Practice Problems on Pumps

pump_02

A centrifugal pump with a 12 in. diameter impeller requires a power input of 60 hp when the flowrate is 3200 gpm
against a 60 ft head. The impeller is changed to one with a 10 in. diameter. Determine the expected flowrate, head,
and input power if the pump speed remains the same.
Answer(s):
Q2 =
H2 =
W 2 =

1850 gpm
41.7 ft
24.1 hp

C. Wassgren, Purdue University

Page 1 of 16

Last Updated: 2010 Oct 29

Practice Problems on Pumps

pump_05

Data measured during tests of a centrifugal pump at 3500 rpm are given in the table below:
Parameter
gage pressure, p [kPa]
elevation above datum, z [m]
avg speed of flow, V [m/s]

Inlet Section
95.2
1.25
2.35

Outlet Section
412
2.75
3.62

The working fluid is water. The flow rate is 11.5 m3/hr and the torque applied to the pump shaft is 3.68 Nm.
Evaluate the total heads at the pump inlet and outlet, the hydraulic power input to the fluid, and the pump efficiency.
If the electric motor efficiency is 85%, calculate the electric power requirement.

Answer(s):
Hinlet =
Houtlet =
Wfluid =

21.6 m
55.7 m
1.07 kW

pump =

79.4%

Wrequired = 1.59 kW
for motor

C. Wassgren, Purdue University

Page 2 of 16

Last Updated: 2010 Oct 29

Practice Problems on Pumps

pump_06

A small centrifugal pump, when tested at 2875 rpm with water, delivered a flowrate of 252 gpm and a head of 138 ft
at its best efficiency point (efficiency is 76%). Determine the specific speed of the pump at this test condition.
Sketch the impeller shape you expect. Compute the required power input to the pump.

Answer(s):
Nsd =
Ns
=

Wshaft =

1130 rpmgpm1/2/ft3/4
0.414

11.6 hp

C. Wassgren, Purdue University

Page 3 of 16

Last Updated: 2010 Oct 29

Practice Problems on Pumps

pump_07

Water is to be pumped from one large open tank to a second large open tank. The pipe diameter throughout is 6 in.
and the total length of the pipe between the pipe entrance and exit is 200 ft. Minor loss coefficients for the entrance,
exit, and the elbow are shown on the figure and the friction factor can be assumed constant and equal to 0.02. A
certain centrifugal pump having the performance characteristics shown is suggested as a good pump for this flow
system.
a. With this pump, what would be the flow rate between the tanks?
b. Do you think this pump would be a good choice?

Kelbow = 1.5
10 ft

pump
pipe diameter = 6 in
total pipe length = 200 ft

Kexit = 1.0

Kentrance = 0.5

Answer(s):
Q 1600 gpm
The operating efficiency is close to the optimal efficiency of 86% so this is a good pump to use.

C. Wassgren, Purdue University

Page 4 of 16

Last Updated: 2010 Oct 29

Practice Problems on Pumps

pump_08

Data measured during tests of a centrifugal pump at 3500 rpm are given in the table below:
Parameter
gage pressure, p [kPa]
elevation above datum, z [m]
avg speed of flow, V [m/s]

Inlet Section
85.2
1.25
2.35

Outlet Section
412
2.75
3.62

The flow rate is 11.5 m3/hr and the torque applied to the pump shaft is 3.68 Nm. Evaluate the total dynamic heads
at the pump inlet and outlet, the hydraulic power input to the fluid, and the pump efficiency. Specify the electric
motor size needed to drive the pump. If the electric motor efficiency is 85%, calculate the electric power
requirement.

Answer(s):
Hinlet = 10.2 m
Houtlet = 45.4 m
Wfluid 1100 W
= 80%
Wpump 1.8 hp
Wmotor 2.1 hp

C. Wassgren, Purdue University

Page 5 of 16

Last Updated: 2010 Oct 29

Practice Problems on Pumps

pump_10

The pipe system used for a yard sprinkler system is shown below.
two 90 regular threaded elbows

sudden contraction
discharge to the atmosphere

10 m
5m
1
gate valve ( /2 closed)

1m
1m

pump
Upstream of the contraction:
2.5 cm inner diam. galvanized iron pipe
Downstream of the contraction: 1.9 cm inner diam. galvanized iron pipe
Properties of water at given conditions: = 1000 kg/m3, = 1*10-6 m2/s,
vapor pressure = 2.34 kPa (abs)

1m

pond
The pump performance specifications are given below.
0.45

30

0.35
0.30

20

0.25
15
0.20
10

efficiency

head, NPSH [m]

0.40

25

0.15
0.10

5
0.05

NPSHR
0

0.00
0.0

1.0

2.0
flow rate [L/s]

3.0

4.0

Curve fits to the data in the plot (where [Q] = L/s):

H [m] = (-0.5582 ms2/L2) Q 2 (3.8441 ms/L) Q + 28.011 m
= (-0.0802 s2/L2) Q 2 + (0.3459 s/L) Q + 0.0133
NPSHR [m] = (0.3 ms2/L2) Q 2 + 1 m
Determine:
a. Determine the system head curve (i.e. the head the pump must supply in order to have a given flow rate).
b. Determine the operating point for the given conditions.
c. Is this a good pump to use for the given conditions? Justify your answer.
d. Will this pump cavitate for the given conditions?

Answer(s):
not available at this time

C. Wassgren, Purdue University

Page 6 of 16

Last Updated: 2010 Oct 29

Practice Problems on Pumps

pump_11

Consider the pipe/pump system shown below.

cast iron pipe
diameter = 0.10 m
water density = 1000 kg/m3
water kinematic viscosity = 1.0*10-6 m2/s

water
10 m

well-rounded
inlet

50 m

pump

50 m

40
35

head, H [m]

30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0.0E+00

2.0E-02
4.0E-02
6.0E-02
flow rate, Q [m3/s]

8.0E-02

The pump performance head curve is approximated as:

H = (3.23*101 m) + (1.65*102 s/m2)Q - (4.82*103 s2/m5)Q 2
where [H] = m and [Q] = m3/s.
a. Determine the system head curve for the pipe system.
b. Determine the operating point for the system.
c. How will the flow rate within the pipe change over time if the pipe carries hard water and lime deposits form
on the interior pipe walls? Explain your answer. You should assume that the deposits do not significantly affect
the pipe diameter.
d. If we wanted to add a valve to control the flow rate in the pipe, would it be better to put the valve upstream or
downstream of the pump? Explain your answer.

Answer(s):
HS = -10 m + (2.07*104 s2/m5)Q2
Q = 4.41*10-2 m3/s
flow rate will decrease over time due to increased roughness
put valve downstream of pump so that it wont affect NPSHA

C. Wassgren, Purdue University

Page 7 of 16

Last Updated: 2010 Oct 29

Practice Problems on Pumps

pump_12

Consider the pipe/pump system shown in the figure below.

h = 0.5 m
H = 2m
90 rounded pipe bend
D = 0.2 m
(equivalent length of 30 pipe diameters)
L1 = 10 m
L2 = 20 m
P
L1
The pipe is made of concrete
with a roughness of 3 mm.

L2

h
water with density of 1000 kg/m3, kinematic viscosity of 1.0*10-6 m2/s, and vapor pressure of 2.34 kPa

40
35

head, H [m]

30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0.0E+00

2.0E-02
4.0E-02
6.0E-02
flow rate, Q [m3/s]

8.0E-02

The pump performance head curve is approximated as:

H = (3.23*101 m) + (1.65*102 s/m2)Q - (4.82*103 s2/m5)Q 2
where [H] = m and [Q] = m3/s.
a. Determine the system head curve for the pipe system.
b. Determine the operating point for the system.
c. How will the flow rate within the pipe change over time if the pipe carries hard water and lime deposits form
on the interior pipe walls? Explain your answer. You should assume that the deposits do not significantly affect
the pipe diameter.
d. Calculate the net positive suction head available at the pump inlet.
e. If we wanted to add a valve to control the flow rate in the pipe, would it be better to put the valve upstream or
downstream of the pump? Explain your answer.

Answer(s):
HS = 2 m + (5.01*102 s2/m5)Q2
Q = 9.26*10-2 m3/s
flow rate will decrease due to increased roughness
NPSHA = 6.93 m
move the valve downstream of the pump to avoid decreasing NPSHA

C. Wassgren, Purdue University

Page 8 of 16

Last Updated: 2010 Oct 29

Practice Problems on Pumps

pump_13

Consider the pipe system shown in the figure below. The fluid to be pumped is water with a density of 1.0E3 kg/m3,
a kinematic viscosity of 1.0E-6 m2/s, and a vapor pressure of 2.3E3 Pa.

7.0 m
sharp-edged inlet

pump

90 threaded
elbow

1.0 m

all pipes are comprised of 0.20 m inner

diameter commercial steel pipe

10. m

10. m

30

100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%

head [m]

25
20
15
10
5
0
0

0.5

efficiency

The pump used in this system has the performance plot shown below.

flow rate [m3/s]

Curve fits to the pump performance data are given below:

H [m] = (-3.25E1 s2/m5) Q2 + (1.23E0 s/m2) Q + (2.78E1 m)
P = (-3.74E0 s2/m6) Q2 + (3.60E0 s/m3) Q
a.
b.
c.
d.

Determine the operating volumetric flow rate of the system.

Is the given pump a good choice for this system? Explain your answer.
Determine the NPSHA to the pump for the flow rate determined in part (a).
Give one specific modification to the pipe system that could be employed to decrease the likelihood that
cavitation will occur in the pump.

Answer(s):
Q 2.85E-1 m3 /s ; this is not a good pump for this system
NPSHA = 6.01E0 m; decrease the elevation, decrease pipe length, use a rounded inlet

C. Wassgren, Purdue University

Page 9 of 16

Last Updated: 2010 Oct 29

Practice Problems on Pumps

pump_14

Consider the pipe/pump system shown below in which water (with a density of 1.0E3 kg/m3 and dynamic viscosity
of 1.3E-3 Pas) is pumped from tank A to tank B.
15 cm diameter pipe with a total length
of 40 m and roughness of 0.9 mm

pB = 200 kPa
(gage)

B
10. m

re-entrant inlet

pA = 0
(gage)

flow

8.0 m

gravity

90 regular
threaded elbow

A
gate valve
(1/2 open) pump
90 regular
threaded elbow

5.0 m
0.5 m

The pump to be used in the system has the following pump performance curve.
90%

7.0E+01

80%

6.0E+01

head [m]

60%

4.0E+01

50%

3.0E+01

40%
30%

2.0E+01

efficiency

70%
5.0E+01

20%
1.0E+01

10%
0%

0.0E+00
0.0E+00

5.0E-02

1.0E-01

1.5E-01

flow rate [m3/s]

Curve fits to the pump performance data are given below:
H [m] = (-1.5E3 s2/m5) Q2 + (2.8E1 s/m2) Q + (6.3E1 m)
P = (-5.6E1 s2/m6) Q2 + (1.2E1 s/m3) Q + (2.1E-1)
a.
b.
c.

Determine the operating point for the system.

Is the given pump efficient for this application? Explain your answer.
Do you anticipate that cavitation in the pump will be an issue? Explain your answer.

Answer(s):
Q 1.0E-1 m3 /s ; this is an efficient pump for this application;
cavitation in the pump will most likely not be an issue

C. Wassgren, Purdue University

Page 10 of 16

Last Updated: 2010 Oct 29

Practice Problems on Pumps

pump_15

Data from tests of a Peerless end suction Type 1440 pump operated at 1750 rpm with a 14.0 in. diameter impeller
are:
flowrate [gpm]
290
440
550
790
920
1280

total head [ft]

204
203
200
187
175
135

power input [hp]

30
35
40
45
50
60

Plot the performance curves for this pump; include a curve of efficiency versus volume flow rate. Locate the best
efficiency point and specify the pump rating at this point.

Answer(s):
QBEP = 820 gpm
= 83%
HBEP = 185 ft

C. Wassgren, Purdue University

Page 11 of 16

Last Updated: 2010 Oct 29

Practice Problems on Pumps

pump_16

Typical performance curves for a centrifugal pump, tested with three different impeller diameters in a single casing,
are shown in the figure below. Specify the flow rate and head produced by the pump at its best efficiency point with
a 12 in. diameter impeller. Scale these data to predict the performance of this pump when tested with 11 in. and 13
in. impellers. Comment on the accuracy of the scaling procedure.

Answer(s):
Q12 in.,BEP = 2200 gpm
H12 in.,BEP = 130 ft
Using D2 = 11 in. and D1 = 12 in., Q1 = 2200 gpm, Q11 in.= 1690 gpm.
Using D2 = 13 in. and D1 = 12 in., Q1 = 2200 gpm, Q13 in. = 2800 gpm.
From the pump performance diagram, Q11 in. 2000 gpm.
From the pump performance diagram, Q13 in. 2500 gpm.
Using D2 = 11 in. and D1 = 12 in., H1 = 130 ft, H11 in.= 109 ft.
Using D2 = 13 in. and D1 = 12 in., H1 = 130 ft, H13 in. = 153 ft.
From the pump performance diagram, H11 in. 110 ft.
From the pump performance diagram, H13 in. 150 ft.

C. Wassgren, Purdue University

Page 12 of 16

Last Updated: 2010 Oct 29

Practice Problems on Pumps

pump_17

A Peerless Model 16A 18B pump is proposed as the supply unit for the Purdue Engineering Mall fountain. The
following requirements have been provided by the architectural firm:
The pump outlet is to be located 3 feet below ground level.
The water flow is to reach a peak height of 30 feet above ground level.
The discharge from the pump is 6 inches in diameter.
The pump characteristics are given in the following plot.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

What head must be supplied by the pump? Report your answer in ft.
What flow rate must be supplied by the pump? Report your answer in gal/min (gpm).
What pump impeller diameter should be used? (either 15.00, 16.00, 17.00, or 18.00 inch diameter)
What is the pump efficiency? Report your answer in terms of a percentage.
What power is required to drive the pump? Report your answer in horsepower (hp).
What range of NPSH is acceptable at the pump inlet? Report your answer in ft.

Answer(s):
HS = 33 ft
Q = 9.05 ft3/s = 4060 gpm
15.00 inch
~80%
Winput into 42.4 hp
pump

> ~9 ft

C. Wassgren, Purdue University

Page 13 of 16

Last Updated: 2010 Oct 29

Practice Problems on Pumps

pump_18

A pump station is used to fill a tank on a hill using water from a lake. The flow rate is 10.5 L/s and atmospheric
pressure is 101 kPa (abs). The pump is located 4 m above the lake, and the tank surface level is 115 m above the
pump. The suction and discharge lines are 10.2 cm diameter commercial steel pipe. The equivalent length of the
inlet line between the lake and the pump is 100 m. The total equivalent length between the lake and the tank is 2300
m, including all fittings, bends, screens, and valves. The overall efficiency of the pump and motor set is 70%.

115 m

tank

water density = 1000 kg/m3

water dynamic viscosity = 1*10-3 Pa.s
water vapor pressure = 1820 Pa (abs)

pump
lake

4m

What is the net positive suction head available for this pump?

Answer(s):
NPSHA = 4.4 m

C. Wassgren, Purdue University

Page 14 of 16

Last Updated: 2010 Oct 29

Practice Problems on Pumps

pump_19

Brine, with a specific gravity of 1.2, passes through an 85% efficient pump at a flow rate of 125 L/s. The centerlines
of the pumps 300 mm diameter inlet and 200 mm diameter outlet are at the same elevation. The inlet suction gage
pressure is 150 mm of mercury (specific gravity of 13.6) below atmospheric pressure. The discharge pressure is
measured 1.2 m above the centerline of the pumps outlet and indicates 138 kPa (gage). Neglecting losses in the
pipes, what is the input power to the pump?
outlet pressure = 138 kPa (gage)
inlet diameter =
300 mm

1.2 m
pump
outlet diameter = 200 mm

inlet pressure =
-150 mmHg (gage)

Answer(s):

Winto pump 26.4 kW

C. Wassgren, Purdue University

Page 15 of 16

Last Updated: 2010 Oct 29

Practice Problems on Pumps

C. Wassgren, Purdue University

Page 16 of 16

Last Updated: 2010 Oct 29