Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 4: Multi Pump Test Rig

Experiment 4
Multi Pump Test Rig

Objectives
-

Determine the operating characteristic of different pumps in a contained

unit.
Understand the types of pumps in principle and design, and the selection
of the appropriate pump for a particular application for optimal
operation.

Overview
Pumps are of a major concern to most engineers and technicians. The types of
pump vary considerably in principle and design, and the selection of the
appropriate pump for a particular application is essential for satisfactory
operation. This experiment allows students to measure the operating
characteristic of different pumps in a contained unit. This training unit
incorporates appropriate pipe work and tanks to make the operation selfcontained. The manually operated valves and pipe work are arranged for rapid
and safe selection of any one-test pump. All necessary instrumentation for
measurement of flow, pump head, speed and power are included. In the
experiments, students are able to operate three types of pump namely a
Horizontal Single Stage Centrifugal Pump, a Positive Displacement Plunger
Pump and a Positive Displacement Gear Pump.

Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 4: Multi Pump Test Rig

General Start - Up Procedures

Before conducting any experiment, it is necessary to do the following checking to
avoid any misuse and malfunction of equipment.
1.

Make sure that the water tank is filled with water up to at least 50%.

2.

Make sure that the oil tank is filled with oil up to at least 50%.

3.

Make sure that the RS 232 data cable is connected to the computer.

4.

Switch on the main power supply located on the control panel. The
instruments should light up.

5.

Select the appropriate pump and flow meter according to the following
combination.

6.

Switch on the computer and monitor if you are using them to collect data
and generate the characteristic curve.
Pump

Indication

P1/P2

0 -100%

Flow
Meter
FT 1

Types of
Pump

Pump
Selection
Switch

Process
Selection
Switch

Hand Valve
OPEN

Hand Valve
CLOSE

P1

Water

HV2, HV3, HV4

P2

Water

HV2, HV5, HV6

HV1, HV5, HV6,

HV7, HV8
HV1, HV3, HV4,
HV7, HV8

Horizontal
Single
Stage Pump
Plunger
Pump

Flow rate
0 113.56
L/min

Diff.
Pressure
DPT 1

Pump
Head
0 3 bar

Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 4: Multi Pump Test Rig

Important:
i.
ii.

Never operate the pumps when there is no liquid in the pipeline. It

will cause serious damage to the pumps.
Always watch out for the direction of the motor impeller, it should
follow the direction of the arrow on the pump.

Data Acquisition System

1.

Power the pump Test Rig first.

2.

Ensure that the cable between the computer and the Pump Test Rig is
correctly connected.

3.

Switch on the power to the computer.

4.

Under Windows click on the Pump Test Rig icon. The program wills
startup automatically.

5.

The table consists of fifteen entries and a final entry at the bottom labeled
'live'- this is the live reading at that moment in time (online data).

6.

During an experiment, if you wish capture these data, click on the 'Record'
button.

7.

The recording mechanism will capture at maximum 15 entries. After

which it will try to replace the closest old entry found.

8.

These captured data could be saved in the form of a file. It could also be
loaded later for review or to add a new entry.

9.

It is important that the user selects the correct pump before recording the
data, as live data will be represented differently for each pump.

Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 4: Multi Pump Test Rig

Experimental Procedures
Experiment 1

: Rotational Speed Vs Volumetric Flow rate.

Performance Curve for a Centrifugal Pump

Experimental Procedures 1 for P1

Please refer to the general start - up procedures before conducting this
experiment.
1.

Press the START push button to start the pump.

2.

Set the motor speed to about 2800rpm using the speed control beside the speed
indicator.

3.

Open HV2 fully so that the flow rate is at its maximum.

4.

Record the flow rate once the readings are stable. (Refer Table 1)

5.

Repeat steps 2 and 4 for the following speed readings of 2600, 2400, 2200, 2000,
1800, 1600, 1400, 1200, 1000, 800 and 600rpm.

6.

The data collected using above procedure will enable you to plot the
following characteristic curve:
i. Rotational speed (N) Vs. Volume Flow (Q)

Note:
i.
ii.

Please switch off the pump by pressing the stop push button at the end
of experiment.
Adjust the potentiometer to its minimum setting (fully anti clockwise).

Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 4: Multi Pump Test Rig

Experiment 2

: Other Performance Curve for a Centrifugal Pump

Experimental Procedures 2 for P1

Please refer to the general start - up procedures before conducting this
experiment.
1.

Press the START push button to start the pump.

2.

Set the motor speed to maximum (2800rpm) using the speed control
beside the speed indicator.

3.

Set HV2 at full opening so that the output flow rate is maximum and
record the readings for the flow rate, the differential pressure, the power
and speed once the readings are stable. (Refer Table 2)

4.

Repeat step 3 with the following flow rate of output 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%,
30%, 20%, 10%. You can try any other intermediate reading.

5.

The data you have collected will enable you to analyze the following
characteristic curve:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.

Note:
i.
ii.

Motor Input Power (PMi)

Pump Total Head (H)
Pump Power Output (Po)
Pump Power Input (Pi)
Pump Efficiency (ETA)
Overall Efficiency (ETAgr)

Vs
Vs
Vs
Vs
Vs
Vs

Volume Flow rate (Q)

Volume Flow rate (Q)
Volume Flow rate (Q)
Volume Flow rate (Q)
Volume Flow rate (Q)
Volume Flow rate (Q)

Please turn off the pump by pressing the stop push button at the end
of experiment.
Adjust the potentiometer to its minimum setting (fully anti clockwise).

Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 4: Multi Pump Test Rig

Experiment 3

: Rotational Speed Vs Output Pressure

Performance Curve for a Positive Displacement
Pump

Experimental Procedures 1 for P2

Please refer to the general start-up procedures before conducting this
experiment.
1.

Press the START push button to start the pump.

2.

Adjust the potentiometer beside the speed indicator, set the motor speed
to its maximum (i.e. About 950 rpm)

3.

Slowly adjust the HV2 so that the pump head (pressure) is at 90%.

4.

Record the flow rate once the readings are stable.(Refer Table 3)

5.

Repeat steps 2 and 4 for the following motor speed readings of P2 = 950,
900, 850, 800, 750, 700, 650, 600, 550 rpm.

6.

The data you have collected will enable you to plot the following
characteristic curve.
i.

Rotational Speed (N)

Vs.

Volume Flow Rate (Q)

Note:
i.
ii.

Please turn off the pump by pressing the stop push button at the end
of experiment.
Adjust the potentiometer to its minimum setting (fully anti clockwise).

Warning: Do not close the HV2 completely when P2 is running. This may cause
serious damage to the instrument.

Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 4: Multi Pump Test Rig

Experiment 4

: Other Performance Curve for a Positive

Displacement Pump

Experimental Procedures 2 for P2

Please refer to the general start-up procedures before conducting this
experiment.
1.

Press the START push button to start the pump.

2.

Adjust the potentiometer beside the speed indicator, set the motor speed
to its maximum (i.e. About 950 rpm).

3.

Slowly adjust the HV2 or HV 11 so that the pump head (pressure) is at

90%, record the flow rate, differential pressure, power and speed once the
readings are stable (Refer Table 4).

4.

Repeat step 3 with the following pump head readings of P2 = 80%, 70%,
60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%. You can try any other intermediate
reading but never try to close the HV2 or HV 11 fully. This is to ensure
that the existing pressure develop in the pipeline doesnt exceed the limit.

5.

The data you have collected will enable you to plot the following
characteristic curve;
i. Motor Input Power (PMi)
ii. Volume Flow (Q)
iii. Pump Power Output (Po)
iv. Pump Power Input (Pi)
v. Pump Efficiency (ETA)
vi. Overall Efficiency (ETAgr)
vii. Volumetric Efficiency (ETAv)

Vs
Vs
Vs
Vs
Vs
Vs
Vs

Output Pressure (Pr)

Output Pressure (Pr)
Output Pressure (Pr)
Output Pressure (Pr)
Output Pressure (Pr)
Output Pressure (Pr)
Output Pressure (Pr)

Note:
i.
ii.

Please turn off the pump by pressing the stop push button at the end
of experiment.
Adjust the potentiometer to its minimum setting (fully anti clockwise).

Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 4: Multi Pump Test Rig

Warning: Do not close the HV2 completely when P2 is running. This may cause
serious damage to the instrument.

Results
Record the data collected for experiment 1 in the table below.
Table 1: Rotational Speed and Flow rate for P1
Speed (RPM)

Flow rate (%)

Record the data collected for experiment 2 in the table below.

Table 2: Flow rate, Speed, Differential Pressure and Power for P1
Flow rate
%

Speed
RPM

Diff.Pressure
%

Power
kW

Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 4: Multi Pump Test Rig

Record the data collected for experiment 3 in the table below.

Table 3: Rotational Speed and Differential Pressure for P2
Speed (RPM)
950
900
850
800
750
700
650
600
550

Flow Rate (%)

Record the data collected for experiment 4 in the table below.

Table 4: Pressure, Flow rate, Speed and Power for P2
Pressure
%
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10

Flow rate
%

Speed
RPM

Power
kW

Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 4: Multi Pump Test Rig

List of Abbreviation

Symbol

Description

Constant
Value

N
PMI
H
Q
Pi
Po
Pm
Zc1
Zc2
ETA
ETAgr
ETAv
w
oil
DP
Pr
g
Pp1min
Pp2min
Pp3min
Vigar
Vipiston
ZG1
ZG2

Rotational Speed
Motor Input Power
Pump Total Head
Volume Flowrate
Pump Power Input
Pump Power Output
Pump Mechanical Power
Inlet Distance From Datum (water)
Outlet Distance From Datum (water)
Pump Efficiency
Overall Efficiency
Volumetric Efficiency
Density of Water
Density of Oil
Differential Pressure
Pressure
Gravity
Pump 1 Power at No Load (50 Hz)
Pump 2 Power at No Load (50 Hz)
Pump 3 Power at No Load (50 Hz)
Volume Displacement for Gear Pump
Volume Displacement for Plunger Pump
Inlet Distance From Datum (oil)
Outlet Distance From Datum (oil)

10

180 mm
860 mm

1000
910

9.81
70
60
50
6.309 x 10-6
2.09 x 10-5
64 mm
380 mm

Unit
RPM
W
m
m3/hr
W
W
W
m
m
%
%
%
kg/m3
kg/m3
%
%
m/s2
W
W
W
m3/rev
m3/rev
m
m

Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 4: Multi Pump Test Rig

Formula for Calculation of Variables

Horizontal Single Stage Centrifugal Pump/ Plunger Pump
Volumetric flow rate, m3/hr

113.56 x 60
Q = (q/100) x

1000

Pump Power Output, W

4
DP 3 x 10.2 x 10
H = (Zc 2- Zc 1) +
x
w g
100
Po = (wg HQ) / 3600

Pump Power Input, W

Pi = (PMI P1min) or (PMI P2min)

Pump Efficiency, %

ETA =

Overall Efficiency, %

ETA gr=

Po
x 100
PMI

ETAv =

Q
x 100
Vi x N x 60

Pump Total Head, m

Po
x 100
Pi

* For Plunger Pump Only

Volumetric Efficiency, %

Note: 1 GPM
1 bar

= 3.7854 LPM
= 10.2 mH2O

Discussion
Plot all the characteristic curves which have been stated in all the experiment
conducted. Comments the plotted graphs in terms of their relationships between
the y axis and the x axis

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Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 4: Multi Pump Test Rig

Tutorial

1.

Define pump.

2.

What is the difference between dynamic pump and positive displacement

pump?

3.

List down three factors which influence the choice of pump for a
particular operation.

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Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 4: Multi Pump Test Rig

Conclusion

References
1. White, F.M. Fluid Mechanics 4th Ed. McGraw Hill
2. McCabe, W.L., Smith, J.C and Harriot Unit Operations of Chemical
Engineering 5th Ed. McGraw Hill
3. Anthony Esposito. Fluid Mechanics with Applications. Prentice Hall
International Inc.
4. Debler, W.R. Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals. Prentice Hall International
Inc.
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