Year 3 Fluid Mechanics MA3006

Year 2019-2020 Special Term

Tutorial 9 – Pumps and system I

1. A centrifugal pump having an impeller diameter of 1 m is to be constructed so that it will

supply a head rise of 200 m at a flow rate of 4.1 m 3/s of water when operating at a speed of
1200 rpm. To study the characteristics of this pump, a 1/5 scale, geometrically similar model
operated at the same speed is to be tested in the laboratory. Determine the required model
discharge and head rise. Assume both model and prototype operates with the same efficiency
and hence same flow coefficient. (Ans : 0.0328 m3/s, 8 m)

Given Prototype diameter = 1 m, Head rise = 200 m and Q =4.1 m3/s

Model diameter = 0.2 m, Head rise = ?, Q =?, ω p=ω m , η p =ηm
Q Q
For model and prototype ( 3 ) =( 3 )
ωD m ωD p

g ha g ha
In addition, ( ) =( )
ω2 D 2
m ω2 D 2 p

Substitute to solve for flow rate and head rise in model

Year 3 Fluid Mechanics MA3006
Year 2019-2020 Special Term

2. A centrifugal pump with a 0.30 m diameter impeller requires a power input of 44.7 kW when
the flow rate is 0.2 m3/s and the head is 18.3 m. The impeller is changed to one with a
diameter of 0.25 m. Determine the expected flow rate, head and input power if pump speed
remains the same. (Ans : 0.116 m3/s, 12.71 m, 17.96 kW )

Given Prototype diameter = 0.3 m, Head rise = 18.3 m and Q =0.2 m3/s,
Ẇ shaft = 44.7 kW.

Model diameter = 0.25 m, Head rise = ?, Q =?, ω p=ω m , η p =ηm

Ẇ shaft = ?

Q Q
For model and prototype ( 3 ) =( 3 )
ωD m ωD p

g ha g ha
In addition, ( 2 2
) =( 2 2
)
ω D m ω D p

Ẇ shaft Ẇ shaft
And ( 3 5
) =( 3 5
)
ρω D m ρω D p

Substitute to solve for flow rate, head rise and input power in model
Year 3 Fluid Mechanics MA3006
Year 2019-2020 Special Term

3. In the figure below, liquid is pumped from an open tank through a 0.1 m diameter vertical
pipe, into another tank. A valve is located in the pipe, minor loss coefficient for the valve as a
function of valve setting is as shown. The pump head-Q relationship is given by the equation:
ha = 52.0 – 1.01x103 Q2, ha in m and Q in m3/s. Assume friction factor for pipe f = 0.02, and
minor losses except for the valve are negligible, determine the flow rate when the valve is
fully open (assume K =1.0), and the required valve setting to reduce the flow rate by 50 %.
Tank levels remain constant. (Ans: 0.0529 m3/s, 10 % open)

Let velocity in vertical pipe be V . Apply Energy equation between free

surface of lower tank (0) to free surface of upper tank (1):
p 0 V 20 p 1 V 21
+ + z +h = + + z +h
ρg 2 g 0 a ρg 2 g 1 L(0 −1 )

Information given :
p0= p 1=0 (free surface of open tanks) , V 0=V 1=0 (free surface of open
tanks), z 1−z 0=33 m ,
l V2 V2 30 V 2 V2
h L(0−1)=f + K valve =( 0.02 ) +(1.0)
D 2g 2g 0.1 2 g 2g

Hence, energy equation becomes:

2 2
2 30 V V (1)
52−1010 Q =33+ ( 0.02 ) +(1.0)
0.1 2 g 2g
Can solve to get volume flow rate Q.
(note : length of pipe is 30 m and not 33 m)

Second part : New volume flow rate = Q/2, can get new velocity V.
Substitute values of new flow rate and velocity into equation (1)
(Note: K valve ≠1.0 and is unknown, since valve is now partially closed)
2 2
2 30 V V
52−1010 Q =33+ ( 0.02 ) + K valve
0.1 2 g 2g

Solve to get new K valve value and go to chart given to find % of valve
opening
Year 3 Fluid Mechanics MA3006
Year 2019-2020 Special Term

4. Oil with SG 0.85 is pumped from Tank A to Tank B over a pipe length of 80m, diameter of
pipe 80mm ( suction and discharge ), frictional factor 0.012 , and total loss factor K=10. The
elevation of tank A and B is 15m and 10m respectively. Characteristic of pump is:

Flow rate ( m3/s ) Discharge head (m) Efficiency (%)

0 50 0
0.02 45 54
0.03 41 70
0.04 35 78
0.05 26 78
0.06 8 69

Determine the system characteristics, discharge and power required by the pump
If an identical pump is added in series, what will be the new flow rate?
( Ans: Hp = -5 + 44380 Q2 ; 0.032 m3/s, 40m, 71%, 15.03 kW; 0.041 m3/s )

Let velocity in pipe be V . Apply Energy equation between free surface of

tank A to free surface of tank B:
2 2
pA V A pB V B
+ + z A + ha= + + z B +h L(A −B )
ρg 2 g ρg 2 g

Information given :
p A = pB =0 (free surface of open tanks) , V A =V B =0 (free surface of open
tanks) , z A −z B=5 m ,
2 2 2 2
l V V 80 V V
h L( A−B )=f + K L =( 0.012 ) +(10)
D 2g 2g 0.01 2 g 2g

Hence, energy equation becomes:

80 V 2 V2 (1)
h a=−5+ ( 0.012 ) + ( 10 ) =−5+44380 Q2
0.01 2 g 2g

This is the system demand curve. Plot it with the given pump characteristic
curve. The intersection will give the operating flow rate and the head
delivered by the pump.

ρgQ h p
Power required by the pump Ẇ shaft =
η

Second part : For 2 pumps in series, refer to lecture notes. Plot the
characteristic curves for 2 pumps in series. (Note : system demand curve
remains the same!!)

The new intersection will give the operating flow rate and the head
delivered by the 2 pumps.