Experiment No 07: 7.1.1 Series Combination
Experiment No 07: 7.1.1 Series Combination
Experiment No 07: 7.1.1 Series Combination
7.1 Introduction
7.1.1 Series combination:
Many pumping applications require fluids to be transported over long distances and against high
static heads or total heads which are well in excess of the head that can be developed by a single
pump. Examples of such scenarios would be, pumping tailings, power station ash, underground fill
and pumping concentrates. Centrifugal pumps are occasionally installed in series to increase the
operating range and standby capacity of the plant. Multi-stage pumps can be considered as a series
type installation of single-stage pumps. However, single stages in multi-stage pumps cannot be
decoupled.
If one of the pumps in a series type installation is not operational, it causes considerable resistance to
the system. In an effort to overcome this, a bypass with non-return valve could be installed as shown
in Figure.
The head associated with a given flow rate for pumps installed in series can be determined by adding
the single heads vertically as shown in Figure. [1]
a) Cross section I-I b) Cross section II-II c) Cross section III-III d) Cross section IV-IV
The distributions of the flow deviation angle γi at the inlet and exit of the impeller of SPCPs at the
designed flow rate under the parallel operating condition are shown in Fig. 8. The suction conditions
of the cross-section I-I are the same as those of the cross-section II-II. The distributions of γ1 of the
cross-section I-I and the cross-section II-II are symmetrical and slightly different because of the
influence of the different exit constructions. The distributions of γ2 of the cross-section III-III and the
cross-section IV-IV are also symmetrical. Moreover, the distribution pattern is similar to that of the
first-stage impeller, in which the flow- deviation phenomenon near the suction side of the impeller
exit is evident.
a) Cross section I-I b) Cross section II-II c) Cross section III-III d) Cross section IV-IV
2
and PSmax under the series operating conditions are larger than the experimental values, which are
1.30 % and 4.89 %, respectively. When 1 = 10.92° and = 4.15°, the calculated error values of
Q'Pt and PPmax under the parallel operating
conditions are larger than the experimental values, which are 1.32 % and 4.15 %, respectively.
Consequently, the flow deviation angle plays a significant role in the non-overload characteristics of
SPCPs.
In Table, when the SPCPs are under the serial operating condition, the value 1 of the second-stage
impeller inlet becomes large, i.e., 1 = 5.27°. Satisfying the non-overload characteristics is easy.
When Q'St = 0.0246 m³/s, the pump reaches the maximum value of power under the series operating
condition; when Q'Pt = 0.0502 m³/s, the pump reaches the maximum value of power under the
parallel operating condition. Moreover, because the flow rate under the parallel operating conditions
is twice that of SSMPs, the maximum value of the power appears only when Q' t = 0.0251 m³/s. When
a distinct non-uniform flow phenomenon exists in the impeller inlet cross-section and exit cross-
section, the head of the pump is reduced and a premature arrival at the maximum value on the power
curve occurs. The head of the pump rapidly decreases when the distinct non-uniform flow
phenomenon appears in the impeller inlet cross-section and exit cross-section, thus causing the
power curve to reach the maximum point. Therefore, the larger the i is, the earlier the possible
appearance of the non- overload characteristics of the pump. In addition, the pump is more likely to
achieve the non- overload characteristics with a larger i. [6]
7.2.3 Experimentation
An experiment can be conducted to analyze how centrifugal pumps perform when connected in
series. This setup aims to achieve a higher-pressure output compared to using a single pump. The
experiment involves connecting two pumps with a closed-loop piping system. Pressure gauges are
placed at the inlet and outlet of each pump, and a flow meter measures the combined flow rate at the
system outlet. By varying the control valve downstream and recording pressure, flow rate, and
potentially power consumption at different valve positions, researchers can establish the relationship
between system head (total pressure increase) and flow rate. This data is used to create a system
head-flow rate curve, analyze the impact of pump speed on performance, and calculate the overall
efficiency of the series configuration compared to individual pumps. The experiment sheds light on
how series connections boost pressure but might decrease efficiency due to additional system losses,
and also highlights potential cavitation risks at pump inlets.
The system head-flow rate curve for pumps in series will be steeper than the individual pump
curves, indicating a higher pressure rise for a given flow rate.
Increasing pump speed should generally lead to a higher system head at all flow rates.
The overall efficiency of the series configuration might be lower compared to individual pumps
due to additional energy losses within the system. [7]
7.3 Methodology
7.3.1 Experimental Setup
Hydraulic Bench
Two centrifugal pumps in series combination
Stopwatch
Input and output pressure head gauges
System head gauge
voltmeter
Ammeter
Output head
RPM meter
Input head
System Head
Flow control
valve
7.3.2 Procedure
Set up closed-loop test bench with two centrifugal pumps, piping, gauges, flow meter, valves,
and data acquisition system (optional).
Connect pumps in series, discharge of pump 1 to inlet of pump 2.
Install pressure gauges at inlet and outlet of each pump.
Place flow meter at discharge of second pump.
Close all control valves, fill system with working fluid, bleed air, ensure electrical connections
and safety.
(Optional) Run individual pump baseline test collecting head-flow data for each pump.
Start both pumps in series, adjust control valve for different flow rates.
Record discharge pressure from each pump's gauge and total flow rate for each setting.
Repeat for various flow rates including near zero and maximum.
Analyze data: calculate head gain across each pump at each flow rate.
Plot head-flow curves for combined pumps compared to individual pumps (if baseline data
exists).
Analyze how combined performance differs from single pump configuration.
Gradually close control valve, stop pumps, drain working fluid.
Motor Datu
Volum Flowrat Input Outpu Manifol Voltag Curren Total Efficienc Power Power
Rpm Time m
e e Head t Head d Head e t Head y Output Input
Speed Head
Watt Watt
rpm m3 s m3/s m m m V A m m
s s
10.3 0.48 x 0.69
3000 0.005 0 0.698 0.517 200 1.4 0.8 16% 45 280
7 10-3 8
0.34 x 1.08
3000 0.005 14.7 0 1.086 1.034 200 1.4 0.8 18% 50 280
10-3 6
0.17 x
3000 0.005 29.7 0 1.42 1.422 200 1.4 1.42 0.8 12% 33 280
10-3
0.064 x 1.60
3000 0.005 78 0 1.603 1.551 200 1.4 0.8 9% 25 280
10-3 3
7.5 Result and Discussion
1.5
Total Head
0.5
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
Flow rate x10^-3
15%
Efficiency
10%
5%
0%
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
Flow rate x10^-3
7.6 Conclusion
7.7 References
1. Ballun, J. HOW TO OPERATE CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS IN SERIES OR PARALLEL.
January 22, 2015]; Available from: https://blog.craneengineering.net/operating-centrifugal-
pumps-in-series-or-parallel#:~:text=Putting%20your%20centrifugal%20pumps%20in,a
%20multi%2Dstage%20pump%20works.
2. Limitations and benefits of centrifugal pumps in series. October 25, 2018; Available from:
https://www.pumpworks.com/operating-two-pumps-series/.
3. Series combintion of pumps. January 6, 2022; Available from:
https://smartservice.center/blog/general/combination-of-pumps.
4. Parallel and Series Pump Application. Available from:
http://documentlibrary.xylemappliedwater.com/files/2012/07/TEH-1109A.pdf.
5. Cooper, Paul, George Tchobanoglous, Richard O. Garbus, Robert J. Hart, Carl W. Reh,
Lowell G. Sloan, and Earle C. Smith. "Performance of centrifugal pumps." In Pumping
Station Design, pp. 10-1. Butterworth-Heinemann, 2008.
6. Li, Q., H. Yan, H. X. Shi, X. X. Han, and H. Y. He. "Simulation of non-overload
characteristics of serial-parallel centrifugal pumps." International Journal of Simulation
Modeling 15, no. 4 (2016): 688-698.
7. Utah Valley University's Applied Fluid Mechanics course: "[Experiment #10: Pumps –
Applied Fluid Mechanics Lab Manual]