Group 4 - F5

Shubham Daga | 2018B4A10691G

Rahul Krishnan | 2019A1PS1067G
Shriram Joshi | 2019A1PS1127G
Gautam Vivek Khare | 2019A1PS0892G

Pumps
Aim
Centrifugal pump
● To study the performance of Centrifugal pump
● Conducting a test on a single stage centrifugal pump at various flow rates to obtain the
pump performance /characteristics curves
● Finding the efficiency of the pump at various flow rates.

Reciprocating pump
● To study the characteristics of a reciprocating pump at various head and discharge
to obtain the pump characteristics

Theory
A pump is a device that moves fluids (liquids or gases), or sometimes slurries, by mechanical
action, typically converted from electrical energy into Hydraulic energy. Pumps can be classified
into two major groups according to the method they use to move the fluid: displacement, and
dynamic pumps. In our experiment we studied one example of each type of pump; with the
centrifugal pump being a type of dynamic pump and reciprocating pump being a type of positive
displacement pump.
Centrifugal Pump: A centrifugal pump is one of the simplest pieces of equipment in any
process plant. Its purpose is to convert the 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.
A Centrifugal Pump consists of an impeller, rotating inside a casing. The impeller has a number
of curved vanes. Due to the centrifugal force developed by the rotation of the impeller, vacuum
is created near the impeller, which in turn sucks the water at the center of the casing. When the
impeller rotates, it provides centrifugal acceleration and the fluid is pushed in a tangential and
radial direction by the centrifugal force. This kinetic energy of a liquid coming out of an impeller
is passes through the diffuser or volute chamber (varying cross sectional area) where part of the
velocity head (kinetic energy) of the water converted into 2 pressure head (potential energy) and
finally in the discharge nozzle, the liquid further decelerates and its velocity is converted to
pressure head. For higher heads, multistage centrifugal pumps having two or more impellers in
series can be used.
Reciprocating Pump: Reciprocating pump is a positive displacement pump where a certain
volume of liquid is collected in enclosed volume and is discharged using pressure to the required
application. Reciprocating pumps are more suitable for low volumes of flow at high pressures.
Reciprocating pumps are in use where a certain quantity of fluid has to be transported from the
lowest region to the highest region by the application of pressure.

Important Concepts
Other than the pumps we also studied a bit about cavitation and priming in this experiment.
Cavitation: Cavitation is the creation of vapor bubbles in an area where the pressure drops to the
fluid vapour pressure.Cavitation generally lowers the head and causes noise and vibration. Net
Pressure Suction Head (NPSH) is a term that refers to the pressure of a fluid on the suction side
of a pump to help determine if the pressure is high enough to avoid cavitation. We must make
sure that the NPSHA (Net Positive Suction Head Available) is greater than the NPSHR (Net
Positive Suction Head Required) by a considerable safety margin.
Priming: Since Centrifugal pumps are designed for fluids only, whenever air/gases are present, it
may cause efficiency of pumps to reduce. To avoid this, Priming is done to make sure that the
impeller is fully immersed in liquid without any air trapped inside. While in the case of
reciprocating pumps, they are provided with an air vessel which partially fills up the liquid
during regular operation. After the pump stops, this extra fluid flows back into the cylinder
cavity hence priming the pump. This is known as self-priming.

Experimental Setup
Centrifugal pump
Reciprocating pump

The Reciprocating pump is a positive displacement type pump and consists of a piston or
a plunger working inside a cylinder. The cylinder has two valves, one allowing water into the
cylinder from the suction pipe and the other discharging water from the cylinder into the delivery
pipe.
Specification of the pump:
Type: Double acting single cylinder
(a) Piston Stroke L = 44.5 mm
(b) Piston Diameter d = 38 mm
(c) Suction pipe diameter = 25 mm
(d) Delivery pipe diameter = 18 mm
An energy meter and a stopwatch are provided to measure the input to the motor and a
collecting tank to measure the actual discharge. The pump is driven by the Motor. A set of
pressure gauge and vacuum gauges are provided along with the required pipe lines.
Observations 1: Centrifugal pump

Time for 10 Time for 10cm

Suction Discharge
revolutions of rise of water Pump Speed
Si. No. Pressure (V) Pressure (P)
energy meter in collection (RPM)
mmHg kg/cm2
(T) s tank (t) s
1 400 0.2 85 17.3 1116
2 300 0.3 88 18.7 1108
3 200 0.45 91 23.2 1150
4 100 0.65 102 90.7 1136

Calculations 1: Centrifugal pump

Sample Calculations for set 3:
Discharge:
Area of tank, A = 0.5 x 0.5 m 2 = 0.25 m2
Rise in height, h = 0.1 m
∴ Volume collected V = Ah = 0.025 m 3

Time taken for ten cm rise of water, t = 23.2 s

3
𝑉 0.025 −3 𝑚
Discharge Q is given by 𝑄 = 𝑡
= 23.2
= 1. 07 × 10 𝑠

Head:
(
Total head, 𝐻 = 10 𝑃 +
𝑉
760 )𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟
200
∴𝐻 = 10(0. 45 + 760
) = 7. 131 𝑚

Output of the pump:

Pout=9.81*QH = 9.81*1.07*10-3*7.131 = 0.075 kW

Input of the motor:

Energy meter constant, n = 900 revs per kWh.
Time for 10 revolution = T (s)
Assuming motor and transmission efficiencies as 80% and 90% respectively.
Pin= (0.8*3600*10*0.9)/(900*T) = 28.8/T = 28.8/91 = 0.3165 kW
Pump efficiency:
Pump efficiency = Pout/Pin = 0.3165/0.2824 = 23.69 %
These calculations are repeated for reading sets 1,2 and 4 to generate the output table below:

Flow Rate, Q Total Head, H Power output Power input

Si. No Efficiency (%)
(m^3/s) (m) (kW) (kW)

1 1.4451E-03 7.2632 0.1030 0.3388 30.3889

2 1.3369E-03 6.9474 0.0911 0.3273 27.8406
3 1.0776E-03 7.1316 0.0754 0.3165 23.8208
4 2.7563E-04 7.8158 0.0211 0.2824 7.4848
Average
22.3838
Efficiency=
Observations 2: Reciprocating pump
Time for 10 Time for 10cm
Suction Discharge
revolutions of rise of water
Si. No. Pressure (V) Pressure (P)
energy meter in collection
mmHg kg/cm2
(T) s tank (t) s
1 110 0.6 119 17.3
2 110 0.8 117 17.4
3 100 1 113 18
4 90 1.2 110 18.5

Calculations 2: Reciprocating pump

Sample Calculation for reading set 3:
Discharge:
Area of tank A = 0.16 m 2
Rise of level R = 0.1 m
Volume collected, AR = 0.016 m 3
Time taken, t3 = 18 s
Discharge, Q = Volume/time = AR/t 3
Q = 0.016/18
Q3 = 8.889 ✕ 10-4 m3/s

Head:
Total head, H = 10(P + V/760)
H = 10(1+100/760)
H3 = 11.315 m

Output of the pump:

Pump output = 9.81QH
O/P = 9.81* 8.889 ✕ 10-4 * 11.315
O/P3 = 0.0986 kW

Input of the pump:

Energy meter constant = 900 rev/kWh
Time for 10 revolutions, T3 = 113s
Assuming 80% pump efficiency,
Pump input = 0.8*3600*10/(900*T)
I/P3 = 32/T3 = 32/113
I/P3 = 0.28318 kW

Efficiency of the pump:

η = (O/P)/(I/P)
η3 = 0.0986/0.28318
η3 = 0.348188 = 34.8188%
These calculations are repeated for reading sets 1,2 and 4 to generate the output table below:

Flow rate, Q Total head, H Power Output Power Input

Si. No. Efficiency (%)
(m^3/s) (m) (kWh) (kWh)

1 9.25E-04 7.4474 0.0676 0.2689 25.1271

2 9.20E-04 9.4474 0.0852 0.2735 31.1592
3 8.89E-04 11.3158 0.0987 0.2832 34.8441
4 8.65E-04 13.1842 0.1119 0.2909 38.4516
Average
32.3955
Efficiency=
Results and Conclusions
● The average efficiency of the centrifugal pump is 22.3838%.
● The average efficiency of the reciprocating pump is 32.3955%.

The required data was deduced and plotted and the appropriate curves are shown above. Based
on the data we were given and our calculations, we found that the average efficiency of the
reciprocating pump (32.3955 %) is higher than the average efficiency of the centrifugal pump
(22.3838 %) in this experiment. Based on the trends observed in the graphs, further implications
were drawn and discussed in the discussion column of this report.
Discussion

Shubham Daga In this experiment, we learn about the properties of centrifugal and
2018B4A10691G reciprocating pumps at various flow rates.

A pump is a device that moves fluids from one location to another by

mechanical action, typically converted from electrical energy into
Hydraulic energy.

Centrifugal Pump: It is a device designed to move the fluid by the

transfer of Rotational energy with the help of multiple rotors. These are
mostly used for water supply in our houses, industries.

Reciprocating Pump: It is a positive displacement pump where a piston

changes the volume of the cavity and produces a pressure differential.
These are mostly used where we have to deliver a precise amount of
fluid.

Priming: Pump Priming is the process of removing air from the pump
and suction line. In this process the pump is filled with the liquid being
pumped and this liquid forces all the air, gas, or vapor contained in the
passageways of the pump to escape out.

Cavitation: When absolute pressure in pumped water falls below its

vapour pressure bubbles are formed which pass on through the impeller
vanes towards the discharge port. When these bubbles go to higher
pressure regions, they collapse simultaneously and this damaging
process is called cavitation. Cavitation also results in vibration and noise
in the pump.

NPSH( Net Positive Suction Head): It is a measure of the pressure

experienced by a fluid on the suction side of a centrifugal pump.To
avoid cavitation.

Graphs Analysis:
1) Total head vs flow rate:
● Centrifugal Pump: increasing the flow rate shows total head
decreasing i.e. inverse relationship.
● Reciprocating Pump: here also we can see an inverse relationship
might be due to major and minor losses.

2) Efficiency vs flow rate:

● Centrifugal pump: With an increase in flow rate we can see efficiency
also increases.
 ● Reciprocating Pump: opposite of the centrifugal pumps i.e. With an
increase in flow rate we can see efficiency decreases.

Applications:
Centrifugal Pump:
● Oil Refineries to pump high density crude oil
● Fire protection systems
● Water supplies in our homes
Reciprocating Pump:
● Waste water treatment
● Soap manufacturing
● Pulp and paper manufacturing

Shriram Joshi A pump is a device that moves fluids (liquids or gases), or sometimes
2019A1PS1127G slurries, by mechanical action, typically converted from electrical
energy into Hydraulic energy. Pumps can be classified into two major
groups according to the method they use to move the fluid:
displacement, and dynamic pumps. In our experiment we studied one
example of each type of pump; with the centrifugal pump being a type
of dynamic pump and reciprocating pump being a type of positive
displacement pump.

Centrifugal Pump: The working principle of centrifugal pumps

involves imparting energy to the liquid by means of a centrifugal force
developed by the rotation of an impeller that has several blades or vanes.
In our experiment, we analysed the variable tendencies of this category
of pumps by plotting and analyzing its characteristic curves. Three
characteristic curves are plotted. The characteristic curve shows the total
dynamic head, power and efficiency all plotted over the capacity of the
pump flow rate.
The inferences drawn from the curves for centrifugal pump were as
follows:
1) The head curve for the flow pump decreases sharply as the flow
rate increases.
2) The efficiency increases steadily with increase in flow rate
3) Input and output power also increases (but the slope isn’t steep)
as the flow rate increases.
4) Also, it is very important to note that the power curve is only
valid for water, if the fluid has different density then the same
curve wont be obtained. However, the total head vs flow rate is
independent of gravity.

Reciprocating Pump: Reciprocating are positive displacement pumps

in which the reciprocating action takes place due to the to and fro
movement of the piston in the cylinder. The same three curves were
plotted for reciprocating pumps as well and different trends were
 observed and analysed to draw inferences.
The inferences drawn from the curves for reciprocating pump were as
follows:
1) The total head decreases with increase in flow rate.
2) The efficiency decreases with increase in flow rate. Thus, it is for
low flow rate operations.
3) Input and output power decreases with increase in flow rate.

Based on the data we were given and our calculations, we found that the
average efficiency of the reciprocating pump (32.3955 %) is higher than
the average efficiency of the centrifugal pump (22.3838 %) in this
experiment.

Rahul Krishnan Centrifugal Pump

2019A1PS1067G
A centrifugal pump is a mechanical device designed to move a fluid by
means of the transfer of rotational energy from one or more driven
rotors, called impellers. Fluid enters the rapidly rotating impeller along
its axis and is cast out by centrifugal force along its circumference
through the impeller's vane tips.

Inference
1. The head curve for the flow pump decreases sharply as the flow
rate increases.
2. The efficiency increases steadily with increase in flow rate
3. Input and output power also increases (but the slope isn’t steep)
as the flow rate increases.

The power curve is only valid for water, if the fluid has different density
then the same curve wont be obtained. However, the total head vs flow
rate is independent of gravity.

Reciprocating Pump
Reciprocating are positive displacement pumps in which the
reciprocating action takes place due to the to and fro movement of the
piston in the cylinder. The same three curves were plotted for
reciprocating pumps as well.

Inference
1. The total head decreases with increase in flow rate
2. The efficiency decreases with increase in flow rate. Thus, it is for
low flow rate operations.
3. Input and output power decreases with increase in flow rate
average Efficiency of reciprocating pump is greater than that of
centrifugal pump.
 Choosing a Pump
1. If viscosity is constant we can choose either pump
2. If flow rate is high centrifugal pump is preferred
3. If viscosity is high chose reciprocating pump

Important Points
1. NPSH- Net Pressure Suction Head (NPSH) is a term that refers
to the pressure of a fluid on the suction side of a pump to help
determine if the pressure is high enough to avoid cavitation

2. Cavitation - Cavitation occurs when there is a formation of

vapor bubbles in the pump. Cavitation generally lowers the head
and causes noise and vibration. To avoid cavitation the NPSHA
(Net Positive Suction Head Available) should be greater than the
NPSHR (Net Positive Suction Head Required) by a considerable
safety margin.

3. Priming - Since Centrifugal pumps are designed for fluids only,

whenever air/gases are present they may cause efficiency of
pumps to reduce. To avoid this, Priming is done to make sure
that the impeller is fully immersed in liquid without any air
trapped inside. While in the case of reciprocating pumps, they
are provided with an air vessel which partially fills up the liquid
during regular operation. After the pump stops, this extra fluid
flows back into the cylinder cavity hence priming the pump. This
is known as self-priming.

Applications
1. Centrifugal Pumps: Used in Oil Refineries to pump high density
crude oil, pumping domestic water, fire protection systems,
Beverage production.
2. Reciprocating Pumps: Mining - slurry pumps to transfer
minerals, soap manufacturing, wastewater treatment, pulp and
paper manufacturing.

Gautam Khare Pump:

2019A1PS0892G A pump is a mechanical device that is used to transport or lift fluids at
the expense of mechanical energy. Pumps are classified as follows:
● Positive displacement pumps
● Rotodynamic pumps
In this experiment, we have analysed two types of pumps: the
centrifugal pump and reciprocating pump.

Centrifugal pump:
The working principle of centrifugal pumps involves imparting energy
to the liquid by means of a centrifugal force developed by the rotation of
an impeller that has several blades or vanes. In our experiment, we
analysed the variable tendencies of this category of pumps by plotting
and analyzing its characteristic curves. Three characteristic curves are
plotted. The characteristic curve shows the total dynamic head, power
and efficiency all plotted over the capacity of the pump flow rate. The
inferences drawn from the curves for centrifugal pump were as follows:
● The head curve for the flow pump decreases sharply as the flow
rate increases.
● The efficiency increases steadily with increase in flow rate. Flow
Rate, Q and head, H are more dominant factors than time T.
● Input and output power also increases (but the slope isn’t steep)
as the flow rate increases.
● Also, it is very important to note that the power curve is only
valid for water, if the fluid has different density then the same
curve wont be obtained. However, the total head vs flow rate is
independent of gravity.
Applications: Used in Oil Refineries to pump high density crude oil,
pumping domestic water, fire protection systems, beverage production,
etc.

Reciprocating pump:
Reciprocating are positive displacement pumps in which the
reciprocating action takes place due to the to and fro movement of the
piston in the cylinder. The same three curves were plotted for
reciprocating pumps as well and different trends were observed and
analysed to draw inferences. The inferences drawn from the curves for
reciprocating pump were as follows:
● The total head decreases with increase in flow rate
● The efficiency decreases with increase in flow rate. Thus, it is for
low flow rate operations.
● Input and output power decreases with increase in flow rate
Applications: Mining - slurry pumps to transfer minerals, soap
manufacturing, wastewater treatment, pulp and paper manufacturing,
etc.

Cavitation:
The creation of vapour bubbles, when the pressure drops to the fluid
vapour pressure. It is a highly localised phenomenon. The bursting of
the vapour bubbles causes significant equipment damage. Cavitation is
responsible for head loss and operational noises.

Priming:
Presence of air/gases within a pump will reduce the efficiency of pumps,
as pumps are designed for liquids. Priming is carried out to remove all
such entrapped gases and air. It is ensured that the impeller is completely
submerged with liquid before operation.
 NPSH:
Net Pressure Suction Head, pressure of the fluid on the suction side, to
help determine if the pressure is high enough to avoid cavitation.
We must make sure that the NPSHA (Net Positive Suction Head
Available) is greater than the NPSHR (Net Positive Suction Head
Required) by a considerable safety margin.

Choice of pump:
● Constant viscosity: any pump can be used
● High flow rate: centrifugal pump
● High viscosity: reciprocating pump
● Flow Rate given priority over viscosity.

References
1. Fluid Mechanics Lab Manual - F5
2. McCabe, W. L., Smith, J. C. and Harriott, P. “ Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering ”
3. Demonstration in class