Theoretical Optimization of Centrifugal Pump Operation

A centrifugal pump is a piece of hydraulic machinery that uses mechanical energy to transport
masses of water against a given head differential. The power required to complete this transport
is supplied by a motor and can be calculated. This input power, in theory will be equal to the
output power of the pump, which can also be calculated. These two types of power are functions
of different variables, which will be explained in detail following the outline of pump operation.
As stated by the laws of conservation, both mass and momentum of water at the pump inlet must
equal the mass and momentum of the pump’s discharge at the outlet. Conservation of mass is
easily visualizes, as volume of water in will be equal to the volume of water discharged by the
pump. However momentum may be more difficult. Momentum is defined as the velocity per unit
mass of the fluid, so velocity of the fluid will be the focus of the breakdown of conservation
concepts. This can be illustrated by a velocity vector diagram, seen in Figure 1. These vector
diagrams are also helpful in aiding with the comprehension of the concept of a shockless
entrance, which will also be explained in this section.

Figure 1: Velocity Vector Diagram

A pump is typically constructed with two disc like pieces, the larger being the impeller, and
smaller the face plate. The impeller is equipped with a given number of guide vanes to direct the
water in the desired direction. These vanes are angled in such a way to minimize losses in the
pump due to friction, recirculation, and shock. The angle associated with this vane direction will
be referred to as α, as seen above in the figure. α angle 1 is associated with the blade angle at the
pump inlet, and α angle 2 at the pump’s outlet. Water is sucked into the pump in the radial
direction, it is important to note there is no velocity in the tangential direction at the pump inlet.
From there the water enters what is known as the control volume area of the pump. This volume
can be defined as area of the impeller multiplied by it’s thickness. The use of a control volume
allows the law of conservation of momentum to be applied and visualized. Each vector in the
figure above is subscripted with either a 1 or 2 denoting the velocity at the inlet (1) or outlet (2).
While each individual vector may not be the same magnitude, the sum of all vectors denoted
with 1 will equal the sum of the vectors denoted with 2. These vector equalities support the law
of conservation of momentum.
This conservation is dependent on the assumptions of no head losses and perfect guidance of the
water through the pump by the impeller blades. This perfect guidance is achieved when a
shockless entrance of the fluid to the control volume of the pump is accomplished. A shockless
entrance happens when the fluid flows into the pump tangentially to the impeller blades, and
losses are minimized. Tangential direction is denoted by vectors with a subscript θ in figure 1.
Recall that water enters the pump in the radial direction. These conflicting fluid velocity
directions require manipulation of the fluid entering, meaning either pre-rotation or a specified
flow rate is required. Assuming no pre-rotation, a specified flow rate must be determined to
achieve a shockless entrance.
Determining the flow rate needed for shockless entrance can be done using values from the
velocity vector diagram to create a head versus flow rate graph. Head can be defined using the
following equation.
𝑢22 𝑢2 𝑄𝑐𝑜𝑡𝛼2
𝐻= + (Equation I)
𝑔 2𝜋𝑟2 𝑏2 𝑔

Above, u2 is the runner velocity, Q is the discharge at pump’s outlet, r2 is the radius of the
impeller, b2 is the impeller’s thickness, and g the gravitational constant. Notice that when the
rotational speed of the impeller is held constant (making the u terms constant) this head becomes
a linear function of the discharge. Also, depending on the magnitude of the blade angle, this head
will either be decreasing or increasing. Graphs below depict how head differs with these
different blade angles.

Figure 2: Pump Performance curve for Differing Blade Angles

Losses can also be modeled on these graphs. Losses due to friction, recirculation, and shock must
be assessed. As seen in figure 5, there is a clear head value in which the losses are minimized.
When this value is known based on these curves a corresponding flow rate can be computed
using equation I. This computed flow rate is associated with what is known as the best efficiency
point for pump operation, as losses are minimal at this pumping rate. When losses are
minimized, power loss and hydraulic inefficiencies are also minimized. This means that the
optimal power transfer from power supplied by the motor to power received by the water is
possible, resulting in maximum efficiency of the pump. In practice, comparison of flow rate
associated with the pump’s best efficiency point and the desired flow rate will be necessary.

Figure 3: Pump Performance Curve with Losses for Blade Angles < 90 Degrees

Determination of flow rates for maximum operating efficiencies can be tedious. Pump
performances for a given pump can vary tremendously from others. However, application of the
Homologous theory allows pumps to be compared side by side to determine unknown
characteristics of a single pump. Homologous theory is rooted in the idea of pumps having
similar velocity vector diagrams. Conditions of this theory include geometric similitude between
pumps and similar streamlines associated with the fluid. When both these conditions are met, the
homologous theory can be applied. Using different variables associated with the pump and pump
performance two dimensionless groups can be created. These groups are useful in determining
unknown characteristics of similar pumps and are as follows:
𝑄 𝑄 𝛥𝑃 𝛥𝑃
( 3) = ( 3) , ( 2 2) = ( 2 2)
𝑁𝐷 𝐴 𝑁𝐷 𝐵 𝑁 𝐷 𝐴 𝑁 𝐷 𝐵
Above, Q is the discharge of pump, N is the speed of rotation of the impeller, D is the impeller
diameter, and ΔP the pressure rise. Subscripts A and B are specific to two different pump units,
but these groups can also be used for the same pump with different discharges, operating speeds,
or pressure rises. Note that in the above groups ΔP can also be replaced with ΔH or head rise of a
unit when gravitational acceleration is not accounted for. However, when this is done the group
is no longer dimensionless. Comparison of two pump performance curves can aid in the
visualization of this theory.

Figure 4: Pump Performance Curves for Two Units Operating at Different Speeds (N)
In figure 6, pump performance curves can be seen for two operating speeds. Points 1 and 2
correspond to best efficiency points for each speed. When these respective discharge and head
values associated with these two points are used in conjunction with diameters and operating
speeds the dimensionless constants outlined above will be equal. This idea of equal constants
makes the homologous theory useful for determining unknown pump characteristics of
geometric similar units when similar streamlines are present.
Homologous theory can also aid in pump selection. This done by determining the specific speed.
Specific speed is not a speed, but a label for pumps. Different types of pumps correlate to
different specific speeds. For example, radial-vane field, francis-screw field, and mixed-flow
field pumps all have a given range of specific speeds. Specific speed can be computed using the
following equation.

𝑁√𝑄
𝑁𝑠 = 3
𝐻4
Specific speed is useful for determining type of pump necessary for a given application, while
the best efficiency point aids in determination of pumping rate.