PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS

OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

Instructed By :- Mr. P.D.R. Lalantha

Group Members :- R.S.V. Piyasena
P.P.G.C. Prasanna
R. Prasanthan
M.G.M.M. Premathilaka
T.G.P. Priyadarshana
G.P.N.S.G. Punchihewa
O.C. Ranawaka
U.I. Ranganath
Name :- G.P.N.S.G.Punchihewa
Index No :- 080391T
Course :- B.Sc. ENG. Mechanical
Module :- ME 3020
Practical No :-
Date of conduct :- 30/09/2010
Date of submission :- 28/10/2010
Objective:
To determine performance characteristics of centrifugal pumps.

Apparatus:
 Centrifugal pump apparatus bench
 Stop watch

Procedure:
Operation was done for a centrifugal pump. A pump was operated with control rate of flow.
This was done in two ways. One is varying the inlet ball valve and other is varying the outlet
ball valve. To assure the exact flow rate, pipe reading with stop watch was taken for each case.
Correspondingly, measurements of pressures were taken for suction and delivery side. Also
corresponding current was observed.

Theory:
A centrifugal pump converts the input power to kinetic energy in the liquid by accelerating the
liquid by a revolving device‐ an impeller. Fluid enters the pump through the eye of the impeller
which rotates at high speed. The fluid is accelerated radially outward from the pump chasing.
A vacuum is created at the impellers eye that continuously draws more fluid into the pump.

The energy created by the pump is kinetic energy according the Bernoulli Equation. The
energy transferred to the liquid corresponds to the velocity at the edge or vane tip of the
impeller. The faster the impeller revolves or the bigger the impeller, the higher the velocity of
the liquid energy transferred to the liquid. This is described by the Affinity Laws.

It is important to understand that the pump will pump all fluids to the same height if the shaft is
turning at the same rpm. Centrifugal Pumps are "constant head machines".
The head of a pump in metric units can be expressed in metric units as:
h = (p2‐ p1)/(ρ g) + v22/(2 g)
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)

Energy Usage:

The energy usage in a pumping installation is determined by the flow required, the height lifted
and the length and characteristics of the pipeline. The power required to drive a pump (Pi), is
defined simply using SI units by:

Where;
Pi - The input power required (W)
ρ - The fluid density (kg/m3)
g - The gravitational constant (9.81 m/s2)
H - The energy Head added to the flow (m)
Q - The flow rate (m3/s)
η - The efficiency of the pump plant as a decimal

The head added by the pump (H) is a sum of the static lift, the head loss due to friction and any
losses due to valves or pipe bends all expressed in meters of water. Power is more commonly
expressed as kW (103 W) or horsepower. The value for the pump efficiency η may be stated
for the pump itself or as a combined efficiency of the pump and motor system.

The energy usage is determined by multiplying the power requirement by the length of time the
pump is operating.
Performance curve:

The performance curve is the easiest and most satisfactory way to show graphically the
relationship between head, capacity, horsepower, etc., of any pump. For a given rotational
speed and impeller size, the performance of a pump can be represented on a head‐capacity
curve of total developed head in feet of water versus flow in gallons per minute. Total dynamic
head (TDH) is the difference between suction and discharge pressure and includes the
difference between the velocity head at the suction and discharge connection. The lines sloping
downward from left to right represent the varying quantities of water delivered by the pump
with variations in head or pressure for a given impeller size.

The intersection of this line with zero delivery line shows the “shut‐off head”, which is the
pressure developed by the pump when the discharge valve is shut. Starting from the shut‐off
head, as the pump delivers more water, the mechanical efficiency of the pump increases until a
“best efficiency point” (BEP) is reached. Increasing the flow further decreases the efficiency
until a point known as “end of curve” where the manufacturer no longer publishes the
performance. As the impeller gets smaller, the pump efficiency also decreases.

The power requirements are also shown on the performance curve. The horsepower line that
does not cross the pump curve is called “non‐overloading” horsepower because operation at
any point on the published pump curve will not overload the motor.

\
Discussion:

About the experiment:-

From the experiments, characteristics of pumps ran at different flow rate are observed and
drawn in graphs. These characteristics curves are essential in defining the properties of a pump,
since only size and shape cannot be sufficient to select a pump for certain purpose. Standard
test were done according to the procedures defined by the lab manual and characteristics
curves are drawn.

To increase the efficiency of pumps we can use multiple pumps instead of a single pump. We
have studied the variation of head available with change in flow rate. With pumps in parallel
we can increase the flow almost twice for the same head delivered, while head delivered can be
increased twice by arranging pumps in series. Hence, where a single pump is inappropriate for
large flow rate or high head, pumps can be arranged in series and parallel or combination of
both to suite our requirement.

The main aim of the practical was to draw up the characteristics curve. With the help of
characteristics curve and the actual field conditions (Head available, input power required,
required flow rate). We should have to compromise the efficiency for the fulfillment of the
actual field condition situations. So the characteristics curves help to optimize the field
conditions and to select a particular type of pump or a combination of pump for a particular
site.

Features of centrifugal pumps:-

Some of the salient features of centrifugal pumps include;

 Consistent and reliable flow

 Improved productivity
 Reliable seal integrity
 Low life cycle cost

All pumps (both the centrifugal pumps and the positive-displacement pumps) have operational
limits. Specifically, centrifugal pumps have certain limitations which, if not properly evaluated
can drastically reduce their working life. The BEP (Best Efficiency Point) is not only the
maximum operating point but it is also the point where the speed and pressure at the impeller
and the spiral stator are equal.

As the operating point diverges from the Best Efficiency Point, the speed changes which in
turn modifies the pressure acting on one of the sides of the impeller. This irregular pressure on
the impeller manifests itself as a radial thrust which deflects the pump shaft causing, among
other things:

 an excessive load on the bearings

 an excessive deflection of the mechanical seal
 irregular wear on the shaft bearing

The damages that might occur then consist of a shorter bearing life or a broken shaft. Radial
loading is maximized when everything closed. If operating outside of the recommended
operating range, damage to the pump could be caused by excessive speed and turbulence.
Vortexes can create cavitations damage which very quickly can destroy the pump and impeller
casing.

Advantages and disadvantages of centrifugal pumps:-

The   advantages   of centrifugal pumps include simplicity, compactness, weight saving, and
adaptability to high-speed prime movers. One disadvantage of centrifugal pumps is their
relatively poor suction power. When the pump end is dry, the rotation of the impeller, even at
high speeds, is simply not sufficient to lift liquid into the pump; therefore, the pump must be
primed before pumping can begin. For this reason, the suction lines and inlets of most
centrifugal pumps are placed below the source level of the liquid pumped. The pump can then
be primed by merely opening the suction stop valve and allowing the force of gravity to fill the
pump with liquid. The static pressure of the liquid above the pump also adds to the suction
pressure developed by the pump while it is in operation.  Another disadvantage of centrifugal
pumps is that they develop cavitations. Cavitations occurs when the velocity of a liquid
increases to the point where the consequent pressure drop reaches the pressure of vaporization
of the liquid. When this happens, vapor pockets, or bubbles, form in the liquid and then later
collapse when subjected to higher pressure at some other point in the flow. The collapse of the
vapor bubbles can take place with considerable force. This effect, coupled with the rather
corrosive action of the vapor bubbles moving at high speed, can severely pit and corrode
impeller surfaces and sometimes even the pump casing. In extreme instances, cavitation has
caused structural failure of the impeller blades.
 Whenever cavitation occurs, it is frequently signaled by a clearly audible noise and vibration
(caused by the violent collapse of vapor bubbles in the pump). Several conditions can cause
cavitation, not the least of which is improper design of the pump or pumping system. For
example, if the suction pressure is abnormally low (caused perhaps by high suction lift or
friction losses in the suction piping), the subsequent pressure drop across the impellers may be
sufficient to 6-19 reach the pressure of vaporization.  A remedy might be to alter the pump
design by installing larger piping to reduce friction loss or by installing a foot valve to reduce
suction lift. Cavitation can also be caused by improper operation of the pump.  For instance,
cavitation can occur when sudden and large demands for liquid are made upon the pump. As
the liquid discharged from the pump is rapidly distributed and used downstream, a suction
effect is created on the discharge side of the pump. Think of it as a pulling action on the
discharge side that serves to increase the velocity of the liquid flowing through the pump.
Thus, as the pressure head on the discharge decreases, the velocity of the liquid flowing across
the impellers increases to the point where cavitation takes place. Perhaps the easiest way to
avoid this condition is to regulate the liquid demand. If this is not possible, then increase the
suction pressure by some means to maintain pressure in the pump under these conditions.