Pump Performance

To determine pump performance charts are prepared to show the results of pump
testing. For centrifugal pumps and compressors performance charts are plotted for constant
shaft rotation with the speed expressed in rpm. The basic independent variable considered is
the discharge Q, with the head H, power P and efficiency taken as the dependent variables.
Typical performance curves for centrifugal pumps show that the head is approximately
constant at low discharge and then drops to zero at Qmax. This indicates that at the given speed
and impeller size, the pump has maximized its delivery rate to Qmax when H=0.
Test results show that efficiency is always zero at no flow and at Qmax, and it reaches a
maximum, approximately 85%, at about 0.6Qmax. This is the design flow rate Q or best
efficiency point (BEP), where = max, and with the head and brake power expressed as H and
P, respectively. Note that is not independent of H and P but rather is calculated from the
relation = QH/P.
Affinity Laws

Affinity or Similarity Laws predict the performance of a given machine under different
conditions of operation from those under which it has been tested. Note that there are two
sets of affinity laws,
a) Affinity laws for a specific centrifugal pump - to approximate head, capacity and
power curves for different motor speeds and /or different impeller diameters.
b) Affinity laws for a family of geometrically similar or homologous (means same in
structure, i.e. therefore, having the same velocity diagrams at entrance and exit)
centrifugal pumps - to approximate head, capacity and power curves for different
motor speeds and /or different diameter of impellers
Affinity Laws for a Specific Centrifugal Pump:
Where:

2 2

3 2
3 3

H Head developed
D Impeller diameter
Q Capacity
T Torque developed

NOTE: The efficiency remains constant for any change in speed or small changes in diameter

Affinity Laws for a Family Geometrically Similar Pumps:

Where:

2 2
3
5 2
5 3

H Head developed
D Impeller diameter
Q Capacity
T Torque developed
P Power, = = 2

Problem No.1
Tests by P Brosnan Pump Co. for a 37-cm diameter centrifugal pump conveying water at
2150 rpm shows the following results:
Q, L/s
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
H, m
100
100
97
90
81
65
40
P, kW
90
95
120
160
185
200
210
Determine the BEP and estimate the maximum discharge possible.
Solution:
3
Convert L/s to m s
Use = QH/P
BEP,
0
51.63%
79.3%
82.2%
85.9%
74.7%
56.06%
Use highest value for BEP,
BEP, is at
Q=200 L/s
H = 81m
P = 185 kw
H=85.7%
Q 200/

Qmax = 0.6=

0.6

=333.333L/s

Problem No.2
A pump from the same family as problem 1 is built to deliver gasoline at 20OC with a 50cm impeller and a BEP power of 190 kW. Using the affinity laws determine the resulting speed,
flow rate and head at BEP.

Problem No.3
An axial flow pump delivers 300 L/s at a head of 6.0 m when rotating at 2000 rpm. If its
efficiency is 80%, how many kilowatts of power must the shaft deliver to the pump? If this same
pump were operated at 2400 rpm, what would be the H, Q, and the power delivered by the
shaft for homologous conditions?
Given: Q1 = 300 L/s
Hp1 = 6.0 m
n1 = 2000 rpm
p = 80%
n2 = 2400 rpm
Reqd: a) Pp1
b) Hp2, Q2, and Pp2
Solution:
) 1 =
1 = (9.807

)
(0.3
) (6 ) [
][
]
3

1 = 17.65

=
1

1 17.65
=

0.8

= .

) 2 2

1 = 12 12

2 2

2 = 22 22

2
2 2 2 2
= ( ) ( ) ; 1 = 2
1
1
1
2

2400 2
= (6 ) (
)
2000

= .

2
2 2
= ( ) ( ) ; 1 = 2
1
1 1
2400
2 = (300 ) (
)
2000
=

2 = 2 2 = (1000

3
3
1
(8.64
)
(9.807
)
)
(0.36
)(
)
3

1000

2 = 30.5

=
2

2 30.5
=

0.8

= .

Check:
3 3
2
2 2 3 2 3
= ( ) ( ) ( ) ; 1 = 2 ; 1 = 2
1
1 1
1
2 = 1 (

2 3
2400 3
) = (22.06 ) (
)
1
2000

= .
Problem No.4
The performance of a particular pump running with various impeller diameters indicates
that while running at 1650 rpm the capacity is 280 gpm, the head is 180 ft, and the Bhp is
approx. 25 hp. This performance data has been determined by actual tests by the manufacturer
using a 12" diameter impeller. Determine the results of the performance data if the impeller
diameter were changed to 10 and the pump were driven at 2000 rpm.
Given: n1 = 1650 rpm
Q1 = 280 gpm
Hp1 = 180 ft

Reqd:
Q2, Hp2, Bhp2

Bhp1 = 25 hp
D1 = 12 ; D2 = 15
n1 = 2000 rpm
Problem No.5
A model centrifugal pump is made with a model ratio of 1:10. The model was tested at
3600 rpm and delivered 0.085 m3/s at a head of 38 m with an efficiency of 88%. Assuming a
prototype having an efficiency of 91% develops the same head, what will be its speed, capacity,
and the required shaft power? Liquid pumped is water.
Given:

Reqd: np, Qp, Pp

10

nm = 3600 rpm
Q = 0.085 m3/s
Hpm = 38 m
m = 88%
p = 91%
Hpp = 38 m
Solution:
2 2
2

=( ) ( )

1
= ( ) = (3600 ) ( )

10
= 360
3
3

=( ) ( )

3
3 10 3 360
= ( ) ( ) = (0.085
)( ) (
)

1
3600
= .

(9.807

(38 ) [
)
(8.5
)
]
[
]
3

0.91

= .
Problem No.6
Determine the scale ratio for a water pump if tests were made on a model using oil; the
water pump is to be driven by a 95 kW motor running at 1450 rpm while a 150 kW motor is
used to drive the oil pump at 1800 rpm. Use SGoil = 0.85.
Given: Pw = 95 kW
Reqd: Dw/Do
nw = 1450 rpm
Po = 150 kW
no = 1800 rpm
SGoil = 0.85
Solution:
5 3

5 3
= ( )( ) ( )

3 5
95 0.85 1800 3 5
= [( ) ( ) ( ) ] = [(
)(
)(
) ]

150
1
1450

= .

Problem No. 7
At its optimum point of operation, a given centrifugal pump with an impeller diameter
of 50 cm delivers 3200 L/s of water against a head of 25 m when rotating at 1450 rpm. (a). If its
efficiency is 82%, what is the brake power of the driving shaft? (b). If a homologous pump with
an impeller diameter of 80 cm is rotating at 1200 rpm, what would be the discharge, head, and
shaft power? Assume both pump operate at the same efficiency. (c). Compute the specific
speed of both pumps.
Given: D1 = 50 cm
Q1 = 3200 L/s
Hp 1 = 25 m
n1 = 1450 rpm

(a). 1 = 82%

(b). D2 = 80 cm
(b). n2 = 1200 rpm

Reqd: (a). P = ?

(b). Q2 = ?
(a). Hp 2 = ?
(a). P2 = ?

(c). Ns 1 = ?
(c). Ns 2 = ?

Solution:
(a)

= = (9.807

) (3.2
3

) (25 ) = 784.56

784.56
= =

0.82
=

= .

(b).

3
2
2 3 2
=( ) ( )
1
1
1
2 3 2
80 3 1200
2 = 1 ( ) ( ) = (3200 ) (
) (
)
1
1
50
1450
= .

2 2
2
2 2 2 2
=( ) ( )
1
1
1
2

2 2 2 2
80 2 1200 2
= 1 ( ) ( ) = (25 ) (
) (
)
1
1
50
1450

= .
2 =

2 2 2
=

(9.807

3
(43.8335 )
)
(10.8473
)
3
0.82

P2 = .
1

(c).

1 =

1 12
3

4
1

(1450 )(3.2 3 /)2

3

(25 )4

2 =

1
2 22
3
2 4

(1200 )(10.8473 3 /)2

(43.8335

3
)4

Problem No. 8
A model centrifugal pump has a scale ratio of 1:15. The model was tested at 3200 rpm
and delivered 100 L/s of water at a head of 40 m with an efficiency of 85%. Assuming a
prototype has an efficiency of 88%, what will be its speed, capacity and power equivalent at a
head of 50 m?
Given: Dm/Dp = 1/15
nm = 3200 rpm
Qm = 100 L/s
Hpm = 40 m
m = 85%
Hpp = 50 m
p = 88%

Reqd: np = ?
Qp = ?
Pp = ?

Solution:
2 2
2

=( ) ( )

40
1 2 3200
=( ) (
)
50
15

= 238.5139
3
3

=( ) ( )

100 /
1 3
3200
=( ) (
)

15
238.5139
= .

=
=

(9.807

3
(50 )
)
(25.1558
)
3
0.88

= .

References:
Douglas, J. F./ Gasiorek, J. M./ Swaffield, J. A. Fluid Mechanics, 4th Edition, Prentice-Hall
Streeter, V. L./ Wylie, E. B./ Bedford, K. W. Fluid Mechanics, 9th Edition, McGraw-Hill Publishing
Co.
White, F. M. Fluid Mechanics, 3rd Edition, McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.
http://udel.edu/~inamdar/EGTE215/Laminar_turbulent.
http://pessoal.utfpr.edu.br/mannich/arquivos/whi38447_appA
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/affinity-laws-d_408.html