Unit Operation Lab

PERFORMANCE AND BENEFITS OF PUMPS

IN SERIES/PARALLEL OPERATIONS

Arnuco, Arjay
Baligod, Jeffrey
Cruz, Nichole
Martin, Jeanell
Penalba, Benjie

Engr. Albert Evangelista

Adviser

Abstract

In this experiment, the students were asked to examine the

performance and benefits of single pump and pumps connected in
series and in parallel operations. The materials used were series and
parallel pump test rig, water and adjustable counterweight. The
experiment was done thrice using 2000, 2200 and 2400 revolutions per
minute. At the end of the experiment, the discharge, total head, output
power, input power, efficiency and the specific speed of the pumps were
calculated. The performance and efficiency versus discharge curve was
also plotted.

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Introduction:
Centrifugal pumps
Are often used together to enhance either the flow rate
or the delivery pressure beyond that available from the
single pump. For some piping system designs, it may
be desirable to consider a multiple pump system to
meet the design requirements.
The

experimental unit provides the determination of

the characteristic behavior for single operation and
interaction of two pumps. The apparatus consists of a
tank and pipework which delivers water to and from two
identical centrifugal pumps
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Materials and Equipment

1.
2.
3.

Series/Parallel Pump Test Rig

Water
Adjustable Counterweight

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Ooooppps!
Safety first

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Safety Rules:
1.

2.

Before running the experiment or turning power on,

check all electric cords and hoses and make sure
that there are no cracks or exposed areas.
This experiment is equipped with a mercury
manometer. Extreme care should be taken not to
break it.

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Set Up

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Procedure
1. For the start- up of the system, the valves except the
flow- regulating valve was opened and the pump system
was filled with water through the filling plug.

2. The motor stator was balanced using the adjustable counter weight.

3. The water level was adjusted to in the approach channel

to the V notch so that it is exactly level with the apex, taking
account of the surface tension effect.

4. The point gauge in the stilling well was set to zero.

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5. The speed controller was set to zero

6. With the regulating valve closed, the suction and delivery valves
appropriate to the test were selected.

7. The initial readings on the two relevant pressure gauges were recorded

8. The motor was run up to the chosen speed (2100 rev/min).

9. With the regulating valve closed again, the pressure gauge readings
were also recorded. The valves were opened in intervals such that
regulator increments of discharge were attained
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10. At each interval, after adjusting the speed controller as necessary to

maintain the chosen speed, the pressure gauge readings and the head
over the crest of the V notch in the stilling well were recorded.

11. Weights were applied to the torque arm until it was balanced and the total
weight applied was noted.

12. These set of procedures were repeated for 1800 and 1600 rev/min and for
each of the other pump arrangements (series and parallel).

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Result and Discussion

FORMULAS:
For

total suction head

TSH= HS+ (Q/AS)2/(2g)
Where
AS= ds^/2
For

total delivery head

TDH=HD+(Q/AS)2/(2g)+ z
Where
AS= dd^/2

For

total head
THM= TDH-TSH
For

total Q
TOTAL Q=
(8/15)*(2g)0.5*Ce(THM+kh)
Where
Ce= 0.5765
Kh= 0.00085 m

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For input power to the

pump
Wi=(MgL)*(2N/60) 0.1
Kw

For efficiency
EFFICIENCY=
100*(Wi/Wa)

For output power to

the pump
Wa=(TOTAL
Q)*(THM)*(s.g)/3960
Where
Sg= spec grav of water

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Results and Discussion:

For Pumps 1 and 2
For trial 1 @ 2000 rev/min

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For trial 2 @ 2200 rev/min

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For trial 3@ 2400 rev/min

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Table I. PERFORMANCE OF PUMPS AT DIFFERENT

SPEEDS FOR 3 TRIALS

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Table II. VARIATION OF TOTAL HEAD AND

EFFICIENCY OF PUMPS 1 AND 2 FOR 3 TRIALS

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Table III. VARIATION OF DISCHARGE AND

EFFICIENCY OF PUMPS 1 AND 2 FOR 3 TRIALS

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For series and parallel pumps

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Table IV. PERFORMANCE OF SERIES AND

PARALLEL PUMPS AT DIFFERENT SPEED FOR
2400 rev/min

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Table V. PERFORMANCE OF SERIES AND

PARALLEL PUMPS AT DIFFERENT SPEED FOR
2200 rev/min

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Table VI. PERFORMANCE OF SERIES AND

PARALLEL PUMPS AT DIFFERENT SPEED FOR
2000 rev/min

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Conclusion:

From the experimental data and tabulated results, it

can be shown that with pumps in parallel, the flow
rate can be increased almost twice for the same head
delivered whereas the head delivered can be
increased twice by arranging the pumps in series.
Hence, where a single pump is inappropriate for large
flow rate or high head, pumps can be arranged in
series or parallel or combination of the both
depending on the requirement.

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Also, it can be concluded that pumps in series and

parallel are more efficient than a single pump and
pumps in series have higher efficiency than pumps in
parallel. Efficiency of pumps in series is better in
lower flow rate or at higher head delivered and
pumps in parallel is more suitable for higher flow
rates or lower head.
Lastly, increased power input can be obtained in
pumps connected in series and parallel than that of a
single pump.

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