1250 1450 1650
Volumetric flowrate(ml/s)

Figure 7.3: Pump curve for a pump speed of 1637 rpm.

From the two curves it is visible that as the flowrate is increased the available head decreases
independent of the impellor speed. Figures 7.2 and 7.3 show two pump curves from the same pump
that was operating at different speeds, 1238 rpm and 1637 rpm. The figures shown have a great
difference in the impeller speed and hence provide credible evidence to the previously mentioned
statement. At first the head decreases slowly and then decreases very rapidly with increasing
flowrates. This is shown by the shape of the curves. These experimental results correspond with
previous experiments given in section 5.4 of the literature review. However, this observation is not
clearly depicted in the given figures as compared to the Q-H curves found from literature. From
literature (refer to 5.4) the energy provided by the pump is used as kinetic energy to pump the fluid
to the required flowrate. The excess kinetic energy is then converted to pressure energy (head) that
is available for the fluid to overcome frictional effects, static head and transmission flow. This explains
why at low flowrates the available head is high because more kinetic energy is converted to pressure
since less energy is needed to pump the fluid. This is explained experimentally from the results by
plotting a curve which shows the relationship between the impellor speed and the associated at
constant flowrates given by the following figure:

110.00

100.00

90.00

80.00

70.00

60.00

50.00

40.00
1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800

float height of 4cm float height of 8cm float height of 12cm float height of 16cm

Figure 7.4. Impeller speed against the head at constant volumetric flowrates.

By considering Figure 7.4, a positive linear relationship is observed between the impeller speed and
the associated head. This is explained by using the Bernoulli equation as a basis, if more energy is
given to the fluid, being water in this case, and none is used to increase the kinetic energy of the
system, it is used to increase the pressure of the system and hence a higher head is expected as it is
the quotient of the pressure difference and the product of the fluid’s density and gravitational
acceleration.
The following figure shows the all the pump curves that were measured from the experiment:

104

94

84
Head(cm)

74

64

54

44
400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600
Volumetric flowrate(ml/s)
pump speed of 1238rpm pump speed of1420rpm
pump speed of1637rpm pump speed of 1752rpm

Figure 7.5: Pump curves for all pump speeds

In figure 7.2 and 7.3 the head is greatest when the volumetric flowrate of water is low and the head
is at its lowest when the volumetric flowrate of water is high. Figure 7.5 shows this to be true for all
the tested pump speeds. It can be observed from Figure 7.5 that a faster pump speed is essential in
achieving greater volumetric flowrates. An impeller speed of 1238 rpm would not be able, from the
extrapolation of its pump curve, pump water at a volumetric flowrate greater than 1200 ml/s whereas
an impeller speed of 1420 rpm would be able to go beyond that. If an extrapolation of the curves was
to be made, and considering the shape of pump curves in general, it can be agreed upon that the
impeller speed of 1752rpm would be pump the greatest volumetric flowrate of water when it has no
head. This is in accordance with literature as a centrifugal pump works on administering a force,
centrifugal to a fluid, to cause it to move, or in proper terms, be pumped. Force is the product of mass
and acceleration and acceleration is the rate of change of change of velocity. A faster rotational speed
of the impeller means that it has a greater velocity than it did at a lower speed. This then causes the
change in velocity to be even greater and subsequently increases the acceleration of the impeller
which in turn causes a greater force to be administered to the fluid. This will in turn cause the fluid to
move faster and hence the observation of a greater volumetric flowrate.

By definition this pump curves can also be defined as pump curves for geometrically similar pumps
since the same pump was used. The pump curves obtained from this experiment should have been
congruent to each other because geometrically similar pumps can be modelled using affinity laws.
This means that pattern of the Q-H curves should be the same. The pump curves obtained show a
similar trend but they are not exactly congruent to each other due to slight errors in the experiment.
7.3. Affinity curves using experimental curve as basis
Pump curves were plotted using affinity laws with one of the experimental Q-H curves as reference.
Since only the pump speeds were altered for the experiment, equation 5.1 was used. The affinity
curves were plotted using the same impellor speeds that were used for the experiment. The following
figures show the affinity curves using an impellor speed of 1238, 1420, 1637 and 1752 as a reference
respectively.

110

100

90
Head(cm)

80

70

60

50

40
400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700
volumetric flowrate(ml/s)
pump curve of 1752rpm pumo speed of 1420 rpm
pump speed of 1637rpm pump curve obtained from the experiment

Figure 7.6. Pump curves using an impeller speed of 1238rpm as a basis.

 110

100

90
Head(cm)

80

70

60

50

40
400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500
Volumetric flowrate(ml/s)
experimentally derived pump curve pump speed of 1238 rpm
pump curve of 1637rpm pump speed of 1752rpm

Figure 7.7. Pump curves obtained from using an impeller speed of 1420 rpm as a basis.

110

100

90
Head(cm)

80

70

60

50

40
300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300
Volumeric flowrate(ml/s)
experimental data pump speed of 1238 rpm
pump speed of 1420 rpm pump speed of 1752 rpm

Figure 7.8. Pump curves obtained from using an impeller speed of 1637 rpm as a basis.
 112
102
92
Head(cm)

82
72
62
52
42
300 500 700 900 1100 1300
Volumetric flowrate(ml/s)
experimental data pump speed of 1238rpm
pump speed of 1420 rpm pumpspeed of 1637 rpm

Figure 7.9. Pump curves obtained from using a pump speed of 1720rpm as a basis.

All the pump curves determined from the affinity laws show the same relationship to those that were
determined experimentally and to those that were observed from literature. A faster rotational speed
also rendered a greater head at any volumetric flowrate and a greater volumetric flowrate that would
be expected when the head is zero centimetres. Also the pump curves of all the figures are congruent
to each other since increasing the pump speed is only enlarging the curve but its shape has to remain
constant. If there were no errors in the results the all the affinity curves from all the figures should
have been exactly the same because they are geometrically similar to one another. However, the
affinity curves from each figure are very similar to each and the curves give a very satisfactory result
in terms of being the same in terms of shape.

8. Conclusion

From the pump curves, an increase in the flowrate decreased the available head. This is because at
high flowrates more kinetic energy is required for the flow of the fluid and the excess energy/head
that is available for the system is reduced. This was also shown by the positive linear relationship
between the impellor speeds and available at constant volumetric flowrates. It was also observed that
a higher pump speed resulted in a high flowrates that could be pumped by the pump.

The affinity laws drawn using the pump curves obtained from the experiment as a basis predicted the
same results as the experimental Q-H curves. However, the pump curves were not exactly congruent
to each other as they should have been thus the affinity curves for different pumps were not the same.
The results were very close to each other and all the trends observed for the experimental curves were
proven to be true by the affinity curves hence the results can be used for future purposes that do
require moderate levels of accuracy.

All of the results confirmed with those found in literature even though they were slight deviations.
This is because of some assumptions that were made to simplify the experiment such as assuming
that there was no friction in the pipes. The equipment used is also old and unavoidable human
errors which affected the accuracy of the results.
Being able to understand the Q-H curve is very crucial since the available head of the pump at
different conditions. This will allow for proper selection and efficient use of a pump at given
conditions. Q-H curves alone are not useful, they need to be incorporated with other properties such
as the efficiency curve to allow for optimisation, and hence the need of understanding other
properties of the pump is also crucial.

9. Recommendations

➢ The mercury manometer should be cleaned to remove the rust to allow for accurate reading
of the change in height.
➢ The valves also give a difficulty when having to use them and they need to be fixed.
➢ A system curve can be included in the experiment to enable students to be able to
determine the optimum operating pump conditions at different speeds.
➢ Provide an actual Q-H curve for the used pump in the experiment. The pump will be used to
plot the exact affinity curves so that the accuracy of the experimental pump curves can be
measured. This is very crucial since the pump curves used as reference have errors and the
affinity laws do not provide a true comparison.

10. Acknowledgements

The authors of this paper are in debt to Mr Adolph Anga for his patience and detailed explanation of
the precautions of the lab during the pre-lab. He also helped us in structuring the results for this
report during the post-lab. We would also like to thank other groups for their contributions in
helping us understand how some of the apparatus in the lab worked.
11. References

http://ocw.tudelft.nl/fileadmin/ocw/courses/PumpingStationsandTransportPipelines/res00031/emb
edded/pumps_and_pu.pdf (1)

http://www.hydrocarbons-technology.com/contractors/pumps/varisco/varisco4.html (2)

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/pump-system-curves-d_635.html (3)

http://www.edur.com/en/02-Products/pdf/Projektierung/WA2_E.pdf (4)

http://web.cecs.pdx.edu/~eas199/A/notes/17/pump_performance_2up.pdf (5)

http://www.globalspec.com/pfdetail/pumps/flow (6)

Useful formulas:

∆𝑃 = (𝜌𝑎 −𝜌𝑏 )𝑔ℎ 2.2.4

• Anderson Pump &Process 2013, Centrifugal pump-Advantages and Disadvantages. Available

from: <https://andersonpumpprocess.wordpress.com/2013/03/20/centrifugal-pump-
advantage-disadvantage/>. [15 August 2015]
• Coulson, J.M and Richardson, J.F 1999 Coulson and Richardson’s Chemical Engineering, volume
1, 6th edition, London, Butterworth Heiemam
• Engineering Toolbox 2015, System Curve and Pump Performance Curve. Available from:<
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/pump-system-curves-d_635.html>. [09 August 2015]
• Edur n.d. Fundamental Principles for Project Work. Available from:
<http://www.edur.com/en/02-Products/pdf/Projektierung/WA2_E.pdf>. [16 August 2015]
• Flow, the basics of rotameters, 2015. Available from:<
http://www.sensorsmag.com/sensors/flow/the-basics-rotameters-1068>. [14 August 2015]
• Harding, K (2014) Process engineering fundamentals, CHMT 2013. [Lecture notes]. Process
engineering fundamentals lecture notes.
• How does a centrifugal pump work, 2013(video file), Available from:
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaEHVpKc-1Q>. [14 August 2015]
• IHS Engineering 2015. Available from:< http://www.globalspec.com/pfdetail/pumps/flow >.[
20 August 2015]
• Learn Engineering 2015, Working of a centrifugal pump. Available from:
<http://www.learnengineering.org/2014/01/centrifugal-hydraulic-pumps.html.>. [14 August
2015]
• Majozi, T (2015) Transport Phenomena, CHMT 3000. [Lecture notes]. Analysis of differential
fluid element in laminar flow notes
• Manometer: Working Principle, Types, and Applications, 2015.available from:
<http://www.buzzle.com/articles/manometer-working-principle-types-and-
applications.html.>.[ 15 August 2015]
• Pumps and pumping stations n.d. Available
from:<http://ocw.tudelft.nl/fileadmin/ocw/courses/PumpingStationsandTransportPipelines/
res00031/embedded/pumps_and_pu.pdf> . [14 August 2015]
 • Pump Peformance n.d. Available from:
<http://web.cecs.pdx.edu/~eas199/A/notes/17/pump_performance_2up.pdf>. [27 August
2015]
• Varisco solid pumping solutions, 2015. Available from: <http://www.hydrocarbons-
technology.com/contractors/pumps/varisco/varisco4.html>. [ 09 August 2015]

12. Appendices
12.1 Appendix A

Useful formulas:

∆𝑃 = (𝜌𝑎 −𝜌𝑏 )𝑔ℎ 2.2.4

12.2 Appendix B: Data used for plotting curves

Appendix 1B: calibration curve.

Table 1B.1. Data used to plot the calibration curve

float
Volume(ml) time(s) Q(ml/s) Average Q
height(cm)
3980 7,96 500,00
4 3560 7,10 501,41 500,90
3900 7,78 501,29
3520 5,06 695,65
8 4260 6,09 699,51 701,91
3560 5,01 710,58
7468 8,22 908,52
12 4920 5,19 947,98 927,37
4480 4,84 925,62
6860 6,05 1133,88
16 6632 5,53 1199,28 1164,06
7070 6,10 1159,02
7260 7260,00 1446,22
20 7626 7626,00 1507,11 1482,30
8140 8140,00 1493,58
Appendix 2B: Data used to plot the pump curves.

Table 2B.1. Q-H curve for pump speed at 1238 rpm.

pump reading 925

pump speed(rpm) 1238

float height(cm) Head(cm)

4 50,50
8 49,70
12 48,20
16 45,80

Table 2B.1. Q-H curve for pump speed at 1420 rpm.

pump reading 940

pump speed(rpm) 1420

height Head(cm)
4 66,10
8 65,60
12 64,10
16 61,40
20 58,40
 67

66
65
64
Head(cm)

63

62
61
60
59

58
420 620 820 1020 1220 1420 1620
Volumetric flowrate(ml/s)

Figure 2B.1. Pump curve for a pump speed of 1420 rpm

Table 2B.3. Q-H curve for a pump speed of 1637 rpm

pump reading 960

pump speed(rpm) 1637

float height(cm) Head(cm)

4 88,90
8 87,80
12 85,80
16 83,30
20 79,80

Table 2B.4. Q-H curve for a pump speed of 1752 rpm

pump reading 979

pump speed(rpm) 1752

height(cm) Head(cm)
4 102,90
8 100,60
10 97,10
16 93,50
20 89,10
 104

102

100

98
Head(cm)

96

94

92

90

88
420 620 820 1020 1220 1420 1620
Volumetric flowrate(ml/s)

Figure 2B.4. Q-H curve at a pump speed of 1752

Appendix 3B: Data used to plot the pump curves by the affinity laws.

Table 3B.1. Basis of 1238 rpm

First pump curve Second Pump Third pump
curve curve
N1(rpm) 1420 N1(rpm) 1637 N1(rpm) 1752
N2(rpm) 1238 N2(rpm) 1238 N2(rpm) 1238
For Q(ml/s) For Q(ml/s) For Q(ml/s)
Q2 Q1 Q2 Q1 Q2 Q1
500,90 574,54 500,90 662,33 500,90 708,86
701,91 805,10 701,91 928,14 701,91 993,34
927,37 1063,70 927,37 1226,26 927,37 1312,40
1164,06 1335,19 1164,06 1539,23 1164,06 1647,36

For H(cm)
H2 H1 H2 H1 H2 H1
50,50 66,44 50,50 88,30 50,50 101,14
49,70 65,39 49,70 86,90 49,70 99,54
48,20 63,41 48,20 84,28 48,20 96,53
45,80 60,26 45,80 80,08 45,80 91,73
Data to plot Data to plot Data to plot
curves curves curves
1420 rpm 1637 rpm 1752 rpm
Q1 H1 Q1 H1 Q1 H1
574,54 66,44 662,33 88,30 708,86 101,14
805,10 65,39 928,14 86,90 993,34 99,54
1063,70 63,41 1226,26 84,28 1312,40 96,53
1335,19 60,26 1539,23 80,08 1647,36 91,73

Table 3B.2. Basis(rpm) of 1420

first pump second pump third pump
curve curve curve
N1(rpm) 1238 1637 1752

for Q(ml/s)
Q2 Q1 Q1 Q1
500,90 436,70 577,44 618,01
701,91 611,95 809,18 866,02
927,37 808,51 1069,09 1144,19
1164,06 1014,86 1341,95 1436,22

for H(cm)
H2 H1 H1 H1
66,10 50,24 87,85 100,62
65,60 49,86 87,18 99,86
64,10 48,72 85,19 97,58
61,40 46,67 81,60 93,47

Data to plot Data to plot Data to plot

curves curves curves
1238 rpm 1637 rpm 1752 rpm
Q1 H1 Q1 H1 Q1 H1
436,70 50,24 577,44 87,85 618,01 100,62
611,95 49,86 809,18 87,18 866,02 99,86
808,51 48,72 1069,09 85,19 1144,19 97,58
1014,86 46,67 1341,95 81,60 1436,22 93,47

Table 3B.3. Basis of 1752 rpm

first pump second pump third pump
curve curve curves
N1(rpm) 1238 1420 1752

for Q(ml/s)
Q2 Q1 Q1 Q1
500,90 378,81 434,50 536,09
701,91 530,83 608,87 751,22
927,37 701,33 804,44 992,52
1164,06 880,33 1009,75 1245,83

for H(cm)
H2 H1 H1 H1
88,90 50,84 66,89 101,83
87,80 50,22 66,07 100,57
85,80 49,07 64,56 98,28
83,30 47,64 62,68 95,41

Data to plot Data to plot Data to plot

curves curves curves
1238 rpm 1420 rpm 1752 rpm
Q1 H1 Q1 H1 Q1 H1
378,81 50,84 434,50 66,89 536,09 101,83
530,83 50,22 608,87 66,07 751,22 100,57
701,33 49,07 804,44 64,56 992,52 98,28
880,33 47,64 1009,75 62,68 1245,83 95,41

Table 3B.4. Basis of 1637 rpm

first pump second pump third pump
curve curve curve
N1(rpm) 1238 1420 1637

For Q(ml/s)
Q2 Q1 Q1 Q1
500,90 353,95 405,98 468,02
701,91 495,99 568,90 655,84
927,37 655,30 751,64 866,50
1164,06 822,55 943,47 1087,65

for H(cm)
H2 H1 H1 H1
102,90 51,38 67,60 89,83
100,60 50,23 66,09 87,83
97,10 48,48 63,79 84,77
93,50 46,69 61,42 81,63

Data to plot Data to plot Data to plot

curves curves curves
1238 rpm 1420 rpm 1637 rpm
Q1 H1 Q1 H1 Q1 H1
353,95 51,38 405,98 67,60 468,02 89,83
495,99 50,23 568,90 66,09 655,84 87,83
655,30 48,48 751,64 63,79 866,50 84,77
822,55 46,69 943,47 61,42 1087,65 81,63