Fluid Mechanics (CLB 11003)

Experiment 5: Series and Parallel Pump

Semester January 2017

Experiment 5
Series and Parallel Pump

Objectives

 To demonstrate the principle operating characteristics of centrifugal pump in

series, parallel or single pump operation.
 To determine the pump characteristic curves of pump in series and parallel
configuration and single operation.
 To determine the pump power.

Overview

A pump can serve to move liquid, as in a cross country pipeline, to lift liquid as from
a well or to the top of a tall building; or to put fluid under pressure as in a hydraulic
brake. In chemical plants and refineries pumps transfer or circulate oil and a great
variety of fluids.

General Start - Up Procedures

Before conducting any experiment, it is necessary to do the following checking to

avoid any misuse and malfunction of equipment.

1. Fill sump tank with tap water. Water level can be checked using the viewing
window.

2. Check whether the Emergency-Off switch is released.

3. Switch on main power switch.

4. Open flow adjustment valve, V1.

5. Switch on the water pump, PA.

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 Fluid Mechanics (CLB 11003)
Experiment 5: Series and Parallel Pump
Semester January 2017

Experimental Procedure

Experiment 1 : Single Pump

1. Connect the stop-cocks as shown in Figure 1 (if the handle parallel to the pipe –
valve open, if the handle perpendicular to the pipe – valve closed).

2. Switch on pump 1 (9) with the main switch on the switchbox (11) ; pump 2 must
remain off!

3. Adjust the outlet valve (8) by setting pressure, P, to 0 bar in order to obtain the
desired volumetric flowrate, Q. (ensure continuous water inflow into the
reservoir)

4. Record measured values in Table 1:

 P Suction - on the intake side of the pump (13)

 P Delivery - on the delivery side of the pump (14)
 Q - Volumetric flow rate
Note:
To determine volumetric flow rate, close the drain valve. Use stopwatch to establish
time required for raising the level in the volumetric tank up to 10 liter.

5. Repeat with the other six pressure, P (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 bar).

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 Fluid Mechanics (CLB 11003)
Experiment 5: Series and Parallel Pump
Semester January 2017

Experiment 2 : Series Configuration of Two Pumps

1. Connect the stop-cocks as shown in Figure 2 (if the handle parallel to the pipe –
valve open, if the handle perpendicular to the pipe – valve closed).

2. Switch on both pumps 1 (9) and pump 2 (10) with the main switch on the
switchbox (11).

3. Adjust the outlet valve (8) by setting pressure, P, to 0 bar in order to obtain the
desired volumetric flowrate, Q. (ensure continuous water inflow into the
reservoir)

4. Record measured values in Table 2:

 PSuction,1 - on the intake side of pump 1 (13)

 PDelivery,1 - on the delivery side of pump 1(14)
 P Suction,2 - on the intake side of pump 2 (15)
 PDelivery,2 - on the delivery side of pump 2 (16)
 Q - Volumetric flow rate

Note:
To determine volumetric flow rate, close the drain valve. Use stopwatch to
establish time required for raising the level in the volumetric tank up to 10 liter.

6. Repeat with the other six pressure, P (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 bar).

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 Fluid Mechanics (CLB 11003)
Experiment 5: Series and Parallel Pump
Semester January 2017

Experiment 3 : Parallel Configuration of Two Pumps

1. Connect the stop-cocks as shown in Figure 3 (if the handle parallel to the pipe –
valve open, if the handle perpendicular to the pipe – valve closed).

2. Switch on both pumps 1 (9) and pump 2 (10) with the main switch on the
switchbox (11).

3. Adjust the outlet valve (8) by setting pressure, P, to 0 bar in order to obtain the
desired volumetric flowrate, Q. (ensure continuous water inflow into the
reservoir)

4. Record measured values, (Refer Table 3):

 PSuction,1 - on the intake side of pump 1 (13)

 PDelivery,1 - on the delivery side of pump 1(14)
 P Suction,2 - on the intake side of pump 2 (15)
 PDelivery,2 - on the delivery side of pump 2 (16)
 POutflow - at the outflow (17)
 Q - Volumetric flow rate

Note:
To determine volumetric flow rate, close the drain valve. Use stopwatch to
establish time required for raising the level in the volumetric tank up to 10 liter.

5. Repeat with the other six pressure, P (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 bar).

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 Fluid Mechanics (CLB 11003)
Experiment 5: Series and Parallel Pump
Semester January 2017

Results

Table 1: Single Pump

Poutflow Volume, V Time,t Volumetric Psuction PDelivery
(bar) (L) (min) Flowrate,Q (bar) (bar)
(L/min)
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0

Table 2: Series Configuration of Two Pumps

Poutflow Volume, Time,t Volumetric Pump 1 Pump 2
(bar) V (L) (min) Flowrate,Q PSuction,1 PDelivery,1 PSuction,2 PDelivery,2
(L/min) (bar) (bar) (bar) (bar)
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0

Table 3: Parallel Configuration of Two Pumps

Poutflow Volume, Time,t Volumetric Pump 1 Pump 2
(bar) V (L) (min) Flowrate,Q PSuction,1 PDelivery,1 PSuction,2 PDelivery,2
(L/min) (bar) (bar) (bar) (bar)
0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0

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 Fluid Mechanics (CLB 11003)
Experiment 5: Series and Parallel Pump
Semester January 2017

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 Fluid Mechanics (CLB 11003)
Experiment 5: Series and Parallel Pump
Semester January 2017