PUMP-PALANGGA MO SAPATH NA, NO PRESSURE

(Pump Characteristics Using Single, Parallel and Series Pumps)

Andrade, Dianne Kaye
Buñao, Ruby Anne
Catipay, Nelson

I. Introduction

Pump is a mechanical device that is used to transfer liquid from a location of a low
elevation to a higher elevation. However, the required operating conditions for a system are
beyond the reach of a single, standard pump and it is desirable to consider a multiple pump
system to increase the pumping capacity ("SERIES & PARALLEL PUMP TEST," n.d.).
Typically, parallel and series configurations of pumps are used which require a specific
performance criteria.
The pump is in series configuration if the discharge of one pump is connected to the
suction side of the second pump. For two pumps operating in series, the flow rate is the same
as for a single pump, but the total head is increased ("Experiment 10 4 Hydraulics Lab 2,"
n.d.). By adding the heads of the single pump curves at the same capacity, the combined
pump head-capacity curve can be found.

Figure 1. Pump curve for two pumps in series

On the other hand, pumps are described as operating in parallel when they receive
liquid from the same suction manifold, and discharge into a common discharge manifold (Mc
Nally Institute, n.d.). For two pumps connected in parallel, half the flow passes through one
of the pumps and the other through the second pump. The flow rate is increased while the
total head increase remains unchanged ("Series and Parallel Pumps," n.d.). The head-capacity
curve is found by adding the capacities of the single pump curves at the same head.
 Figure 2. Pump curve for two pumps in parallel

The performance or power of a pump is measured in head or the discharge head of a

water. The greater the pump head, the greater the pressure that the pump can generate
(IeDepot Blog, 2015). Head is the measure of the height of the liquid column that the pump
could create from the kinetic energy it gives to the liquid. It is useful because the pumping
characteristics tend to be independent of the fluid's density in specifying centrifugal pumps
("Centrifugal Pumps," n.d.). The head of a pump can be expressed in metric units as:

h = (p2 - p1) / (ρg) + v22 / (2g) (1)

Where,
h = total head developed (m)
p2 = pressure at outlet (N/m2)
p1 = pressure at inlet (N/m2)
ρ = density (kg/m3)
g = acceleration of gravity (9.81) m/s2
v2 = velocity at the outlet (m/s)

The measure of the efficiency with which the pump transfers useful work to the fluid
is pump efficiency, η ("Centrifugal Pumps," n.d.).
η = Pout / Pin (2)
Where,
η = efficiency (%)
Pin = power input
Pout = power output

II. Objectives
Generally, the experiment aims to determine the operational characteristics of pumps
when operated as a single pump, pumps in series, and pumps in parallel configuration.

Specifically, it aims to:

1. Determine the resulting discharge flow rate and total head of a single operating pump,
pumps in series, and pumps in parallel.
2. Construct a ‘pump curve’ (head vs. flow rate curve) for a single pump and in
combination of pumps both in series and in parallel.
 3. Differentiate the ‘pump curve’ between series and parallel pump configuration.

III. Scope and Limitations

The experiment will be conducted using a series and parallel pump equipment
wherein the valves can be adjusted to demonstrate different pump configurations (single,
series, parallel). Water will be used as the flowing media. The experiment will be focused
mainly on (1) determining the pressure head and exit flow rates in varying entering flow rates
and (2) comparing the pump curves of a single pipe, pipes in series, and pipes in parallel.
Also, the friction losses will be neglected in this experiment.

IV. Methodology

Materials:
Stop Watch
Pails
Series and Parallel Equipment
Graduated cylinder (1000 mL)

Figure 1 The Actual Set-up of series and Parallel Pump Figure 2 Free Body Diagram of the Series and Parallel
Pump

Procedures:
1. The tank will be filled with water up to a nearly full level.
2. Check all the if pipes are connected and make sure that both the suction and discharge
pressure gauges should read zero.
3. Do a test run for the set-up. Make sure that there are no leaks and the pumps and
valves are properly working.
4. Set the valves so that the configurations results to a Single, Series and Parallel Pump
setting and start gathering data for each configuration.
A. For Single Pump Setting:
 Figure 3 Set-Up for Single Pump

a) Turn on Pump 1 and fully open valve 1 and 2.

b) Record the data for Suction Pressure, Discharge Pressure and Flowrate.
c) Turn off the pump after gathering data.
d) Repeat steps a - c with valve 2 opened at ¾, ½ and ¼ and record all the
data needed for each trial.
B. For Series Pump Setting:

Figure 4 Set-Up for Series Pumps

a) Turn on Pump 1 and 2

b) Fully open valve 1, 3 and 5.
c) Record the data for Suction Pressure, Discharge Pressure and Flowrate.
d) Turn off the pumps after gathering all needed data.
e) Repeat steps a - d with valve 5 opened at ¾, ½ and ¼ and record all the
data needed for each trial.
 C. For Parallel Pump Setting:

Figure 5 Set-Up for Parallel Pumps

a) Turn on Pump 1 and 2
b) Fully open valve 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
c) Record the data for Suction Pressure, Discharge Pressure and Flowrate.
d) Turn off the pumps after gathering all needed data.
e) Repeat steps a - d with valve 5 opened at ¾, ½ and ¼ and record all the
data needed for each trial.

V. Expected Output

Table 1. Data for Single Pump (Pump 1) Configuration

Trial PDis PSuc Flow Rate PTOTAL PHEAD
1 (100% opening)
2 (75 % opening)
3 (50% opening)
4 (25% opening)

Table 2. Data for Series Pump Configuration

Trial PDis PSuc Flow Rate PTOTAL PHEAD
1 (100% opening)
2 (75 % opening)
3 (50% opening)
4 (25% opening)

Table3. Data for Parallel Pump Configuration

Trial PDis PSuc Flow Rate PTOTAL PHEAD
1 (100% opening)
2 (75 % opening)
3 (50% opening)
4 (25% opening)
VI. References

Centrifugal Pumps. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/centrifugal-

pumps-d_54.html

Experiment 10 4 Hydraulics Lab 2. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://es.scribd.com/document/257035125/Experiment-10-4-Hydraulics-Lab-2

SERIES & PARALLEL PUMP TEST. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.scribd.com/document/177188312/SERIES-PARALLEL-PUMP-TEST

Series and Parallel Pumps. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.academia.edu/19668765/Series_and_Parallel_Pumps

IeDepot Blog. (2015, July 2). Pump Head Explained. Retrieved from

https://www.iedepot.ie/blog/what-is-pump-head/

Mc Nally Institute. (n.d.). Series or parallel pump operation. Retrieved from

http://www.mcnallyinstitute.com/18-html/18-1.htm