ME 361 Thermo-Fluid Systems Lab Spring 2013 Pump Characteristics Assignment As a hands-on application of the principles of turbo machinery

y using principles from Fluid Mechanics, students will perform measurements on the Pump Characteristic experiment in the UAB Thermal Fluid Systems Lab. This unit allows operation of a single pump or a combination of two pumps in parallel or series arrangement. As part of this experiment, under multiple input conditions, students will take measurements of pressure, speed and flow rates of the pumps in order to plot pump characteristic curves. These readings will be essential choose the right combination of arrangement for the applications mentioned in the assignment. Safety Warning: Please refrain from touching any rotating components of the system. Also, notify lab assistant if any significant water leaks are noticed.
Apparatus:

3 4

Figure 1. Pump Charateristics Apparatus (1- Pump #1, 2- Pump #2, 3- Pressure Sensor, 4- Flow Rate Sensor)

Figure 2. Control Panel

(1- Pump #1 Inlet Valve, 2- Pump #1 Outlet Valve, 3- Pump #2 Inlet Valve, 4- Pump #2 Outlet Valve, 5- Loop connection Valve)

3 1 5 4 2

Figure 3. Control Panel (1- Pump #1 Power Switch, 2- Pump #2 Power Switch, 3- Signal controller, 4- DC power supply, 5- Emergency Stop Switch)

Figure 4. Experiments virtual control panel (Savvy panel)

Procedure: In order to compile sufficient data to produce a suitable report, students should follow the steps below.1 1. Switch Pump 1 and 2 on using the green button on the control panel and check the Ethernet link to the computer. Run the PumpTest.dw-dvg (websavvy file) on the computer and open the Open savvy panel in File Menu 2. Set the pump 1 load to 30% using the pump control tab. Turn on Pump 1 by clicking on the Pump 1 run window in web savvy and completely open the outlet valve for pump 1. 3. Wait for ~2 minutes for steady conditions. 4. Record the pressure (head), speed and flow rate. 5. Measure current to the pump using clamp ammeter. 6. Slightly close the outlet valve for repeat the readings. Repeat steps 4 and 5, at least 67 times for valve positions from completely open to completely closed position. (note: do not keep the pump running for long period of time at completely closed-valve condition.) 7. Increase the load on pump 1 by 25% using pump control tab and repeat steps 3-7 until 80% pump load is achieved. 8. Set the position of flow control valve to parallel position and switch on pump 2 to 50% load. Repeat steps 3-6. 9. Set the position of the flow control valve to series flow position and repeat steps 3-6.
1

While this procedure will provide enough data for an acceptable report, students are encouraged to change their experimental method in a way that they think would provide interesting results. However, they must first ensure that the basic requirements of the assignment are met.

10. Plot pump characteristic curves for the pump 1 individually as well as in series and parallel combination with pump 2.

Report/Documentation of Results: Based on the data recorded from the experiment, students must produce a report that summarizes their findings. This report will be due two weeks after the completion of the experiment. While students should feel free to arrange the data in a manner they feel best presents them in a clear and meaningful way, the report should include: A proper description of the physics behind Centrifugal Pumps and fluid driven turbomachinery, and how they apply to the current experimental analysis. Plots of Pressure head vs flow rate for individual (at different speeds), series and parallel arrangement. Plot the overall efficiency of the pump vs. pressure head at different speeds.