Priyanshu Ranjan Gupta 15110089 Group G

Characteristics of a Centrifugal Pump

1 ABSTRACT

The aim of this experiment is to plot the characteristic curves of a centrifugal pump performing at a constant

speed. The flow rate of water is varied by varying the suction and delivery pressure and the corresponding

energy consumption is noted. The speed of the pump is maintained within a desired region using a

tachometer. The data collected is then used to calculate efficiency.

2 INTRODUCTION

The centrifugal pump works by converting the input energy into kinetic energy by accelerating the liquid using a

device called the impeller. The liquid enters the pump through the eye of an impeller from where it gets accelerated

radially outwards into the volute due to the radial motion of the impeller. the area of the volute cross-section

increases as the liquid moves through the

volute towards the discharge pipe,

thereby increasing the pressure of the

fluid at that point.

The main characteristics of a centrifugal pump

are total head developed(H) , power

consumed(P) and the efficiency of the

pump. The characteristic curves of the above characteristics are basically drawn w.r.t. cold water of specific gravity unity

and viscosity of one centipoise. One must note that while the total head developed is independent of the specific gravity

of the liquid, the power consumed for the same caries with both the specific gravity as well as viscosity.
Priyanshu Ranjan Gupta 15110089 Group G
The power consumed by the centrifugal pump varies with flow rate and rpm. In this experiment we aim to plot the

characteristic curves of the pump keeping the RPM constant. This is also known as the operative characteristic curve.

The parameter, additional to H and P, used for analyzing the performance of a pump is the flow rate (Q). The

independent parameters for the pump are the impeller Diameter(D), pump speed(N) and the type of fluid.

One must note that the experiment given below is for a closed impeller (one of the three common types of impellers).

The parameters are calculated as follows-

Volumetric flow rate of

water (Q) is given by the
formula = = ,
where V is volume of the
calibrated tank and T2 is
time required to fill the
calibrated tank.

Mass flow rate of water (m)

is given by the formula m =

Total Head Developed is given by, H =

3 PROCEDURE
1. The tank is filled with water to about 90% of its maximum capacity. The valves of the suction and discharge line of

the pump are opened completely and the pump is switched on.

2. The speed of the pump is maintained by using a digital tachometer. The desired speed would be in the 50 of the

optimum speed.

3. The air bubbles are removed from the suction and the discharge tapping line and connected to the manometers.

NOTE: Due to damaged equipment, the pressure of the discharge line is assumed to be equal to the atmospheric

pressure.

4. Record the suction and delivery manometer readings.

Priyanshu Ranjan Gupta 15110089 Group G
5. The valve at the bottom of the calibrated tank is closed, and the time required for water to raise between two

marks is recorded. This will give us the volumetric flow rate of water.

5. The valve at the bottom of tank is opened as soon as the water level reaches the top mark.

At this moment, the energy meter reading (in watts) is noted.

6. Pressure of the pump is increased to the desired level and the readings corresponding to that value are noted.

4 OBSERVATIONS

Energy Meter reading in dry run = 0.029kW

Height Difference between Suction and pressure taping =2.6cm
Volume of tank= 12l
Priyanshu Ranjan Gupta 15110089 Group G

As we can see, an
increase in the flow
rate does not
necessarily result in
an increase in the
total Head
developed.

Efficiency vs Flow rate

60

50

40
Efficiency

30

20

10

0
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0.12
Flowrate

As we can see in the graph above, the efficiency of the pump is increasing as we increase the flow rate. However this
graph is incomplete due to the low number of readings. As the flow rate is increased further, the efficiency of the pump
decreases after reaching a peak value. A result of this observation is that the pump is generally chosen to work in its
region of maximum efficiency in order to optimize the energy consumption.
Priyanshu Ranjan Gupta 15110089 Group G
5 CONCLUSION

NOTE: A more accurate graph can be plotted if the number of observations taken is increased.

The Characteristic curves are extremely important when it comes to selecting a particular type of pump for a specific

purpose. These curves are essential in defining the properties of the pump.

Centrifugal pumps are generally used to pump the regular water supply, in fire fighting systems, in the boiler feeds in the

industries.

Some of the possible errors in the experiment are the human error and fluctuations in power consumption of the pump.

Also, every time the discharge rate is changed, the speed of the pump changes significantly and it is difficult to bring the

speed back to exactly the same value as original.

6 REFERENCES

1) CL 201 Lab manual

2) http://constructionmanuals.tpub.com/14265/css/Use-of-Centrifugal-Pumps-213.htm
3) http://www.zoombd24.com/centrifugal-pump/
4) http://blog.pumpkart.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/What-are-pump-impellers-and-its-types.jpg