I.

OBJECTIVES

1. To learn the basic characteristics and operation.

2. To determine the dynamic head, water power, pump brake power, output
capacity as well as the pump efficiency at different speeds.

II. THEORY AND PRINCIPLE

Centrifugal pumps employ centrifugal force to lift liquids from lower
to higher elevation. Its basic principle of operation is illustrated in figure 1
and 2. If a cylindrical can with vanes A and C (for rotating the liquid when
the can is rotated) is mounted on a shaft with a pulley for rotating the can at
high speed, centrifugal force acts on the water to press the water outward
to the walls of the can. This causes the water to press outward sharply;
since it cannot move beyond the walls of the can, pressure forces the water
upward, causing it to overflow whiles the water near the center of the can is
drawn downward. Atmospheric pressure forces the water downward, since
vacuum is created near the center as the water moves outward toward the
sides of the can. It can be noted in figure 1 that the water has been lifted a
distance DD’.

Figure 1
FORMULA:
 Determination of Pump Capacity
The capacity is determined by computing the volume of water
collected in the discharge tank.
VH2O = A x H
Where: A = cross section area of the water tank
H = height or depth of water
 Determination of Total Dynamic Head
TDH = H d - Hs
where: Hd = dynamic discharge head
2
Pd Vd
= + + Zd + hfd
 2g
Hs = dynamic suction head
2
Ps Vs
= + + Zs + hfs
 2g
From the inside diameter of the pipe, velocity of water can be
computed.
Q
V 
A

 Determination of Water Power, Brake Power and Power input.

WP = Q x  x TDH x S.G.

PI = 3 EIcos 
BPm =  m x PI
BPp = Ŋt x BPm = Ŋt x Ŋm x PI
 Determination of Pump and Overall Efficiency
WP
p = x 100%
BP
WP
o = x 100%
PI
Characteristic Curve:
• PROCEDURE:

1. Fill up the suction tank with water from the main supply and measure the height of the
water level.
2. Set the belt and pulley at high speed arrangement.
3. Set the initial water level in the elevated discharge tank at zero reading thru glass gauge.
4. Set the duration of the trial as one minute.
5. With the discharge valve fully open, start the pump by switching the power on as trial 1.
6. Before the end of the duration, measure the electric current leading to the motor using the
amprobe, the speed of the pump using the tachometer, and pressure through gage and
record them.
7. After the end of the trial, switch the motor power off.
8. Determine the change of the water level in the discharge tank through glass gauge.
9. For the next trial, throttle the discharge valve to partly close to vary the discharge pressure.
10.Repeat procedure #1, #3 to #8.
11.For the succeeding trials, vary the speed of the motor as indicated in the data sheet and
repeat the above procedure.
12.Compute all the necessary requirements needed to complete the data sheet.
• Additional Information:
1 meter x 1.22 meter (1 meter diameter x 4 feet height )steel tank
Tank calibration: 1” = 20 kg = 20 liters
Zd = 34 inches
3 phase motor (power factor, p.f. = 0.8)
Motor efficiency = 85%
Transmission efficiency = 90%
Suction Pipe = 2 inches diameter
Discharge Pipe = 1.5 inches diameter
 Trial Discharge Pump Line Water Pump Total Power Input Water PUMP BHP PUMP EFF OVERALL
Pressure Speed Current Height Capacity Dynamic (Hp) Power (Hp) EFF
(psi) (rpm) (amp) (in) (gpm) Head
(Hp) (%) (%)
(ft)

1(H) FO 29 1730 17.57 17 "

2(H) PC 33 1767 16.65 13
3(M)FO 22 1528 11.03 14 "
4(M)PC 24 1535 10.70 12 "

5(L)FO 15 1242 9.30 12”

6(L)PC 16 1246 9.13 10”