SERIES AND PARALLEL OPERATION OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

A centrifugal pump will pump fluid at the point where the system curve intersects the
pump curve.

If you need more flexibility you can install another pump and operate it in either
series or parallel with the first pump.
SERIES OPERATION
Centrifugal pumps are connected in series if the discharge of one pump is connected
to the suction side of a second pump. Two similar pumps, in series, operate in the
same manner as a two-stage centrifugal pump.
Each of the pumps is putting energy into the pumping fluid, so the resultant head is
the sum of the individual heads.
Some things to consider when you connect pumps in series:
Both pumps must have the same width impeller or the difference in capacities
(GPM or Cubic meters/hour.) could cause a cavitation problem if the first pump
cannot supply enough liquid to the second pump.
Both pumps must run at the same speed (same reason).
Be sure the casing of the second pump is strong enough to resist the higher
pressure. Higher strength material, ribbing, or extra bolting may be required.

 The stuffing box of the second pump will see the discharge pressure of the first
pump. You may need a high-pressure mechanical seal.
Be sure both pumps are filled with liquid during start-up and operation.
Start the second pump after the first pump is running.

PARALLEL OPERATION
Pumps are operated in parallel when two or more pumps are connected to a common
discharge line, and share the same suction conditions.
Some things to consider when pumps are operated in parallel:
Both pumps must produce the same head this usually means they must be
running at the same speed, with the same diameter impeller.
API 610, states that when pumps are run in parallel, "the head shall rise at least
10% of the head at rated capacity."(this is called a "stable curve because there is
a continious rise to shutoff.)
Two pumps in parallel will deliver less than twice the flow rate of a single
pump in the system because of the increased friction in the piping.
The shape of the system curve determines the actual increase in capacity. If
there is additional friction in the system from throttling (see dotted line in the

following diagram), two pumps in parallel may deliver only slightly more than
a single pump operating by its self.
If you run a single pump only, it will operate at a higher flow rate (A) than if it
were working in parallel with another pump (B) because it will be operating
further out on the curve requiring increased power. The rule is that if a pump is
selected to run in parallel, be sure it has a driver rated for single operation.

Six truths about parallel pump operation

1. For any given discharge head1-2, flows for parallel pumps are additive
2. The system flow rate will be determined by the intersection of the systemhead curve and the performance curve of the parallel pumps
3. Pumps of different hydraulic characteristics may be operated in parallel to the
extent that they share common discharge head characteristics
4. Pumps of different hydraulic characteristics may encounter severe problems
when operated in parallel
5. All pumps have different hydraulic characteristics
6. To produce flow, a pump must generate a greater discharge pressure at startup than the pressure already present in the system

For any given discharge head, flows for parallel pumps are additive
Referring to figure 2: at any given discharge head flow B will equal the sum of the
flow from each pump A. Furthermore, the power draw of each pump will be the
power draw at the contributing flow rate for each pump. It is generally desirable to
use just one pump where one pump can do the job. Multiple small pumps will have a
higher capital installation cost and will combine to draw more energy than a single
properly designed larger pump. However, some other factors, such as limited Net
Positive Suction Head Available (NPSHA), may preclude the use of a single pump.

The system flow rate will be determined by the

intersection of the system-head curve and the
performance curve of the parallel pumps
Although the flow capability is additive for parallel
pumps at any given discharge head, the actual
output of the pumps will be determined by the
intersection of the system-head curve with the
parallel performance curve. For a system where the
system curve is dominated by frictional losses,
parallel operation will generally mean a lower flow
than twice the single pump flow (Fig 3). When the
discharge head is variable, such as with a control valve, then flow will be
controllable when within the range of the valve.

Pumps of different hydraulic characteristics may be

operated in parallel to the extent that they share common
discharge head characteristics
So far the discussion has been limited to supposedly identical
pumps (a scenario that well find out shortly does not exist other than on paper).
However, it is possible to operate very different pumps in parallel provided that they
share common discharge head characteristics in the region of parallel operation. Fig
4 depicts characteristics for two different pumps A & B. Following rule No. 1, that for
any given discharge head, flows for parallel pumps are additive; the parallel
operation curve consists of curve A to point D, and curve C. Point D corresponds to
the shut-off head of pump B. Curve C represents the additive flows for A and B that
share a common discharge head.

Pumps of different hydraulic characteristics

may encounter severe problems when operated in parallel
Referring again to Fig. 4: point E corresponds to the minimum flow rate of pump B.
As long as the system curve intersects the parallel operation curve between points
E and the maximum allowable flow, everything is fine. If for any reason the system
head curve should shift to the left of point E, pump B will be compromised either
mechanically or thermally. If the system head curve should shift to the left of point
D, pump A will start to run singly and pump B will operate at zero flow. As will be
discussed further in rule 6 below, it is important to note that pump B can never
come on line against pump A unless pump A is operating at a flow greater than that
at point D.
The paramount question is whether the operator has the capability to know what
the actual flow for each pump is. Operating pumps blindly in a configuration like
that shown in figure 4 is very risky. Pumps wear; heat exchangers foul; and control
valves open and close. A dead-headed3pump, especially a vertical dead-headed
pump, can run amazingly smooth right up until failure. To operate dissimilar
pumps in parallel, one would need to make sure that pump B was equipped with a
minimum flow recirculation line and preferably, flow monitoring instrumentation. It
should also be noted that the pumps might be of the same size and model and yet
be dissimilar simply because one is badly worn and the other is not.
All pumps have different hydraulic characteristics
Most pump hydraulic components are built from castings. Even when new,
differences in casting surfaces, clearances, and tolerances usually result in slightly
different performance curves. For well-made industrial pumps these differences are
generally small, and given continuously rising curves and similar shut-off heads,
parallel operation is not a problem. In contrast, for cheaply made products the
performance differences can be substantial. One should also be cognizant of the
fact that any stage variances within multistage pumps are cumulative across the
number of stages.

Curve shape is very much a factor in evaluating

supposedly similar pumps for parallel operation.
For example, the pumps shown in figure 5 have
very similar discharge head characteristics, but in
parallel operation they will have the same issues
outlined above for the dissimilar pumps in figure
4.

A pump must generate a greater discharge

pressure at start-up than the pressure
already present in the system
Probably the most commonly discussed (but not
necessarily the most prevalent) problem concerns supposedly identical pumps with
a non-continuously rising head curve to shut-off (Fig 6). If the system curve
intersects the pump curve anywhere to the left of point A, a second pump with
similar characteristics cannot be brought on line. It can be seen from Fig 6 that any
of the flow-rates to the left of point A, except for zero flow, have a head that is
greater than the shut-off head of the second pump. Obviously, the same issue exists
for dissimilar pumps such as in Figure 4. (Pump A of Figure 4 can always start
against a running pump B, but pump B can only start against pump A if pump A is
operating to the right of point D.)
In summary, parallel pump systems are more
expensive, less efficient, and create problems with
load sharing that single pumps do not. There are
some valid reasons for parallel pump operation
such as when switching over pumps, NPSHA
considerations, and handling intermittent peak
load situations that cannot readily be satisfied
with a single pump. When faced with spending
constraints, one might also be driven towards
parallel pump operation to increase system
throughput as an alternative to purchasing new
pumps. Operating pumps in parallel is viable
providing that it is done with a full understanding of the individual characteristics of
the pumps involved and the ability to monitor or ensure minimum flow thresholds
are met for each pump

Pumps in parallel 15-01

The head/ capacity curve for a centrifugal pump will be supplied to you by the pump
manufacturer. The curve he supplies describes the relationship between the head
and capacity of that particular model. As you look at his drawing you should note

that the BEP (best efficiency point) is located somewhere between 80% and 85% of
the shut off or maximum head. To maximize the life of the pump you should operate
the pump as close to the BEP as you can.
Please note that in each of the following diagrams I use the same terminology:

H = Head or height, measured in feet or meters

Q = Capacity measured in gpm, m3/hr or any other units you are comfortable
with.

S = A description of the system curve supplied by the consumer

Unless the internal pump clearances go out of

specification you will always pump on the pump
curve. As the centrifugal pump's capacity increases
the head will decrease or as the capacity decrease,
the head will increase. If you change one you
always change the other.

The pump curve does not extend out to intersect

the capacity axis at some point. Beyond the noted
limit the pump will go into cavitation because of
excess flow.

In other papers we learned that a system curve is a description of the various heads
the pump will encounter at the customer's desired capacities. The system curve is
generated by the pump user and supplied to the pump manufacture to assist him in
selecting the correct pump for the application. The head shown on the system curve
is always a combination of:

The static head. The vertical distance between the discharge of the pump
and the maximum height of the piping, minus the siphon affect

The pressure head. The amount of pressure in the tank to be filled, converted
to head units.

The head loss caused by friction in the:

Piping

Valves

And any fittings installed in the system

If you are not comfortable with these head terms please refer to paper 14-10 (U.S.
customary units) or paper 07-01 (metric units) for a detailed explanation.
Here is a diagram of a typical system head curve.

Please note that the static and pressure heads

remain constant in most systems. It is the friction
head that varies with the pump's capacity. The
higher the flow, the more friction or head loss in
these components.

It should also be noted that friction loss varies by

approximately the square of the resistance. Twice as
much flow produces almost four times the friction
losses

Once he has the customer's system curve in his possession,

the pump manufacturer will place his pump curve (P) on top
of this system curve (S) and the pump will then operate
where the two curves intersect (I). Hopefully this is close to
the pump BEP

The next diagram shows two centrifugal pumps connected in parallel.

These pumps could be either centrifugal or positive

displacement types. The terminology remains the
same.
We connect pumps in parallel because we are trying
to increase the capacity (gpm or m3/hr) of the system

The following sketch shows what happens when two identical centrifugal pumps,
connected in parallel, intersect a system curve.

The pumps will pump where they each intersect the

system curve. Please take note of the following:

With two pumps running they intersect at a higher

head (B) and a greater capacity than if one pump
was running.

To determine the flow of an individual pump while

both are running, trace back at that combined
head to the single pump curve and read the flow
for each pump at "G". With two pumps running,

the system head is higher causing each pump to

reduce its capacity a little bit.

We sometimes hear complaints that when three pu mps are run in parallel the third
pump often does not seem to be making any difference. Look at the following
diagram for an explanation:

Take a good look at the diagram and you will see that
the third pump (C) is intersecting the system curve
at just about the same point as the second pump (B).
All of this means that the capacity of three pumps
running will not be greater than that of two pumps
running.
The next diagram is an example of three different size centrifugal pumps running in
parallel. Running different size pumps in parallel is seldom a good idea because the
larger pump can throttle the smaller pump causing it to run too far off of its BEP
(best efficiency point.) This can cause shaft deflection and possible premature
bearing and seal failure.
Your best protection against excessive radial movement of the shaft caused by
operating off the BEP (best efficiency point is to equip the pump with a low
L3/D4 shaft number.

If either (A) or (B) is running alone, it will intersect the

system curve at the point shown on the diagram.
If (A) and (B) pumps are running at the same time, the
capacities are additive at the same head. The resultant
curve gives a new intersection point on the system curve for
the combined capacity.
To determine the flow contribution of each pump in this
arrangement, trace back to the intersection with curves (A)
and (B),
You must be sure that the pumps will run individually in the system as well as in
parallel. Please take a look at the next diagram to see a problem application

Assume that when the pumps are running together, the

combined pump curve intersects the system curve within
the operating range of the pumps. (A&B).
If the pumps are run individually neither of them can
develop enough flow to intersect the users system curve.
Because the pump is running at the right hand side of it's
curve the pump will cavitate and experience all of the
problems associated with severe shaft deflection.
Lets talk for a minute about what happens when you run PD (positive displacement)
pumps in parallel. Remember that the word "head" is not used with PD pumps. We
will be using the term "pressure" instead. Positive displacement pumps connected in
parallel should have the same maximum pressure capabilities. If they incorporate
internal relief valves the valves should be set to the correct anticipated pressures.

The rules are the same as running centrifugal pumps in

parallel. You add the capacities of the two pumps at the
same pressure.

Now go back and look at the fourth diagram. In constructing these examples I used
the same diameter piping for the suction and discharge sides of both pumps, so the
discharge head or pressure would be identical coming from each of them. In
practice the two pumps could be using different size piping and the discharge head
or pressure coming from the pumps would be different.

If the piping for pumps #1 and #2 are identical, the head at the discharge of
each pump would be the same.

If the piping for pump #1 were smaller than the diameter for pump #2, the
only common diameter would be where they discharge into pipe #3. How
would the flow be affected in this second case?

The higher friction loss in piping #1 would meet the head at the intersection
of 1-3, The head from pump #1 would drop when the flow encountered this
larger diameter and the flow would increase.

Both pumps #1 and #2 are running independently, with the system curve
controlling, so pump #2 would continue to provide flow at a rate limited by
the friction in the system

There are several reasons why you might want to use pumps running in parallel:

Two smaller pumps could be less costly than running one large pump.

In critical applications you need a back-up pump.

Use parallel pumps to satisfy the demands of a changing flow system.

There are some considerations you must address when using parallel pumps:

The pumps should run at the same speed with the same diameter impellers.

Use installed hour meters to assist you in determining the service hours on
each pump if you alternate them in operation.