KKEK2171 Laboratory and Communication I

Semester 2, 2015/16

E2. Characteristics of Plunger Pump

1

Introduction
The SOLTEQ plunger pump demonstration unit (Model: FM 18B) is designed to
demonstrate the working principle of a plunger pump. Plunger pump is a positive
displacement pump used for pumping small quantities of liquid at high pressures. The
reciprocating motion of the plunger gives an uneven flow; however, inclusion of a
damping vessel can reduce this effect. The pressure, volume displaced/flow rate at
strategic positions and energy input to the motors can be measured in real time with
the SOLDAS data acquisition system.

Equipment Description
2.1 Configuration of demonstration unit

1
2
7
3
4

10

Figure 1: Plunger Pump Demonstration Unit (FM 18-B)

KKEK2171 Laboratory and Communication I

Semester 2, 2015/16

1. Ultrasonic Level Transmitter (LT)

6. Dampener

2. Water Tank 1 (TN1)

7. Pressure Relief Valve (PRV)

3. Water Tank 2 (TN2)

8. Pressure Regulator (PR)

4. Power Supply

9. Outlet Pressure Transmitter (PT 2)

5. Control Panel

10. Cylinder Pressure Transmitter (PT 1)

LT

Water

Water

Tank 2

Tank 1

1.5 L

8L

V5

V1

V7

V2

V6
Q1

V8

V4

PRV

P2

V3
Dampener

Plunger
Pump

P1

PR
M

V9
2L
Figure 2: Schematic of plunger pump demonstration unit

KKEK2171 Laboratory and Communication I

Semester 2, 2015/16

2.2 Equipment Description

A motor driven plunger pump, mounted on a stainless steel plinth with a water
reservoir, pulsation dampener and pipework for continuous circulation as shown in
Figure 1. The pump outlet is connected to a valve to investigate different loading
characteristics. A pressure relief valve protects the operator and the equipment. An
additional valve can be used to isolate or include the pulsation damper, allowing the
effect of damping to be investigated. Electronic sensors measure the instantaneous
cylinder pressure within the pump, the pump displacement and the cumulative flow
over a period of time. The pump speed is accurately controlled by an advanced
electronic inverter.
3 Experimental Procedures
3.1 Precautions
Never operate the pump without liquid in the pipelines. It will cause serious
damage to the pumps.
Check for any water dripping out from valves or connections. Mop dry and alert
the technician.
3.2 General Start-up Procedures
1. Switch on the main power supply.
2. Turn on the main switch on the control panel.
3. Check all digital indicators are light up.
4. Fill the water tank 1 (TN1) with water above the minimum level indicated (80%
full).
5. Turn the speed controller anti-clockwise till the end (to zero rpm), then turn
clockwise a few turns (to some rpm). This is to ensure that the motor does not
suddenly run at very high speeds.
6. Turn on the computer and activate the data acquisition software.
7. Open all the valves except the drain valves.
8. Cross-check the circulation of water.
9. Adjust the motor speed to achieve the desired maximum flow rate. Unless the
experiments require it, do not change the speed of the pump after this.
3.3 General Shut-down Procedures
1. Switch off the pump(s).
2. Turn off the main switch on the control panel.
3. Shut down the computer.
4. Switch off the main power supply.
3

KKEK2171 Laboratory and Communication I

Semester 2, 2015/16

3.4 Oscilloscope setting

1. Turn on the power of oscilloscope.
2. Connect CH1 of oscilloscope to the connector located on the panel.
3. Connect CH2 of oscilloscope to the power supply of pressure transmitter
4. Press the Horizontal Menu button and select Roll function.
5. Set the volt/division for CH1 to 1V and CH2 to 100mV.
6. Set the time base to 250 ms.
7. The volt/division and time base can be changed in order to get the desired trace.
8. To save the trace obtained, press Run/Stop button once and extract the data by
using computer.
3.5 Experiments
Objectives:
a) To study the P-V diagram of plunger pump
b) To measure the volumetric efficiency of plunger pump
c) To study the effect of pulsation dampener on the performance of plunger pump

Procedures:

(a) P-V diagram of plunger pump

1. Perform the general start-up procedures and oscilloscope setting as outlined in the
previous section.
2. Open valve V1 and allow the water to flow into water tank TN2 until about 80%
full (indicated by the level transmitter).
3. Then fully open V2 and V4 (all the other valves must be closed). Turn the pump
flow rate control knob to few turns and switch on the pump.
4. Turn the control knob to 100% and allow the water to flow through the system.
5. Monitor the P-V diagram displayed on the screen of oscilloscope.
6. The data can be extracted by using SOLDAS.

(b) Determining the volumetric efficiency of plunger pump

1. Perform the general start-up procedures and oscilloscope setting
2. Open valve V1 and allow the water to flow into water tank TN2 until about 90%
full.
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KKEK2171 Laboratory and Communication I

Semester 2, 2015/16

3. Record the initial water level in the water tank TN2 (indicated by the level
transmitter).in the table given below.
4. Then close the valve V1 and open the valves V2 and V4.
5. Turn the pump flow rate control knob to 100%.
6. Switch on the plunger pump and start the timer simultaneously. Stop the pump
after 30 seconds. Note down the final water level in TN2.
7. At the same time, monitor the curve displayed on screen of oscilloscope. Press
Run/Stop button on oscilloscope. Measure the voltage.
8. Repeat the experiment by varying the pump flow rate control knob to 90% and
80%.
9. Record the data into the data sheet and calculate the volumetric efficiency of the
plunger pump at different pump flow rate.

Table 1: Obtained data for the determination of volumetric efficiency of plunger

pump
Q (%)

Time (s)

LT Initial (%)

LT Final (%)

Voltage (V)

Volumetric efficiency = Actual Volume/Ideal volume

Actual Volume = Area x Height = D2/4 x H
Where,
D = Inner Diameter of the Tank 2 = 6 mm
H = Change in the height of the liquid in the Tank 2 after 30 seconds
H = (LT initial % - LT Final %) x 235 mm
Here, 235 mm is the distance of the measuring device from the maximum level of
water in Tank 2.
Ideal Volume V = N x d2/4 x L
Where,
N = Number of revolutions (rpm) = 116 rpm
d = Bore size = 0.025 m
L = displacement length (0-20 mm), determined from the voltage value (0-12 V). 12
V refers to 20 mm displacement.

(c) Effect of pulsation dampener on the performance of plunger pump

5

KKEK2171 Laboratory and Communication I

Semester 2, 2015/16

1. Perform the general start-up procedures and open the valve V1 to fill the water
tank TN2 to 80% full.
2. Fully open V2 and V4. Turn the pump flow rate control knob to 100%.
3. Switch on the plunger pump and allow the water to flow through the system.
4. Observe the flow.
5. Repeat the experiment by closing the valve V4 and opening the valves V3 and V5.
Make sure the vent valve (V8) of pulsation dampener is closed.
6. Switch on the plunger pump and allow the water to flow through the system.
7. Observe the flow.
8. Compare and explain your observation.

Data Analysis
1. Present/plot the P-V diagram of the plunger pump. Give its significance.
2. Calculate the volumetric efficiency of the plunger pump (show model calculation).
3. Give your comments on the inclusion of dampener to the plunger pump.

References
1. Bruce R. Munson, Donald F. Young, Theodore H. Okiishi, Fundamentals of Fluid
Mechanics, 5th edition, Wiley Asia Student Edition, 2006.
2. Robert W. Fox, Alan T. McDonald, Philip J. Pritchard, Introduction to Fluid
Mechanics, 6th edition, John Wiley & Sons, 2004.
3. Merle C. Potter, David C. Wiggert, Mechanics of Fluids, 2nd edition, Prentice
Hall International Inc., 1997.
4. Noel de Nevers. Fluid Mechanics for Chemical Engineers, 2nd edition, McGrawHill, 1991.
5. L. Hamill, Understanding Hydraulics, McMillan Press Ltd., 1995.
6. B. S. Massey, Mechanics of Fluids. 6th. Edition. Van Nostrand Reinhold. 1989.
7. Irving Grant, Fluid Mechanics, 4th edition, Prentice Hall International Inc., 1989.