Professors: Luis H.

Reyes (OU - IQUI3010) and Nicolás Ratkovich (SIM - IQUI3039)

Graduate Assistants OU: Miguel Ballesteros and Ximena Vargas
Graduate Assistants SIM: Andrés Pinilla and Juan Pablo Valdés

Centrifugal Pump Design Calculations

Group 4
Paula Andrea Castro Robles –
Johan Sebastián Núñez Barrero –
Ana María Rueda Torrado –
Luis Alejandro Sánchez Brugos
Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia

# Figures/tables # Words
Introduction N/A 167
Materials and
1 1223
Methods
Results and
4 N/A
discussion
Total 5 1390

1. INTRODUCTION
Centrifugal pumps are mechanical devices designed to move fluids using rotational energy[ CITATION
Mic19 \l 3082 ], they have numerous applications in various industries like oil refineries and power plants.
[ CITATION PUM19 \l 3082 ] Each part of their structure is made with special attention in order to get the
best performance point. In that way, the main goal of this study was to design, construct and characterize the
dimensions for a centrifugal pump to determine both efficiency and operation curve. Done accomplishing
following requirements: work with the BEP (Best Efficiency Point) (Annex 8, figure 2), have an angular
velocity between 1800 and 5400 rpm, without exceeding pump’s maximal dimensions of 11x11x11 cm and
finally to operate at 15 ℃ . In addition, it should be noted that the nominal pipeline diameter in suction and
discharge had to be 3/4 of an inch. In order to achieve the specifications, calculations for dimensions and
properties of the pump were computed using the Andersons “area ratio method”[ CITATION Gül08 \l 3082 ]

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1 Design features of the pump

Specific speed (nq) permits a rough indication about configuration and impeller shape of the pump. According
to specifications provided by the course´s project description, the pump required must be a centrifugal pump;
however, they could be either axial or radial. Because of that, ranges of n q were searched throughout available
literature with nq computed (equation 1-Annex 1) as reference. This resulted in an n q range between 7 and 30,
fixing a radial flow through the impeller[ CITATION Gun19 \l 9226 ]. On the other hand, specific speed (NS)
describes the hydraulic features of the pump’s impeller; according to Annex 2, range varies between 0.2 and
2.5 for centrifugal pumps. Due to the low value of 0,314 determined using equation 2 (Annex 1) and an
angular velocity of 2500 rpm, a risk for a low efficiency exists.

2.2 Hydraulic Efficiency and Shaft Power

The value of shaft power was computed using equation 4 (Annex 2), water fluid properties described on
Annex 3 and optimal pump operational conditions resulting on a value of 6,125 W. In the same way,
efficiency was computed at the mandatory optimal head and flow requirements using equation 3 found on
Annex 2.

However, due to factors such as an overall minimum flow rate and the small size of the pump, the value for
hydraulic efficiency resulted in an incoherent negative value. Analyzing Figure 1 tendency (Annex 4) and
knowing that the flow rate is even lower than the lowest value on the graph. It was taken into consideration
that the value of ηh , Opt must be below 0.7, and in consequence, a value of 0.4 was assumed

2.3 Shaft Diameter and Hub Diameter

1
 Professors: Luis H. Reyes (OU - IQUI3010) and Nicolás Ratkovich (SIM - IQUI3039)
Graduate Assistants OU: Miguel Ballesteros and Ximena Vargas
Graduate Assistants SIM: Andrés Pinilla and Juan Pablo Valdés

Shaft diameter (d W ) represents how the torque is transmitted through the rotor onto the impeller. For this
calculation, it is necessary to first specify the shafts material and the allowable sheer stress ( τ al) that will be
used in equation 5 (Annex 5). To simplify the calculation process, both requirements were specified: a steel
7
shaft with τ al =2.8∗10 Pa that results in a d W of 0.00204 using equation 5. Consequently, the hub
diameter (dn) was computed according to equation 6 (Annex 5) which uses the shaft diameter previously
found, giving 0.004083215 as the result.

2.4 Impeller External Diameter

To compute the value of the outer diameter (d2) it is necessary to solve first the optimal head coefficient (ψ Opt
) making use of equation 7 described in Annex 6 and the value n q of previously defined. Then, applying
equation 8, also described in Annex 6, gives a value of 0.0463 m.

2.5 Speed triangles:

The objective of the velocity triangles calculations is to determinate the relationships between relative speed
(w), circumferential speed (u) and absolute speed. Using the equations show in the point 9 of the annexes. It
was possible to calculate all the components of the speed triangles for the inlet and outlet blades. The results
are shown below.

Parameters ui Ai cℑ c iu w1 w iu βi αi

Inlet (index=1) 2.396 2.958∗10−4 0.422 0 2.433 0 0.174 0

Outlet (index=2) 6.439 4.634∗10−4 0.269 3.504 2.948 2.936 0.262 0.0768

Table 1: Components of the speed triangles

However, it is important to mention that the attack angle for the index 2, was calculated by assuming an angle
of 15°, since using an angle between 15-50° gives a better behavior. Thus, the design of the blades will be
backwards curved because β 2 is less than 90°. The principal advantage of using that design is the efficiency
because the fluid enters and leaves the passages of the blades with the least amount of turns.

2.6 Impeller Design:

The shape of the outer and inner streamlines has a strong impact on the flow through the impeller and the
diffuser, specially affects the efficiency of the pump. For that reason, it is important to obtain the meridional
section. To calculate the meridional section, we have to obtain the width impeller, the blade numbers, the
thickness impeller, the input length, and the axial extension. The equations are shown in annexes.

2.6.1 Width impeller:

According to Gülish, the in width part should be bigger than the out width, (b1>b2), since the path of the fluid
in the blade decrease the velocity due to the shock of the fluid with the eye of the impeller. Ensuring that
inequality, the input area (𝐴1) will be smaller than the output area (𝐴2) and the circumferential speed in the in
part will be lower than the out part.

2.6.2 Impeller blades number:

The selection of the number of Blades depends on the level of effectiveness in the direction of flow and the
friction losses that are expected to have the pump. Usually, a pump has between 5 to 20 blades since with that
amount of blades we could avoid vibrations that cause flow loses. For our design, we use five blades, because
the pump head performance is not going to be high (lower than 100 m). By using equation 27, it is obtained
that the number of blades is around two, so we must assume some blades in the rank already explained.

2
 Professors: Luis H. Reyes (OU - IQUI3010) and Nicolás Ratkovich (SIM - IQUI3039)
Graduate Assistants OU: Miguel Ballesteros and Ximena Vargas
Graduate Assistants SIM: Andrés Pinilla and Juan Pablo Valdés

2.6.3 Thickness impeller (e):

As we explained, the pump that we are designed is not going to have a good efficiency and for instance a low
high head performance, for that reason, the lower limit was chosen, so the thickness of the impeller will be
described as 0.016∗d 2=e, the thickness will be 0.85 mm.

2.6.4 Meridional section:

A section through the impeller axis is called the meridional section. In this case, the blade leading and trailing
edges projected into the drawing plane trough circular projection. To be able to design the meridional section
we must know all the parameters described before so we can undo the normalization of the values by defining
¿ ¿
the dimensionless coordinates r =f ( z )gives in table 3.

2.6.5 Blade profile:

Considering the equations shown in Annex 12 and choosing values for r j between r1 and r2, calculations for
the parameter θ were made. Afterwards, those values were converted from cylindrical coordinates to
Cartesian coordinates in order to export them in the correct format to the design software used (Inventor
2018). However, the selected r j values didn’t fit with the required r’s interval (they were too small), so the
curvature weren’t viable for the operation, and the results obtained for θ were negative. Therefore, new
values of r were calculated and adjusted to the interval with a simple cross-multiplication (Annex 12, equation
30), considering the interval of r’s values where θ were positive. Then the real value of x in Cartesian
coordinates were calculated (Annex 12, equation 31), where X 1 is the one calculated with the first values of r
and X 2 the one with de second values of r.

2.6.6 Volute Design:

Considering the equations showed in the Annex 12 and choosing multiple values for r j between r 1∧r 2. It
was possible to calculate the coordinates of r and θ in multiple points in the blade. Afterward, those angles
were verified with the table 4, so if the maximum angle was bigger than the limit recommended the angle
must be normalized. However, due to the complexity of the restrictions, some measurements were assumed.
The volute will be divided in two parts: the first one represents the entrance of suction and the second
represent the input of the motor shaft. The isometric plan will be shown in the annexes.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Blade Profile Volute cartesian coordinates profile

0.03
0.03
0.03
0.02 0.01
0.02
-0.04 -0.03 -0.02 -0.01-0.01 0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04
0.01
0.01 -0.03
0
-0.01 -0.01 0 0 0 0 0 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 -0.05
Graph 1: Impeller Blade profile (L) and Volute Profile in Cartesian Coordinates (R).

3
 Professors: Luis H. Reyes (OU - IQUI3010) and Nicolás Ratkovich (SIM - IQUI3039)
Graduate Assistants OU: Miguel Ballesteros and Ximena Vargas
Graduate Assistants SIM: Andrés Pinilla and Juan Pablo Valdés

Head vs. Flow rate Meridional Section

5
0.03
4
3 0.02
Required outer

z(a,i)
H

2
Calculated 0.01 inter
1
0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.03
Flow rate r(a,i)

Graph 2: Head vs. Flow rate (L) and Meridional section (R).

4. REFERENCES (OR REFERENCES CITED)

[1] Michael Smith Engineers, "Michael Smith Engineers ltd," 2019. [Online]. Available:
https://www.michael-smith-engineers.co.uk/resources/useful-info/centrifugal-pumps.
[2] PUMP SOLUTIONS AUSTRALASIA , "PUMP SOLUTIONS AUSTRALASIA," 2019. [Online].
Available: https://pumpsolutions.com.au/best-uses-for-centrifugal-pumps/. [Accessed 2019].
[3] J. F. Gülich, "Design of the hydraulic components," in Centrifugal Pumps, Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg,
2008, pp. 335-428.
[4] Gunt Hamburg, "Basic Knowledge: Centrifugal Pumps," 2019. [Online]. Available:
https://www.gunt.de/images/download/centrifugal-pumps_english.pdf.
[5] J. F. Gülich, "Pump Hydraulics and Physical Concepts," in Centrifugal Pumps, Villeneuve, Springer,
2014, pp. 125-126.
[6] B. Sultanina, "Table 3.2 Specific Speeds," in Logan´s Turbomachinery: Flowpath Design and
Performance Fundamentals, CRC Press, 2019.

4
 Professors: Luis H. Reyes (OU - IQUI3010) and Nicolás Ratkovich (SIM - IQUI3039)
Graduate Assistants OU: Miguel Ballesteros and Ximena Vargas
Graduate Assistants SIM: Andrés Pinilla and Juan Pablo Valdés

ANNEXES

1. Design features equations

n Q 0.5 π 0.5
nq=
op
(1) n Q (2)
0.75
H opt 30 Opt
Ns= 0.75
( g H opt )

2. Hydraulic Efficiency and Shaft Power equations

2
n 0.06
ηh , Opt =1−0.055Q −0.2 0.26−log q
−m
25[ ( )] with m=0.08 Q−0.15
( )45
nq
(3)

ρ gH opt Q Opt (4)

P=
ηh , Opt

3. Fluid properties used on the mathematical expressions:

Water
Density ( kg /m ) 3 1000
Viscosity () 0.0011683
Operation temperature 15

4. Hydraulic efficiencies in accordance to design flow rate.[ CITATION Gül14 \l 9226 ]

Figure . Efficiency of single-stage, single-entry, radial pumps.

5. Shaft Diameter and Hub Diameter equations

1
Pmax
d W =3.65 (
n τ al ) with Pmax=2 P
3

)
(5 d n=2d W (6)

5
 Professors: Luis H. Reyes (OU - IQUI3010) and Nicolás Ratkovich (SIM - IQUI3039)
Graduate Assistants OU: Miguel Ballesteros and Ximena Vargas
Graduate Assistants SIM: Andrés Pinilla and Juan Pablo Valdés

6. Impeller External Diameter equations

0.5
84.6 H Opt
ψ Opt =1.21 e −0.0077 nq (7) d 2=
n ψ Opt( ) (8)

7. Specific speed of various hydraulic machines.[CITATION Sul19 \l 9226 ]

Figure . Specific Speeds Range (NS)

8. BEP (Best Efficiency Point) Required.

Figure 2. Operation curves of the pump: Head (cabeza) and Efficiency (Eficiencia).

6
 Professors: Luis H. Reyes (OU - IQUI3010) and Nicolás Ratkovich (SIM - IQUI3039)
Graduate Assistants OU: Miguel Ballesteros and Ximena Vargas
Graduate Assistants SIM: Andrés Pinilla and Juan Pablo Valdés

9. Equations speed triangles

Inlet

Circumferential speed π d1n (9)

u1=
60

Area π (10)
A 1= ∗(d21 −d 2n)
4

Meridional speed q (11)

c 1 m=
A1

Relative speed 0.5 (12)

w 1=( c21 m +u21 )
c1 m
Attack angle β 1=atan
u1 ( ) (13)

Outlet

Circumferential speed π d2 n (14)

u 2=
60
Area A 2=π d 2 b2 (15)

Meridional speed gH (16)

c ❑2 m=
u2
Absolute speed gH (17)
c 2 u=
u2
Relative speed 0.5 (18)
w 2=( c22 m + w22 u )

Relative speed w 2 u=u2−c2 u (19)

Attack angle c 2m (20)

β 2=atan ( )
w2 u
Attack angle
c2 m (21)
α 2=atan ( )
c2 u

10. Impeller design:

7
 Professors: Luis H. Reyes (OU - IQUI3010) and Nicolás Ratkovich (SIM - IQUI3039)
Graduate Assistants OU: Miguel Ballesteros and Ximena Vargas
Graduate Assistants SIM: Andrés Pinilla and Juan Pablo Valdés

Input impeller width b 1=0.5 ( d 1−d n ) (22)

Output impeller width nq nq 2 n 3 (23)

[
b 2= 0.017+ 0.262
100
−0.08∗ ( )
100
+0.0093 q
100 ( ) ( ) ]∗d 2

Impeller thickness e (24)

0.016 ≤ ≤ 0.022
d2

Impeller thickness (25)

e >3−5 mm
Impeller blades number β m=0.5∗(β 2+ β 1 ) (26)

Impeller blades number 6.5∗d2 + d1 (27)

z La = ∗sin ⁡(β m )
d 2−d 1
Input length z ¿ =0.25∗( d 1−d n ) (28)

Axial extension 3 (29)

z E = ( d2 −d 1 )∗η−0.05
q
8

11. Blade profile:

r jold r 2 (30)
r jnew =
r 25

X new =X 2−( X 1 −X 2) (31)

w j=w1 +( r j – r 1 )∙(w2 – w 1)/(r 2 – r 1) (32)

β j =β1 +(r j – r 1)∙( β2 – β 1 )/(r 2 – r 1 ) (33)

1 (34)
γ j=
r j tan ⁡( β j)

γ j+1 + γ j (35)
θ j+1=θ j + ( r j+1 – r j ) ∙ θ1=0
2

12. Volute design:

( r j −r 1 )∗w2−w1 (36)
w j=w1 +
r 2−r 1
( r j−r 1 )∗β2 −β1 (37)
β j =β1 +
r 2−r 1

8
 Professors: Luis H. Reyes (OU - IQUI3010) and Nicolás Ratkovich (SIM - IQUI3039)
Graduate Assistants OU: Miguel Ballesteros and Ximena Vargas
Graduate Assistants SIM: Andrés Pinilla and Juan Pablo Valdés

1 (38)
γ j=
r j∗tan ⁡(β j)
( r j +1−r j )∗γ j+1 +γ j (39)
θ j+1=θ j +
2
13. H vs Q

Figure 3. H vs Q for different attacks angles

9
 Professors: Luis H. Reyes (OU - IQUI3010) and Nicolás Ratkovich (SIM - IQUI3039)
Graduate Assistants OU: Miguel Ballesteros and Ximena Vargas
Graduate Assistants SIM: Andrés Pinilla and Juan Pablo Valdés

Table 3: Normalized stream line coordinates

Z La ε sch
5 130-160°
6 120-140°
7 100-130°
Table 4: Angle check.

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