PUMP CHARACTERISTIC CURVE

 
7.1.  Student Outcomes (SOs) Addressed by the Activity
SO b, ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data.
SO d, ability to function on multidisciplinary teams.

7.2.  Activity’s Intended Learning Outcomes (AILOs)

At the end of this activity the student shall be able to:
a)   Describe the centrifugal pump’s general operating mechanism and characteristics.
b)   Measure key parameters and plot the characteristic curves for a centrifugal pump from the
computed total head, power, and efficiency vs. flow rate.
c)   Explain the advantage(s) of operating centrifugal pumps in series and in parallel and identify
realistic scenarios where each type should be used.

7.3.  Objective/s of the Activity

The aim of this activity is to determine the performance of a pump. This is accomplished by determining
the efficiency of a pump when operating.

7.4.  Principle of the Activity

Most open-channel drainage systems rely on gravity as the force to cause water to flow. However, virtually
all water distribution and parts of some sanitary and storm water systems depend on pumps to move the
water through pipes under pressure. To impel the water to move against gravity, friction and opposing
pressure, pumps add energy to the fluid by performing work on the fluid. The two main categories of pumps
are positive displacement machines and turbo machines. Positive displacement machines work by changing
the volume in a chamber to displace the fluid, as with a piston-in-cylinder or helical motion. Turbo
machines, on the other hand, use rotation of blades, flow channels or passages to produce dynamic effects
that add energy to the fluid. One of the more common types of turbo machines for moving water is known
as the centrifugal pump.

Figure 7-1: Twin Centrifugal Pump Configuration

7.5.  Materials/Equipment
1 unit HM 150.16 Series/Parallel Pump Apparatus
HM 150.16 Series/Parallel Pump Apparatus Accessories
1 unit HM 150.0 Basic Hydraulic Bench
HM 150.0 Basic Hydraulic Bench Accessories
1 Set Timer
1 Set Thermometer
Power and Water Supply Supplies

7.6.  Procedures
Performing of the Activity
1.   Check the equipment you’ll be use and the main source of water.
2.   Select pump 1 to be tested.
3.   Determine and record the suction and discharge diameters and motor horsepower rating.
4.   Set the valves to use Pump-1 isolate the other pump so that all water flow is through the selected
pump. You will use the valve immediately upstream of the main flow meter to vary the flow rate.
5.   Connect a return hose, as large in diameter yet as short as possible from the outlet of flow meter
FM-1 directly to the main reservoir R-1.
6.   Connect a differential pressure transducer to the inlet and discharge pressure ports at each of the
two pumps.
7.   Measure the vertical distance (Hzd-Hzs) from the inlet to the discharge pressure taps for the pump
under test. Zero the differential pressure transducer.
8.   Set the pump drive to run the pump at 100% of maximum speed. The runtime parameters to be
displayed should be set for pump speed (in percent) and pump input power Pi (in kW).
9.   Start the pump.
10.   Set the flow rate control valve to fully open for the maximum (100%) flow rate.
11.   Record the flow rate Q, differential pump pressure head (ΔHp) and pump input power, Pi.
12.   Using the valve following the flow meter, adjust the flow rate in increments of about 10% from
90% to 0% of the maximum flow rate. At each flow rate, record the corresponding differential
pump pressure head and pump input power.
13.   At some time during the test measure and record the reservoir water temperature (Tw) in °F.
14.   Stop the pump.
7.7.  Activity Report
Course Code:
Course Title: Activity No.:
Group No.: Section:
Group Members: Date Performed:
Date Submitted:
Instructor:

7.7.1.  Data and Results

 
Table 7-1: Data for Single Pump
Pressure, Suction Pressure, Discharge Pump Head, Volume, Time, t Volumetric,
Trial
Side (kPa) Side (kPa) HP (m) V (L) (sec) Q (cms)
1
2
3

Table 7-2: Data for Series Pump

Pressure, Suction Pressure, Discharge Pump Head, Volume, Time, t Volumetric,
Trial
Side (kPa) Side (kPa) HP (m) V (L) (sec) Q (cms)
1
2
3

Table 7-3: Data for Parallel Pump

Pressure, Suction Pressure, Discharge Pump Head, Volume, Time, t Volumetric,
Trial
Side (kPa) Side (kPa) HP (m) V (L) (sec) Q (cms)
1
2
3

 
 
 
 
 
 7.7.2.  Graph of Pump Characteristic Curve
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 7.7.3.  Computation
 

7.7.4.  Conclusion/s