Experiment 2

“Pumps in Series and Parallel”

Series Pumps Vs. Parallel Pumps

Centrifugal pumps are connected in series if the discharge of one pump is

connected to the suction side of a second pump. Two similar pumps, in series, operate in
the same manner as a two-stage centrifugal pump. Each of the pumps is putting energy
into the pumping fluid, so the resultant head is the sum of the individual heads. An
advantage of a pump in series is its higher head is always high and its disadvantage is if
one of the pump breaks down, the entire system becomes unavailable.
Pumps are operated in parallel when two or more pumps are connected to a
common discharge line, and share the same suction conditions. An advantage of pumps
in parallel would be availability of the system i.e. even if one of the pumps is not
functioning, the other pumps would ensure steady discharge.

Set-up of the Experiment

Example

V
Pump Notch Suction Delivery Total Torque Power
Discharge Efficiency
Arrangement Head Head Head Head Mass Input
(mm)
1 2 0.04211 3 2 5 30 10W 15.03%

2 3 0.022 3 3 6 35 15W 20.21%

Series 5 0.03123 3 2 5 40 20W 19.1%

Applications

 Parallel pumping a Condenser

 Centrifugal Pumps application
 Industrial & Fire Protection Industry - Heating and ventilation, boiler feed
applications, air conditioning, pressure boosting, fire protection sprinkler systems.
 Pharmaceutical, Chemical & Food Industries - paints, hydrocarbons,
petrochemical, cellulose, sugar refining, food and beverage production
 Waste Management, Agriculture & Manufacturing - Wastewater processing plants,
municipal industry, drainage, gas processing, irrigation, and flood protection