OBJECTIVES

To measure and compare the performance of single centrifugal pump to that of two pumps in
parallel and series configuration.

INTRODUCTION
A pump is a mechanical device used to move liquids. Energy is used to conduct
mechanical labour in order to overcome the forces of friction and gravity to move fluid.
Hydraulic braking systems, for example, use a pump to increase the pressure in the fluid by
pumping it up and down a rotor to slow the vehicle down. Among the many fluids that are
moved by pumps in chemical plants and refineries are oil and a wide range of other substances.

Method of Operation

Using a T-shaped pipe with the bottom end immersed in a liquid and primed—loaded—with the
liquid, Demur proved that when the centrifugal force is higher than the gravitational force, the
liquid rises and discharges through the arms. It is now common practise for a centrifugal pump to
have water entering the impeller's low-pressure centre. Once the water reaches a greater pressure,
it is directed to the casing by way of the vanes. The spiral shape of the casing minimises the loss
of kinetic energy to pressure energy by progressively increasing in diameter. With low kinetic
energy, the pump collects the water and releases it from the inner edge of the set of rotating
impeller vanes, and along the spiral route progressively expands the kinetic energy into pressure
energy, resulting in the required height.

Discharge (HP) against Total Head (HP) (Q)

Discharge vs. Input of Power (P) (Q)
Discharge (%) vs. Efficiency (%) (Q)

Advantages and Disadvantages

The advantages and disadvantages of each of these two kinds of pumps are clear. The
heads of the pumps are added in serial operation, while the flow rates (capacity) of the pumps are
added in parallel operation. In a nutshell, pumps in series tend to raise the pressure, whereas
pumps in parallel tend to increase the volume.

EQUIPMENT
Parallel and Series Pumping Equipment
PROCEDURE
For single pump:

 Open valves 1 and 4 to begin with. Valves 2 and 3 should be closed. Pumps P1 and P2
provided the pressure data.
 As for the volume flows, they ranged from 20 to 90 litres of water per minute. Before
obtaining readings for various values of volume flow rate, ensure that the volume flow
rate is set to zero.
 Two measurements were collected for each reading.
 Figure out how much difference there is between the two pumps by calculating their
average readings.

For series pump:

 Step 3: Activate valves 1, 3, and 4 Valves 2 and 3 should be closed. Obtain the pressure
readings from the three pumps, P1, P3 and P4.
 For a double pump, repeat steps 4-6 as before.

For parallel pump:

 Turn on valves 1, 2, and 4 in sequence. Make sure valve 3 is shut off. P1 and P2 and P4
pressure readings are taken.
 As with the single pump, steps 4-6 were performed, but the volume flow rates were
adjusted to 40, 80, 120, 160, and 180 litres per minute, respectively.
RESULT

Single pump:
 Pump Effiency Vs Flow rate
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45

Series pump:

Total head outlet Vs Flow rate

200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45
Parallel pump:

Total head outlet Vs Flow rate

200

180

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0
0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 0.4 0.45
CALCULATIONS

DISCUSSION

We can learn a lot about the efficiency of the pumps by doing this experiment. We may also
learn about the pros and cons of the pumps. Pumps are necessary for moving fluids against
friction and gravity by applying mechanical work to the fluid.

In light of these findings, we may conclude that the flow rate stays constant regardless of pipe
diameter. The sum of the heads of all the pumps in a series will give you the total net head.
Parallel pumps typically create lower pressure than those connected in series. In addition, a pump
running in series creates a high flow rate. In a parallel pump, the water entering each of the
pumps is precisely the same, making it possible to examine each pump separately. What we can
say is that the pressure rises in direct proportion to the increase in volume flow rate. There is less
pressure when the series pump is larger than parallel pump.

A series pump may enhance net head, whereas one that is connected to a pump in parallel can
increase volume flow. As a result, the parallel pump is much more efficient than the series pump.

It is recommended that we use serial operation to increase the discharge pressure. We must
always take great care to ensure that the pumps are protected against failure by the proper safety
interlocks. In addition, we must ensure that the pumps have the requisite maximum working
pressure capacity so that the first pump does not overpressure the second. The pump will be
damaged if used while there is no liquid in the pipeline, which might lead to an error. Other than
that, be sure you don't push the pump over its maximum working pressure.

CONCLUSION

When coupled in parallel or series, the pumps display their full potential. Finally, we
know the flow rate and efficiency of the fluid in parallel and series pumps. Total shutdown for
series pumps is the sum of each individual pump, whereas individual flow rates for parallel
pumps are totalled. All of the individual pump's free delivery is added together to get the total
free delivery for the combined pump set. As an alternative to calculating the energy problem in
parallel and pump series, we may find the net head necessary. All in all, the experiment's goals
were met.

REFERENCE

1) Lab Manual, Biotechnology Engineering Lab 2, BTE 2222

2) Cengel YA, Cimbala JM. Fluid mechanics third edition in SI units.McGraw Hill
Education. Chapter 5 and 8.
3) mimoza.marmara.edu.tr/~orhan.gokyay/enve311/ch7.pdf
4) http://www.alicat.com/alicat-blog/accuracy-and-repeatability/whats-up-with-pressure-
drop/