Technological Institute of the Philippines – Manila

(Unit Operations Laboratory 1 – Experiment 7)

Saturday – 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM

Series and Parallel Pump Test

Dietrich Dizon, Carpathia Montinola, Clarice Pabunan, Annalyn Pandan, Reane Ramirez

Abstract – The series and parallel Configuration of Pumps is used to study the operation, and performance
of a single centrifugal pump and two centrifugal pumps in both series and parallel. It is used to determine
the characteristics of centrifugal pumps, working alone, in series or in parallel. In this experiment, the
equipment used was Series and Parallel Configuration of Pumps Accessory System HM 150.16. The said
equipment allowed us to determine the pressure in the suction 1 and 2, and the pressure in the delivery 1
and 2, which are needed in order to plot the pump characteristics curve.

Index Terms – single centrifugal pump, suction, series and parallel Configuration of Pumps

Dizon, Dietrich, Chemical Engineering Department, pumps use rotation of one or more impellers to
Technological Institute of the Philippines, 0908-915-3251
(e-mail: dietrich.dizon@gmail.com) make the fluid flow. It is ideally used for liquids
Montinola, Carpathia, Chemical Engineering Department, that composed of suspended solids and high flow
Technological Institute of the Philippines, 0945-208-5594
(e-mail: carpathiamontinola@gmail.com) rates. It plays an important role in equipment
Pabunan, Clarice, Chemical Engineering Department,
design because it adds pressure to the liquid by a
Technological Institute of the Philippines, 0906-569-6441
(e-mail: mcapabunan@tip.edu.ph) impeller in the form of kinetic energy.
Pandan, Annalyn, Chemical Engineering Department,
Technological Institute of the Philippines, 0948-250-4795
(e-mail: pandan1211@gmail.com)
Ramirez, Reane, Chemical Engineering Department,
Technological Institute of the Philippines, 0995-156-4249
(e-mail: ramirezreane@gmail.com)

I. DISCUSSION

Pumps have important roles in different

fields especially in the field of chemical
engineering, they are used to transfer energy to an
incoming fluid. The pressure or velocity of the (Shown above is a schematic process inside the
fluid increases, which helps the fluid overcome pump)

physical barriers such as pipe friction and height The pump characteristic curves can be
changes. Pumps exist in a variety of shapes and defined as the graphical representation of a
sizes, depending on their intended function. particular pump’s behavior and performance
When the flowing fluid is a gas, the pump is under different operating conditions. The
typically referred to as a compressor. In the operating properties of a pump are established by
experiment Centrifugal Pumps are used, these the geometry and dimensions of the pump’s
impeller and casing. Curves relating total head,
efficiency, power, to discharge or pump capacity
(Q) are utilized to describe the operating
properties of a pump.
For Series Operations, 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.
While Parallel Operations, Pumps are
operated in parallel when two or more pumps are
connected to a common discharge line, and share
the same suction conditions.
II. MATERIALS
Series and Parallel Configuration of Pumps
Accessory System HM 150.16.
III. PROCEDURE
 Single Pump
1. Use Pump 1 by connecting the stop-
cocks from the pump 1 intake side to
the outflow.
2. Measure the diameter and the initial
height of the water in the cylindrical
tank to be used in solving for the
volumetric flow.
3. Switch on Pump 1 in the switchbox.
Record the time duration.
4. Record the Psuction on the intake side
and the Pdelivery on the delivery side of
the pump 1.
5. Measure the final height of the water.
6. Repeat the steps from 1 to 5 to attain
three trials.
7. Solve for the change in pressure and
volumetric flow rate per trial using
the obtained data.
 Series Configuration of Two Pumps
1. Connect the stop-cocks from the
Pump 1 intake side to the outflow by
opening the stop-cock pump 1
connections pipe and the stop-cock
pump 2 delivery side. Close the stop-
cock pump 1 delivery side.
2. Measure the initial height of the
water in the cylindrical tank to be
used in solving for the volumetric
flow.
3. Switch on both pump with the main
switch in the switchbox. Record the
time duration.
4. Record the Psuction on the intake side
and the Pdelivery on the delivery side of
the pump.
5. Measure the final height of the water.
6. Repeat the steps from 1 to 5 to attain
three trials.
7. Solve for the change in pressure and
volumetric flow rate using the
obtained data.
 Parallel Configurations of Two Pumps
 1. Connect the stop-cocks from the 4.5
Pump 1 intake side to the outflow as
4
well as the stop-cocks from Pump 2
intake side to the outflow. Close the 3.5
stop-cock pump 1 connection pipes. 3 single
pump

∆P (bar)
2. Measure the initial height of the 2.5
water in the cylindrical tank to be 2 series
used in solving for the volumetric pump
1.5
flow.
3. Switch on both pump with the main 1 paralle
switch in the switchbox. Record the 0.5 pump
time duration. 0
4. Record the Psuction on the intake side 0 20 40 60
and the Pdelivery on the outflow. Volumetric flowrate (in^3/s)
5. Measure the final height of the water.
6. Repeat the steps from 1 to 5 to attain
V. CALCULATIONS
three trials.
7. Solve for the change in pressure and Volume Volumetric Flow
volumetric flow rate using the Rate
𝝅 𝟐 𝝅 𝟐
obtained data. 𝒗 = 𝑫 (𝑯 − 𝒉) 𝑫 (𝑯 − 𝒉)
𝟒 𝒗̇ = 𝟒
𝒕
IV. DATA AND RESULTS ANGLE: 45°: SINGLE PUMP
SINGLE Volume, 𝒗
PUMP Trial 1
∆P (bar) V (in^3/s) 𝜋
𝑣 = (9.5)2 (11.25 − 7.5)
45 ° open 2.50 21.95 4
v = 265. 81 in3
Almost open 1.12 52.22 Trial 2
𝜋
𝑣 = (9.5)2 (7.5 − 3.5)
4
SERIES PUMP v = 283.53 in3
∆P (bar) V (in^3/s) Trial 3
𝜋
45 ° open 4.24 24.39 𝑣 = (9.5)2 (3.5 − 2.0)
Almost open 1.43 17.83 4
v = 106.32 in3
Volumetric Flow Rate, 𝒗̇
Trial 1
PARALLEL 𝜋
(9.5)2 (11.25 − 7.5)
PUMP 𝑣̇ = 4
10.76
∆P (bar) V (in^3/s) 𝑣̇ = 24. 70 in3/s
45 ° open -0.5166 44.08 Trial 2
𝜋
Almost open -1.3 21.87 (9.5)2 (7.5 − 3.5)
𝑣̇ = 4
11.29
𝑣̇ = 25.11 in3/s
Trial 3
𝜋
(9.5)2 (3.5 − 2.0)
𝑣̇ = 4
6.63
𝑣̇ = 16.04 in3/s
 𝑣̇ = 34. 42 in3/s
Trial 2
SERIES PUMP 𝜋
(9.5)2 (7.8 − 6)
Volume 𝑣̇ = 4
2.50
Trial 1 𝑣̇ = 51. 04 in3/s
𝜋
𝑣 = (9.5)2 (6.65 − 5.5) Trial 3
4 𝜋
v = 81.51 in3 (9.5)2 (6 − 4)
𝑣̇ = 4
Trial 2 3.03
𝜋 𝑣̇ = 46. 79 in3/s
𝑣 = (9.5)2 (5.5 − 4.125)
4 ANGLE: ALMOST OPEN
v = 97.46 in3 SINGLE PUMP
Trial 3 Trial 1
𝜋 𝜋
𝑣 = (9.5)2 (4.125 − 2.125) 𝑣 = (9.5)2 (11.25 − 7.5)
4 4
v = 141.76 in3 v = 265. 81 in3
Volumetric Flow Rate Trial 2
Trial 1 𝜋
𝜋 𝑣 = (9.5)2 (7.5 − 5.25)
(9.5)2 (6.65 − 5.5) 4
𝑣̇ = 4 v = 159.48 in3
3.18
𝑣̇ = 25.63 in3/s Trial 3
𝜋
Trial 2 𝑣 = (9.5)2 (5.5 − 2.10)
𝜋 4
(9.5)2 (5.5 − 4.125) v = 241 in3
𝑣̇ = 4
3.66 Volumetric Flow Rate, 𝒗̇
𝑣̇ = 26.63 in3/s Trial 1
Trial 3 𝜋
𝜋 (9.5)2 (11.25 − 7.5)
(9.5)2 (4.125 − 2.125) 𝑣̇ = 4
𝑣̇ = 4 4.18
6.78 𝑣̇ = 63.59 in3/s
𝑣̇ = 20.91 in3/s Trial 2
PARALLEL PUMP 𝜋
(9.5)2 (7.5 − 5.25)
Volume 𝑣̇ = 4
Trial 1 4.40
𝜋 𝑣̇ = 36.25 in3/s
𝑣 = (9.5)2 (10 − 7.8) Trial 3
4 𝜋
v = 155.94 in3 (9.5)2 (5.5 − 2.10)
Trial 2 𝑣̇ = 4
𝜋 3.93
𝑣 = (9.5)2 (7.8 − 6) 𝑣̇ = 56.81 in3/s
4 SERIES PUMP
v = 127.59 in3 VOLUME
Trial 3 Trial 1
𝜋 𝜋
𝑣 = (9.5)2 (6 − 4) 𝑣 = (9.5)2 (7.2 − 6.125)
4 4
v = 141.76 in3 v = 76.20 in3
Volumetric Flow Rate Trial 2
Trial 1 𝜋
𝜋 𝑣= (9.5)2 (6.125 − 5.75)
(9.5)2 (10 − 7.8) 4
𝑣̇ = 4 v = 26.58 in3
4.53
Trial 3
𝜋
𝑣= (9.5)2 (5.75 − 2.0)
4
v = 265.81 in3
VI. STATISTICAL TREATMENT
Volumetric Flow Rate, 𝒗̇
OF DATA
Trial 1
𝜋
(9.5)2 (7.2 − 6.125)
𝑣̇ = 4 Box and Whisker
2.35
𝑣̇ = 32.43 in3/s
Trial 2
𝜋
(9.5)2 (6.125 − 5.75)
𝑣̇ = 4
4.73
𝑣̇ = 5.62 in3/s
Trial 3
𝜋
(9.5)2 (5.75 − 2.0)
𝑣̇ = 4
10.58
𝑣̇ = 25.12 in3/s
PARALLEL PUMP
VOLUME
Trial 1
𝜋
𝑣= (9.5)2 (11.25 − 10.1)
4
v = 81.51 in3
Trial 2
𝜋
𝑣 = (9.5)2 (10.1 − 9.5)
4
v = 42.53 in3
Trial 3
𝜋
= (9.5)2 (9.5 − 6.8)
4
v = 191.38 in3
Volumetric Flow Rate
Trial 1
𝜋
(9.5)2 (11.25 − 10.1)
𝑣̇ = 4
5.60
𝑣̇ = 14.56 in3/s
Trial 2
𝜋
(9.5)2 (10.1 − 9.5)
𝑣̇ = 4
4.15
𝑣̇ = 10.25 in3/s
Trial 3
𝜋
(9.5)2 (9.5 − 6.8)
𝑣̇ = 4
4.69
𝑣̇ = 40.81 in3/s
 F P-value F crit
24.9402926 0.000542088 4.964602744

With the P-value < 0.05 and and F > Fcrit, the null
hypothesis that “the volumetric flowrate does not
vary with the change in pressure” can be rejected.

VII. FLOWCHART

that there are no outliers in the data gathered in
the experiment.
Anova
Using Microsoft Excel to perform a single factor
ANOVA, grouping the values by test section,
SINGLE, SERIES AND PARALLEL PUMP
Anova: Single Factor
VIII. CONCLUSION
In this experiment three types of pumps were
used single, series and parallel pump. From this
experiment we conclude that the volumetric
flowrate varies with the change in pressure with
the three types of pump used. Based on the graph
series operation pump has the highest head, it is
better when it is compared to single or parallel
operation pump.

SUMMARY IX. HAZARDS

Groups Count Sum Average VarianceNo hazards or wastes produced from the
∆P (bar) 6 7.4734 1.245567 4.035032experiment because it only requires water and an
V (in^3/s) 6 182.34 30.39 200.3085equipment.
 X. WASTE DISPOSAL

No waste was generated in the experiment. PARALLEL

hi hf
(in (in Pdelivery Psuction
XI. APPENDIX 1 ) ) t (s) (bar) (bar)
SINGLE PUMP Tria 7. 4.5
hf Pdelivery Psuction
hi (in) (in) t (s) (bar) (bar)
l 1 10 8 3 1.9 2.2
Trial Tria 7.
1 11.25 7.5 10.76 2.19 -0.75 l2 8 6 2.5 1.4 1.8
Trial Tria 3.0
2 7.5 3.5 11.29 2.19 -0.08 l3 6 4 3 1.85 1
Trial
3 3.5 2 6.635 2.2 -0.1
PARALLEL
hi hf Pdelivery Psuction
SINGLE PUMP (in) (in) t (s) (bar) (bar)
hi hf Pdelivery Psuction
(in) (in) t (s) (bar) (bar)
Tri 11.2 10.
Tri 11.2 4.1 al 1 5 1 5.6 3.4 3.8
al 1 5 7.5 8 0.9 -0.2 Tri 4.1
Tri 5.2 al 2 10.1 9.5 5 3.3 3.5
al 2 7.5 5 4.4 0.95 -0.2 Tri 4.6
Tri 3.9 al 3 9.5 6.8 9 1.4 4.7
al 3 5.25 2.1 3 0.9 -0.2

SERIES
Pdeliver Psuctio
hi (in) hf (in) t (s) y (bar) n (bar)
Tri 3.1
al 1 6.65 5.5 8 4 -0.25
Tri 4.12 3.6
al 2 5.5 5 6 4 -0.28
Tri 4.12 2.12 6.7
al 3 5 5 8 3.95 -0.25

SERIES
hi hf Pdelivery Psuction
(in) (in) t (s) (bar) (bar)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Tri
al 6.1 3.3
1 7.2 25 5 0.8 -0.7 The students wish to express their sincere
Tri gratitude to Engr. Crizaldy Tugade and to the
al 6.1 5.7 4.7 technicians of the Unit Operations Laboratory for
2 25 5 3 0.78 -0.65 giving their valuable time, assistance and
Tri expertise in conducting the experiment.
al 5.7 10.
3 5 2 58 0.7 -0.65
 AUTHORS

Dizon, Dietrich is a fourth

year Chemical Engineering
student at the Technological
Institute of the Philippines –
Manila.

Carpathia Montinola is a
fourth year Chemical
Engineering student at the
Technological Institute of the
Philippines – Manila. She
finished her primary and
secondary education at St.
Michael Kindergarten and
Elementary School and Jose
Rizal Institute, respectively.
Clarice Pabunan is a fourth
year Chemical Engineering
student at the Technological
Institute of the Philippines –
Manila.

Annalyn A. Pandan graduated

highschool from Bagong
Silangan High School. She
now pursues her bachelor
degree in Chemical
Engineering at Technological
Institute of the Philippines—
Manila.

Reane Ramirez is a fourth year

Chemical Engineering student
at the Technological Institute
of the Philippines – Manila.