armfield

MULTI-PUMP TEST RIG

C3
issue 8

The Armfield Multi-Pump Test Rig has been designed to demonstrate the principle
operating characteristics of different types of pumps. Examples of dynamic pressure
(rotodynamic) and a positive displacement type pump are included allowing the
differences in performance to be compared.
Pumps are used to convert mechanical energy into fluid energy and
allow liquids to be moved from one place to another. Student
engineers must understand fully the types of pumps available
and their different characteristics. Measurements of head,
flow, speed and torque allow the performance of each
pump to be determined and compared.

20

15

DEMONSTRATION CAPABILITIES

Measuring manometric head across a pump using Bourdon gauges connected to

the inlet and discharge
Measuring flowrate through a pump using a volumetric tank or knife edge weir
Determining the power absorbed by a pump from measurements of torque and
speed of dynamometer motor
Determining the performance of a pump at constant speed by producing a set of
characteristic curves, namely, manometric head, power absorbed by the pump
and pump efficiency, all plotted against flow
Determining the effect of speed on the performance of a pump by producing a
set of characteristic curves
Understanding the difference between dynamic pressure type pumps and
positive displacement type pumps
Investigating the effect of suction losses on a centrifugal pump.

30

HEAD (M)

INCREASING
PUMP SPEED

4
3

12

20

10
8

15

6
10

HEAD

PUMP EFFICIENCY (H)

25

HEAD (M)

14

EFFICIENCY

1
0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

0.1

0.2

1.0

FLOW (L/S)
Comparison of pump head - flow characteristics for a centrifugal
pump at three different speeds

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

FLOW (L/S)

Pump head and pump efficiency plotted against flow for a turbine
(regenerative) pump at constant speed

70
60

0.8

50

HEAD (M)

HEAD (M)

INCREASING PUMP SPEED

1.0

0.6
0.4

40
30
20

0.2

10
0

0.5

1.0

1.5

FLOW (L/S)

2.0

0.1

0.2

0.3

0.4

FLOW (L/S)
Pump head plotted against flow for an axial pump at constant
speed

Comparison of pump head-flow characteristics for a gear pump at

different speeds

DESCRIPTION
A self-contained unit with four different water pumps and measuring instrumentation
incorporated within a mobile, floor-standing framework. The four pumps supplied are:
centrifugal pump, turbine (regenerative) pump, axial flow pump, gear pump.
A dc shunt wound dynamometer motor with variable speed control can be easily connected to
any of the pumps by a toothed drive belt. The pumps and motor are enclosed within a cage
which incorporates a micro switch in the access door which disconnects the electrical supply
to the motor when changing the drive belt.
The motor speed is controlled via a dc thyristor speed controller. A non-contacting speed
sensor is positioned on the drive shaft of the motor and the corresponding speed is indicated
on an analogue tachometer. Torque is measured on an accurate knife edge beam balance with
dual scales for high and low ranges. The balance is directly calibrated in Newton metres.
Pressure at the discharge of each pump is indicated on an appropriate Bourdon gauge.
Suction at the inlet of each pump is indicated on a common Bourdon vacuum gauge.
The above instrumentation is mounted on an instrument panel and shelf for convenience of
measurement and control.
Pump discharge can be measured using either the calibrated volumetric tank or a set of knife
edged weirs. Water is returned to an integral sump tank via a dump valve in the bottom of the
volumetric tank. The sump tank and volumetric tank are manufactured from glass reinforced
plastic.
The valves and pipework are suitably arranged for quick and safe selection of any one of the
test pumps.

TECHNICAL DETAILS
Dynamometer motor:
Motor speed:
Torque measurement
range:

dc shunt wound 0.56kW

1450rpm
0 to 1 Nm
and 0.5 to 3.5 Nm

Pressure gauges:

Bourdon tubes
calibrated in m H20

Vacuum gauge:
calibrated

Bourdon tube
0 to -10m H20

Speed controller:

Thyristor type
incorporating closed
loop armature

Flow rate
measurement:

Centrifugal Pump:

Pedestal type with

shrouded impeller.
Pressure gauge range
0 to 10m H20

Axial Flow Pump:

Housed in a clear
acrylic casing.
Pressure gauge range
0 to 2m H20

Gear Pump:

Positive displacement
pump fitted with nonadjustable relief valve.
Pressure gauge range
0 to 75m H20

Volumetric tank
calibrated 0 to 6 litres
for low flows and
0 to 40 litres for higher
flows. Water level
measurement by
remote sight gauge
or
'V' notch and
rectangular notch weirs.
Water level
measurement by
150mm hook and point
Vernier gauge,
resolution 0.1mm

Tachometer:

Electronic, no
contact type
Range 0 to 3000rpm

Turbine Pump:
impeller

Straight bladed
in annular casing.
Pressure gauge range
0 to 40m H20

ORDERING SPECIFICATION

RECOMMENDED INSTRUMENTS

A self-contained mobile unit consisting

of four different pumps and measurement
instrumentation. Supplied with a dc
dynamometer, sump tank, volumetric
tank and interconnecting pipework and
valves. Instrumentation includes torque
measurement, tachometer with analogue
read-out. Bourdon gauges to measure
delivery pressures. Bourdon vacuum
gauge to measure suction at pump inlet.
GRP volumetric tank with low and high
flow ranges. Knife edge weirs for flow
measurement.
Basic unit includes the following four
pumps: centrifugal pump, turbine pump,
axial flow pump, gear pump. Speed range
0 to 3000rpm.
Torque measurement 0 to 1Nm and 0.5 to
3.5Nm dual range. Variable speed control
by dc thyristor controller.

Stop clock
SERVICES REQUIRED
C3-11-A: 220V/240V/1ph/50Hz
C3-11-B: 120V/1ph/60Hz
OVERALL DIMENSIONS
Height:
Width:
Depth:

1.62m
3.00m
0.80m

SHIPPING SPECIFICATIONS
C3-11
Volume:
Gross weight:

3.9m3
500kg

Armfield Limited
Bridge House West Street Ringwood
Hampshire England BH24 1DY
Tel: +44 (0)1425 478781
Fax: +44 (0)1425 470916
E mail: sales@armfield.co.uk
URL: http://www.armfield.co.uk
USA Office:
Armfield Inc.
510 N. Main Street Denison Iowa 51442
Tel: (712) 263-5885
Fax: (712) 263-8884
E mail: armfield@frontiernet.net

Specifications may change without notice

5k/1200/BS.