DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF FLASH TANK

AND CONDENSER

CONCEPT DESIGN AND REVIEW BOARD

REPORT

GROUP MEMBERS SUPERVISOR

Mr. Talha Usman Malik
Mr. Umair Aziz Dr.Tahir Abdul Hussain Ratlamwala
Mr. Osama Ikhlaq Abbassi
Mr. Yousaf Akhlaq

1
ABSTRACT...................................................................................................................................................... 4
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 5
1.1 Background ......................................................................................................................................... 5
1.2 Problem statement ............................................................................................................................. 6
1.3 Aim of the Project ............................................................................................................................... 6
1.4 Scope of the project ............................................................................................................................ 6
LITERATURE REVIEW ..................................................................................................................................... 7
2.1 History ................................................................................................................................................. 7
2.2 Condenser ......................................................................................................................................... 10
2.3 Flash tank .......................................................................................................................................... 11
DESIGN CONSIDERATION ............................................................................................................................ 13
3.1 Condenser ......................................................................................................................................... 13
3.1.1 Classification of condenser ........................................................................................................ 14
3.1.1.1 Air cooled condensers......................................................................................................... 14
3.1.1.2 Water-Cooled Condenser ................................................................................................... 15
3.1.1.3 Evaporative Condensers ..................................................................................................... 17
3.2 Flash Tank.......................................................................................................................................... 18
3.2.1 Design consideration ............................................................................................................. 20
3.3 Valves ................................................................................................................................................ 21
3.3.1 Types of valves. .......................................................................................................................... 22
3.3.1.1 Gate valve ........................................................................................................................... 22
3.3.1.2 Globe Valve ......................................................................................................................... 23
3.3.1.3 Check valve (non-return valve) ........................................................................................... 23
3.3.1.4 Plug valve ............................................................................................................................ 24
3.3.1.5 Ball Valve ............................................................................................................................. 24
3.3.1.6 Butterfly Valve .................................................................................................................... 25
3.3.1.7 Needle Valve ....................................................................................................................... 25
3.3.1.8 Expansion Valve .................................................................................................................. 26
3.4 PUMPS............................................................................................................................................... 30
3.4.1 Types of Pumps .......................................................................................................................... 31
3.4.1.1 Rotodynamic Pump ............................................................................................................. 32
a. Centrifugal Pumps..................................................................................................................... 32

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 Advantages of a Reciprocating Pump................................................................................... 36
 Disadvantages of a Reciprocating Pump ............................................................................. 36
3.4.1.3 Rotary .................................................................................................................................. 37

3
 ABSTRACT

Fresh water can be obtained by desalination of saline water.

Desalination is defined as, the process of removing dissolved salts and minerals from
saline water to produce potable water. Desalination of saline water using solar energy is
the process of using energy from the sunlight to separate freshwater from salts or other
contaminants. The Nano fluid absorbs heat, slowly reaching high temperatures. The
heat causes the water to become hot and than evaporate, cool, and condense into
vapour, leaving the contaminants behind.
The sun light absorb by the nano fluid will increase the temperature of the fluids and
than this energy will be exchange in heat exchanger with the water making water hoter
this water takes into the flash tank where pressure is low enough (saturation pressure)
thus decrease the boiling temperature of the water result in making of steam from
water,this steam is takes into the condenser which condenses this steam . later this
water is stored into the container.this water is in purified form .
We are aiming to fabricate and design of condenser and flash tank for desalination
plant.

4
 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

In this project we are focusing on desalination of water by parabolic trough

collector in which design of flash tank and condenser is focused.

sun light are collected over parabolic trough collector in which there is Nano fluid
passing in tube which becomes hot, now this Nano fluid exchange heat with water in
heat exchanger thus water becomes hotter now this hot water takes in flash tank in
which pressure is very low thus makes it steam this steam is taken into the condenser
which is at same pressure.

Water is falling over the condenser which exchange heat of steam with water and
low the temperature of steam, as the temperature of steam becomes low it converted
into water which is pumped out at environmental condition into the container now this
water is fresh water which is stored in container.

For this we are focusing on flash tank and condenser.

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1.2 Problem statement

In spite of the fact that water covers about 71 percent of the Earth’s surface
area, however, it is a challenge to meet all humans, animals and plants demand to
freshwater. Freshwater is about 2.5% of total water quantity, most of it is as glaciers, ice
caps, and groundwater, only 0.008% represents the accessible surface freshwater.
Population growth and industrialization have worsened the problem of water shortage.
One-third of the world residents currently undergo severe water stress and the
percentage is expected to increase. Water scarcity occurs when water supply falls
below 1000 cubic meters per person per year. One of the most promising solution to
overcome the water shortcoming is desalination.

1.3 Aim of the Project

The main object of the project is to produce the fresh water by desalination system
from sun light. We are aiming to design and fabricate of flash tank and condenser for
desalination system. In flash tank hot water from the heat exchanger is converted into
steam by reducing its pressure which later takes into condenser to obtain fresh water.

1.4 Scope of the project

The desired scope of the project covers the following details:

Flash tank and condenser design and pump selection; reviews codes and standards
Calculations and simulations
Project cost estimate for project
Fabrication of a project


6
 LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 History

Renewable energy technologies show great promise for water desalination. These
energy technologies driven desalination systems fall into two categories.

The first includes distillation processes driven by heat produced directly by the
renewable energy system, while the second includes membrane and distillation
processes driven by electricity or mechanical energy produced.

With the world's fresh water demands increasing, much research has been directed at
addressing the challenges in using renewable energy to meet the power needs for
desalination plants.

Seawater desalination based on renewable energy, using solar heat, is promising

desalination process.

The desalination plant is referred to as an indirect process if the heat comes from a
separate solar collector or solar ponds; whereas it is referred to as direct if all
components are integrated into the desalination plant. Particularly attractive is
desalination associated with concentrating solar power (CSP) plants.

CSP plants collect solar radiation and provide high-temperature heat for electricity
generation. Therefore, they can be associated with either membrane desalination units,
e.g. reverse osmosis (RO), or thermal desalination units.

7
CSP plants are often equipped with thermal storage systems to extend operation when
solar radiation is not available, and/or combined with conventional power plants for
hybrid operation.

This paves the way to a number of design solutions which combine 3 electricity and
heat generation with water desalination via either thermal or membrane separation
processes.

CSP plants are also large enough to provide core energy for medium- to large-scale
seawater desalination. In desert regions (e.g. MENA) with high direct solar irradiance,
CSP is considered a promising multipurpose technology for electricity, heat and district
cooling production, and water desalination.

Solar desalination systems have low operation and maintenance costs but require large
installation areas and high initial investments. However, concentrating solar power
(CSP) offers a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels for large scale seawater
desalination.

CSP can help to solve the problem especially in Middle East and North Africa, but
market introduction must start immediately in order to achieve the necessary freshwater
production rates in time. Most of such technologies have already been demonstrated,
except for Solar/CSP-MED.

With the rapid decrease of renewable energy costs, technical advances and increasing
number of installations, renewable desalination is likely to reduce significantly its cost in
the near future and become an important source of water supply for regions affected by
water scarcity.

Attention has been directed towards improving the efficiencies of the solar energy
conversions, desalination technologies and their optimal coupling to make them
economically viable for small and medium scale applications.

8
Solar energy can be used directly as thermal or it can be converted to electrical energy
to drive reverse osmosis units.

The thermal energy can be achieved in solar stills, collectors, or solar ponds. However,
electrical energy can be produced from solar energy directly by photo-voltaic (PV)
conversion or via a solar thermal power plant.

Interestingly, many areas such as the Middle East and North Africa were not always
arid. At the end of the Pleistocene, roughly 12,000 years ago, the melting of glacier ice
allowed many such areas have considerable fresh water.

These conditions persisted to a degree even up to the Classic period 2000 years ago,
and in those times for example certain areas that are now deserts in North Africa were a
significant source of grains for Rome.

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2.2 Condenser

Air Cooled condensers were first introduced in US power industry in early

1970’s, but only during last 10-15 years number of installations greatly increased largely
due to growing attention being paid to environmental safety.

Also, growing demand for water for both domestic and industrial use has brought an
increased interest in use of Air Cooled condensers.

This is a review paper which studies the performance of Air-cooled condenser under
various operating conditions it is found that there is degradation in performance of air
cooled condenser under high ambient temperatures and windy conditions.

The heat rejection rate of ACC also depends on surface condition of fins and thus its
performance is reduced due to external fouling of finned tubes due to weather
conditions and by internal fouling from condensate (Ammonia corrosion). A Hybrid
(dry/wet) dephlegmator achieves major enhancement in performance when ambient
temperatures are high.

Also shading of condensers is done for air-conditioning units to mitigate the adverse
effect of high ambient temperatures due to solar radiation. Now a day’s wind walls are
used to reduce the effect of high wind velocity .second option is to increase the fan
speed Fin cleaning plays an important role in heat rejection. External cleaning improves
air side heat transfer coefficient.

In order to improve the performance of an ACC Flat tubes inclined at some angle to
horizontal can also be used in place of conventional circular horizontal tubes so that an
improvement in heat transfer rate occurs.

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2.3 Flash tank

Flash (or partial) evaporation is the partial vapor that occurs when a saturated liquid
stream undergoes a reduction in pressure by passing through a throttling valve or other
throttling device. This process is one of the simplest unit operations.

If the throttling valve or device is located at the entry into a pressure vessel so that the
flash evaporation occurs within the vessel, then the vessel is often referred to as a
Flash tank.

This type of flash evaporation is used in the desalination of brackish water or ocean
water by "Multi-Stage Flash Distillation."

The water is heated and then routed into a reduced-pressure flash evaporation "stage"
where some of the water flashes into steam.

11
This steam is subsequently condensed into salt-free water. The residual salty liquid
from that first stage is introduced into a second flash evaporation stage at a pressure
lower than the first stage pressure.

More water is flashed into steam which is also subsequently condensed into more salt-
free water.

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 DESIGN CONSIDERATION

3.1 Condenser

Heat exchangers are used to transfer heat. Some process likes cooling, heating,
condensation, boiling or evaporation.

Different heat exchangers are named according to their application. For example, heat
exchanger used for boiling purposes are called boilers, similarly Heat exchangers being
used to condense are known as condensers
The condenser is a heat exchanger that usually rejects all the heat from the system.
The condenser accept hot , high –pressure refrigerant usually a super-heated gas, from
the compressor.

The condenser is usually air cooled by natural or forced convection to increase the
cooling effect of the condenser.

Condenser: It is a closed vessel used to condense the steam. The low pressure steam
gives off its heat to the coolant (normally water) and gets converted into water during
the process of condensation.
There are following devices which is related with condenser.
Condensate Extraction Pump: It is a pump which is installed in between the condenser
and fresh water container. It transfers the condensate from the condenser to the fresh
water container.
Fresh water container:-It is a sump that lies after the condenser. It receives the
condensate water from the condenser by condensate pump.

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3.1.1 Classification of condenser

General, there are three different types of condenser:

3.1.1.1 Air cooled condensers

Air-cooled condensers utilize ambient air in order to cool and cycle refrigerant.
These can be readily seen oftentimes outdoors, as they are commonly used in
residential and rooftop cooling systems, and are housed in your standard exterior unit.

Types of Air cooled condensers

a. Natural convection air cooled condenser

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b. Forced convection air cooled condenser

 The advantage of choosing an air-cooled system is that they:

Are typically lower in initial purchase cost.
Require less overall lifespan maintenance
Do not require a mechanical room. .

3.1.1.2 Water-Cooled Condenser

The system operates through a network of water coils used to transfer the heat from the
condenser coils. These systems typically work in-tandem with a cooling tower in order
to circulate out and exhaust heat.

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Types of water cooled condenser.

a. Tube in tube condenser

b. Shell and coil condenser

c. Shell and tube condenser

 Water-cooled systems are often chosen because:

They operate at better efficiencies.
Water is inexpensive
Extended lifespan

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Can operate better at higher temperatures.
Liquid cooling offers higher thermal conductivity than air cooling
Water has unusually high specific heat capacity among commonly available liquids at
room temperature and atmospheric pressure allowing efficient heat transfer over
distance with low rates of mass transfer.

3.1.1.3 Evaporative Condensers

The evaporative condenser can be an efficient method of heat rejection. The heat is
rejected at a lower temperature than with simple air-cooling. However this advantage is
only realized above a certain size and loading conditions. This is shown that operating
costs can be higher than for air cooled, taking account of cost of water supply, disposal
and treatment.
The cooling effect of the evaporation of water is applied directly to the condenser
refrigerant pipes in the evaporative condenser

 Applications:
Evaporative condensers can be utilized inside or outside of a building and under run of
the mill conditions, work at a low gathering temperature.
Advantages:
These are used in large commercial air-conditioning units.

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3.2 Flash Tank

Flash (or partial) evaporation is the partial vapor that occurs when a
saturated liquid stream undergoes a reduction in pressure by passing through a
throttling valve or other throttling device. This process is one of the simplest unit
operations. If the throttling valve or device is located at the entry into a pressure vessel
so that the flash evaporation occurs within the vessel, then the vessel is often referred
to as a Flash tank:-

18
This type of flash evaporation is used in the desalination of brackish water or ocean
water by "Multi-Stage Flash Distillation." The water is heated and then routed into a
reduced-pressure flash evaporation "stage" where some of the water flashes into
steam. This steam is subsequently condensed into salt-free water. The residual salty
liquid from that first stage is introduced into a second flash evaporation stage at a
pressure lower than the first stage pressure. More water is flashed into steam which is
also subsequently condensed into more salt-free water. This sequential use of multiple
flash evaporation stages is continued until the design objectives of the system are met.
A large part of the world's installed desalination capacity uses multi-stage flash
distillation. Typically such plants have 24 or more sequential stages of flash
evaporation.
As it consist of multi stage due to its design objective but our project objective will be
achieved with in one flash tank as it converted water into steam which later takes into
condenser. So we are not using multistage rather we are using single stage flash tank.

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3.2.1 Design consideration

According to design consideration there are different design of flash tank

• Horizontal vs. Vertical

– Vertical preferred when:
• small liquid load
• limited plot space
• ease of level control is desired

Horizontal preferred when

•large liquid loads are involved,consequently hold-up will set the size
•three phases are present

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3.3 Valves

Valves are mechanical devices that controls the flow and pressure within a system or
process. They are essential components of a piping system that conveys liquids, gases,
vapors, slurries etc.

FUNCTIONS FROM VALVES ARE:

Stopping and starting flow

Reduce or increase a flow
Controlling the direction of flow
Regulating a flow or process pressure
Relieve a pipe system of a certain pressure
basic parts of a valve
There are many valve designs, types and models, with a wide range of industrial
applications. All satisfy one or more of the functions identified above. Valves are
expensive items, and it is important that a correct valve is specified for the function, and
must be constructed of the correct material for the process liquid.

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3.3.1 Types of valves.

Different types of valves are available: gate, globe, plug, ball, butterfly, check,
diaphragm, pinch, pressure relief, control valves etc. Each of these types has a number
of models, each with different features and functional capabilities. Some valves are self-
operated while others manually or with an actuator or pneumatic or hydraulic is
operated.
In piping following types of valves are used depending on the requirements. The cost of
Valve in the piping system is up to 20 to 30% of the overall piping cost. And the cost of
a given type and size of the valve can vary 100%. It means that if you choose ball valve
over butterfly valve for the same function. It can cost you more. So, the selection of
valves is essential to the economics, as well as operation, of the process plants.

 Gate Valve
 Globe Valve
 Check Valve
 Plug valve
 Ball Valve
 Butterfly Valve
 Needle Valve
 Expansion Valve

3.3.1.1 Gate valve

Gate valve is the most common type of valve in any process plant. It is a linear motion
valve used to start or stop fluid flow. In service, these valves are either in fully open or
fully closed position. Gate valves are used in almost all fluid services such as air, fuel
gas, feedwater, steam, lube oil, hydrocarbon, and all most any services. Gate valve
provides good shutoff

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3.3.1.2 Globe Valve
Globe valve is used to stop, start, and regulate the fluid flow. Globe Valves are used in
the systems where flow control is required and leak tightness is also necessary. Globe
valve provides better shut off as compared to gate valve and it is costlier than gate
valve.

3.3.1.3 Check valve (non-return valve)

The check valve prevents backflow in the piping system. The pressure of the fluid
passing through a pipeline opens the valve, while any reversal of flow will close the
valve.
Non return valves allow the fluid to flow only in one desired direction. Any flow in the
opposite direction is mechanically restricted from occurring. A non-return valve is fitted
to ensure that a medium flows through a pipe in the right direction, where pressure
conditions may otherwise cause reversed flow.
Non return valves are used to prevent back flow of fluid, which could damage
equipment or upset the process. Such valves are especially useful in protecting a pump
in liquid applications or a compressor in gas applications from back flow when the pump
or compressor is shut down. Non return valves are also used in process systems that
have varying pressures, which must be kept separate.All check valves are non return
valves.

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3.3.1.4 Plug valve

Plug valve is Quarter-turn rotary motion Valve that uses a tapered or cylindrical plug to
stop or start the flow. The disk is in plug shape, which has a passage to pass the flow.
Plug valve used as on-off stop valves and capable of providing bubble tight shutoff. Plug
valve can be used in vacuum to high-pressure & temperature applications.

3.3.1.5 Ball Valve

A Ball valve is a quarter-turn rotary motion valve that uses a ball-shaped disk to stop or
start the flow. Most ball valves are of the quick-acting type, which requires a 90° turn of
the valve handle to operate the valve. The ball valve is Smaller and lighter than a gate
valve of same size and rating.

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3.3.1.6 Butterfly Valve

A Butterfly valve is a quarter-turn rotary motion valve, that is used to stop, regulate, and
start the flow. Butterfly valve has a short circular body. Butterfly Valve is suitable for
large valve applications due to Compact, lightweight design that requires considerably
less space, as compared to other valves.

3.3.1.7 Needle Valve

Needle valves are similar to a globe valve in design with the biggest difference is the
sharp needle like a disk. Needle valves are designed to give very accurate control of
flow in small diameter piping systems. They get their name from their sharp-pointed
conical disc and matching seat.

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3.3.1.8 Expansion Valve

Expansion valves are essentially isenthalpic devices with no work interaction and
negligible heat interaction with the surroundings.
The expansion valve is a passive orifice through which the liquid refrigerant is forced by
the pressure difference between the condensing and the evaporating conditions. If a
system could always operate at fixed conditions, correctly charged, a simple restriction
would fulfil the requirement. In practice this is never the case and control is necessary.
Expansion devices in general use are the following:
1.Capillary tubes, for small hermetic systems. These are factory selected and cannot be
adjusted.
2.Solenoid valves with liquid level sensors or liquid level valves for flooded evaporators.
3.High-pressure float valves plus handset throttle valves for some flooded and low-
pressure receiver circuits.
4.Thermostatic expansion valves or electronic expansion valves for direct expansion
circuits.
The function of expansion valve is same as turbine. Both are used drop the enthalphy of
the working fluid.

 Difference : - The turbine is used where the massflow rate of working fluid is
high,and we get useful mechanical work(=massflow rate * change in enthalphy)
But where the massflow rate is very low, ( like vapour compression refrigeration cycle )
we use expansion valve instead of turbine.As no useful workput is there installing
turbine is not economically justified.

26
Different types of valves serve these functions. These valves can be classified or
categorized based on :
 Function
 End connection
 How it operates
 Types of Actuator it used

Classification of Valves Based on Function

Figure shows the classification of valves based on their Functions

Classification of Valves Based on End Connections

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Based on the end connection, valve ends can be

a. Screwed or threaded that connect with matching thread on the pipe. Small-bore
valve used in instrument connection or as a sample point has a threaded end
b. Majority valve used in piping has a Flanged type ends.
c. Butt welded valves are used in very high pressure and temperature services.
d. Socket Welded valves are used in low-pressure
e. Check valve and butterfly valves are available in wafer and lug end construction.
These types of ends are used when space is constrained.

Classification of Valves Based on The Way it Open and Closed:

Another way to classify the valve is the way it open and close. Each valve opens and
closed by either Liner or rotary motion or by quarter turn which is nothing but a rotary
motion.
In the image below, you can see the difference between opening methods of the valve.

Linear motion valves use a closure member that moves in a straight line and cut the
flow to start, stop, or throttle the flow. The closure device could be a disc, or flexible
material, such as a diaphragm. Linear motion valves are slower in operation, but they
provide a higher level of accuracy and stability in the position of the closure member.
Rotary motion valves rotate a disc or swing it from the hinge pin that holds the disk.
A 90° turn of the stem in Quarter turn valves fully open or fully closed the valve.
Because of this quick turn, the operation of Quarter turn valve is much faster than linear
motion valves. Some rotary motion valves are also known as Quarter turn valve.

28
In the table, you can see that ball valve, butterfly valve, and plug valve are both rotary
and quarter turn valve. Whereas swing check, tilting disk, and other rotary motion valve
are not a quarter turn valve.
Now here is table that shows the opening and closing of different valves

Classification of Valves Based on Types of Actuator it used

The last way to classify the valve is, types of the actuator are used to transfer the
motion to operate the valve. The valve can be operated manually with the help of

29
handwheel, lever, chain or by a gear wheel. An external power source such as an
electric motor, air, hydraulic fluid or solenoid is used to operate valve from the control
room. Check valve works automatically when subjected to the backflow.

3.4 PUMPS

A hydrodynamic pump machine is a device for converting the energy held by

mechanical energy into fluid.

Pumps enable a fluid to:

• Flow from a region or low pressure to one of high pressure

. • Flow from a low level to a higher level.

• Flow at a faster rate.

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The type of pump selection depends upon the following factors:

 The type of liquid you wish to pump

 The distance you wish to move the liquid

 The volume you need to achieve over a specific time frame

But it can be difficult to know exactly which pump you should choose. There are so
many designs and niches that identifying the pump which will meet these three needs
can be confusing. To simplify things when trying to select your pump, there are two
types of pump which work in very different ways and broadly encapsulate most pump
designs.

3.4.1 Types of Pumps

Pump types generally fall into two main categories - Rotodynamic and Positive
Displacement, of which there are many forms.
The Rotodynamic pump transfers rotating mechanical energy into kinetic energy in the
form of fluid velocity and pressure.

As shown in figure:

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3.4.1.1 Rotodynamic Pump

a. Centrifugal Pumps

This type of pump is one of the most common in use today. Like other pump designs, it
uses an impeller, which is a rotating blade to generate suction which then moves fluid
through pipes. The rotating impeller creates what is known as centrifugal force, giving
this pump design its name. The pump can be driven by an electric motor or engine.

Centrifugal pumps are usually used for liquids which are low in viscosity and low in solid
concentration. However, there is a centrifugal slurry pump which can move liquids with
a large amount of particles. For low flows and high pressures, the action of the impeller
is largely radial.

Classification of impellers on the basis of three designs:

a. Axial Flow: The axial flow impeller discharges fluid along the shaft axis. For this
reason an axial flow pump is by definition not "centrifugal" in its pumping action.

b. Radial Flow: The radial flow impeller discharges the fluid radially at 90° to the
shaft axis. Radial Flow is also called Centrifugel pump.

c. Mixed Flow: The mixed flow impeller discharges fluid in a conical direction using
a combined radial and axial pumping action – as suggest by the title.

All these three are the types of Rotodynamic Pumps and these three types are
made just on basis of design of Impellers.
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  Advantages of Rotodynamic Pump:

Centrifugal pumps are fairly simple in nature. They use the kinetic energy of a motor to
move liquids. An engine is attached to the axis, which then rotates the pump impeller,
which is reminiscent of an old ship’s “water wheel”. The rotation moves the water from
its entry point through the casing, and finally to the exit.

While most pumps are used for water, centrifugal pumps are also used for sewage,
petroleum, and chemicals. Incidentally, the reverse of this process is called a water
turbine. The impeller is placed in moving water; it can be used as a water turbine which
converts the water’s energy into rotational energy. In other words, instead of the motor
moving the pump to move the water, the water moves the pump to move the motor.

Because of the direct conversion of the motor to rotational energy, the centrifugal pump
is a very simple pump. As with all pumps, there are advantages and disadvantages.

The biggest advantage of centrifugal pumps is their aforementioned simplicity. They

don’t require any valves, or many moving parts. This makes them easy to produce with
many different materials. It also allows them to move at high speeds with minimal
maintenance. Their output is very steady and consistent. Most of all, they are very
small compared to other types of pumps that create the same output.

The main disadvantage is that they use rotation instead of suction to move water, and
therefore have almost no suction power. This means that a centrifugal pump must be
put under water, or primed, before it will move water.

Centrifugal pumps can also develop a phenomenon called “cavitation”. This happens
when the speed of the water causes it to vaporise, which causes bubbles in the
liquid. A combination of the speed of the vapour bubbles and the implosion of vapour
bubbles can be corrosive to the impeller surfaces and pump casing.

For most household or light industrial uses, a centrifugal pump is fine. As long as the
liquids aren’t too viscous, like mud or waste, and the pump can be totally submerged, it
will provide consistent, effective, and reliable operation. Centrifugal pumps provide a lot
of flexibility, are easy to move, and don’t take up a lot of space.

 Disadvantages of Rotodynamic Pump:

1-reducing performance when handling viscous fluids.

2-can only handle small amounts of gases in liquids

33
3-not effective for high velocities, but multi-stage configuration are expensive

3.4.1.2 Positive Displacement Pumps

A constant flow rate fluid pumping device use to displace the fluids(usually viscous &
fragile) in the direction of pressure force.

It operates in such a way that it takes certain FIXED amount of the fluids and transfer it
to desired place with the use of cavities (in some type) arranged in a manner that
having increasing area at suction side(inlet) and decreasing at discharging side(outlet).

Positive displacement pumps come in two designs:

 Reciprocating: In this design, the suction is created by a piston which plunges

into and pulls out of the material. Valves are used to ensure that the flow only
moves in one direction. A reciprocating design therefore pulses the liquid at
identical intervals.

34
 If air pumping is done by piston then it is termed as PISTON PUMP.

If pumping of air is done via plunger then it is known as PLUNGER PUMP

If air is pumped through diaphragm then it is called as DIAPHRAGM PUMP.

*valves are of such type that it allows flow only in one direction. Named commonly
as check valve or non-return valve.

 Purpose of Reciprocating Pumps:

Piston Pump is used in Water Supply System , Household , Food industries

.Plunger Pump is used For pumping water ,To transfer Municipal and industrial
sewage. Diaphragm Pump can handle highly viscous liquids, sludge’s and slurries
with a relatively high amount of grit and solid contents.

Usually they are used in high pressure requirement applications where pressure is a
priority compared to quantity. Reciprocating pumps are used in all injection based
applications, such as: fuel injection in engines, medicine industry applications, and
some water pumping applications.

1. In oil and gas industries.

2. Petrochemical and refinery industries.

3. As a feed water pump in boiler because high pressure water is required.

4. Hilly areas and also in agriculture

5.
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  Advantages of a Reciprocating Pump

1. It creates high pressures from low-flow situations.

A reciprocating pump draws fluid or gas into its chamber through a small
opening. It then releases that fluid or gas when the liquid or gas is compressed
by a piston. That creates a high-pressure released from a low-flow situation.

2. It is a proven technology.
Reciprocating pumps are one of the oldest designs still being used. Pumps of this type
have been designed to perform with up to 3,000 horsepower.

3. It is a durable technology.
Reciprocating pumps work with highly corrosive or abrasive materials. Because a pump
can be made with everything from ceramics to carbide, this technology is used in
applications that range from air transfers to pumping cement.

4. It is an efficient technology.
A well-designed reciprocating pump often operates above 90% efficiency, even though
it is one of the most affordable options of its type.

 Disadvantages of a Reciprocating Pump

1. It has a short half-life.

Reciprocating pumps require a lot of maintenance to continue functioning
properly. Most pumps of this type require at least one full rebuild over 15 years of
use, with careful maintenance occurring at all times to make it last that long.
Rebuilds are not costly, though they can be time-intensive.

2. It creates pulsations.
The piston movement which moves liquids or gas creates a pulsation within the
inlet and outlet of the pump. Even if there are multiple pump chambers
incorporated into the design of the pump, these pulsations cannot be completely
eliminated. If the pulsations are severe, damage to surrounding systems may
occur.

3. It may damage itself.

The movement of the pistons can be violent enough, in normal operations, to
cause the pump to damage itself over time. To counter this issue, most
reciprocating pumps require a damper of some type.
These reciprocating pump pros and cons show that this proven technology is
effective and affordable. It also requires a lot of attention to be successful.

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3.4.1.3 Rotary

A rotary design uses two gears which mesh together. The movement of the
gears creates high pressure on the discharge side which creates flow.

A pump type where fluid is transferred via rotating element, Meshing or

squeezing the fluid in some pattern.

When meshing is of gears it is called GEAR PUMP.

When meshing is of lobes it is LOBE PUMP.

When meshing is of screws it is SCREW PUMP.

When rotating element contains vanes it is called VANE PUMP

When rotating element contains hose it is PERISTALTIC PUMP

When rotating element contains increasing cavity it is PROGRESSIVE CAVITY

PUMP.

Uses:

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Advantages of Positive displacement Pump:

• High viscosity fluids

• Flow is regardless of pressure

• Changing viscosity fluids(varies with pressure)

• High Pressure

• Shear Sensitive Liquids

• Self-Primer

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 • Low flow

• Pumping Slurries

• No shaft seal

Disadvantages of Positive Displacement Pump:

1-produce a pulsating flow.

2-limited range of capability.

3-high NPSH (net positive suction head) requirements.

4-operates of low speed.5-much main tenancy required

 Difference between Rotodynamic and Positive displacement pump:

The main difference between kinetic and positive displacement pumps lies in the
method of fluid transfer.

A kinetic pump imparts velocity energy to the fluid, which is converted to pressure
energy upon exiting the pump casing

A positive displacement pump moves a fixed volume of fluid within the pump casing by
applying a force to moveable boundaries containing the fluid volume.

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