University of Santo Tomas CHE 424L:

Faculty of Engineering Chemical Engineering Laboratory I

Department of Chemical Engineering Pre-Lab Assignment

Name: Cabangal, Erwin Cayl P. Date: March 9, 2019

Section: 4ChEB Group No: 2 Instructor: Dr. Divine Sumalinog

Experiment A3: Series/Parallel Centrifugal Pumps

Using the spaces provided, answer the following questions:

1. Generally, what are the functions of pumps? What are the most commonly used pumps in the industry? As
far as functions are concerned, how are the various types of pumps different from one another? What are the
most important functions of each type that are unique to it?

Generally, the role of a pump is to move fluids by mechanical action. The most common type is the centrifugal
pump. It uses an impeller and is usually used for liquids having low viscosity and low solid concentration.
Another example is the submersible pumps. They are most widely used in building services, industrial
applications, suitable for moving subsoil water, sewage, chemicals and food stuff. Air diaphragm pumps are
also being used for mining and industrial plant operations where electricity isn’t available. Pumps vary from
one another depending on the type of flow’s mechanism. For example, a positive displacement pump moves
a fluid by repeatedly enclosing a fixed volume and moving it mechanically with the help of pistons, screws,
gears or rollers. Another example is the impulse pumps where it uses pressure created by gas to push part
of the liquid upwards. There are also pumps that uses gravitation force to move the liquid called gravity
pumps. The most important function of every pump is to produce the flow necessary for the movement of
fluid and that they differ only on the mechanism used.

2. In how many ways could a number of pumps be connected? How does each connection scheme vary with
one another as far as total volumetric flow rate, total head, flow resistance and efficiency are concerned? In
which cases would each scheme appropriate?

There are two ways in which pumps can be connected, either in series or parallel connection. If the discharge
of one pump is connected to the suction side of a second pump, the connection is said to be in series. On the
other hand, pumps are said to be in parallel when they are connected to a common discharge line and share
the same suction conditions. The two configurations are compared in the table below.

Series
Total Volumetric Flow Rate Equal to the rate of the individual
pumps
Total Head Sum of the individual heads
Efficiency Most efficient for high head
requirements and constant flow rate
Parallel
Sum of the individual flow rates
Equal to the rate of the individual
pumps
Most efficient for high flow rate
requirement and variable flow

From the above comparison, it can be said that parallel configuration is more practical for larger fluid flow
requirement whereas series configuration can be efficiently used for high static discharge head or extremely
long piping lengths with high friction losses.