Chapter 14

Fluid Machinery

In this chapter we will examine the operating principles of mechanical devices that
exchange fluid energy and mechanical work. A pump is a machine whose purpose is to
apply mechanical energy to a fluid, thereby generating flow, or producing a higher
pressure, or both. A turbine does just the opposite—producing work through the
application of fluid energy.
There are two principal types of fluid machines—positive displacement machines
and turbomachines. In positive displacement machines, a fluid is confined in a chamber
whose volume is varied. Examples of positive-displacement-type machines are shown
in Figure 14.1.

Aorta To body Pulmonary artery

Right To lungs
atrium
Oxygenated
blood from lungs

Left atrium
Venous
Suction Discharge blood

Right
ventricle
Left ventricle

Figure 14.1 Some examples of positive-displacement configurations.

185
186 Chapter 14 Fluid Machinery

Outlet

Rotor Rotor

Inlet
Inlet
w

Outlet
Stator Housing
or casing
Housing or casing

Radial or centrifugal flow Axial flow

Figure 14.2 Turbomachines.

Turbomachines, as the name implies, involve rotary motion. Window fans and
aircraft propellers are examples of unshrouded turbomachines. Pumps used with liquids
generally have shrouds that confine and direct the flow. The two general types of pumps
in this category are shown in Figure 14.2. The designations radial flow and axial flow
refer to the direction of fluid flow relative to the axis of rotation of the rotating element.
The term pump is generally used when the working fluid is a liquid. If the fluid is a
gas or vapor, the following terms are used:
Fans are associated with relatively small pressure changes, on the order of DP
35 cm of H2 O (0:5 psi):
Blowers are of both positive and variable displacement types, with DP up to
2:8 m of H2 O (40 psi):
Compressors are of both positive and variable configurations having delivery
pressures as high as 69 MPa (103 psi):
Turbines, as previously stated, extract energy from high-pressure fluids. They are of
two primary types, impulse and reaction, which convert fluid energy into mechanical
work in different ways. In the impulse turbine, the high-energy fluid is converted, by
means of a nozzle, into a high-velocity jet. This jet then strikes the turbine blades as
they pass. In this configuration, the jet flow is essentially at a constant pressure. The
basic analysis of these devices is examined in Chapter 5.
In reaction turbines the fluid fills the blade passages and a pressure decrease occurs
as it flows through the impeller. The energy transfer in such devices involves some
thermodynamic considerations beyond simple momentum analysis.
The remainder of this chapter will be devoted entirly to pumps and fans.
Consideration will be given to general pump and fan performances, scaling laws, and
their compatibility with piping systems.

14.1 CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

Figure 14.3 shows two cutaway views of a typical centrifugal pump. In this configuration,
fluid enters the pump casing axially. It then encounters the impeller blades that direct the
flow tangentially and radially outward into the outer part of the casing and is then
discharged. The fluid experiences an increase in velocity and pressure as it passes through
 14.1 Centrifugal Pumps 187

Casing
1
w Impeller

Control Figure 14.3 Cutaway

volume Expanding views of a centrifugal
area scroll pump.

the impeller. The discharge section, which is doughnut shaped, causes the flow to decelerate
and the pressure to increase further.
The impeller blades shown have a backward-curved shape, which is the most common
configuration.

Pump Performance Parameters

We now focus on the control volume designated in Figure 14.3 by dashed lines. Note that
flow enters at section one and leaves at two.
Applying the first law of thermodynamics to this control volume we have
ZZ   ZZZ
@
dQ dWs
 ¼ eþ
P
:
r(v n) dA þ er dv þ
dWm
(6-10)
dt dt c:s: r @t c:v: dt
which for steady, adiabatic flow with no viscous work, becomes


dWs v 22  v 21
 _
¼ m h 2  h1 þ þ g(y2  y1 )
dt 2
It is customary to neglect the small differences in velocity and elevation between sections
one and two, thus
v 22  v 21 0 and y2  y1 0
and the remaining expression is
 
dWs P  P1
 ¼ mðh _ u2  u 1 þ 2
_ 2  h1 Þ ¼ m
dt r
Recalling that the term u2  u1 represents the loss due to friction and other
irreversible effects, we write
u2  u1 ¼ h L
The net pressure head produced in the pump is
P2  P 1 1 dWs
¼  hL (14-1)
r _ dt
m
An important performance parameter, the efficiency, can now be expressed in broad
terms as the ratio of actual output to required input. For a centrifugal pump the efficiency,
designated h, is
power added to the fluid
h¼
shaft power to the impeller
188 Chapter 14 Fluid Machinery

The power added to the fluid is given by equation (14-1)

  
dW  P 2  P1
_
¼m (14-2)
dt fluid r
and the efficiency can be expressed as
_ 2  P1 )
m(P
h¼ (14-3)
r(dWs /dt)c:v:
The difference between dWs /dtjc:v: and dWs /dtjliquid is clearly the head loss, hL.
Equations (14-1), (14-2), and (14-3) provide general relationships for important pump
performance parameters. To develop actual performance information for centrifugal pumps,
we must examine our control volume once again from a moment of momentum perspective.
The governing equation for this analysis is
ZZ ZZZ
@
åMz ¼ (r  v)z r(v n) dA þ (r  v)z r dv (5-10c)
c:s: @t c:v:

The axis of rotation of the rotor depicted in Figure 14.3 has been chosen as the z
direction, hence our choice of equation (5-10c).
We now wish to solve for Mz by applying equation (5-10c) to the control volume in
Figure 14.3 for one-dimensional steady flow. The coordinate system will be fixed with the z
direction along the axis of rotation. Recall that the rotor contains backward-curved blades.
In Figure 14.4, we show a detailed view of a single rotor blade. The blade is attached to the
rotor hub at distance r1 from the z axis; the outer dimension of the blade has the value r2.

υt2 = r2w

υn2

υb2 υt1 = r1w

υb1

B2
r2

r1
Figure 14.4 Velocity
b1
diagram for flow exiting a
centrifugal pump impeller.

In this figure
v b1, v b2 represent velocities along the blade at r1 and r2, respectively
v n2 is the normal velocity of the flow at r2
v t2 is the tangential velocity of the flow at r2
b1 ; b2 are the angles made between the blade and tangent directions at r1 and r2,
respectively.
 14.1 Centrifugal Pumps 189

Equation (5-10c) can now be written as

2    3
 er eu ez   er eu ez 
 
_  r
Mz ¼ m4 0 0   r
 0 0  5
 vr vu v z 2  vr vu v z 1 z

which becomes

_
Mz ¼ m[(rv u )2  0]
(14-4)
_ 2 v u2
¼ r Vr
The velocity, v u2 , is the tangential component of the fluid stream exiting the rotor relative
to the fixed coordinate system. The quantities shown in Figure 14.4 will be useful in
evaluating v u2 .
The absolute velocity of the existing flow, v 2, is the vector sum of the velocity relative to
the impeller blade and the velocity of the blade tip relative to our coordinate system. For
blade length, L, normal to the plane of Figure 14.4, we evaluate the following:
the normal velocity of flow at r2

V_
v n2 ¼ (14-5)
2pr2 L

the velocity of flow along the blade at r2

v n2
v b2 ¼ (14-6)
sinb2

the blade tip velocity

v t2 ¼ r2 v (14-7)

The velocity we want, v u2 , can now be evaluated as

v u2 ¼ v t2  v b2 cosb2
Substitution from equations (14-6) and (14-7) yields
v n2
v u2 ¼ r2 v  cosb2
sinb2
¼ r2 v  v n 2 cotb2
Finally, introducing the expression for v n2 from equation (14-5) we have

V_
v u ¼ r2 v  cotb2 (14-8)
2pr2 L
and the desired moment is


_ V_
Mz ¼ rVr2 r2 v  cotb2 (14-9)
2pr2 L
190 Chapter 14 Fluid Machinery

The power delivered to the fluid is, by definition, Mz v, thus


_ dWs _ V_
W¼ ¼ Mz v ¼ rVr2 v r2 v  cotb2 (14-10)
dt 2prL
Equation (14-10) expresses the power imparted to the fluid for an impeller with
dimensions r2 , b2 , and L, operating at angular velocity, v, with mass flow rate rV: _
This expression may be related to equations (14-2) and (14-3) to evaluate the imparted
pressure head and the pump efficiency.
It is a standard practice to minimize friction loss at r1, the radial location at which flow
enters the impeller. This is accomplished by configuring the angle, b1 , such that inlet flow is
along the blade surface. Referring to Figure 14.4, the design point for minimum losses is
achieved when
v b1 cosb1 ¼ r1 v
or, equivalently, when
sinb1
v r1 ¼ v b1 sinb1 ¼ r1v
cosb1
and, finally, when
v r1 ¼ r1 v tanb1 (14-11)
Typical performance curves, for a centrifugal pump, are shown in Figure 14.5.
Pressure head, brake horsepower, and efficiency are all shown as functions of volumetric
flow rate. It is reasonable to choose operating conditions at or near the flow rate where
maximum efficiency is achieved.

Shutoff head
Head
Brake horsepower, bhp
Efficiency, h

Efficiency
Head, ha

Brake
horsepower

Normal or
design flow rate
0 Figure 14.5 Centrifugal pump
0 · performance curves.
Flow rate, V

Example 1 illustrates how the analysis presented above relates to centrifugal pump
performance.

EXAMPLE 1 Water flow is produced by a centrifugal pump with the following dimensions:
r1 ¼ 6 cm b1 ¼ 33
r2 ¼ 10:5 cm b2 ¼ 21
L ¼ 4:75 cm
 14.1 Centrifugal Pumps 191

at a rotational speed of 1200 rpm determine

(a) the design flow rate;
(b) the power added to the flow;
(c) the maximum pressure head at the pump discharge.

To experience minimum losses, equation (14-11) must be satisfied, thus

v r1 ¼ r1 v tanb1
   
rev 2p rad min
¼ (0:06 m) 1200 (tan 33 ) (14-11)
min rev 60 s
¼ 4:896 m/s

The corresponding flow rate is

V_ ¼ 2pr1 Lv r1
¼ 2p(0:06 m)(0:0475 m)(4:896 m/s)
¼ 0:0877 m3 /s (1390 gpm) (a)

The power imparted to the flow is expressed by equation (14-10):


_
W _ 2 v r2 v  V cotb2
_ ¼ rVr
2prL

Evaluating the following:

   
rev rad min
v¼ 1200 2p ¼ 125:7 rad/s
min rev 60 s
_ 2 v ¼ (1000 kg/m3 )(0:0877 m3 /s)(0:105 m)(125:7 rad/s)
rVr
¼ 1157 kg  m/s

V_ 0:0877 m3 /s
¼
2pr2 L 2p(0:105 m)(0:0475 m)
¼ 2:80 m/s

we obtain
_ ¼ (1157 kg  m/s)[ð0:105 m)(125:7 rad/s)  (2:80 m/s)(cot 21)]
W
¼ 6830 W ¼ 6:83 kW (b)

Equation (14.1) expresses the net pressure head as

P2  P1 W_
¼  hL (14-1)
rg _
mg

The maximum value, with negligible loses, will be

P2  P1 6830 W
¼
rg (1000 kg/m3 )(0:0877 m3 /s)(9:81 m/s2 )
¼ 7:94 m H2 O gage
For P1 ¼ 1 atm ¼ 14:7 psi ¼ 10:33 m H2 O
P2 ¼ (7:94 þ 10:33)m H2 O ¼ 18:3 m H2 O (26 psi) (c)

The actual discharge pressure will be less than this owing to friction and other irreversible
losses.
192 Chapter 14 Fluid Machinery

Net Positive Suction Head

A major concern in pump operation is the presence of cavitation. Cavitation occurs when a
liquid being pumped vaporizes or boils. If this occurs, the vapor bubbles that have been
formed cause a decrease in efficiency and, often, structural damage to the pump that may
lead to catastrophic failure. The parameter designated net positive suction head (NPSH)
characterizes the likelihood for cavitation to occur.
At the suction side of the impeller, where pressure is lowest thus the location where
cavitation will first occur, the NPSH can be expressed as
Pv v 2i Pi
NPSH þ ¼ þ (14-12)
rg 2g rg
where v i and Pi are evaluated at pump inlet and Pv is the liquid vapor pressure. Values of
NPSH are, in general, determined experimentally over a range in flow rates, for a given
pump. A typical variation of NPSH vs. V_ is shown in Figure 14.6.

Reference
plane
y2 P 1 = P atm
NPSH (m or ft)

·
V (m3/s, 9 gpm)
Figure 14.6 Typical variation of NPSH Figure 14.7 Pump installation at a level y above a
˙
with V . supply reservoir.

In Figure 14.7, a representative pump installation is shown with the liquid being drawn
from a reservoir located a distance, y, below the pump inlet. An energy balance between the
pump inlet and the reservoir level yields
Patm P2 v 2
¼ y2 þ þ 2 þ åhL (14-13)
rg rg 2g
where the term åhL represents head losses between locations 1 and 2 as discussed in
Chapter 13.
Combining this relationship with equation (14-12) we get
v 22 P2 Pv
NPSH ¼ þ 
2g rg rg
(14-14)
Patm Pv
¼  y2  åhL
rg rg
For proper pump installation, the value of NPSH evaluated using equation (14-14) should
be greater than the value obtained from a pump performance plot at the same flow rate.
The principal use of these ideas is to establish a maximum value for the height, y2.
Example 2 illustrates the use of NPSH.
 14.1 Centrifugal Pumps 193

EXAMPLE 2 A system like the one shown in Figure 14.7 is to be assembled to pump water. The inlet pipe to the
centrifugal pump is 12 cm in diameter and the desired flow rate is 0.025 m3/s. At this flow rate,
the specifications for this pump show a value of NPSH of 4.2 m. The minor loss coefficient for the
system may be taken as K ¼ 12: Water properties are to be evaluated at 300 K. Determine the
maximum value of y, the distance between pump inlet and reservoir level.

The quantity desired, y, is given by

Patm  Pv
y¼  åhL  NPSH (14-14)
rg

Water properties required, at 300 K, are

r ¼ 997 kg/m3
Pv ¼ 3598 Pa

and we have
V_ 0:0025 M3 /s
v¼ ¼ p ¼ 2:21 m/s
A (0:12 m)2
4
v 2 12(2:21 m/s2 )2
åhL ¼ KL ¼ ¼ 2:99 m
2g 2(9:81 m/s2 )

We can now complete the solution

(101360  3598)Pa
y¼ 2:99 m  4:2 m
(997 kg/m3 )(9:81 m/s2 )
¼ 2:805 m (9:2 ft)

2
Combined Pump and System Performance
As depicted in Figure 14.5, a pump has
the capability of operating over a range 1
in flow rates with its delivered head,
operating efficiency, and NPSH values, y2
all being flow-rate-dependent. An
y1 Pump
important task of the engineer is to
match a given pump, with its known
operating characteristics, to the perfor-
mance of the system in which the pump
produces flow. Piping system perfor- Figure 14.8 Pumping system configuration.
mance is discussed in Chapter 13.
A simple flow system is illustrated in Figure 14.8 where a pump is used to produce flow
between two reservoirs at different elevations.
With the two reservoir surfaces designated 1 1 and 12 as shown in the figure, an energy
balance between these two locations yields
W_ P 2  P1
 ¼ g( y2  y1 ) þ þ (u2  u1 ) (14-15)
_
m r
194 Chapter 14 Fluid Machinery

Observing that P1 ¼ P2 ¼ Patm and expressing u2  u1 ¼ åhL , we have

W_
 ¼ y2  y1 þ åhL (14-16)
_
mg
From Chapter 13, we can write for the head loss
v2
åhL ¼ åK
2g
where the quantity åK accounts for frictional pipe loss as well as minor losses due to valves,
elbows, and fittings.
The operating line for system performance is now expressed by
W_ v2
 ¼ y2  y1 þ åK (14-17)
_
mg 2g
Plotting the system operating line together with the plot of pump performance yields the
combined performance diagram as shown in Figure 14.9.

150
Head
Pump efficiency, %
Total head, m

100 System 11
operating
line h

NPSH, m
10

50 9
NPSH
8
0
0 0.50 1.0 1.50 2.0 Figure 14.9 Combined pump and
system performance.
Flow rate, V m3/s

We note that the two operating lines intersect at a flow rate where the required head for
system operation matches that which the particular pump can produce. At this operating
flow rate, one can read the corresponding efficiency from the chart. A system designer
would, naturally, want the system to operate at, or as near as possible to, the flow rate of
maximum pump efficiency. If the operating point corresponds to an undesirable efficiency
value, changes must be made either to the system, which is generally a difficult process, or to
pump operating conditions.

14.2 SCALING LAWS FOR PUMPS AND FANS

The concepts of similarity and scaling are introduced in Chapter 11. The requirements of
geometric, kinematic, and dynamic similarity find important applications in the scaling of
rotating fluid mechanics. In this section we will develop the ‘‘fan laws’’ that are used to
predict the effect of changing the fluid, size, or speed of rotating machines, which are in a
geometrically similar family.

Dimensional Analysis of Rotating Machines

The Buckingham method of dimensional analysis, which is introduced in Chapter 11, is a
useful tool in generating the dimensionless parameters that apply to rotating fluid machines.
 14.2 Scaling Laws For Pumps And Fans 195

As discussed earlier, the first step to be undertaken is to develop a table of variables that are
important to our application. Table 14.1 lists the variables of interest along with their
symbols and dimensional representation in the MLt system.

Table 14.1 Pump performance variables

Variable Symbol Dimensions

Total head gh L2 /t2

Flow rate V_ L3 /t
Impeller diameter D L
Shaft speed v 1/t
Fluid density r M/L3
Fluid viscosity m M/Lt
Power _
W ML2 /t3

Without repeating all details regarding the Buckingham method, we can establish the
following:
i¼nr ¼73¼4
with a core group including the variables D; v; r, the dimensionless pi groups become
p1 ¼ gh/D2 v2
_
p2 ¼ V/vD 3

_
p3 ¼ W/rv 3 5
D
p4 ¼ m/D2 vr

The group p4 ¼ m/D2 vr is a form of Reynolds number. The other three groups here are
designated, by the pump community, as
p1 ¼ gh/D2 v2 ¼ CH the head coefficient (14-18)
_
p2 ¼ V/vD 3
¼ CQ the flow coefficient (14-19)
6
CH _
p3 ¼ W/rv D ¼ CP
3 5
the power coefficient (14-20)
5 1.00
Figure 14.10 is a plot of the dimensionless parameters CH and CP
Efficiency, h
vs. the flow coefficient, CQ, for a representative centrifugal pump
CP and efficiency

4
0.75 family.
CH

CP
3 There is, of course, one additional dimensionless perfor-
0.50 mance parameter, the efficiency. The efficiency is related to the
2 other parameters defined above according to
0.25
1 CH CQ
h¼ (14-21)
CP
0 0
0 0.04 0.08 0.12 0.16 As the parameters on the right-hand-side of the equation are
CQ functionally related to CQ, the efficiency, h, is also a function of
Figure 14.10 Dimensionless performance CQ, and is included as one of the dependent variables in
curves for a typical centrifugal pump. Figure 14.10.
196 Chapter 14 Fluid Machinery

The three coefficients CH ; CQ ; and CP provide the basis for the fan laws. For similar
pumps, designated 1 and 2, we may write, for CH
CH1 ¼ CH2
or
gh1 gh2
2 2
¼ 2 2
v1 D1 v2 D2
thus
 2  2
h2 v2 D2
¼ (14-22)
h1 v1 D1
Performing the same equations on CQ and CP , we obtain
 
V_ 2 v2 D2 3
¼ (14-23)
V_ 1 v1 D1
   
P2 r2 v2 3 D2 5
¼ (14-24)
P1 r1 v1 D1
These three equations comprise the ‘‘fan laws’’ or ‘‘pump laws’’ that are used extensively for
scaling rotating machines as well as predicting their performance.
Example 3 illustrates the use of these expressions.

EXAMPLE 3 A centrifugal pump, operating at 1100 rpm against a head of 120 m H2O produces a flow of
0.85 m3/s.
(a) For a geometrically similar pump, operating at the same speed but with an impeller
diameter 30% greater than the original, what flow rate will be achieved?
(b) If the new larger pump described in part (a) is also operated at 1300 rpm, what will be the
new values of flow rate and total head?
Specifying for pump 1, D ¼ D1 ; then for the larger pump, D2 ¼ 1:3 D1 ; thus the new flow rate
will be, using equation (14-23)
 
V_ 2 v2 D2 3
¼ (14-23)
V_ 1 v1 D1
 3
1:3 D1
V_ 2 ¼ 0:85 m3 /s
D1
¼ 1:867 m3 /s (a)

For the case with D2 ¼ 1:3 D1 and v2 ¼ 1300 rpm, we have, from equation (14-23)
  
1300 rpm 1:3 D1 3
V_ 2 ¼ 0:85 m3 /s
1100 rpm D1
¼ 2:207 m3 /s (b)
The new head is determined using equation (14-22).
 2  2
h2 v2 D2
¼ (14-22)
h1 v1 D1
   
1300 rpm 2 1:3 D1 2
¼ 120 m H2 O
1100 rpm D1
¼ 283 m H2 O (c)
 14.5 Closure 197

14.3 AXIAL AND MIXED FLOW PUMP CONFIGURATIONS

Our examination of pumps, thus far, has focused on centrifugal pumps. The other basic
configuration is axial flow. The designation centrifugal flow or axial flow relates to the direction
of fluid flow in the pump. In the centrifugal case, flow is turned 90 to the axis of rotation; in the
axial flow case, flow is in the direction of the axis of rotation. There is an intermediate case,
designated mixed flow, where the flow has both normal and axial components.
The choice of centrifugal, axial, or mixed flow configurations depends on the desired
values of flow rate and head needed in a specific application. The single parameter that
includes both head and flow rate effects is designated NS, the specific speed. It is defined as

CQ1/2
NS ¼ (14-25)
C 3/4
H

Figure 14.11 is a plot of optimum efficiencies of the three pump types as functions of NS.
The values of NS shown in this plot correspond to the somewhat unusual units shown.
The basic message conveyed by Figure 14.11 is that higher delivery head and lower flow
rate combinations dictate the use of centrifugal pumps, whereas lower heads and higher flow
rates require mixed flow or axial flow pumps.

1.0

0.9
hmax

0.8 Mixed
flow
Centrifugal Axial
pump flow
0.7

0.6
0

00

00

00
00

00

00
50

Figure 14.11 Optimum pump

10

20

40
50

,0

,0
10

15

Ns efficiency as a function of specific

(rpm) (gal/min)1/2(H,ft)3/4 speed.

14.4 TURBINES
Analysis of turbines follows the same general steps as has been done for pumps. The reader
is referred to Section 5.4 in Chapter 5 for a review of the analysis of an impulse turbine.
Turbine operation uses the energy of a fluid, emanating from a nozzle, to interact with
blades attached to the rotating unit, designated the rotor. The momentum exchange
produced as the fluid changes direction generates power at the rotor shaft.
A detailed discussion of turbine operation, other than that presented in Chapter 5, is
beyond the scope of this book. Numerous treatises are available to the interested reader. A
good introductory discussion, along with extensive references, is included in the text by
Munson et al. (1998).

14.5 CLOSURE
This chapter has been devoted to the examination of rotating fluid machines. External power
applied to pumps and fans produces higher pressure, increased flow, or both. Turbines
operate in the reverse, producing power from a high-energy fluid.
198 Chapter 14 Fluid Machinery

Types of pumps or fans are characterized by the direction of flow through the rotor. In
centrifugal pumps, the flow is turned 90 to the flow axis; flow is parallel to the flow axis in
axial flow pumps. Machines with both centrifugal and axial flow components are designated
mixed-flow pumps.
Standard performance plots for a family of geometrically similar pumps or fans show the
head, power, efficiency, and NPSH as functions of flow rate for a designated speed of rotation.
Scaling laws were developed using parameters generated from dimensional analysis.
The resulting ‘‘fan laws’’ that relate two similar systems are
 2  2
h2 v2 D2
¼ (14-22)
h1 v1 D1
 
V_ 2 v2 D2 3
¼ (14-23)
V_ 1 v1 D1
   
P2 r2 v2 3 D2 5
¼ (14-24)
P1 r1 v1 D1

PROBLEMS
14.1 A centrifugal pump delivers 0.2 m3/s of water when 14.5 A centrifugal pump is being used to pump water at a flow
operating at 850 rpm. Relevant impeller dimensions are as rate of 0.018 m3/s and the required power is measured to be
follows: outside diameter ¼ 0.45 m, blade length ¼ 50 cm, 4.5 kW. If the pump efficiency is 63%, determine the head
and blade exit angle ¼ 24 . Determine (a) the torque and power generated by the pump.
required to drive the pump and (b) the maximum pressure 14.6 A centrifugal pump having the dimensions shown develops
increase across the pump. a flow rate of 0.032 m3/s when pumping gasoline ðr ¼ 680 kg/m3 Þ:
14.2 A centrifugal pump is used with gasoline ðr ¼ 680 kg/m3 Þ: The inlet flow may be assumed to be radial. Estimate (a) the
Relevant dimensions are as follows: d1 ¼ 15 cm; d2 ¼ 28 cm; theoretical horsepower; (b) the head increase; and (c) the proper
L ¼ 9 cm; b1 ¼ 25 ; and b2 ¼ 40 : The gasoline enters the blade angle at the impeller inlet.
pump parallel to the pump shaft when the pump operates at
1200 rpm. Determine (a) the flow rate; (b) the power delivered
to the gasoline; and (c) the head in meters. 5 cm
35°
14.3 A centrifugal pump has the following dimensions: d2 ¼
42 cm; L ¼ 5 cm; and b2 ¼ 33 : It rotates at 1200 rpm, and the 10 cm
head generated is 52 m of water. Assuming radial entry flow, deter- 1650 rpm
mine the theoretical values for (a) the flow rate and (b) the power.
14.4 A centrifugal pump has the configuration and dimensions
shown below. For water flowing at a rate of 0.0071 m3/s and an
impeller speed of 1020 rpm, determine the power required to drive
the pump. The inlet flow is directed radially outward, and the exiting
velocity may be assumed to be tangent to the vane at its trailing edge.
V = 0.0071 m /s
3
6.5 cm
55°

14.7 A centrifugal water pump operates at 1500 rpm. The

dimensions are as the following:
V1

1020 rpm
28 cm 8 cm
r1 ¼ 12 cm b1 ¼ 32
r2 ¼ 20 cm b2 ¼ 20
L ¼ 4:2 cm
Determine (a) the design point discharge rate; (b) the water
1.85 cm
horsepower; and (c) the discharge head.
 Problems 199

14.8 The figure below represents performance, in nondi-

mensional form, for a family of centrifugal pumps. For a pump 6 CH
from this family with a characteristic diameter of 0.45 m
5 1.00
operating at maximum efficiency and pumping water at 15 C
Efficiency, h
with a rotational speed of 1600 rpm, estimate (a) the head; 4
(b) the discharge rate; (c) the pressure rise; and (d) the brake 0.75

CH
CP
horsepower. 3

h, Cp
0.50
2
1.0 0.25
1
0.9
0.8 0 0

h
0 0.04 0.08 0.12 0.16
h
7 0.7 CQ

0.6

6
250 100
CH

CH
5
200 80

Head, m; Power, kW
Efficiency
Power input

Efficiency, %
4 150 60
0.8
CP 0.6 Head
100
CP

3 40
0.4
w = 360rpm
0.2 50 20
d = 39cm
0 0.1 0.2 0.3
CQ 0
0 0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25
Discharge, m3/s

14.9 A pump having the characteristics described in the pre-
vious problem is to be built that will deliver water at a rate of
0.2 m3/s when operating at best efficiency and a rotational speed
of 1400 rpm. Estimate (a) the impeller diameter and (b) the
maximum pressure rise.
14.10 Rework Problem 14.8 for a pump diameter of 0.40 m
operating at 2200 rpm.
14.11 Rework Problem 14.8 for a pump diameter of 0.35 m
operating at 2400 rpm.
14.12 Rework Problem 14.9 for a desired flow rate of 0.30 m3/s
at 1800 rpm.
14.13 Rework Problem 14.9 for a desired flow rate of
0.201 m3/s at 1800 rpm.
14.14 Performance curves for an operating centrifugal pump
are shown below in both conventional units and in dimension-
less form. The pump is used to pump water at maximum
efficiency at a head of 90 m. Determine, at these new condi-
tions, (a) the pump speed required and (b) the rate of dis-
charge.
14.15 The pump having the characteristics shown in Problem
14.14 was used as a model for a prototype that is to be six times
larger. If this prototype operates at 400 rpm, what (a) power;
(b) head; and (c) discharge flow rate should be expected at
maximum efficiency?
14.16 For the pump having the characteristics shown in Pro-
blem 14.14, operating at maximum efficiency with the speed
increased to 1000 rpm, what will be (a) the new discharge flow
rate and (b) the power required at this new speed?
14.17 The pump having the characteristics shown in Problem
14.14 is to be operated at 800 rpm. What discharge rate is to be
expected if the head developed is 410 m?
14.18 If the pump having the characteristics shown in Problem
14.14 is tripled in size but halved in rotational speed, what will be
the discharge rate and head when operating at maximum effi-
ciency?
14.19 The pump having the characteristics shown in Problem
14.14 is used to pump water from one reservoir to another that is
95 m higher in elevation. The water will flow through a steel pipe
200 Chapter 14 Fluid Machinery

that is 0.28 m in diameter and 550 m long. Determine the 14.23 A 0.25 m pump delivers 20 C water ðPv ¼ 2:34 kPaÞ
discharge rate. at 0:065 m3 /s and 2000 rpm: The pump begins to cavitate when
14.20 A pump whose operating characteristics are described in the inlet pressure is 82.7 kPa and the inlet velocity is 6.1 m/s.
Problem 14.14 is to be used in the system depicted below. Determine the corresponding NPSH.
Determine (a) the discharge rate and (b) power required. 14.24 For the pumping system described in Problem 14.23, how
Diameter = 0.36 m
will the maximum elevation above the surface of the reservoir
change if the water temperature is 80 CðPv ¼ 47:35 kPaÞ?
0.90 m
Steel pipe 14.25 A centrifugal pump with an impeller diameter of
0.18 m is to be used to pump water ðr ¼ 1000 kg/m3 Þ with
0.5 m
Elevation the pump inlet located 3.8 m above the surface of the supply
= 24 m reservoir. At a flow rate of 0.760 m3/s, the head loss between the
Elevation
reservoir surface and the pump inlet is 1.80 m of water. The
= 18 m performance curves are shown below. Would you expect cavi-
3m
tation to occur?

Water

14.21 For the same pump and system operation described in 20 cm diameter ω = 3300rpm
150 20
Problem determine (a) the discharge rate and (b) power required
when the pump operates at 900 rpm. 15 cm diameter

NPSH, m
Head, m
100 15
14.22 Water at 20 C
is to be pumped through the system
shown. The operating data for this motor-driven pump data 50 10
are as follows:
0 5
NPSH

Capacity, m3 /s  104 Developed head, m Efficiency, % 0

0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4
Capacity, m3/m
00 36.6 00
10 35.9 19.1
20 34.1 32.9
14.26 Pumps used in an aqueduct operate at 400 rpm and
30 31.2 41.6
deliver a flow of 220 m3/s against a head of 420 m. What types of
40 27.5 42.2
pumps are they?
50 23.3 39.7
14.27 A pump is required to deliver 60,000 gpm against a head
of 300 m when operating at 2000 rpm. What type of pump should
be specified?
The inlet pipe to the pump is 0.06 m diameter commercial steel,
8.5 m in length. The discharge line consists of 60 m of 0.06 m 14.28 An axial flow pump has a specified specific speed of 6.0.
diameter steel pipe. All valves are fully open globe valves. The pump must deliver 2400 gpm against a head of 18 m.
Determine the flow rate through the system. Determine the required operating rpm of the pump.
14.29 A pump operating at 520 rpm has the capability of
producing 3.3 m3/s of water flow against a head of 16 m.
What type of pump is this?
14.30 A pump operating at 2400 rpm delivers 3.2 m3/s of water
22 m against a head of 21 m. Is this pump an axial flow, mixed flow, or
radial flow machine?

3m