1.

0 ABSTRACT
The purpose of this experiment was to find the basic operation of the centrifugal
pump which is to convert energy of a prime mover (an electric motor or turbine) first
into velocity or kinetic energy and then into pressure energy of a fluid that is being
pumped. We also identified the performance curve of the centrifugal pump by
plotting hydraulic power and the efficiency against with flow rate.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this experiment is to obtain performance characteristics for a variable speed of
centrifugal pump. Performance characteristics of pump include: Pressure (head) pump, Power
requirement, Flow rate influence, Pump speed influence.
3.0 introduction
A pump is a device used to move gases, liquids or slurries. A pump moves liquids or gases
from lower pressure to higher pressure, and overcomes this difference in pressure by adding
energy to the system (such as a water system). A gas pump is generally called a compressor,
except in very low pressure-rise applications, such as in heating, ventilating, and air-
conditioning, where the operative equipment consists of fans or blowers. Pumps fall into two
main categories: positive displacement pumps and rotodynamic pumps.
In a positive displacement pump, a fixed volume of fluid is forced from one chamber into
another. One of the oldest and most familiar designs is the reciprocating engine, utilizing a
piston moving inside a cylinder. Steam pumps, the 'nodding donkey', stirrup pumps and
hydraulic rams are all of this type. Animal hearts are also positive displacement pumps, which
use volume reduction of one chamber to force flow into another chamber.
The FM50 pump is, by contrast, a rotodynamic machine. Rotodynamic (or simply dynamic)
pumps impart momentum to a fluid, which then causes the fluid to move into the delivery
chamber or outlet. Turbines and centrifugal pumps all fall into this category.
The centrifugal pump was developed in Europe in the late 1600s and was seen in the United
States of America in the early 1800s. However, its usage has only gathered momentum in the
early 1940s, as the positive displacement pumps were more popular prior to that time. Its
increasing popularity was due to the development of high speed electric motors, steam turbines,
and internal combustion engines. Research and development in the area of centrifugal pump
has also improved its performance up to the efficiencies of 93%, while the availability of new
material for the constructions of centrifugal pumps has lead to the expansion of its applicability.
A centrifugal pump is a rotodynamic pump that uses a rotating impeller to increase the
velocity of a fluid. Centrifugal pumps are commonly used to move liquids through a piping
system. The fluid enters the pump impeller along or near to the rotating axis and is accelerated
by the impeller, flowing radially outward into a diffuser or volute chamber, from where it exits
into the downstream piping system. Centrifugal pumps are used for large discharge through
smaller heads.
 Figure 1. Basic element of a centrifugal pump

The purpose of this experiment is to obtain performance characteristics for variable

speed centrifugal pump. And to know basic operation of the centrifugal pump which is to
convert energy of a prime mover (an electric motor or turbine) first into velocity or kinetic
energy and then into pressure energy of a fluid that is being pumped.

3.0 Theory-Performance characteristics

Consider the experimental arrangement for determining the head rise (or
pressure rise) gained by fluid flowing through a pump, as show
schematically below.

Figure 2. Experimental Arrangement for Pump Performance Characteristics.

The head of a pump in metric units can be expressed in metric units as:

𝑝2 −𝑝1 𝑉22 −𝑉12

ℎ = + (𝑧2 − 𝑧1 ) + ………equation 1
𝜌𝑔 2𝑔

where:
h = total head developed (m)
p2 = pressure at outlet (N/m2)
p1 = pressure at inlet (N/m2)
ρ = density (kg/m3)
g = acceleration of gravity (9.81 m/s2)
v2= velocity at the outlet (m/s)
v1= velocity at the inlet (m/s)
Z2 -Z1 ( the vertical distance between the pump inlet and outlet) is 0.075m.

The power P, gained by the fluid is given by the equation

𝑃 = 𝜌𝑔𝑄ℎ …………. Equation 2

On the other hand, the pump efficiency, η (%) is a measure of the efficiency with which
the pump transfers useful work to the fluid, given by the equation:

𝜂 = 𝑃𝑖𝑛 / 𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡 …………………Equation 3

𝑃𝑖𝑛 = 𝐻𝑡 𝑥 𝑄 𝑥 𝜌 𝑥 𝑡 …………...Equation 4

𝑃𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 2 𝑥 𝜋 𝑥 𝑛 𝑥 𝑡 ………. Equation 5

where:

η = efficiency (%)

Pin = power input

Pout = power output

Q = flow rate

n = rotational speed of shaft

t= shaft torque of pump

4.0 APPARATUS

1. FM20 Centrifugal Pump Demonstration Unit

2. IFD7 Interface device
3. WindowsTM PC with Armfield FM50 software

Fig 3 FM20 Centrifugal Pump Demonstration

Unit

Fig 4 IFD7 Interface device

Fig 5 WindowsTM PC with Armfield FM50 software

 5.0 Data collected
Table 1 data taken from the software (Setting 10%)

Table 1 (Cont.): Example 10% setting (n = 150 rpm)

Table 1 (Cont.): Example 10% setting (n = 150 rpm)

Table 1 (Cont.): Example 10% setting (n = 750 rpm)

6.0 Results

Table 2 Total head against flow rate

7.0 DISCUSSION
We can see from the graphs and result, when the flow increases, the discharge
pressure of the pump decreases, and when the flow decreases the discharge pressure
increases. that the pressure differences decrease with the flow rate, because centrifugal
pump has no fixed volume at fixed inlet and casing.
When the flow rate of the fluid increases, the pump head will decrease for a given
impeller’s diameter. In order to increase the pump, head the discharge flow rate will
have to decrease. The centrifugal pump has a very large capacity compared to other
pump, and in turn more energy is consumed. Capacity (flow rate) is proportional to
impellers speed and head. The larger the impeller’s diameter or the faster speed, will
increase the pressure head due to the higher exit velocity and converted to the head.
The pressure becomes low due to more stages of impellers because of the friction loss
between inlet and outlet.
From the efficiency and flow rate graph we can see that, efficiency is highest when the
flow rate is 0.61 lps and that is 162.5% .Efficiency is neither good at high flow rate or
lower flow rate. Centrifugal pump transfer fluids using impellers to kinetic energy into
pressure energy, but it’s not a direct energy transfer. Hydraulic efficiency considered an
efficiency energy that changes the fluid to pressure energy. Efficiency is a comparison
(ratio) between the power coming out of the system and that put into the system.
When the efficiency is high, the system is minimizing those losses. The efficiency
decreases and this might related to shock loss of eye impeller due to an unsatisfactory
match between inlet flow and impeller blade turbulence or due to friction loss in impeller
blade passages.
The overall efficiency on the centrifugal pumps increases or gain a good percent due to
the pump over sizing and considerations of system flow rate when the system is
designed or operating parameters.
8.0 Conclusion and Recommendations
After looking at the result, When the flow rate of the fluid increases, the pump head will
decrease for a given impeller’s diameter. In order to increase the pump, head the
discharge flow rate will have to decrease. And we can conclude that the machinery
works most efficient, when the flow rate and other conditions are optimum (as in
0.32lps) rather than very high or very low.
9.0 References

1. Rama Durgaiah, 2002, Fluid Mechanics and Machinery, 1st Edition, New Age
International (P) Ltd, India.
2. Bruce R. Munson, D. F. (2006.). Fundementals of Fluid Mechanics, 5th Edition .
Asia: John Wiley & Sons.
3. Frank M. White. (2003). Fluid Mechanics, 5th Edition. New York, USA: Mc Graw Hill.
4. John F. Douglas, J. M. (2001). Fluid Mechanics, 4th Edition. Scotland: Pearson
Prentice Hall.
5. Fluid Dinamics Handbook By; R. D. Blevins, Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New
York,1984.