Experiment No.

02
Objective:
To investigate the characteristics of axial pump.

Experimental setup:
Multi pump test Bench

Figure 1 Multi Pump test Bench

Theory:
1. Pump:

Pump is a device which adds energy to fluid.

Or

It is a device which convert mechanical energy to hydraulic energy.

2. Axial pump:

Axial flow pumps have a motor-driven rotor that directs flow along a path parallel to the axis
of the pump. The fluid thus travels in a relatively straight direction, from the inlet pipe through
the pump to the outlet pipe.

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 Figure 2 Axial pump

3. Working principle of Axial pump:

An axial flow pump has a propeller-type of impeller running in a casing. The pressure in an
axial flow pump is developed by the flow of liquid over the blades of impeller. The fluid is
pushed in a direction parallel to the shaft of the impeller, that is, fluid particles, in course of
their flow through the pump, do not change their radial locations. It allows the fluid to enter
the impeller axially and discharge the fluid nearly axially. The propeller of an axial flow pump
is driven by a motor..

4. Parts of Axial pump:

The different parts of the centrifugal pump are listed below.

 Shaft
 Propeller
 Casing
 Suction Pipe
 Delivery Pipe

Figure 3 Main Parts of Axial pump

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5. Propeller:

A propeller is a fan which propels a fluid by pushing against it, it converts rotational motion
into linear motion.

Figure 4 Propeller

6. Applications of Axial pump:

Following are the applications of Axial pump.

 Irrigation
 Sewage Treatment Plants
 Cooling Water Pumps
 Drainage Systems

7. Advantages of Axial pump:

The main advantage of an Axial Flow Pump is that it has a relatively high discharge at a relative
low head. The effect of turning of the fluid is not too severe in an axial pump and the length of
the impeller blades is also short. This leads to lower aerodynamic losses and higher
stage efficiencies. These pumps have the smallest of the dimensions among many of the
conventional pumps and are more suited for low heads and higher discharges.

8. Limitations of Axial pump:

There are several issues which are encountered when it comes to axial pump design. The
efficiency is one of the issues which are encountered. The lubrication of axial piston pumps is

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 also a problem. The fluid that is used inside the pump is the manufacturer recommended
hydraulic fluid. This fluid has different temperature and operational requirements. However
this fluid cannot be used to lubricate the pump. The leakage is one of the reasons which are
faced in case of wrong lubrication

Experimental Procedure:
1. Check that he circulation tank is filled with water.
2. Switch on the main power supply.
3. Turn on the pump and slowly open Flow control valve until maximum flow rate is
achieved.
4. Ensure that all setting follows the equipment set-up.
5. Note down flow rate and pressures.
6. Test the pump characteristics by changing the flow rate.
7. Turn off the pump.
8. Switch off the main power supply.

Formulae:

Overall Efficiency η Overall= (Power Fluid /Power Electrical ) X 100%

Power (Fluid ) PFluid = g.Q.H.ρWater

Volumetric Flow Rate Q(m3/s) = Flow in LPM / 60000

Pump Head H (m) = P2-P1 /ρg + (V12)/2g

Water Density ρ= 1000 Kg/m3

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Observations:
Sr# Flowrate P1 (gauge) P2 (gauge) Q Pump Power Power %
( ) Head (h) Fluid Electric Efficien
( ) ( ) (m3/Sec) cy
(m) (W) (W)

Graphs:
 Flow rate vs. Efficiency

Graph between flow rate and efficinecy

7

5
Efficiency(%)

0
0 0.0002 0.0004 0.0006 0.0008 0.001 0.0012
Flow rate(m3/sec)

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  Revolution per minute vs. Efficiency

Graph between Revolution per Minute and Efficiency

7
6
Efficiency(%)

5
4
3
2
1
0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
Revolution per Minute

 Input vs. Efficiency

Graph between Input and Efficiency

7
6
5
Efficiency(%)

4
3
2
1
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
Input(watt)

Discussion and conclusion:

Axial pump, its construction, its working principle, its applications and its limitations have been
discussed in this experiment. By varying the revolution per minute we calculate the flow rate, the
power of fluid and in last calculate the efficiency of pump. The graph between flow rate and
efficiency, revolution per minute and efficiency, input power and efficiency show approximately
linear behavior, its mean that if we increased the speed of pump then it increase the efficiency of

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pump. There is a some fluctuations in graph which is due to some personal error while taking
readings from the apparatus, or may be due to some problem in apparatus. The efficiency of axil
pump is between 3 to 6 % its mean that the axial power do not give effective output, however it is
widely used in industries due to its vast requirements. From the experiment it is concluded that the
efficiency of axial pump can be increased by increasing the input power(RPM), input pressure. It
is also concluded that the axial pump is used where we required to flow any liquid in straight line.
Axial pump helps in many industry where some liquids have to move from one position to another
position in speed, so it saves the time and effort.

Specimen calculation:

Registration No. Report Viva Performance

(10) (10) (10)

ME171054

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