Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 4: Parallel Pump

Experiment 4
Parallel Pump

Objectives
- To observe the differences between single and parallel pump operation.
- To determine the single and parallel pump characteristic curves.

Overview
A pump can serve to move liquid, as in a cross country pipeline, to lift liquid as
from a well or to the top of a tall building; or to put fluid under pressure as in a
hydraulic brake. In chemical plants and refineries pumps transfer or circulate oil
and a great variety of fluids.

General Start - Up Procedures

Before conducting any experiment, it is necessary to do the following checking to

avoid any misuse and malfunction of equipment.

1. Fill sump tank with tap water. Water level can be checked using the
viewing window.

2. Check whether the Emergency-Off switch is released.

3. Switch on main power switch.

4. Open flow adjustment valve.

5. Switch on pump.
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 Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)
Experiment 4: Parallel Pump

Experimental Procedures

Experiment 1 : Parallel Configuration of Two Pumps

Figure 1: Parallel Configuration

1. Connect the stop-cocks as shown in Fig. 1.

2. Switch on both pumps (9, 10) with the main switch on the switchbox (11).

3. Set the desired volumetric flow V with the drain cock (8); ensure
continuous water inflow into the reservoir.

4. Record measured values, (Refer Table 3):

PSuction1 - on the intake side of pump 1 (13)
PDelivery1 - on the delivery side of pump 1(14)
P Suction 2 - on the intake side of pump 2 (15)
PDelivery2 - on the delivery side of pump 2 (16)
P Outflow - at the outflow (17)
V - Volumetric flow

5. Repeat with five other different volumetric flows V.

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 Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)
Experiment 4: Parallel Pump
Results

Volumetric Flow, V P Suction P Delivery

(L/min) (bar) (bar)

Table 1: Single Pump

Volumetric Pump 1 Pump 2

Flow, V P Suction 1 P Delivery 1 P Suction 2 P Delivery 2 P Outflow
(L/min) (bar) (bar) (bar) (bar) (bar)

Table 2: Parallel Configuration of Two Pumps

Plot the pump characteristic curve for each configuration. (It is advisable to plot
all three curves in one graph).

Where the vertical axis:

Single Pump : P = P Delivery – P Suction
Parallel Configuration : P = P Outflow – P Suction 1

While the horizontal axis is the respective volumetric flow rate

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 Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)
Experiment 4: Parallel Pump

Discussion
Discuss and compare the characteristic curves plotted.

Tutorial

1. Sketch pumps in series configuration.

2. Sketch pumps in parallel configuration.

Conclusion

References
th
1. White, F.M. Fluid Mechanics 4 Ed. McGraw Hill
2. McCabe, W.L., Smith, J.C and Harriot Unit Operations of
th
Chemical Engineering 5 Ed. McGraw Hill
3. Anthony Esposito. Fluid Mechanics with Applications. Prentice
Hall International Inc.
4. Debler, W.R. Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals. Prentice Hall International
Inc.
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