ME 306 Fluid Mechanics II

Fall 2020
Section 2
Homework 3 Solution
Was due on March 5th, 2020

The performance characteristics of a pump operating at 1400 rpm are shown along with the characteristics of
the pipe system in which this pump
is installed. There is a fully-open 80
discharge valve in the system. The 75
pump head characteristics at 1400 70
rpm is also given in functional form 65
as 60
k
h = 48 – 10,000 Q2 55
where h is in m and Q in m3/s.
50
We will pump water against a head
45
of 50 m by changing the pump
h (m ), h (% )

40
speed. Viscous and surface
roughness effects are to be 35
neglected in similitude. 30
a) Determine the equation of the 25
locus of similar operating points 20
for the mentioned operating 15
point above, the rotational speed 10 2
h = 48-10,000 Q
of the pump at the operating 5
point and the corresponding 0
power consumption of the
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07
pump. Cut and paste this graph 3
to your assignment. Show your Q (m /s)
solution on the graph (explain
your graph - what you’re doing, how the information on the graph helps you solve the problem and so on).
It’s okay to plot approximate curves since you’re doing this by hand.
b) If we reduce the flow rate to 0.04 m3/s by closing the discharge valve in the system while the pump
continues to run at the same speed as before – as in (a), determine the corresponding power consumption
of the pump. As in (a), cut and paste the above graph (make a new copy) and show your solution on the
graph. In this part, make sure that you mark the operating point in (a) as well as the new operating point.
c) Suppose we have two of these pumps. We bring the valve back to the fully-open position. If we operate
these pumps in parallel and still deliver a head of 50 m, determine the pump speed and the total power
consumption (pumps operate identically - at the same speed and the operating point). Again, cut and paste
the above graph (make another copy) and show your solution graphically.

Solution:

a) Since the system characteristics doesn/t change, the desired operating point will lie on the given system
characteristic. We read from the given system that at h = 50 m, Q = 0.05 m3/s – shown below as point (2).
 80 locus of similar
75 operating points of (2)
72 (2): the new operating point
70
system (at the new speed) – found by
65
marking the 50 m operating
60 point on the system (the
k

55 (2) system characteristic does

50 not change and the operating
efficiency at point has to be the
45
1400 rpm intersection of system and
h (m ), h (% )

40 (new) pump characteristics)

35
32 (1) head at new speed (1): operating point at the old
30
speed (1400 rpm), which is
25 similar to point (2) – found by
20 head at 1400 rpm the intersection of the locus
15 of similar operating points of
(2) with the pump head
10 h = 48-10,000 Q
2
characteristic at 1400 rpm.
5
0
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07
3
Q (m /s)

Locus of similar operating points of the operating point Q = 0.05 m3/s, h = 50 m can be found by combining
the modified flow and head coefficients, 𝜋"# and 𝜋$# (same pump, speed changing) through eliminating speed
as:

+
𝑄 𝑄 ℎ ℎ 𝑄 𝜋$ #
𝜋" # = →𝑁= , 𝜋$ # = + → 𝑁 + = =, - →ℎ= , +- 𝑄+ → ℎ = 𝐶 𝑄+
𝑁 𝜋" # 𝑁 𝜋$ # 𝜋" # .𝜋
/0"#/1
2
(constant
for similar
operating points)

The constant C is found by using the operating point whose similar points we are seeking, i.e.

ℎ 50
𝐶= = = 20,000
𝑄+ (0.05)+

and the locus of similar operating points is

𝒉 = 𝟐𝟎, 𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝑸𝟐

The similar operating point at N=1400 rpm of the operating point (2) (Q = 0.05 m3/s, h = 50 m of unknown
speed), can be found by intersecting the locus curve with the pump head characteristic at 1400 rpm.
Note that we can sketch the locus curve approximately by starting a parabolic curve at the origin and making
it pass through point (2). However we can determine the exact point it intersects the pump head characteristic
(point (1) in the graph) since the mathematical formulation of both curves are known. Then,

h = 48 - 10,000Q 2 = 20,000Q 2 à Q = 0.04 m3/s

Q = 0.04 m3/s at N=1400 rpm (this is point (1) on the graph) is the similar point of Q = 0.05 m3/s, h = 50 m
(point (2)) at this other N!

Note that we can read from the graph the corresponding head at 1400 rpm as h = 32 m. We could also calculate
this head using the mathematical function given for the pump head at 1400 rpm or the found locus equation,
for the flow rate Q = 0.04 m3/s.

We can find N using the constancy of flow coefficient between similar operating points (points (1) and (2)) as

𝑄 𝑄M 𝑄+ 𝑄+ (0.05)
𝜋" # = = constant → = → 𝑁+ = 𝑁M = (1400) → 𝑵𝟐 = 𝟏𝟕𝟓𝟎 rpm
𝑁 𝑁M 𝑁+ 𝑄M (0.04)

Alternatively, we could have used the head coefficient with the head values at the two similar operating points
to determine the unknown speed.

The new operating point (2) has the same efficiency as its similar operating point (1) at 1400 rpm (when
viscous and surface roughness effects are neglected). At 1400 rpm, the similar point is at Q = 0.04 m3/s. At
this flow rate, the efficiency reads (from the graph) 72 %, i.e. we read 𝜂M = 0.72 for point (1) therefore 𝜂+ =
0.72 since 𝜂+ = 𝜂M due to (1) and (2) being similar operating points.

Then, the power consumption of the pump at N = 1750 rpm is

𝜌𝑔𝑄+ ℎ+ (1000)(9.81)(0.05)(50)
𝑃W = = → 𝑷𝒔 = 𝟑𝟒, 𝟎𝟔𝟑 𝑾 = 𝟑𝟒. 𝟏 𝒌𝑾
𝜂+ (0.72)

Comment 1: Note that the operating point (1) corresponds to the BEP at the speed 1400 rpm. Therefore,
operating point (2) corresponds to the BEP at the speed 1750 rpm since (1) and (2) have the same efficiencies
due to being similar.

Comment 2: The given efficiency curve is for speed 1400 rpm. It would be wrong to read efficiency from this
curve for Q = 0.05 m3/s (point (2) flow rate) to use in power consumption calculation; point (2) lies on the
1750 rpm characteristic – it has its own efficiency curve, which is not sketched (and not needed) here.

b) While the pump is running at 𝑁+ = 1750 rpm at the flow rate 𝑄+ = 0.05 m3/s, the system valve is closed
until the flow rate drops down to 𝑄+c = 0.04 m3/s. Since pump characteristics are not changing, the new
operating point will also be on the 1750 rpm pump characteristic.

To find the head ℎ+c at this new operating point, we will use similarity.
 Let (𝑄Mc , ℎMc ) be the similar operating point at the speed 𝑁M = 1400 rpm of the operating point (𝑄+c = 0.04
m3/s, ℎ+c ) at the speed 𝑁+ = 1750 rpm (ℎ+c is unknown). From similitude,

𝑄Mc 𝑄+c 𝑁M 1400

= → 𝑄Mc = 𝑄+c = (0.04) → 𝑄M# = 0.032 𝑚3 /𝑠
𝑁M 𝑁+ 𝑁+ 1750

To find ℎMc , we use the given pump head characteristic at 𝑁M = 1400 rpm,

ℎMc = 48 − 10,000 𝑄M# + = 48 − 10,000 (0.032)+ = 37.76 𝑚

Then, from similitude,

ℎMc ℎ+c 𝑁+ + 1750 +

= → ℎ+c = j k ℎMc = j k (37.76) = 59 𝑚
𝑁M + 𝑁+ + 𝑁M 1400

So the operating point is 𝑄+c = 0.04 𝑚l /𝑠, ℎ+c = 59 𝑚.

locus of similar
operating points of (2’) (2): operating point in (a)
80
75 (2’): the new operating point in (b) that is
new system
70 delivering 0.04 m3/s – lies on the 1750
69 rpm pump head charateristic since the
65 old system
(2’) pump continues to run as in (a). Here , the
60 system characteristics changes due to
59
k

55 (2) closing of the valve (only the losses will

50 increase so the system characteristics
efficiency at rotates CCW about the pivot point on the
45 1400 rpm vertical axis until it intersects the 1750
h (m ), h (% )

40 rpm pump head curve at the operating

37.76 (1’)
35 flow rate 0.04 m3/s). The operating point
head at 1750 rpm
30 is again, the intersection of the pump
head characteristic (at 1750 rpm) and the
25
(new) system characteristic! Determining
20 point (2’) (i.e. the head at (2’)) is not so
15 head at 1400 rpm straightforward – see solution
10 h = 48-10,000 Q
2
(1’): operating point at the old speed
5 (1400 rpm), which is similar to point (2’).
0 0.032 We use similitude between (1’) and (2’)
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 to determine the unknown head of (2’) –
3 again, see solution
Q (m /s)

We need the efficiency at (𝑄+c , ℎ+c ) to calculate power consumption. Since (1c ) and (2c ) are similar, their
efficiencies will be the same. Therefore, we read the efficiency at the operating point (𝑄Mc , ℎMc ) on the 1400
rpm speed curve.

At 𝑄M# = 0.032 𝑚3 /𝑠, the graph reads approximately 𝜂Mc = 69 % = 0.69 therefore 𝜂+c = 0.69 since 𝜂+c =
𝜂Mc due to (1’) and (2’) being similar operating points.
 Then,
𝜌𝑔𝑄+c ℎ+c (1000)(9.81)(0.04)(59)
𝑃W = = → 𝑷𝒔 = 𝟑𝟑, 𝟓𝟓𝟑 𝑾 = 𝟑𝟑. 𝟔 𝒌𝑾
𝜂+c (0.69)

c) Since the system characteristics is the same as the originally given characteristic (valve once again fully
open), the operating point is the same as that in (a), i.e. Q = 0.05 m3/s at h = 50 m. But now, this is the combined
pump operating point.

locus of similar operating

80 points of “single” (comb): combined pumps operating point -
found by marking the 50 m operating point on
75
the system (the system characteristic is the
70 original fully-open valve characteristics, i.e. as
65 system given, and the operating point has to be the
60 intersection of system and (combined) pump
k

59.5 characteristics). So this is the sme operating

55
(single) point as that in (a)!
50
(comb)
45 (single): the operating point of each pump -
42.7 efficiency at found by marking the operating point
h (m ), h (% )

40 (A)
1400 rpm corresponding to the same head as “comb”
35 but half the flow rate of “comb (pumps in
30 parallel). The speed of the pumps at this
25 operating point is not known – determined
head at 1400 rpm using similitude between “single” and its
20
similar operating point (A) on the known 1400
15 rpm characteristic.
10 h = 48-10,000 Q
2
(A): operating point at the old speed (1400
5
rpm), which is similar to point (single) – found
0 0.023 0.025 by the intersection of the locus of similar
0 0.01 0.02 0.03 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.07 operating points of (single) with the pump
3 head characteristic at 1400 rpm.
Q (m /s)

Pumps are in parallel so each pump will deliver half this flow rate at the same head, i.e. ℎWnopqr = 50 𝑚 and
𝑄Wnopqr = 0.025 m3/s. So this is the operating point of each pump.

To find the efficiency as well as the pump speed, we must find the similar operating point of 𝑄Wnopqr = 0.025
m3/s, ℎWnopqr = 50 𝑚, on the given 1400 rpm speed curve. The equation of the locus of similar operating
points is ℎ = 𝐶 𝑄+ where

ℎ 50
𝐶= +
= = 80,000
𝑄 (0.025)+

and the locus of similar operating points is ℎ = 80,000 𝑄+

The similar operating point at 𝑁M =1400 rpm of the operating point 𝑄Wnopqr = 0.025 m3/s, ℎWnopqr = 50 𝑚 of
unknown speed, can be found by intersecting the locus curve with the pump head characteristic at 1400 rpm.
We can determine the exact point of intersection since the mathematical formulation of both curves are known.
Then,

ℎ = 48 − 10,000 𝑄+ = 80,000 𝑄+ → 𝑄 = 0.023 𝑚l /𝑠

Q = 0.023 m3/s at 𝑁M =1400 rpm is the similar point of 𝑄Wnopqr = 0.025 m3/s, ℎWnopqr = 50 𝑚 at this other N.

Note that we can read from the graph the corresponding head at 1400 rpm as approximately h = 42.7 m (we
could also calculate the exact value through the given mathematical formulation or the found locus equation).

We can find N using the constancy of flow coefficient between similar operating points (points (A) and
(single)) as

𝑄 𝑄s 𝑄Wnopqr 𝑄Wnopqr (0.025)

𝜋" # = = constant → = → 𝑁 = 𝑁M = (1400) → 𝑵 = 𝟏𝟓𝟏𝟔 rpm
𝑁 𝑁M 𝑁 𝑄s (0.023)

Alternatively, we could have used the head coefficient with the head values at the two similar operating points
to determine the unknown speed.

The new operating point (single) has the same efficiency as its similar operating point (A) at 1400 rpm (when
viscous and surface roughness effects are neglected). At 1400 rpm, the similar point is at Q = 0.023 m3/s. At
this flow rate, the efficiency reads (from the graph) approximately 59.5 %. Then, 𝜂Wnopqr = 𝜂s = 0.595.

Then, the power consumption of the two pumps at N = 1516 rpm is

𝜌𝑔𝑄+ 𝑄+ (1000)(9.81)(0.025)(50)
𝑃W = 2 =2 → 𝑷𝒔 = 𝟒𝟏, 𝟐𝟏𝟖 𝑾 = 𝟒𝟏. 𝟐 𝒌𝑾
𝜂 (0.595)

Comment: Pumping the same head and flow rate with two identical pumps instead of with one of the pumps
at the appropriate speed (i.e. solution of (a)) is quite needless and a wrong engineering decision. The cost here
(the power consumption) is higher; even though the same fluid power is delivered to the fluid, the efficiency
in the case of two pumps in parallel combination is low.