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Experiment 10 4 Hydraulics Lab 2
Experiment 10 4 Hydraulics Lab 2
Introduction:
Centrifugal pumps are often used together to enhance either the flow rate or the delivery pressure
beyond that available from the single pump. For some piping system designs, it may be desirable to
consider a multiple pump system to meet the design requirements. Two typical options include
parallel and series configurations of pumps which require a specific performance criteria. In serial
operation the heads of the pumps are added and in parallel operation the flow rates (capacities) of
the pumps are added.
The experimental unit provides the determination of the characteristic behavior for single
operation and interaction of two pumps. The apparatus consists of a tank and pipework which
delivers water to and from two identical centrifugal pumps. The unit is fitted with electronic
sensors which measure the process variables. Signals from these sensors are sent to a computer via
an interface device, and the unit is supplied with data logging software as standard.
Purpose:
To investigate the result on discharge and total head of operating pumps in series and in parallel.
Apparatus:
1. Series and parallel pumps demonstration unit (Figure 1).
2. Interface device.
3. PC with suitable software installed.
Series Pumps:
Parallel Pumps:
The two pumps are motor-driven centrifugal pumps. On pump 1, the speed of the motor is
adjustable to give a range of 0 to 100%, allowing operation as a single pump for pump performance
analysis. Pump 2 is an identical model but is run at its design speed, which is equivalent to a setting
of 80% on the variable-speed pump for a 50Hz electrical supply, or 100% for a 60 Hz supply.
Theory:
A single pump may be insufficient to produce the performance required. Combining two pumps
increases the pumping capacity of the system. Two pumps may be connected in series, so that water
passes first through one pump and then through the second. When two pumps operate in series, the
flow rate is the same as for a single pump but the total head is increased. The combined pump head-
capacity curve is found by adding the heads of the single pump curves at the same capacity.
Procedures:
1. Both pumps must be used at the same setting in this experiment to ensure identical
performance. As the speed of pump 2 is fixed at its design operational point, pump 1 should be
set to match - select 80% for a 50Hz electrical supply, or 100% for 60 Hz.
2. Allow water to circulate until all air has been flushed from the system.
3. If results are already available for a single pump across its full flow range, load those results into
the software now and jump to the section of this exercise using two pumps. If results are not
available then proceed as follows:
Results:
On a base of flow rate, plot a graph of total head gain for the single pump and for two pumps
connected in series. Calculate the difference between the total head gain for single and series
pumps.
Conclusion:
Does the total head gain for the two pumps in series match the theoretical prediction of twice the
head gain for a single pump (assuming the two pumps used gave identical performance)?
Theory:
A single pump may be insufficient to produce the performance required. Combining two pumps
increases the pumping capacity of the system. Two pumps may be connected in parallel, so that half
the flow passes through one of the pumps and the other half through the second pump. When two
pumps operate in parallel, the total head increase remains unchanged but the flow rate is increased.
The head-capacity curve is found by adding the capacities of the single pump curves at the same
head.
10. In the software, on the mimic diagram, set the "Mode" to "parallel" by selecting the appropriate
radio button.
Procedures:
1. Both pumps must be used at the same setting in this experiment, to ensure identical
performance. As the speed of pump 2 is fixed at its design operational point, pump 1 should be
set to match - select 80% for a 50Hz electrical supply, or 100% for 60 Hz.
2. Allow water to circulate until all air has been flushed from the system.
3. Exercise A should be performed before this experiment, and the results loaded into the software
if the software is not still open from that exercise. If the software is still open from exercise A,
then create a new results sheet by selecting the (New) icon. Rename the current (blank) results
sheet to 'Parallel'.
4. Select the (Go) icon to record the sensor readings and pump settings on the results table of the
software.
5. Close the gate valve to reduce the flow by a small increment. Select the (Go) icon again.
6. Continue to close the gate valve to give incremental changes in flow rate, recording the sensor
data each time.
7. After taking the final set of data, fully open the gate valve. Set Pump 1 to 0% and switch off both
pumps.
Results:
On a base of flow rate, plot a graph of total head gain for the single pump and for two pumps
connected in parallel. Calculate the difference between the capacity for single and parallel pumps.
Conclusion:
Does the total head gain for the two pumps in parallel match the theoretical prediction of twice the
capacity of a single pump (assuming the two pumps used gave identical performance)?
Compare the graphs for pumps in series and pumps in parallel, and describe the similarities and
differences.