CHAPTER 4.

Theory Of Positive Displacement

Pumps

1
 Theory Of Positive Displacement
Pumps
• Reciprocating and rotary positive displacement pumps are
common in the chemical and process industries.
• The characteristic features and operating principles of the most
common positive displacement pumps are discussed
previously.
• In this chapter the relation between their geometry and
performance is discussed.

2
 4.1 Theory Of Reciprocating Pumps

• Reciprocating pumps include:-

 Piston pumps
 Plunger pumps and
 Diaphragm pumps

• The operating principle of these pumps is the same. Therefore

the theory is discussed based on just one of them, i.e., a piston
pump.

3
 4.1.1 Capacity of Reciprocating Pumps

• The capacity of a reciprocating pump is determined by:

 the size of the cylinder,
 the number of piston strokes or the speed of rotation of the
crank shaft,
 the number of cylinders and
 the number of actions (single acting and double acting).

4
• A single acting-reciprocating pump is a pump with only one
side of the piston acting on the liquid.
• When the two sides act we call it double acting.

R
R

Figure 4.1a Single acting piston pump Figure 4.1b Double acting piston pump

5
 a. Single acting pumps
 The capacity of a single acting reciprocating pump is the
product of the displaced volume, the number of double strokes
(rpm), and the volumetric efficiency as it is given

 2
Q D Sn  vol
4

Where:-
n= number of piston double strokes
D=Inner diameter of the cylinder (bore diameter)
S= piston stroke, S  2 R
vol= Volumetric efficiency
Q= Capacity (Volume flow rate)

6
 The volumetric efficiency takes into account leakage through
clearances and suction and discharge valves during the suction
stroke and vice versa. It is determined, in the course of pump
tests, by measuring the actual volume of liquid delivered by
the pump per unit time.

Q
 vol  '
Q

Q: Actual volume flow rate

Q’: Theoretical volume flow rate

7
 For a reciprocating pump it is common to give the slip of the
pump instead of the volumetric efficiency.
 The slip of the pump is the measure of the total volumetric loss
of the pump given as a fraction of the theoretical capacity.
 The slip is given by:-

Slip  1 
vol

'  2
Q  D Sn
4

Normally vol = 0.7 to 0.97

8
b. Double acting pumps
 The capacity of a double acting pump is twice the capacity of
the single acting minus the reduction in capacity due to the
volume displaced by the connecting rod. Hence,


Q ( 2 D 2  d 2) Sn vol
4
Where:- d is the diameter of the rod

c. Multiple Cylinders
If a pump has several cylinders of same size with their
pistons actuated by a common crankshaft (multiplex pump),
the pump capacity is calculated as the capacity developed
by one times the number of pistons.

9
 4.1.2 Suction and Discharge Pulsations in
Reciprocating Pumps

• Since liquid is an incompressible medium the velocity of the liquid inside

the cylinder of reciprocating pumps is the same as the velocity of the piston
head.
• The velocity of the piston head, if it is actuated by crank, varies with the
crank angle. Hence the velocity of the liquid inside the cylinder and
consequently the capacity vary with the crank angle. Unless special steps
are taken, the motion of the liquid in the suction and discharge pipes will be
also non-uniform. It is this non-uniformity that we call pulsation.
• Pulsation causes several of problems in addition to the non-uniform
delivery.
 It reduces the NPSHA significantly and to avoid cavitaions the pump
should run at a reduced speed. It causes mechanical instability of the piping
network.
 It also causes increased power consumption due to the acceleration head
involved caused by variation in flow velocity.

10
The Velocity and Acceleration of the Flow
Medium in Reciprocating Pumps

L
R

x
L+ R

Figure 4.2 Geometric relations in a reciprocating pump

11
 x  L2  R 2 sin 2   R cos  L  R

x  R(1  cos )  L  L2  R 2 sin 2 

2
x  R(1  cos )  L(1  1  R2 sin 2  )
L

 The velocity of the piston head

vp 
dx
dt
 R sin   
d 1 2 2 2
 L  R sin 
dt 2
1 / 2
 2 R 2 sin  cos 
d
dt
 
 
sin   sin 2
dx  R
2
(2 sin  cos )  d vp  R 
v p    R sin     2 
 2 L  sin 2
 
dt  2 L2  R2 sin 2   dt 2
 R 

12
The ratio L/R is commonly in the range of 4:1 to 6:1.
Lower L/R ratio causes high pulsation and larger L/R ratio
results in large uneconomical power frame.
2
 L 2  sin 2 
Since    sin  v p  R sin   
 R  2 L / R 

When L/R >>1, the motion can be approximated by simple

harmonic motion
v p  R sin 
The Acceleration of the Piston Head (plunger)
2
d
a dt

x
 R

cos  
cos 2 
 2
p 2  L / R
 

2
For simple harmonic i.e., LR a p   R cos
13
 The Acceleration Head of the Flow Medium in
the Suction and Discharge Pipes
 Because of the acceleration of liquid in the cylinder the liquid
in the suction and discharge pipes also accelerate.
 From the continuity equation,
vp Ap
A p v p  As v s vs 
As

Where:-
Ap= Cross -sectional Area of the piston head
vp=velocity of the piston head
As= Flow area of the suction pipe
vs= velocity of the liquid in the suction pipe
14
Therefore the acceleration of the liquid in the suction pipe is
given by
dvs v p Ap
as  
dt As

A p dv p Ap
as   ap
As dt As

Ap  cos 2 
as  R cos    2
As  L/ R 

15
 Similarly for the liquid in the discharge pipe
Ap  cos 2  2
ad  R cos   
Ad  L/R 
Ad= Flow area of the discharge pipe

For simple harmonic motion the accelerations of the liquid in

the suction and discharge pipes are given by:-
Ap 2 Ap
as  R cos  ad  R 2 cos 
As Ad

The specific work to accelerate the liquid through the suction

and discharge pipes are given by
ma s Ls ma d L d
Ya , s  FL s   a s Ls Y a , d  FL d   a d Ld
m m

16
 ma s Ls ma d L d
Y a , s  FL s   a s Ls Y a , d  FL d   a d Ld
m m

F=Force to accelerate the liquid

Ya,s= The specific work to accelerate the liquid in the suction pipe
Ya,d= The specific work to accelerate the liquid in the discharge pipe
Ls= Portion of the suction pipe through which there is acceleration (pulsation)
Ld= Portion of the discharge pipe through which there is acceleration
m= Mass of liquid in consideration

17
 Ap
Hence, Ya , s  a p Ls
Ya ,d 
Ap
a p Ls
As
Ad

The acceleration head, ha=Ya /g is therefore

Ap
Ap ha ,d  a p Ld
ha , s  a p Ls As g
As g
2
A p R Ls  cos 2 Ap R 2 Ld  cos 2 
 ha ,d  cos   
ha ,s  cos    Ad g 
As g  L/R  L/R 

For simple harmonic motion

A p R Ls 2 A p R 2 Ld
ha , s  cos  ha ,d  cos 
As g Ad g

18
 4.1.3 The Minimum Pressure
for the Piston to Move in the Cylinder

 The piston or plunger of a reciprocating pump should apply a

certain minimum pressure to move inside the cylinder.
 This pressure depends on:-
 The pump design,
 Speed and the piping system, and
 The flow medium.

19
 2

Ls
hs

Figure A pumping system using reciprocating pump

The relationship between the total mechanical energy of the flow medium at
point 1 and 2 , is given by:-
P1 P
 z1  2  z 2  ha  h fs
g g
Where
ha= acceleration head in the suction pipe
hfs= friction head in the suction pipe 20
Therefore the pressure inside the cylinder, P2 can be calculated
by:- P P
2 1
  ( z 2  z1 )  ha  h fs
g g
Since most commonly P1=Patm
P2 P
 atm  hs  ha  h fs
g g
Similarly for the discharge stroke
P2 Pd
  hd  ha  h fd
g  g

Note that during the discharge stroke ha < 0

since cos < 0 for >900

21
4.1.4. The Minimum Pressure to Open the Suction
Valve
P2 P
 atm  h s  h a  h fs
g g

The maximum acceleration head is much larger than the

maximum friction head.
Therefore the minimum pressure occurs when the
acceleration head is maximum, i.e. at =00.
At this pressure the friction head is zero, since the velocity
of the flow medium is zero. Hence,

P2,min Patm
  hs  ha , max
g g

22
  For simple harmonic motion , with =00.

A p R 2 Ls
has ,max 
As

 The minimum pressure to open the suction valve is:-

P2,min Patm A p R 2 Ls
  hs 
g g As

23
4.1.5 The Minimum Pressure to Open the Discharge
Valve

 The minimum pressure during the discharge can be similarly

calculated.
 The minimum pressure to open the discharge valve can be
calculated using:-

P2,minPd A p R 2 Ld
  hd 
g g Ad

24
 4.1.6 The Indicator Diagram

 The indicator diagram of a reciprocating pump shows the

pressure variations in the cylinder and valve chest over the
length of two piston strokes.

• The indicator diagram is used to calculate the work done by

the pump during one complete suction and discharge stroke.

25
 Theoretical Indicator Diagram
 As the piston moves to the right the pressure inside the
cylinder is reduced and the suction valve is opened while the
discharge valve is closed. The enclosed space of the cylinder is
increased and is filled with liquid coming from the intake pipe
through suction valve.
3 2

Patm
4 1
1

S (Vpist)

Figure 4.4 Theoretical Indicator Diagram of a Piston Pump

26
• At this point, the pressure in the valve chest is below atmospheric,
which is due to the hydraulic resistance of the suction line. The
change in pressure over the whole length of rightward stroke of the
piston is given by suction line 4-1.
• When the piston head assumes position 1, the piston reverses its
direction of motion and the suction valve is automatically closed;
the pressure in the valve chest builds up abruptly to its level P2. This
process is shown by the vertical line 1-2.
• At the instant the pressure grows as high as P2 the pressure
difference across the discharge valve overcomes the weight and
tension of its spring, thus opening the valve.
• As the piston moves steadily from point 2 leftwards, the liquid is
discharged at constant pressure P2.
• In the extreme left position the piston again reverse its direction of
motion. The result is that the pressure in the valve chest drops
abruptly along line 3-4, discharge valve is closed and the suction
valve is opened.
• The pressure–displacement diagram, referred to as indicator
diagram, is completed.

27
 The Indicator Power
 The indicator power is the theoretical power of a reciprocating
pump that can be calculated from the theoretical indicator
diagram.

 Work done by the piston in any of the strokes can be given as

Work done Force  Dis tan ce

For the suction stroke For the discharge stroke

W 1  P1 A pist S W 2  P 2 A pist S

 The total work done in one complete cycle

W  ( P1  P2 ) A pist S W  Pi A pist S
28
For one revolution of shaft the work done by a single acting
pump is:- W  Pi A pist S

Since V=Apist S, if the indicator diagram is constructed with volume as the

horizontal axis the area of the indicator diagram ( the rectangle 1-2-3-4) is
equal to the work done in one revolution.

The indicator power can be calculated by multiplying the area of

the indicator curve by the speed of rotation.

It can also be noted that Q’=Apist S n, hence the indicator power is
equal to the product of the indicator pressure and the theoretical
volume flow rate.

N i  Pi A pist Sn N i  Pi Q'

29
Brake Power and Useful Power
The break power that should be delivered from the motor to
the pump hence is,

N brake  N i
m
Where:- m is the mechanical efficiency

m = 0.9 to 0.95

Pi A pist Sn
N brake 
m

Q'
N brake  Pi
m

30
 The useful power N N  N i i

Where i is the internal efficiency which takes care of the

hydraulic loss and leakage losses
 i   h  vol h = 0.8 to 0.94
vol = 0.7 to 0.97

The overall efficiency is determine by    h  vol  m

N
The coupling power N brake 

is determined by the formula
QgH
N brake 


The efficiency of a piston pump is determined by experiment

31
Head of Reciprocating Pumps
N brake
H
Qg

N brake 
P A
i pist
Sn

P i A pist Sn  vol  h m P i Q  h m Pi h
H   
 m  Qg  m  Qg g

Therefore the head of a reciprocating pump can be

obtained from the indicator pressure using:-

H
Pi  h
g

32
 The Actual Indicator Diagram

 The main difference between the actual and theoretical

indicator diagrams lies in the pressure fluctuations in the
beginning of suction and discharge strokes, and the effect of
the acceleration head which varies with crank angle.
 These fluctuations are caused by the effect inertia of the valve
and the striking of the valves to their seats because of the
intimate meeting of ground-in surfaces.
 Therefore when the discharge valve is being seated, the
pressure in the valve chest must be raised to a level high
enough to produce a force capable of taking the valve off its
seat and overcoming its inertia.

33
 2

3 1
P Patm

A(Vpist)

Figure Actual indicator diagram of a piston pump

 As soon as the valve opens, the pressure in the valve chest falls off
abruptly and the valve bobs rapidly up and down several times in
the liquid flow, thus throttling the flow and causing the pressure in
the valve chest to fluctuate, which accordingly affects the
discharge line of the indicator diagram. The actual indicator
diagrams are drawn using readings of indicators connected to
pumps.
34
 Cavitations in Reciprocating Pumps

 Calculation of the NPSHA should involve the acceleration

head incase of reciprocating pumps.
PA P
NPSHA   h fs  e s  T  h a
g g

Where:- ha is the acceleration head

As it is already discussed the acceleration head is mostly

much larger than the friction head, hence the cavitation
condition is usually considered, for =0, when the
acceleration head at the suction side is maximum, i.e.
has=has,max. At this condition, hfs=0, and NPSHR=0, since the
velocity of the flow medium at that instant is zero.
35
Therefore to avoid cavitations, NPSHA  NPSHR

Since NPSHR=0, no flow NPSHR  0

PA P
 e s  T  h as , max  0
g g

for =0 PA PT A p R  2 Ls
 es   0
g g As

AS L s  PA P 
2    es  T 
RLsA p  g g 

AS L s  PA P 
    e s  T 
RLsA p  g g 

1 AS L s  PA P 
  2n n   es  T 
2 RLsA p  g g 

Note: Ls is the length of the suction pipe through which there is

pulsation. 36
 Methods of Reducing Pulsation

• Reducing the suction and discharge pulsation is crucial in

installation and operation of reciprocating pumps.
• By reducing the pulsation in the suction pipe we increase the
NPSHA available and consequently the rpm of the pump can
be increased significantly without fear of cavitation.
• In addition to this, significant reduction in the power
requirement of the pump and mechanical stability of the pipe
line can be achieved by reducing the pulsation.

37
 In a process where uniform discharge is required, either
the discharge pulsation should be reduced or eliminated
somehow or other type of pumps should be used.
 The other major problem related to discharge pulsation is
mechanical instability. Due to the non-uniformity of
velocity of the liquid in the cylinder and the discharge
pipe the liquid will decelerate.
 This deceleration causes pressure pulsation, which in
some cases cause serious mechanical instability. The
following section discusses the methods for reducing
pulsation in reciprocating pumps.

38
 a. Using multiplex pumps

 Using multiplex pumps with the cylinder connected in parallel

and the piston actuated by common crankshaft reduces
pulsation significantly.

Figure 5.6 A multiplex (triplex) reciprocating pump

39
 40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
-5 0 60 120 180 240 300 360

Figure 5.7 Reduction of pulsations due to multiple cylinders

40
 Table 5.2 Effect of number of piston/cylinder on variation in capacity

Type Number of % Above %Below Piston phase

pistons mean mean
Duplex 2 24 22 1800

Triplex 3 6 17 1200

Quadraplex 4 11 22 900

Quintaplex 5 1 5 720

Sextplex 6 5 9 600

Septuplex 7 1 3 51.50

 
% above mean  v max v mean  100% % below mean  v min v mean  100%
v mean v mean

41
 b. Air Chambers in the suction and Discharge
lines
 Air vessels are closed cylindrical vessels for storing excess
flow. Towards the middle of the stroke, when the velocity of
the flow is greater than the average, the excess flow gets into
the air vessel and compresses the air in the cylinder, building
up a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure.

Air chambers

Air

Liquid

Figure 5.8 Air chambers in reciprocating pumps

42
• Towards the end and the beginning of the next stroke, when
the velocity is low, the liquid under pressure in the air vessel is
pushed back to the delivery or suction line depending on
whether the stroke is delivery or suction stroke, thus increasing
the velocity there to the average value. The only liquid which
is accelerated is that between the air vessel and the cylinder.

• When the volume of air in the chamber is large enough, the

flow velocity in the suction pipe is nearly constant. The
suction pulsation in the valve chest is offset by the variable
rate of liquid flow from the air chamber.

43
 The Average Volume of Air in The Chamber

• The amount of air in the air chamber is an important parameter

that determines the uniformity of the flow in the pipe line
section above which it is installed. While the pump is working
the air in chamber gets compressed and expanded and occupies
corresponding volumes, indicated as Vmin and Vmax
respectively (Figure 5.9). When the volume of the air is
minimum its pressure is maximum and vice versa. When the
pump is not working it takes the middle position as indicated
in Figure 5.9.

44
 Air
Vmin
Top level
Vmax
Middle level

Bottom level

Figure 5.9 Air vessel

• The calculation of the average volume of air is based on the excess

volume of liquid that should be handled by the air chamber and the,
and isothermal expansion and compression of the air in the chamber.
As can be seen from Figure 5.9 , the excess volume of liquid that
should be drawing into the chamber and delivered during each cycle
is the difference between Vmax and Vmin. Therefore,

Vexcess  Vmax  Vmin

45
 Determining the Excess Volume

• It is already shown that the capacity of a reciprocating pump

depends on the crank angle. The relation between the crank
angle and the capacity for harmonic motion is equal to the
product of the area of the piston head and the velocity of the
piston head. The velocity of the piston head is given by
Equation 5.8b for harmonic motion.

Q  A p R sin 

46
• The average capacity does not depend on the crank angle and
is given by Equation 5.1 for a single acting single cylinder
reciprocating pumps. Figure 5.10 is a typical representation of
the actual and average volume flow rates as function of time
for one complete rotation, i.e.  between 00and 3600. The area
under each of the curves represents the total volume to be
delivered by the pump in one complete rotation of the crank
(one suction and one discharge stroke). The two areas should
be equal, since whether the flow is uniform or not the same
amount of liquid is drawn into the pump and is discharged out
in every rotation.

47
 Excess volume
Actual capacity (function
of the crank angle)
Q
Average capacity

00 0.002 0.004 0.006 0.008

900 t[min] 00
Figure 5.10 Excess volume

• The shaded area above the average volume flow rate

represents the volume of the liquid which has a flow rate in
excess of the average volume flow rate. The volume of liquid
represented by that area should be stored and delivered by the
air chamber.

Vexcess  Vmax  Vmin  Area of Shaded Region

48
• Hence the volume of the liquid to be stored in the chamber can
be computed by drawing the actual and average volume flow
rates on the same scale for a time of one complete rotation, and
determining graphically the area above the average volume
flow rate line (shaded area).

49
 Calculating the Average Volume of Air in the
Chamber

• This calculation is based on the assumption that the

compression and expansion in the air chamber takes place at
isothermal condition. Hence,
PV  Const

• When the air is compressed the pressure is maximum and the

volume is minimum and it is vice versa for expansion.
Applying the above equation,
PmaxVmin  PminVmax

• The performance of the air chamber is characterized by the

degree of irregularity which is defined by
P max P min

Pav
50
• Where Pav is the average air pressure in the chamber, given by
Pmax  Pmin
Pav 
2

Pmax  Pmin

( Pmax  Pmin ) / 2

PmaxVmin
Pmin 
Vmax

Vmin V
Pmax  Pmax 1  min
Vmax Vmax
 
 V   V 
 Pmax  Pmax min  2 1  min  2
 Vmax   Vmax 

Vmax  Vmin V Vexcess

  excess Vaverage 
Vmax  Vmin  2 Vaverage 

51
• The average volume of air in the chamber can be
determined using (5.48) for a predetermined degree of
irregularity. Note it is earlier discussed how to determine
the excess volume graphically. This procedure is used
both for suction and discharge air chambers. The
commonly accepted degrees of irregularity are
• For Suction Air Chambers  0.02
• For Discharge Air Chambers 0.04  0.05
• A calculation based on the above procedure gives the
average volume of air in the chamber in terms of the area
of the piston and stroke length as given in the table
below.

52
Performance Characteristics of Reciprocating
Pumps
 The performance characteristic of reciprocating pumps is quite
different from centrifugal pumps. As in the case of centrifugal
pumps, the performance characteristics is commonly described
as a graph. In such cases it is called characteristic curve

Theoretical Performance Characteristics

 For a given reciprocating pump with a given geometry and
speed the head does not depend on the theoretical capacity and
vice versa. The theoretical capacity, for a single acting single
cylinder-reciprocating pump is given by :-

Q'  2
D Sn
4
53
 H-Q curves
Constant diameter (D) and stroke length (S), different speeds

• This curve is especially important in flow rate regulation by

varying speed. The mean volume flow rate is directly
proportional to the speed.
• Therefore for three speeds n1<n2<n3, the flow rate becomes:
'  2 '  2 '  2
Q1  D Sn1  Q 2  D Sn 2  Q3  D Sn3
4 4 4

H
n1 n2 n3

Q ’1 Q ’2 Q ’3
Q’

Figure : Theoretical Characteristic Curve of a

Reciprocating Pump for different speeds 54
Constant Diameter (D) and speed (n) and various
strokes (S)

 The theoretical performance characteristics for different stroke

lengths are derived in similar fashion and the curves are
similar to those in previous figure.

55
 Actual Performance Characteristics
 The difference between the actual and theoretical performance
characteristic curves is caused by the dependence of the slip on
head.
 The slip of a reciprocating pump increases with the head
against which it operates.

Actual
H Theoretical

Q’

Figure Theoretical and Actual Characteristic Curve of a Reciprocating Pump

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4.2 Theory Of Rotary Pumps

 Rotary pumps are positive displacement pumps in which

energy is transferred to the flow medium by direct application
of force on the boundary of the fluid, which is defined by the
rotating and stationary elements of the pump.
 Like reciprocating pumps the amount of fluid displaced by
each revolution is independent of speed.
 The inlet and outlet ports of rotary fluid machines are
separated by the action and position of the pumping elements
and the close running clearance of the fluid machine. Hence,
unlike reciprocating machines rotary machines do not need
suction and discharge valves.

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 4.2.1 Operating Principle of Rotary Pumps
• There are three distinct parts in the any rotary pump that is in
operation.
• These parts are defined by the rotating and stationary parts of
the pump and determine the amount of the displaced volume.
 The first part is defined by the part that is open to the inlet and
is sealed from the outlet.
 The second is the part that is sealed from both the inlet and
outlet.
 The third is the part that is sealed from the inlet but open to the
outlet.

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 CTIO

OTO
OTI

Figure 5.13 Parts of Operating Rotary Pumps

• The three parts are designated as OTI (Open to inlet), CTIO

(Closed to inlet and outlet) and OTO (Open to outlet).
• For a good pumping action the open-to-inlet (OTI)volume
should grow smoothly and continuously with pump rotation
while the open-to-outlet volume (OTO)should reduce
smoothly and continuously. The closed–to-inlet and-outlet
volume should remain constant with pump rotation.

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 Displacement of Common Rotary Pumps

• The displacement D of a rotary pump is the total net volume

transferred from the OTI to the OTO volume during one
complete revolution of the driving rotor.
• For any given pump, the displacement depends only upon the
physical dimensions of the pump elements and the pump
geometry and is independent of other operating conditions

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Displacement of External Gear Pumps

Figure . External Gear Pump

The displacement D of a gear pump is given by

D  2 A lz
identical gears
Where --
D= Displacement,
A=cross-sectional area of tooth space
l=length of gear teeth,
z=number of teeth
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Displacement of Vane Pumps
It is used for the determination of the displacement of vane
pumps.

R1
Suction Discharge

R2

Figure Vane pump Minimum and Maximum Radii

D   l ( R22  R12)
l=Total axial length of the rotor
R1=Minimum radial dimension of the rotor elements
R2=Maximum radial dimension of the rotor elements

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 1.Capacity of Rotary Pumps
In general the capacity of any rotary pump is the product of its
displacement (D), speed of rotation of the drive (n) and the
volumetric efficiency (v).
Q  Dn v

It is also commonly given as

Q  Dn(1  s )

Where s = slip of the pump =1-v

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 1.Pressure (Head) of Rotary Pumps
Rotary pumps unlike centrifugal pumps can deliver
whatever head is required by the system.
The only limitations are the power of the drive and the
strength of the pump. If the drive can deliver sufficient
power, yet if the strength of the pump is low the pump will be
damaged. Hence all positive displacement pumps are
commonly, fit with relief valves that limits the maximum
pressure inside the pump. Another limiting factor for the
maximum pressure is the pump slip. The pump slip (leakage) in
rotary pumps generally increases with pressure hence running
at very high pressure may result in very low efficiency.
P
 Note that the total head of the pump is given H t
g
by:-
Where Pt is the total pressure developed by the pump
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 1.Power of Rotary Pumps
The useful and brake power of a rotary pump are calculated
from the total pressure to be transferred to the flow medium,
the volume flow rate and overall efficiency of the pump.
Useful Power
The useful power of a rotary pump is the product of the flow
rate and total pressure of the pump (Useful), and is given by,

N  QPt
Brake Power
The brake power is calculated from the useful power
and the overall efficiency using :- QPt
Nb 

The overall efficiency of rotary pumps is determined by
test
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 4.2.6 Performance Characteristic of Rotary Pumps
The performance characteristics of all positive displacement
pumps are similar and can be applied to rotary pumps also.
 For rotary it is also common to present the curves as
functions of the total pressure:-
Q  f (P ) N b  f (P )   f (P )

n[rpm]=constant
Viscosity= Constant
Q 

P Plim

Figure 4.16 Performance characteristic of rotary pumps

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Note that the capacity curve decreases with pressure.
This is due to the fact that the volumetric efficiency of rotary
pumps in general decreases with the pressure against which the
pump is working.
The limiting pressure Plim represents the pressure above which
there will be rapid wear of the pump.
The pump efficiency drops rapidly and hence the power
consumption ( brake power) of the pump also grows quickly.
 The value of the limiting pressure is adjusted by the setting
point (limiting pressure) of the relief valve.

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