SAMPLE PROBLEMS: Pumps, Compressors and Turbines

Taken From: de Nevers, Noel, 3

rd
Edition, FLUID MECHANICS FOR CHEMICAL ENGINEERS, 3
rd

Edition, 2005, by McGraw-Hill, Inc.

1. How many gallons per minute should be delivered by a pump with a piston area of 10
in
2
and a piston stroke of 5 in and a speed of 1 Hz?














2. Calculate the hydraulic horsepower for pumping 500 gal/min from an inlet pressure of 5
psig to an outlet pressure of 30 psig (a) for water (b) for gasoline.







3. We wish to pump mercury from a sump with a positive displacement pump. Assuming
that there is no friction and that the vapor pressure of mercury is negligible, what is the
maximum height above the sump at which we can locate our pump?




4. Why is it impractical to try to build a zero-clearance compressor?




5. How many horsepower are required to compress 20 lbmol/hr of helium (=1.666) from
1 atm at 68 F to 10 atm using (a) an isothermal compressor? (b) and adiabatic
compressor? (c) A two-stage, adiabatic compressor with optimum interstage pressure
and intercooling to 68 F?



6. A centrifugal pump is tested with water and found at 1800 rpm to deliver 200 gal/min at
a pressure rise of 50 psi. The mechanical efficiency is 75%. We wish to pump mercury in
this pump at the same rpm and the flow rate. Estimate the pressure rise and the pump
horsepower reuired for this operation, assuming that the pump remains 75% efficient.

7. In their design flow rates, common blowers follow the relation-
P
real, at design flow rate
= 0.50 P
frictionless

We wish to design a centrifugal blower for air. It will take in air at 1 atm, 68F
and deliver it at a gauge pressure of 2 psig. The impeller will rotate at 3600 rpm. What is
the minimum impeller diameter, assuming that the above relation holds true?





8. Old hands in the chemical process industries pour cold water onto the suction side of
any malfunctioning centrifugal pump. Why?
9. One of the highest-head water power plants in the world is that at Dixence, Switzerland,
with a net head of 5330 ft. The water from this plant drives an impulse turbine (Pelton
wheel) with a diameter to the middle of the blades of 10.89 ft. The wheel turns at 500
rpm. What is the ratio of blade speed to jet speed for this turbine?