PUMPS

Machines that transfer energy INTO fluid system.

Pumps have a shaft and an impeller. Impeller is the
rotating element.
Types of pumps

Fluid flows outward Fluid flows spirally

(right angle to its axis) (along axis)
RADIAL FLOW AXIAL FLOW

MIXED FLOW “Propeller pump”

“centrifugal
pump”
EFFICIENCY OF A PUMP

power given to fluid γ Qh p

η= =
power given to shaft Tω
( brake power or shaft power )

where T: torque exerted on the shaft

ω = rotation of the shaft in radians/sec

Note: overall pump efficiency is affected by:

• Hydraulic losses in pump ηh

• Mechanical losses in the bearings, seals ηm

• Leakage of fluid: volumetric losses ηv

Overall η = η h η m η v
CAVITATION IN PUMPS
2
z
1

The potential for cavitation is characterized by

difference in (pressure head +velocity head) on
suction side and the liquid vapor pressure head.
This is NPSH

p s V s2 pv
NPSH = + −
γ 2g γ

There is a value of NPSH that must be maintained

to avoid cavitation called as NPSHR(this is
experimentally determined)

There is available NPSH called as NPSHA

Apply energy equation between 1 and 2

p1 V12 p V22
+ z1 + = 2 + z2 + + hL
γ 2g γ 2g
patm ps V s2
+0+0= +z+ + hL
γ γ 2g
p s V s2 patm
+ = − z − hL
γ 2g γ

Hence
patm pv
NPSH A = − z1 − hL −
γ γ
To prevent cavitation

NPSHA > NPSHR

How?

• Small z
• Small losses (shorter pipes)

Note: There is a critical value of z above which

pump will NOT operate without cavitation
 PUMP PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS

head
Efficiency

Brake power
h, η
Water power

head
Efficiency

h, η
BEP

Design flowrate

Q
BEP: Best efficiency point

The point where pump is to be operated should be

as close as possible to the BEP.
SIMILARITY LAWS FOR PUMPS
Performance prediction from a scaled test model
to prototype

1. Q α nD 3 n1
n0
2. h α n2 D 2 n2
BEP
h

3. P α n3 D5

1/ 5
1 − η1  D2 
4. ≈  
1 − η 2  D1  Q
PUMP SELECTION

head
Efficiency

h, η
System
h BEP Operating point

Design flowrate

Notice: at operating point efficiency is NOT

maximum

As system curve changes so will difference

between BEP and operating point
SPECIFIC SPEED OF PUMPS

and w, Q, and h are the values at BEP

Velocity of
impeller/√(2gh)
 Suction Specific Speed

ω Q
S sd =
NPSH R 3 / 4

where NPSH R is in ft , Q in gpm , ω in rpm

PUMPS IN SERIES AND PARALLEL

SERIES PARALLEL

h h

Q Q
Increase head Increase Discharge

Pumps in series and parallel should have similar

pump characteristics