Experiment 1: Centrifugal Pump Performance

Object
The object of this experiment is to obtain the performance characteristics of a Bell &
Gossett Model 1510 centrifugal pump. The test set-up can be run with a single pump, two
pumps in series, or two pumps in parallel. The performance curves obtained will include pump
head, power input, and efficiency as a function of flow rate for different pump speeds.

Equipment
Two Bell & Gossett Model 1510 11/4AC with 5 5/8 diameter centrifugal pumps are
installed as shown in Figure 1. Each pump is connected to a motor (5 HP, 3 Phase, 460V,
184T frame), which is controlled via a square D variable frequency controller (3 Phase, 460V
and 20A rating). The variable speed input to the motor can be adjusted by a panel on the
motor controller as shown in Figure 2. Torque is measured by a Himmelstein torque meter
and displayed on a panel together with pump power input and speed. Pressure difference
across the pump, inlet pressure, and water temperature are also displayed on the panel. Flow
rate in the pipe are measured by a turbine flow meter and a venture flow meter. It is displayed
on the panel as well. A general layout for simple pump tests of either Pump A or Pump B is
illustrated in Figures 3. A layout of the meter panel is indicated in Figure 4. The relation
between flow rate and pressure drop in the venture flow meter is depicted in Figure 5.

Water tank
Frequency controller

Pump A

Meter panel

Pump B

Figure 1 Front view of pump performance experiment

Experimental Procedure (Centrifugal Pump Performance):

1. Turn circuit switches on to start control panel.

Switch
1&2

Switch
#13

Note Switch 13 turns on the data collection panel and switches 1 & 2 on the other electrical
panel turns on the pump control panels
2. Open the inlet valve to pump to allow water flow through the pump.
3. Run the pump and adjust the pump speed to the desired rpm on the variable motor frequency
controller panel. Follow steps below to change motor speed.

Figure A

Figure B

To adjust the frequencies of the motor follow the following steps:

Starting with Figure A scroll down using the down arrow on the meter. Scroll down once till you see
the screen on Figure B. Once the LFr screen shows on the meter, hit enter (ENT) to adjust the
motor frequency or speed. The frequency is adjusted by scrolling up and down using the arrows.
4. Start at 1150 rpm.
5. Take differential pressure, flow rate, torque, and inlet pressure measurements at different valve
positions (100% open, 85%, 70%, 55%, 40%....).
6. Take same readings, illustrated in step 4, with the valve shut. Note the pump could not be run
with no flow for a long period of time because that would damage the pump.

7. Repeat step 5 for different rpms (1250, 1350, 1450, 1550, 1650 & 1750)
8. Perform experiment for each pump operating alone and record measurements.
9. Draw a conclusion between the effects of different motor speeds on pump performance.
10. Run pump in series and parallel and repeat step 5. This experiment is done to design an
optimum pipe size.
Below are the different pump configurations (each pump at a time, series and parallel).
The diagrams below show the valve positions and the proper valves to open and shut, when
running different configurations. When running pump in series one must note that cavitation might
occur. Cavitation is a general term used to describe the behavior of voids or bubbles in a liquid.
Cavitation causes damage to the equipment and also loss of efficiency. To avoid cavitation in
centrifugal pumps, the pressure of the fluid at all points within the pump must remain above
saturation pressure. The quantity used to determine if the pressure of the liquid being pumped is
adequate to avoid cavitation is the net positive suction head (NPSH). The net positive suction
head available (NPSHA) is the difference between the pressure at the suction of the pump
and the saturation pressure for the liquid being pumped. The net positive suction head

required (NPSH ) is the minimum net positive suction head necessary to avoid
R

cavitation.

Figure C Valve configurations for pump 1 working alone

Figure D Valve configurations for pump 2 working alone

Figure E Valve configurations for pumps in series

Figure F Valves configuration for pumps in parallel

Theory
A) Basic Output Parameters
1) Pressure head
Assuming steady flow, the pump basically increases the Bernoulli head of
the flow between inlet and exit. Neglecting viscous work and heat transfer,
z2 = z1, V2 = V1, the net pump head is essentially equal to the change in
pressure head
p p1 p
Hp 2

g
g
2) Power delivered to the fluid
Wout = gQHp
3) The brake horsepower, the input power required to drive the pump is
Win = T
where is the shaft angular velocity and T the shaft torque.
4) The efficiency of the pump is defined as

Pw
gQH

bhp
T

B) Dimensionless Pump Parameters

For a given pump design, the output variables Hp and brake horsepower should be
dependent on discharge Q, impeller diameter D, and shaft speed n and other fluid
properties and surface roughness . The dimensionless parameters are

gH p
n2D2

Q nD 2
,
,
3

D
nD

g1

Q nD 2
Win

g
,
,

2
3
n 3 D 5

D
nD
Three pump parameters are
Capacity coefficient:

CQ

Head coefficient:

CH

Power coefficient:

Cp

Q
nD 3

gH p
n2D2
W in
n 3 D 5

Data Reduction and Results

1) Write the energy equation across the pump to get an expression for the pump
head, Hp, in terms of P, z, and (V2/2).
2) The input power to the pump from the motor (brake horsepower) is Win = T,
where T is the torque and is the pump speed. Express this power in units of
horsepower.
3) The output power of the pump to the water (water horsepower) is given by Wout =
QHp . Express this power in units of horsepower.
4) The ratio of output power to input power is the pump efficiency, p.
5) Using the experimental data, determine Hp, Win, Wout, and p for all flow rates for
both pump speeds, 1150 rpm and 1750 rpm.
6) Present the results from steps 1 through 5 on a Table of Results.
7) Present the results from step 6 in a graphical format plotting Hp vs Q for both pump
speeds on one graph, Win vs Q for both pump speeds on another graph, and p vs
Q for both pump speeds on a final graph.
8) On the experimental graphs from step 7, show the manufacturers curves (where
available) for Hp, Win, and p.
9) If pumps A and B were tested in series or parallel repeat steps 1 through 8.

Analysis of Results and Conclusions

1) Describe the shape of the experimental Hp vs Q graph and comment on the effect
of pump speed
2) Repeat step 1 for the experimental Win vs Q and p vs Q graphs.
3) Comment on the comparison between the experimental curves and the
manufacturers curves. If appropriate, calculate percent errors and possible
reasons for them.

4) Nondimensionlize pump parameters, and plot head coefficient of pump vs capacity

coefficient. The data might be scattered and may appear as though there are two
curves, but a best-fit curve should be drawn through all data.

Figure 2 Front panel of variable motor frequency controller

Figure 4 Front view of instrument panel

Figure 5 Venturi flow meter calibration curve