TABLE OF CONTENT

No CONTENT PAGES
1 ABSTRACT 2

2 OBJECTIVES 3

3 INTRODUCTION 4

4 THEORY 5-6

5 APPARATUS 7-8

6 PROCEDURE 9

7 RESULT AND DATA ANALYSIS 10-17

8 SAMPLE CALCULATION 18-23

9 DISCUSSION 24-26

10 CONCLUSION 26

11 REFERENCES 27

12 APPENDIX 28
ABSTRACT

In this experiment, centrifugal pump was used to pump the water from the tank to
deliver the water through the suction valve and discharge valve in order to identify the
characteristic of the centrifugal pump. This experiment also helped to study the characteristic
of the centrifugal pump such as head pressure, power requirement, flow rate influence and
pump speed influence. There are 3 different pump speed were used in this experiment which
50%, 75% and 100%. Moreover, there are many knowledges that can be gained, such as how
to measure the water height, inlet pressure, discharge pressure and also the torque applied to
the pump. The pump head, brake horsepower, and efficiency were obtained by using formulas
based on the data collected.
OBJECTIVES

The objective of this experiment are as follows:

 To measure and study the performance characteristics for a variable speed centrifugal
pump operating at 3 different impeller speeds.

 To record the pump characteristics of a centrifugal pump.

 To determine the hydraulic power and evaluate the efficiency of the centrifugal pump.
INTRODUCTION

One of dynamic axisymmetric work-absorbing turbomachinery were centrifugal pumps.

Centrifugal pumps were used to transport fluids such as water to the system by the conversion
of rotational kinetic energy to hydrodynamic energy. The rotational energy produced by the
engine or electric motor in the centrifugal pumps.

The fluid enters into the eye of centrifugal pump axially and caught up in the impeller
blades. Then, it whirled tangentially and radially outward until it leaves through the impeller
into the diffuser part of the casing. Velocity and pressure were gained when the fluid passing
through the impeller. A section of the casing which is the doughnut-shaped diffuser decelerates
the flow and increase the pressure. Noted, the fluid is pushed radially outward by inertia, the
natural tendency of an object to continue in the straight line when travelling around the circle.

The centrifugal pump regularly used in the water, sewage, petroleum and petrochemical
pumping meanwhile a centrifugal pump fan is frequently used to implement a vacuum cleaner.
The reverse function of the centrifugal pump can be found when it is converting the potential
energy of the water pressure into mechanical rotational energy in the water turbine.

Figure 2.1 Components in the

centrifugal pump Figure 2.2 Centrifugal pump
THEORY

Centrifugal pumps can be easily identified by their snail-shaped casing, called the
scroll. A shroud often surrounds the impeller blades to increase blades stiffness. In pump
terminology, the rotating assembly that consists of the shaft, the hub, the impeller blades, and
the impeller shroud is called the impeller or rotor. Schematic diagram of basic elements of
centrifugal pump is shown below.

Figure 1: Basic Elements of a Centrifugal Pump.

Fluids enters axially through the hollow middle portion of the pump (the eye), after
which it encounters the rotating blades and hence, the energy is added to the fluid. It acquires
tangential and radial velocity by momentum transfer with the impeller blades as the impeller
rotates throwing fluids on the walls of the casing and acquires additional radial velocity by so-
called centrifugal forces. The casing is specially designed in the form of volute which converts
major part of fluid kinetic energy to pressure head. The flow leaves the impeller after gaining
both speed and pressure as it is flung radially outward into the scroll.
 The actual performance of the pump cannot be predicted on a completely theoretical
basis. Tests on the actual pump performance is determine based on experiment and the result
are presented as pump performance curves.

Figure 2: Typical Pump Performance Curve

The pump head or discharge head of a water pump is a measure of the power of a pump. The
greater the pump head, the greater the pressure that the pump can generate. The pump head rise
can be expressed using the energy equation as,

h= (P2 - P1) / (ρ) (g)

The pump power output (PQ) is the useful power transmitted to the fluid. The unit is watt (W)
and defined as,
𝑃𝑡 = ρ g Q h
The pump overall efficiency of a centrifugal pump is simply the ratio of the water (output)
power to the shaft (input) power as given by the equation,

Ƞ = (𝑃𝑡 / Ẇ) x 100%

The shaft power (Ẇ) is the product of the torque applied to the shaft and the angular velocity
(ω) and defines as,

Ẇ = (T) (ω)
APPARATUS

Centrifugal Pump Test Set

Name: Discharge valve Name: Suction Pump Gauge

Function: To stop or allow fluid to circulate Function: To measure the reading of the
in a system. inlet pressure that’s been sucked.
Name: Discharge Pump Gauge Name: Torque Digital Reading
Function: To measure the reading of the Function: To measure the reading of the
discharge pressure when the discharge valve torque apply in the system.
open.

Name: Speed Controller Name: Suction valve

Function: To control the speed of the motor. Function: To stop or allow fluid that’s been
sucked to circulate in a system.

Name: Motor Name: Water Height Meter

Function: A machine that converts electrical Function: To measure the height of the
energy into mechanical energy. water.
PROCEDURE

1. Switch on the electrical supply and motor drive switch.

2. Open the suction valve and close discharge valve. Then select the pump speed, 𝑁1 by
adjusting the speed control to 50%.
3. When measured readings are steady, read and collect the measurements.
4. Then, open the discharge valve slowly by subtracting the value 1 from the first reading
of the pressure at the discharge pump gauge before open the discharge pump and then
collect all the reading.
5. Repeat the step 4 until the final measurements corresponding to the valve being fully
open.
6. Repeat the entire experiment at pump speed correspond to speed control position of
75% ( subtract value 2 from the first reading of the pressure at the discharge pump
gauge before open the discharge pump in step 4) and 100% ( Subtract value 3 from the
first reading of the pressure at the discharge pump gauge before open the discharge
pump in step 4).
SAMPLE CALCULATIONS

TEST 1 (50%)

Pump Speed 50% = 1439 RPM

= (2) (π) (N) / 60

= 150.69 rad/s

For water height reading 2

1. Shaft power, Ẇ 1hp= 746W

Ẇ = (T) (ω)

= (0.700) (150.69)

= 110 W/ 0.110KW

= (0.166KW)/ (746)

= 0.2225 hp x 100%

= 22.25%

2. Volume flow rate, Q

The volume flow rate, l/min at each point were obtained using graph 90° Vee Notch
Calibration by using their water height, mm.
At 50 mm, Q is 50.000l/min.
Q = 50.000 l/min
= (50.000 l/min) (1.667x10-5 m3/s)
= 8.335x10-4 m3/s

3. Inlet pressure, P1

P1 = 0.1 mH2O
= (0.1 mH2O) (9 806.38 N/m2)
= 980.640 N/m2
4. Outlet pressure, P2

P2 = 8.000 psi
= (8.000 psi) (6894.76 N/m2)
= 55158.10 N/m2

5. Water head, h

h= (P2 - P1) / (ρ) (g)

= (55158.10 - 980.640) / (997) (9.81)
= 5.54 m

6. Output Power, 𝑃𝑡

𝑃𝑡 = ρ g Q h

= (997) (9.81) (8.335x10-4) (5.54)

= 45.163W

7. Efficiency, ƞ

Ƞ = (𝑃𝑡 / Ẇ) x 100%

= ((45.163W) / (0.166KW)) x 100%

= 27.21%
TEST 2 (75%)

Pump Speed 75% = 2172 RPM

= (2) (π) (N) / 60

= 227.45 rad/s

For water height reading 2

1. Shaft power, Ẇ 1hp= 746W

Ẇ = (T) (ω)

= (2.100) (277.45)

= 478W/ 0.478KW

= (0.478KW)/ (746)

= 0.6408 hp x 100%

= 64.08%

2. Volume flow rate, Q

The volume flow rate, l/min at each point were obtained using graph 90° Vee Notch
Calibration by using their water height, mm.
At 62 mm, Q is 75.000 l/min.
Q = 75.000 l/min
= (75.000 l/min) (1.667x10-5 m3/s)
= 12.503x10-4 m3/s

3. Inlet pressure, P1

P1 = 0.000 mH2O
= (0.000 mH2O) (9 806.38 N/m2)
= 0.000 N/m2
4. Outlet pressure, P2

P2 = 18.000 psi
= (18.000 psi) (6894.76 N/m2)
= 124160.00 N/m2

5. Water head, h

h= (P2 - P1) / (ρ) (g)

= (124160.00 – 0.000) / (997) (9.81)
= 12.694 m

6. Output Power, 𝑃𝑡

𝑃𝑡 = ρ g Q h

= (997) (9.81) (12.503x10-4) (12.694)

= 155.23W

7. Efficiency, ƞ

Ƞ = (𝑃𝑡 / Ẇ) x 100%

= (155.23W) / (0.478KW)) x 100%

= 32.47%
TEST 3 (100%)

Pump Speed 100% = 2945 RPM

= (2) (π) (N) / 60

= 308.40 rad/s

For water height reading 2

1. Shaft power, Ẇ 1hp= 746W

Ẇ = (T) (ω)

= (3.500) (308.40)

= 1.079KW

= (1.079KW)/ (746)

= 1.4464 hp x 100%

= 144.64%

2. Volume flow rate, Q

The volume flow rate, l/min at each point were obtained using graph 90° Vee Notch
Calibration by using their water height, mm.
At 69 mm, Q is 105.000 l/min.
Q = 105.000 l/min
= (105.000 l/min) (1.667x10-5 m3/s)
= 17.504x10-4 m3/s

3. Inlet pressure, P1

P1 = -0.100 mH2O
= (-0.100 mH2O) (9 806.38 N/m2)
= - 9 80.638 N/m2
4. Outlet pressure, P2

P2 = 34.000 psi
= (34.000 psi) (6894.76 N/m2)
= 234422.00 N/m2

5. Water head, h

h= (P2 - P1) / (ρ) (g)

= (234422 – (-980.638)) / (997) (9.81)
= 24.068 m

6. Output Power, 𝑃𝑡

𝑃𝑡 = ρ g Q h

= (997) (9.81) (17.504x10-4) (24.068)

= 412.042W

7. Efficiency, ƞ

Ƞ = (𝑃𝑡 / Ẇ) x 100%

= (412.042W) / (1.079KW)) x 100%

= 38.187%
 Output Power VS Volume Flow Rate
70
56.323 59.103
60 51.182
Output Power (Watt) 45.163
50
55.173 53.349
40 55.974

30
20
10
0 0
0 8.335 x 11.669 x 13.336x 16.670x 18.337x 20.004x 25.839x
10-4 10-4 10-4 10-4 10-4 10-4 10-4
Volume Flow Rate (m3/s)

Graph 1: Output Power Vs Volume Flow Rate for Data 1

Pump Head VS Volume Flow Rate

7
4.935
6
5 6.244
Pump Head (H)

3.625
4 5.54
2.616
4.23
3
2 3.121
1 2.111

0
0 8.335 x 11.669 x 13.336x 16.670x 18.337x 20.004x 25.839x
10-4 10-4 10-4 10-4 10-4 10-4 10-4
Volume Flow Rate (m3/s)

Graph 2: Pump Head Vs Volume Flow Rate for Data 1

 Efficiency VS Volume Flow Rate
35 31.118
28.011
30
27.21 23.606
Efficiency (%)
25
28.149 26.528
20
22.647
15
10
5
0 0
0 8.335 x 11.669 x 13.336x 16.670x 18.337x 20.004x 25.839x
10-4 10-4 10-4 10-4 10-4 10-4 10-4
Volume Flow Rate (m3/s)

Graph 3: Efficiency Vs Volume Flow Rate for Data 1

Output Power VS Volume Flow Rate

250
230.479 232.088
196.759
200 235.265
155.23
Output Power (Watt)

212.543
207.683
150
161.779
100 144.425

50

0 0

Volume Flow Rate (m3/s)

Graph 4: Output Power Vs Volume Flow Rate for Data 2

 Pump Head VS Volume Flow Rate
16
14 12.694

12 10.471
13.999
Pump Head (m)

8.252
10
11.58
8 9.462 6.034
6 4.12
7.143
4
4.725
2
0

Volume Flow Rate (m3/s)

Graph 5: Pump Head Vs Volume Flow Rate for Data 2

Efficiency Vs Volume Flow Rate

250
230.479 212.543
200 235.265 232.088 161.779
155.23 196.759
Efficiency (%)

150 207.683

144.425
100

50

0 0

Volume Flow Rate (m3/s)

Graph 6: Efficiency Vs Volume Flow Rate for Data 2

 Output Power VS Volume Flow Rate
700 613.945
585.684
600
Output Power (Watt) 533.236 633.516 481.992
500 606.027 611.812
530.864 368.591
400 425.378
300
412.042
200

100

0 0

Volume Flow Rate (m3/s)

Graph 7: Output Power Vs Volume Flow Rate for Data 3

Pump Head VS Volume Flow

30
24.068
25 20.941
25.983 17.514
Pump Head (m)

20 22.555
14.087
15 19.428 12.172
15.8 8.844
10
10.558
5
7.5357
0

Volume Flow Rate (m3/s)

Graph 8: Pump Head Vs Volume Flow Rate for Data 3

 Efficiency VS Volume Flow Rate
50
43.212 42.341 38.761
45
40 30.642
45.703
35
Efficiency (%)
41.339
30 45.642 22.979
34.427
25 38.187
20 26.52
15
10
5
0 0

Volume Flow Rate (m3/s)

Graph 9: Efficiency Vs Volume Flow Rate for Data 3

DISCUSSION.

In this experiment, the purpose is to measure and study the performance

characteristics for a variable speed centrifugal pump operating at 3 different impeller speeds.
The speed control dial was set to maximum in order to get the 100% speed. The 75% and
50% speed was manually calculated from full speed. These three speeds were set as the 3
different impeller speeds. Some performance characteristics of the pump such as water
height, torque, inlet pressure and discharge pressure were recorded.

Based on tables for test 1, test 2 and test 3 in the result, it can be seen that as flow rate
increase, the pressure at inlet and discharge both decrease, but the shaft power increases, for
all three speeds. Theoretically, volumetric flow rate is expressed as Q = Velocity fluid X
Cross sectional Area, which shows that as velocity increase, volumetric flow rate also
increase. This is proved from the experiment where as the speed was increased, maximum
flow rate also increases. Other than that, the results also proves it is a typical centrifugal
pump since it show an increased flow rate as head pressure decreases.

Other performance characteristics were need to be calculated using the formulas

provided in the laboratory sheet. Before continuing, values of inlet pressure must be
converted form Metres of water pressure (mH₂O) to Newton per meter square (N/m²) while
the values of discharge pressure must be converted form Pound per Square Inch (psi) to
Newton per meter square (N/m²). Other than that, values of flow rate, Q must also be
converted from l/min to 𝑚3 /s. Other performance characteristics that was calculated were
output power (W), water head (h) and efficiency (n) which is obtained by using the formula
below and tabulated as shown in tables for test 1, test 2 and test 3 in the result.

(𝑃2 −𝑃1 ) 𝑃𝑓
ℎ𝑝 = , 𝑃𝑓 = 𝜌𝑔𝑄ℎ𝑝 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ɳ = 𝑊̇
x 100%
𝜌𝑔

From the tables in the result, we can see that pump efficiency also decreases as the
rotational speed of a pump is increases. Efficiency calculated were quite low but it is
considered acceptable since no pump is perfect with 100% efficiency. Supposedly, the energy
lost in friction and hydraulic losses are transformed to heat to heating up the fluid transported
through the pump which causes the efficiency to drop.
 The performance curves were also plotted which are power curve, efficiency curve
and also head pump curve. The first graph which is Output Power versus Flow rate, for data
1, it can be seen that as flow rate increase, power also increase. For data 2, as the flow rate
increase, the power also increase and started to decrease when the flow rate is 28.756x10ˉ⁴.
For data 3, as the flow rate increase, the power also increase and started to decrease when the
flow rate is 35.841x10ˉ⁴. Basically, it is similar to BHP (brake horsepower) curves which
indicate the horsepower required to operate a pump at a given point on the performance
curve.

Second graph which is Pump Head Versus Flow Rate, for data 1, as flow increase,
pump head decrease. Basically, head is a measure of how high the pump can push the fluid.
This shows that high flow rate cause low elevation or the height of the free end of the hose
above the free surface of the supply reservoir.

Third graph is Efficiency Versus Flow Rate, it can be seen that as flow rate increase,
the efficiency also increases. This proves that the efficiency curve should show that as
pressure increases, the flow decreases moving performance point to the left of the curve.
Basically, efficiency curve shows the maximum efficiency point which is between the
maximum head condition (Q = 0) and the maximum flow condition (h = 0).

Some of the errors while conducting this experiment is firstly the parallax error while
taking the reading of the water height, inlet pressure and discharge pressure where the eyes
may not be perpendicular to the scale. Fluctuating values which could be affected by the
surroundings may also cause the results to be inaccurate. These errors may have caused the
results of this experiment to be less accurate.
CONCLUSION

The purpose of this experiment was to study about the centrifugal pumps, adjusted in
several setups with shifting hydraulic input power and analyze its execution. By looking into
the results, it can be seen that more hydraulic power does not generate more prominent
proficiency. Conceivable ways to progress this execution seems come through the reduction of
fluid flow rate. Repeat the experiment with more variables will improve the performance of
the pump and the greatest performance reduction will be obtained. Then, the maximum head
that the pump can achieve is called shut-off head and occurs at zero flow.

At the point the pump will excessively vibrate, noisy and consume the least amount of
power. The best efficiency point (B.E.P) is a point where pump is the most efficient and
operates with the least vibration and noise. This is commonly for pump that are rated and which
is indicated on the nameplate. Furthermore, the pump will utilize the power complementary to
its B.E.P rating at this point. At the maximum flow point, the pump does not perform past this
point. The pump will produce noise and vibration extremely at this point and also the pump
will utilize the maximum amount of power.

Significant resistance to the pump might happen if there any turbulent flow occurred.
Even though there are some sources of error, the differences in performance due to supplied
power and shifting alignment were helped by the trends that were created. The experiment was
successful that help in expanding the knowledge regarded to centrifugal pump and its
performance.
REFERENCES

1. Book

 Turbomachinary, Fluid Mechanics: Fundamentals and Applications, Cengel textbook.

2. Internet

 https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/pumps-temperature-increase-d_313.html
 http://web.cecs.pdx.edu/~eas199/A/notes/17/pump_performance_2up.pdf
 http://www.mgnewell.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Understanding-Pump-
Curves.pdf
 http://www.idc-online.com/pdf/Bernard_DaCruz.pdf