ME 4880 Experimental Design Lab

Centrifugal Pump Performance Experiment

Instructors:
Dr. Cyders, 294A Stocker, cyderst@ohio.edu
Dr. Ghasvari, 249B Stocker, ghasvari@ohio.edu
Spring 2014

Part I.
General topics on Pumps
Categories of Pumps
Pump curve
Cavitation
NSPH

Pumps
Basic definitions to describe pumps and pumping
pipe circuits
Positive displacement pumps and centrifugal
pumps
The Pump Curve
Net Positive Suction Head

Pump analysis: energy equation

P1 V12
P2 V2 2

z1

z2 h friction hpump
g 2g
g 2g
Q
1

Shaft work delivered by pump is translated into a

pressure rise across the pump: P2 > P1
How does hpump vary with Q?
Typically data is gathered from experiments by
manufacturer and is presented in dimensional form
(pump curve)

Definitions in a typical pump system:

Liquid flows from the
P1 V12
P2 V2 2

z1

z2 h friction hpump
suction side to the
g 2g
g 2g
discharge side
Suction head is head
P
available just before
hs zs s h fs
g
pump, hs:
Discharge head is head at
Pd
h

h
d
d
the exit from pump, hd:
g fd
Pump head, hp:
hp hd hs
= head required
from pump
Flow rates affect
terms hfd & hfs

Positive Displacement Pumps

Properties of a PD pump:
Pumps fluid by varying the dimension of an inner chamber.
Volumetric flow rate determined size of chamber + RPM of
pump.
Nearly independent of back pressure.
Application for metering fluids (example, chemicals into a process,
etc.)

Develops the required head to meet the specified flow rate

Head limit is due to mechanical limitations (design/metallurgy).
Catastrophic failure at limit.
High pressure applications

Able to handle high viscosity fluids.

Often produces a pulsed flow

Types of Positive Displacement

Pumps
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
H.

Reciprocating piston (steam pumps)

External gear pump
Double-screw pump
Sliding vane
Three lobe pump
Double circumferential piston
Flexible tube squeegee
Internal gear

Positive Displacement Pumps

Centrifugal pumps
Characteristics
Typically higher flow rates
than PDs.
Comparatively steady
discharge.
Moderate to low pressure
rise.
Large range of flow rate
operation.
Sensitive to fluid viscosity.

Efficiency of centrifugal pumps:

From the energy
equation, pumps
increase the pressure
head
The power delivered to
the water (water horse
power) is given by
The power delivered by
the motor to the shaft
(breaking horse power)
is given by
Therefore, efficiency is:
Note: 1HP = 746W

P1 V12
P2 V2 2

z h
h
g 2 g 1 g 2 g 2 friction pump

P
g

Pw QP Pw gQH

Pbhp T

Pw
gQH

PBHP
T

Centrifugal pumps pump curves

Real pumps are never ideal and the
performance of the pumps are determined
experimentally by the manufacturer and
typically given in terms of graphs or pump
curves.
Typically performance is given by curves of:
Head versus capacity
Power versus capacity
NPSH versus capacity
As Q increases the head developed by the screen
decreases.
Maximum head is at zero capacity
The maximum capacity of the pump is at the point where
no head is developed.

Centrifugal pumps Sample Pump

Curve

3500 is the RPM

Impeller size 6 to 8 in. are shown
Maximum efficiency is ~50%.

Maximum normal capacity line

H pump

Remember to correct for density using

previous equation

Operating line (system curve)

2
P2 P1
L
Q

z2 z1 f hm
g
D
2 g D2

Max sphere 1
This pump is designed for slurries /
suspensions and can pass particles up to
1. This is why efficiency is relatively low.

Motor horse power.

Should not operate in the region to the right

of the line because pump can be unstable.

Semi-open impeller

Note that pumps can operate at 80-90% eff.

This is dependent on the system you are

putting the pump into. It is a plot from the
energy equation.
That is, analyze the system to determine the
pump head required as a function of flow
rate through the pump This will form the
system line.

Pump cavitation and NSPH

Cavitation should be avoided
due to erosion damage to
pump parts and noise.
Cavitation occurs when P <
Pv somewhere in the pump
Since pump increases
pressure, to prevent
cavitation we ensure suction
head is large enough
compared to vapour
pressure Pv
Net positive suction head
Often we evaluate NPSH
using energy equation and
reference values dont
measure Pinlet

NPSH zs

Ps Pv
h fs
g

NSPHrequired
Manufacturers determine
conservatively how much
NPSH is needed to avoid
cavitation in the pump
Systematic experimental
testing

NSPHrequired (NPSHR) is
plotted on pump chart
Caution: different axis scale
is common read carefully

Plot NPSH vs NSPHrequired

to give safe operating
range of pump

Qmax

Part II.
Dimensional analysis
Affinity Laws

Dimensionless pump performance

Previous part: everything dimensional

Terminology used in pump systems
Pump performance charts
NPSH and avoiding cavitation (NPSH vs NPSHR)

This part :
Discuss how centrifugal pumps might be scaled
Best efficiency point
Examples

Dimensionless Pump Performance

For geometrically similar pumps we expect
similar dimensionless performance curves
Dimensionless groups? Q
CQ

nD
Capacity coefficient
gH
CH 2 2
Head coefficient
n D
Power coefficient
Efficiency
g NPSH
C

NPSH
NPSH?
n2 D 2
3

CP

Pbh

n3 D 5

What to use for n (units 1/time): rad/s (), rpm, rps

CH CQ
C

Dimensional Analysis
If two pumps are geometrically similar,
and
The independent s are similar, i.e.,
CQ,A = CQ,B
ReA = ReB
A/DA = B/DB
Then the dependent s will be the
same
CH,A = CH,B
CP,A = CP,B

Affinity Laws
For two homologous states A and B, we can use
variables to develop ratios (similarity rules, affinity
laws, scaling laws).
CQ , A CQ , B

Q
D
B B B
QA A DA

Useful to scale from model to prototype

Useful to understand parameter changes, e.g.,
doubling pump speed.

Dimensional Analysis: ideal situation

If plotted in nondimensional
form, all curves of a family of
geometrically similar pumps
should collapse onto one set of
nondimensional pump
performance curves
From this we identify the best
efficiency point BEP
Note: Reynolds number and
roughness can often be
neglected

Dimensionless Pump Performance

In reality we never achieve true
similarity

E.g. manufacturers put different

impeller into same housing
Following figure illustrates a typical
example of 2 pumps that are close to
similar

Note:
See that at BEP: max = 088
From which we get
*
CQ* , CH* , CHS
, C* x
From which you can calculate
Q, H, NPSH, P

Part III.
More on Centrifugal Pumps
Pump selection

Pump selection
Previous part :
Other types of pumps
Centrifugal and axial ducted
Pump specific speed

This part
Non-dimensional Pi Groups for pumps
Application to optimize pump speed (BEP)
Scaling between pumps

CNPSH

g NPSH

n2 D 2

CP

Pbh

n3 D 5

CH

gH
n2 D2

CQ

Q
nD3

Dynamic Pumps
Dynamic Pumps include
centrifugal pumps: fluid enters
axially, and is discharged radially.
mixed--flow pumps: fluid enters
axially, and leaves at an angle
between radially and axially.
axial pumps: fluid enters and
leaves axially.

Centrifugal Pumps
Snail--shaped scroll
Most common type of
pump: homes, autos,
industry.

Centrifugal Pumps

Centrifugal Pumps: Blade Design

Centrifugal Pumps: Blade Design

Vector analysis of leading and

trailing edges.

Centrifugal Pumps: Blade Design

Blade number affects efficiency and introduces circulatory losses (too

few blades) and passage losses (too many blades)

Axial Pumps

Open vs. Ducted Axial Pumps

Open Axial Pumps

Blades generate thrust like

wing generates lift.

Propeller has radial twist to

take into account for angular
velocity (=r)

Ducted Axial Pumps

Tube Axial Fan: Swirl
downstream
Counter-Rotating AxialFlow Fan: swirl removed.
Early torpedo designs
Vane Axial-Flow Fan: swirl
removed. Stators can be
either pre-swirl or postswirl.

Pump Specific Speed

Pump Specific Speed is used to characterize the

operation of a pump at BEP and is useful for
preliminary pump selection.

Centrifugal pumps-specific speed

Use Dimensionless specific speed to help choose. Dimensionless speed is
derived by eliminating diameters in Cq and Ch at the BEP.

Proper
Lazy

N s'

CQ*

1
2

CH *

3
4

gH
n Q*

* 3/ 4

Ns

Rpm(Gal / min) 2

H ( ft )

1/ 2

3/ 4

N s 17,182 N s'

What we covered:
Characteristics of positive displacement
and centrifugal pumps
Terminology used in pump systems
Head vs flow rate: pump performance
charts
NPSH and avoiding cavitation (NPSH vs
NPSHR)
Examples

What we covered:
Today we
Developed dimensionless pump
variables
Extrapolate existing pump curve
to different pump speeds,
diameters, and densities
Examples

CQ

Q
nD3

CH

gH
n2 D2
Pbh

CP
CNPSH

n3 D 5

g NPSH

n2 D 2

What we covered
Today we:
Examined axial, mixed, radial
ducted and open pump designs
Used specific speed to determine
which type is optimal

Part IV.

Lab procedure
Venturi Measurements
Summary of equations and calculation way
Preparing graphs

Lab Objectives
Understand operation of a dc motor
Analyze fluid flow using
Centrifugal pump
Venturi flow meter

Evaluate pump performance as a function of

impeller (shaft) speed
Develop pump performance curves
Assess efficiencies

Lab Set-up
Paddle meter

Valve
Venturi
(P)
Dynamometer

I
Pout

Pump

Motor
T

Water Tank

Pin

D.C motor

Armature or rotor
Commutator
Brushes
Axle
Field magnet
DC power supply

Figure 1. dc motor (howstuffworks.com)

Centrifugal pump operation

Rotating impeller delivers energy to fluid
Governing equations or Affinity Laws relate
pump speed to:
Flow rate, Q
Pump head, Hp
Fluid power, P

24

1400

0.6

22
20

1200

0.5

Head (m)

14

800

12
10

600

operating point

400

pump head 1709 rpm

200
fluid power 1709 rpm
pump efficiency 1709 rpm
system load - head

4
2
0
0.000

fluid power (W)

1000

16

0.002

0.004

0.006

0.008
3

Flow Rate (m /s)

0.010

0
0.012

pump efficiency,

18
0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0.0

Pump Affinity Laws

NQ
N2 Hp
N3 P

N1 Q1

N 2 Q2
2

H p1
N1

H p2
N2
3

N1
P1

P2
N2

Determination of Pump Head

Pout Pin V22 V12
Hp

Z 2 Z1
g
2g
Pout Pin
Hp
g

Determination of Flow Rate

Use Venturi meter to determine Q
Fluid is incompressible (const. )
Q = Vfluid Area

Venturi Meter

As V , kinetic energy
T = 0
Height = 0
Pv or P

Calculate Q from Venturi data

Q Cd A2V2

V1 = inlet velocity
V2 = throat velocity
A1 = inlet area
A2 = throat area

Throat Velocity
2
2
V1
P1
V2
P2

Z1

Z2

2g

Z 0

2g

A2
V1 V2
V2 B 2
A1
.

P P1 P2

m 1 m 2 A v

V2 f (P, B, )

Discharge Coefficient
B
Cd 0.907 6.53
ReD
ReD

V1D1

D2
B
D1

A2
2
V1 V2
V2 B
A1

Solve for Q
Use MS EXCEL (or Matlab)
Calculate throat velocity
Calculate discharge coefficient using
Reynolds number and throat velocity
Calculate throat area
Solve for Q

Power and Pump Efficiency

Assumptions
Q 0
No change in elevation
No change in pipe diameter
Incompressible fluid
T = 0

Consider 1st Law (as a rate eqn.)

1 2

Q W m h2 h1 V2 V1 g Z 2 Z1
2

Pump Power Derivation

h u Pv

h2 h1 m
u2 P2v u1 P1v
W m
vP2 P1
W m

v AV Q
m

W QP2 P1

Efficiencies

output QP2 P1
pump

input
T
T
motor
EI
QP2 P1
overall
EI

Summary of Lab Requirements

Plots relating Hp, P, and pump to Q

Plot relating P to pump
Regression analyses
Uncertainty of overall (requires unc. of Q)
Compare Hp, P, Q for two Ns
For fully open valve position
WRT affinity laws

Pump Head (m)

905 rpm
1099 rpm
1303 rpm
1508 rpm
1709 rpm

Flow Rate (m /s)

Power Delevered to Fluid (W)

905 rpm
1099 rpm
1303 rpm
1508 rpm
1709 rpm

Flow Rate (m /s)

pump efficiency

905 rpm
1099 rpm
1303 rpm
1508 rpm
1709 rpm

Flow Rate (m /s)

Pump Efficiency

905 rpm
1099 rpm
1303 rpm
1508 rpm
1709 rpm

pump power delivered to fluid (W)

Start-up Procedure
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Fill pvc tube with water (3/4 full)

Bleed pump
Switch breaker to on
Push main start button
Make sure variac is turned counterclockwise
Make sure throttle valve is fully open
Turn lever to pump
Push reset button
Push start button
Adjust variac to desired rpm using tach.

Pump lab raw data

Shaft
speed
(rpm)

DC
voltage
(volts)

DC
current
(amps)

Inlet
Pressure
(in Hg)

Outlet
Pressure
(kPa)

Venturi DP
(kPa)

Dyna
(lbs)

Shut-down Procedure
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Fully open throttle valve

Turn variac fully counterclockwise
Push pump stop button
Turn pump lever to off
Push main stop button
Switch breaker to off