INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................

2
OBJECTIVES ...................................................................................................................... 2
NOMENCLATURE .............................................................................................................. 2
THEORY ............................................................................................................................ 3
APPARATUS ...................................................................................................................... 6
PROCEDURE ...................................................................................................................... 7
RESULTS ........................................................................................................................... 8
DISCUSSION .................................................................................................................... 16
CONCLUSION .................................................................................................................. 17
REFERENCES ................................................................................................................... 18

Appendix 1: Sample of calculations
2

INTRODUCTION

Using pumps is common in many industries. The understanding of pump
characteristics is important for selecting them and analysing their states. In this
laboratory, it was used the series/parallel pumps apparatus for taking the characteristic
values from one single pump and constructing their curves. The similarity equation will
be applied for predicting curves at not tested speeds. Then, for a parallel pump system,
the collected values will be compared to theoretical expected values.
OBJECTIVES

a. Construct pump characteristics curves for one pump at operating speeds of 1200,
1600 and 2000 rpm
b. Construct pump characteristics curves for one pump at speeds of 1400 and 1800
using similarity equations
c. Compare experimental and theoretical operational values of two pumps in
parallel
NOMENCLATURE

= Angular velocity
= Efficiency
P= Pressure variation
H= Head in meters
H
s
= Pressure/Head in the suction of the pump
H
d
= Pressure/Head in the discharge of the pump
N = Pump speed in rpm
M = Mass
Power_out = Energy to the fluid
Power_in= Power delivered by motor
Q = Flow rate
T = Torque

3

THEORY

a) Pump curves
The performance of a centrifugal pump is shown by performance curves which are:
head, power consumption, efficiency and NPSH. They are constructed by testing the
pump at various speeds and flow rates, and measuring the pressure. ISO 9906 Annex A
explains how pump curves have to be designed (GRUNDFOS Pump Handbook, 2004,
9).

Fig.1: Typical pump curves. Reproduced from: The centrifugal pump
The construction of the following curves is the objective in this laboratory:
i) Head curves
This curve shows the head which the pump is able to perform at a given
flow. Usually head is showed in meters [m] and flow in liter/second [l/s] or
meter cubic/second [m
3
/s]. The advantage of using the unit [m] for measuring
head is that the curve flow-head is not affected by the type of the fluid which
could be pumped (GRUNDFOS Pump Handbook, 2004, 9).
In laboratory, the head was measured in [m] of water and flow in [l/s]
ii) Efficiency curves
The efficiency is the relation between power out (utilised power) and
power in (supplied power). The following expressions are useful to calculated
the efficiency
4

*
*
sup
T
Q P
P
P
plied
utilised


It used following expressions to calculate the efficiency with the
collected data in the laboratory:
i) P in [Pa]= H*density of water*gravity=(H
d
-H
s
)*1000*9.81
ii) Q in [m
3
/seg]
iii) T in [N.m]= distance of arm [m] * Balance Mass[kg]* gravity = 0.235 *
M*9.81
iv) in [rad/s] = 2**N/60

b) Affinity laws
Affinity (similarity) laws are obtained by using dimensional analysis. These laws
allow that certain changes in the pump parameters (flow, geometry or speed) can be
predicted when one of them is changed. In the laboratory, the parameter that was
changed is the rotational speed (N). For this condition similarity laws are:
i) For Flow rate:

ii) For Head:

iii) For Efficiency:
A
=
B

Where A is the pump whose data is known and B is the pump whose data is
unknown (only it is known the rotational speed)

c) Parallel pumps
A parallel operation of pumps means that two or perhaps more pumps are operating
at the same time with a common outlet. The main requirement is all of them must have
the same discharge pressure; otherwise, the pump with low pressure would be stalled
and damaged.
5


Fig.2: System characteristics for two identical-size parallel pumps. Reproduced from: Parallel
pumping

The equations between pumps for a parallel pumping system (two pumps) are:
i) Q
pump1
+ Q
pump2
= Q
total
,

ii) H
pump1
=H
pump2











6

APPARATUS

The series and parallel pump apparatus consists of two centrifugal pumps, pipes
and valves. Setting the valves it allows running one single pump, two pumps in parallel
or two pumps in series. The following diagram of the system can help to understand it.
Fig.3: Diagram of parallel-series apparatus in laboratory
There are also pressure gauges and rotameters installed to measure pressure
(a and c for measuring pressure at suction and b and d at discharge) and flow
(e for measuring flow of pump 2 and f for measuring flow in the discharge line)
respectively. The pressure gauges are in meter of water and the rotameters in
litres/second.
Fig.4: Photo of series-parallel apparatus


7

The following table shows the range and resolution of measuring devices:

Range Resolution
Pressure Gauge
in [m of water]
Pump 1
Suction -10 to 30 0.5
Discharge 0 to 30 0.25
Pump2
Suction 0 to -10 0.5
Discharge 0 to 60 0.5
Rotameter in
[l/s]
rotameter 1 0 to 15 0.2
rotameter 2 0 to 7.5 0.2
Table.1: range and resolution of measuring devices in series/parallel apparatus

The pumps speeds are controlled by motor controllers.

PROCEDURE

a) Single Pumps
The first step is setting the valves to allow the operation of one pump. Using the
motor controller it sets the respectively rpm to the pump. The pumps speeds are 1200
rpm, 1600 rpm and 2000 rpm.
The pressure gauge and rotameter are used to measure the pressure and flow. The
method to obtain the torque of the motor is adding weights to the lever arm connected to
the pump and annotating the mass required, the next step, it uses the mathematical
formula to calculate the torque.
First the pump was set at one speed. The discharge valve is controlled to select
different flow rates. The first measurement is with the discharge valve fully closed. The
second one is with the valve fully opened. The discharge valve was opened in
intermediate positions for the other intermediate points. This procedure is the same for
each pumps speed.
b) Pumps in Parallel
First, the pump #2 was turned on and set to 1600 rpm. The next step is setting the
valves to allow the operation of two pumps in parallel. Using the motor controller it sets
the pump #1 into the respectively speed. Each pump has one motor controller. The
discharge valve was opened in different positions for different flows.
It was annotated each parameter in different flows.

8

RESULTS

PART A: Single pump at different rpm
a) Collected Data
Pump Speed Flowrate,Q Hs Hd Pressure increase,
Balance
Mass,m
[rpm] [l/s] [m3/s] [m H20] [m H20] [m H20] [Pa] [g]
1200
0 0 0 4 4 39228.00 125
1.2 0.0012 0 4 4 39228.00 250
1.8 0.0018 0 3.5 3.5 34324.50 295
2.2 0.0022 0 3 3 29421.00 305
2.8 0.0028 -0.25 2.5 2.75 26969.25 330
1600
0 0 0 6 6 58842.00 350
1.9 0.0019 0 5.5 5.5 53938.50 490
2.6 0.0026 0 5 5 49035.00 540
3.2 0.0032 -0.25 4 4.25 41679.75 575
4.1 0.0041 -0.5 2.5 3 29421.00 590
2000
0 0 0 9.5 9.5 93166.50 550
1.9 0.0019 0 8 8 78456.00 725
2.8 0.0028 -0.1 7 7.1 69629.70 850
4.5 0.0045 -0.5 5.5 6 58842.00 950
5.4 0.0054 -0.9 3 3.9 38247.30 1050
Table.2: Collected data from instruments in series/parallel apparatus for one single pump

PART A1: Constructing pump curves at 1200, 1600 and 2000 rpm
The next table shows the results of calculations for operating at 1200, 1600 and 2000
rpm (see appendix one for an example of calculation).
Pump Speed Flowrate,Q Head Power out Power in Efficiency
[rpm] [m3/s] m [W] [W]
1200
0 4.00 0.00 36.21 0%
0.0012 4.00 47.07 72.42 65%
0.0018 3.50 61.78 85.46 72%
0.0022 3.00 64.73 88.36 73%
0.0028 2.75 75.51 95.60 79%
1600
0 6.00 0.00 135.19 0%
0.0019 5.50 102.48 189.27 54%
0.0026 5.00 127.49 208.58 61%
0.0032 4.25 133.38 222.10 60%
0.0041 3.00 120.63 227.90 53%
9

Pump Speed Flowrate,Q Head Power out Power in Efficiency
[rpm] [m3/s] m [W] [W]
2000
0 9.50 0.00 265.56 0%
0.0019 8.00 149.07 350.05 43%
0.0028 7.10 194.96 410.41 48%
0.0045 6.00 264.79 458.69 58%
0.0054 3.90 206.54 506.97 41%
Table.3: Calculated results per each pump speed for one single pump

Using the values of Table 3 and polynomic regression in Excel the following pump
curves are constructed.


Fig.5: Head and Efficiency curves at 1200 rpm




4.00
4.00
3.50
3.00
2.75
0%
65%
72%
73%
79%
R = 0.934
R = 0.9847
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
0.00
0.50
1.00
1.50
2.00
2.50
3.00
3.50
4.00
4.50
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
H
e
a
d

[
m
]

Flow [l/s]
Pump curves - 1200 rpm
Head
Efficiency
Curve
Head
Curve
Efficiency
10













Fig.6: Head and Efficiency curves at 1600 rpm
PART A2: Constructing pump curves at 1400 and 1800 using similarity laws













Fig.7: Head and Efficiency curves at 2000 rpm
9.50
8.00
7.10
6.00
3.90
0%
43%
48%
58%
41%
R = 0.9712
R = 0.9728
-10%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
9.00
10.00
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
H
e
a
d

[
m
]

Flow [l/s]
Pump curves - 2000 rpm
Head
Efficiency
Curve
Head
Curve
Efficiency
6.00
5.50
5.00
4.25
3.00
0%
54%
61%
60%
53%
R = 0.9992
R = 0.9993
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
0 1 2 3 4 5
H
e
a
d

[
m
]

Flow [l/s]
Pump curves - 1600 rpm
Head
Efficiency
Curve
Head
Curve
Efficiency
11

PART A2: Constructing pump curves at 1400 and 1800 rpm using similarity laws
It was used the similarity laws between the speed whose parameters are needed
to determine, and each speed whose parameters were measured at laboratory. See
Appendix 1 for an example of calculation.
Results of Calculations for operating at 1400 and 1800 rpm (using similarity
laws) are in the following tables

Table 4. Results at 1400 rpm

Pressure increase Flow
Efficiency

m [m3/s] [l/s]
Using
similarity
laws with
1200
5.443 0.0000 0.00 0%
5.443 0.0014 1.40 65%
4.762 0.0021 2.10 72%
4.082 0.0026 2.57 73%
3.742 0.0033 3.27 79%
Using
similarity
laws with
1600
4.592 0.0000 0.00 0%
4.210 0.0017 1.66 54%
3.827 0.0023 2.28 61%
3.253 0.0028 2.80 60%
2.296 0.0036 3.59 53%
Using
similarity
laws with
2000
4.654 0.0000 0.00 0%
3.919 0.0013 1.33 43%
3.478 0.0020 1.96 48%
2.939 0.0032 3.15 58%
1.910 0.0038 3.78 41%


Table 5. Results at 1800 rpm

Pressure increase Flow
Efficiency

m [m3/s] [l/s]
Using
similarity
laws with
1200
8.997 0.0000 0.00 0%
8.997 0.0018 1.80 65%
7.873 0.0027 2.70 72%
6.748 0.0033 3.30 73%
6.186 0.0042 4.20 79%
Using
similarity
laws with
1600
7.591 0.0000 0.00 0%
6.959 0.0021 2.14 54%
6.326 0.0029 2.93 61%
5.377 0.0036 3.60 60%
3.796 0.0046 4.61 53%
12


Table 5. Results at 1800 rpm

Pressure increase Flow
Efficiency

m [m3/s] [l/s]
Using
similarity
laws with
2000
7.693 0.0000 0.00 0%
6.478 0.0017 1.71 43%
5.749 0.0025 2.52 48%
4.859 0.0041 4.05 58%
3.158 0.0049 4.86 41%
Table.4 and 5: Results using similarity laws

Following graphs are obtained plotting each point of the tables 4 and 5 in a H-Q
diagram and using a polynomic regression in excel to draw the pumps curves.

Fig.8: Head and Efficiency curves at 1400 rpm using similarity laws


R = 0.7473
R = 0.8913
-10%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00
H
e
a
d

[
m
]

Flow [l/s]
Pump curves - 1400
Head
Efficiency
Curve
Head
Curve
Efficiency
13

Fig.9: Head and Efficiency curves at 1800 rpm using similarity laws


PART B: Parallel pumps

a) Collected data
Case
Total
Flowrate,Q
Pump#2
Flowrate,Q
Hs Hd
Pump #2
Mass,m

[l/s] [l/s] [m H20] [m H20] [g]
A 4.6 1.7 0 5.5 350
B 5.4 2.2 0 5 500
C 6 2.8 -0.1 5 540
D 6.8 3.3 -0.25 4 575
E 7.4 3.7 -0.5 3.5 580
Table.6: Collected data during parallel pumps experience


R = 0.7473
R = 0.8913
-10%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
5.00
6.00
7.00
8.00
9.00
10.00
0.00 1.00 2.00 3.00 4.00 5.00 6.00
H
e
a
d

[
m
]

Flow [l/s]
Pump curves - 1800
Head
Efficiency
Curve
Head
Curve
Efficiency
14

PART B1: Calculations for parallel pump system
Using the collected data the parallel pump system characteristics can be calculated and
plotting
Row
Total Flowrate,Q Pressure increase, Total Power out
[l/s] m3/s [m H20] [Pa] [W]
1 0 0 6 58842.00 -
2 4.6 0.0046 5.5 53938.50 248.12
3 5.4 0.0054 5 49035.00 264.79
4 6 0.006 5.1 50015.70 300.09
5 6.8 0.0068 4.25 41679.75 283.42
6 7.4 0.0074 4 39228.00 290.29
Table.7: Results for parallel pumps
Note: Values in row #1 are from the calculated data of a single pump at 1600
rpm at 0 l/s. This is because in a parallel system the head at 0 l/s is the same as a single
pump at 1600 at that point.

Fig.10: Head Flow curve for two parallel pumps at 1600 rpm



0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
H
e
a
d

[
m
]

Flow [l/s]
Pumps in Parallel- 1600 rpm
15

PART B2: Calculations of power and flow per each pump

a. - Ideal case: each pump with (Total Flow)/2
Following table shows the theoretical distribution of power and flow in the
system. In an ideal case with two equal pumps, the flow of each pump is a half of the
flow of the system.
Case
Pump#1 and #2 Theoretical Flowrate,Q Head Total Power out
[l/s] [m3/s] m [W]
A 2.3 0.0023 5.50 124.1
B 2.7 0.0027 5.00 132.4
C 3 0.0030 5.10 150.1
D 3.4 0.0034 4.25 141.8
E 3.7 0.0037 4.00 145.2
Table.8: Theoretical flow and power out for one pump in the two pumps parallel system
b. - Real case with collected flow rate
Following tables shows the real distribution of power and flow in the system.
Table 9. Pump # 2
Case
Pump#2 Flowrate,Q Head Total Power out % of total power
[l/s] [m/3] m [W]
A 1.7 0.0017 5.50 91.7
37%
B 2.2 0.0022 5.00 107.9
41%
C 2.8 0.0028 5.10 140.1
47%
D 3.3 0.0033 4.25 137.6
49%
E 3.7 0.0037 4.00 145.2
50%

Table 10. Pump # 1
Case
Pump#1 Flowrate,Q Head Total Power out % of total power
[l/s] [m/3] m [W]
63%
A 2.9 0.0029 5.50 156.5
59%
B 3.2 0.0032 5.00 157.0
53%
C 3.2 0.0032 5.10 160.1
51%
D 3.5 0.0035 4.25 145.9
50%
E 3.7 0.0037 4.00 145.2
63%
Table 9 and 10: Real flow and power out for each pump in the two pumps parallel system



16

DISCUSSION

Part A: Single pumps
Part A1
See table 1, the flow rate values increase at higher speeds. The same happens
with the values of the head. This shows that using a same rotor at different speeds the
pumping capacity increases. This is because the rotor of the pump transfers more energy
to the fluid when the speed increases. However, efficiency decreases when rotor
operates at higher speed for low values of flow. This means that despite the electric
motor gives more energy to the rotor for pumping, the rotor cannot transfer all this
energy to the fluid because the design of rotor does not allow at that flow rate.
Regarding the construction of the pumps curves, graphically each point does not
describe exactly the theoretical pump curves. This is because the real behaviour of the
fluid and other external occurrences (as some errors during the collecting of data)
influences the calculus of the parameters. Using a mathematical method it is possible
plotting a tendency polynomic curve to obtain a curve that reflects the behaviour of the
fluid. Regarding the fig. 5, 6 and 7, they show the value of R
2
(coefficient of
determination) for each tendency curve. They are the measure of the goodness of fit of
the regression (polynomic curve) to the data. For them, R
2
is more than 0.9 (90%) that
means the curves are good representations of the data collected.

Part A2
The tables 5 and 6 and fig. 8 and 9 show the results using the similarity laws
with 1200,1600 and 2000 rpm to obtain the curves at 1400 and 1800 rpm. The results
are scattered when it compares the results when the similarity laws are apply with 1200,
1600 and 2000 rpm. The possible explanation is the errors in values increase when it
uses the similarity laws. As it is not possible to check in the laboratory, it draws the
polynomic tendency curve for 1400 and 1800 rpm with all the calculated values to
determine curves. The values of R
2
show the grade of goodness of the regression to the
data. Despite the dispersion of the results, it could be observed that the tendency is
coherent, for instance the average of the value of head at 0 l/s and 1400 rpm is between
the head at 1200 and 1600 at the same flow rate. The same happens with 1800 rpm in
comparison with 1600 and 2000 rpm.




17

Part B: Parallel pumps
During the laboratory it had to repeat some measurements because regarding the
data collected there was an inconsistency. This was caused by the following sources of
errors:
- The accuracy of the person who took the data.
- The resolution of the instrument, for instance, the needle of the manometer was
between two values. The person, who took the data, gave a measure according
their estimation and criteria.
The theoretical operation parameters of two pumps in parallel are observed in the
table 8. In theory, the flow of the pumps in parallel has to be the same if they are similar
pumps. Therefore, the theoretical flow in each pump is the total flow divided by two.
Using the measured head, it could calculate the theoretically power for each pump in the
ideal conditions. The power in each pump is the same for this ideal case.
Using the total flow and the measured flow of pump 2 per each case (table 6); it
could determine the flow for pump 1 (table 10). Looking the flow and power
distribution from tables 9 and 10 they are different in comparison with the theoretical.
This is because each pump does not work 100% equally. They have different suction
pipes and discharge pipes. In the Case A it could see the predominant pump is pump 1.
When the flow is increasing both pumps become to work equally (Case E). This is
because at this point both pumps work equally.

CONCLUSION

The pumps curves for 1200, 1600 and 2000 rpm are constructed using the
collected values during the laboratory. The values and curves show the behaviour of the
pump at each speed.
The values for constructing the pumps curves at 1400 and 1800 rpm using the
similarity laws are scattered, however, using the polynomic regression it is possible to
construct them.
The distribution of flows and power of two identical pumps in a parallel system
are not equal between each pump. This is because in reality each pump does not work
100 % equally.



18

REFERENCES

Bewick,Viv, Cheek, Liz, Ball,Jonathan. 2013. Statics review 7: Correlation and
regression. http://ccforum.com/content/7/6/451
Friedrich Glich, Johan. 2010. Centrifugal Pumps. Springer-Verlag. Berlin Heidelberg.
Pump Handbook. 2004. GRUNDFOS
The Centrifugal Pump. GRUNDFOS
Wilson, Steve. Parallel Pumping. GRUNDFOS