PUMPS

Machines that transfer energy INTO fluid system.

Pumps have a shaft and an impeller. Impeller is the
rotating element.
Types of pumps
Fluid flows outward
(right angle to its axis)
RADIAL FLOW
Fluid flows spirally
(along axis)
AXIAL FLOW
MIXED FLOW
centrifugal
pump
Propeller pump
EFFICIENCY OF A PUMP

T
Qh
shaft to given power
fluid to given power
p
= =
where T: torque exerted on the shaft
= rotation of the shaft in radians/sec
Note: overall pump efficiency is affected by:
Hydraulic losses in pump
h
Mechanical losses in the bearings, seals
m
Leakage of fluid: volumetric losses
v
Overall
v m h
=
) ( power shaft or power brake
CAVITATION IN PUMPS
The potential for cavitation is characterized by
difference in (pressure head +velocity head) on
suction side and the liquid vapor pressure head.
This is NPSH

v s s
p
g
V p
NPSH + =
2
2
There is a value of NPSH that must be maintained
to avoid cavitation called as NPSH
R
(this is
experimentally determined)
There is available NPSH called as NPSH
A
Apply energy equation between 1 and 2
z
1
2
L
h
g
V
z
p
g
V
z
p
+ + + = + +
2 2
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
1

L
s s atm
h
g
V
z
p p
+ + + = + +
2
0 0
2

L
atm s s
h z
p
g
V p
= +
2
2
Hence
To prevent cavitation
NPSH
A
> NPSH
R
How?
Small z
Small losses (shorter pipes)
Note: There is a critical value of z above which
pump will NOT operate without cavitation

v
L
atm
A
p
h z
p
NPSH =
1
PUMP PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
BEP: Best efficiency point
The point where pump is to be operated should be
as close as possible to the BEP.
Efficiency
h,
head
Q
Brake power
Water power
Efficiency
h,
head
Q
Design flowrate
BEP
SIMILARITY LAWS FOR PUMPS
Performance prediction from a scaled test model
to prototype
1.
3
nD Q
2.
2 2
D n h
3.
5 3
D n P
4.
5 / 1
1
2
2
1
1
1

D
D

Q
h
n
1
n
0
n
2
BEP
PUMP SELECTION
Notice: at operating point efficiency is NOT
maximum
As system curve changes so will difference
between BEP and operating point
Efficiency
h,
head
Q
Design flowrate
BEP Operating point
System
h
SPECIFIC SPEED OF PUMPS
and w, Q, and h are the values at BEP
Velocity of
impeller/(2gh)
Suction Specific Speed
4 / 3
R
sd
NPSH
Q
S

=
PUMPS IN SERIES AND PARALLEL
SERIES PARALLEL
Increase head Increase Discharge
Pumps in series and parallel should have similar
pump characteristics
rpm in gpm in Q ft in is NPSH where
R
, ,
Q
h
Q
h