University of Santo Tomas

Faculty of Engineering
Department of Chemical Engineering

Experiment A3:
Series/Parallel Centrifugal Pumps

1. OBJECTIVES

1.1 To determine the total head developed in pumps operating in series and in parallel.
1.2 To determine the overall efficiency of pumps connected in series and in parallel.

2. THEORY

2.1 The General Concept: How does a pump operate?

A pump is a mechanical device that adds energy to a fluid as a result of dynamic

interactions between it and the fluid. It operates by means of a group of blades, airfoils,
“buckets”, a few channels, or passages attached to a rotating shaft. Energy is supplied to the
rotating shaft, by means of a motor, and transferred to the fluid by the blades.

An understanding of the work transfer in pumps can be obtained by considering the basic
operation of a household fan blade driven at constant angular velocity by a motor. Air “enters”
and “exits” the fan. The motion of the blade is clockwise and the motion of the incoming air is
assumed to be directed along the axis of rotation. The fan blade, because of its shape and
motion, “pushes” the fluid, causing it to change direction.

When it “enters” the fan, the fluid had no component of absolute velocity in the direction
of the motion of the blade, the tangential direction. When the fluid leaves the blade, the
tangential component of absolute velocity is nonzero. For this to occur, the blade must push
on the fluid in the tangential direction. That is, the blade exerts a tangential force component
on the fluid in the direction of the motion of the blade. This tangential force component and
the blade motion are in the same direction – the blade does work on the fluid. In short, the
blade forces the fluid to move.

Also, recall that work can be written as force times distance or as torque times angular
displacement. Hence, if the shaft torque (the torque that the shaft applies to the rotor) and the
rotation of the motor are in the same direction, energy is transferred from the shaft to the rotor
and from the rotor to the fluid.

2.2 Types of Pumps

A hydraulic pump is a machine whose function is to covert mechanical energy, principally

the pressure energy component thus facilitating the raising of liquids through pipelines and for
boosting the flow in long pipelines. Hydraulic pumps have a wide range of application, e.g. in
small heating systems, chemical process plant, sewage disposal, water supply and ground water
abstraction, drainage, construction site and mine drainage.

There are three main types of pumps: Reciprocating, rotary and rotodynamic. The
reciprocating type consists of a piston moving in a cylinder and, although now largely
superseded by the rotodynamic type, is still used for small quantity, high pressure duties where
their efficiency of as much as 85% exceeds that of the centrifugal pumps. In the rotary pump
pressure is generated by means of intermeshing gears: this type is widely used for oil lubrication
duties.

In rotodynamic pumps, the pressure rise is created by an impeller, consisting of a number

of curved blades, which rotate in a housing shaped to give a maximum efficiency. Rotodynamic
pumps may further be sub-classified into radial flow, mixed flow and axial flow types according
to the predominant direction in which the liquid flows across the impeller blades from the inlet
swto the outlet. For a given power input the radial flow pump would produce a relatively high

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 Experiment A3: Series/Parallel Centrifugal Pumps

pressure with a small discharge compared with the axial flow pump which would deliver a large
flow but with a small pressure rise.
The centrifugal pump is the widely used type of rotodynamic pump and is an example of
the radial flow type. The impeller consists of a number of curved blades mounted on a disc, or
discs. The liquid enters at the center of the rotators impeller which imparts a centrifugal action
thus forcing the liquid radially outwards into the spirally-shaped volute casing which converts a
large portion of the velocity energy into pressure energy.

There is a wide range of centrifugal pumps commercially available to cover the range of
possible practical duties. In some pumping stations it may be desirable to install several pumps
each of which may be brought into operation by liquid level sensors and appropriate electrical
switchgear. Such an arrangement called parallel operation would be able to deliver variable
flow such as is encountered in sewage schemes. The alternative would be to have a single
variable speed pump, which may prove to be a more expensive arrangement. Connecting
pumps or pump stages, such that the discharge passes through each stage, produced high-
pressure heads for use in boreholds, e.g. this arrangement is called series operation and is the
basis of the multi-stage pump. Since the same discharge passes through each stage the
combined characteristic is obtained by summing the individual total heads at a number of
discharges.

Due to the wide application of centrifugal pumps in the industry, it is important that the
engineering student should understand their performance and efficiency characteristics, the
effect of multiple pump operation in different modes and the effect of multiple pump and
associated pipeline can be appreciated.

3. EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS

The Series/Parallel Centrifugal Pump test Rig (220V) with accessories (Fig. 1)
Water, hose and pail
Top-loading balance

Fig. 1. Series/Parallel pump test rig

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 Experiment A3: Series/Parallel Centrifugal Pumps

4. SAFETY

The test rig is completely self-contained and requires only connection to the electrical supply.
Since it runs in electricity and it makes use of water, if care is not taken while using the test rig,
accidental electric shock could occur. Also, water spillage, although impossible to avoid, must be
controlled at all times to keep the floor from being too slippery.

Also, the test rig, when running, is quite noisy. If sensitive to grating noise, one must take the
necessary precaution before performing the experiment.

5. PRELIMINARY

Before performing this experiment, it is advantageous to familiarize one’s self with the
series/parallel pump test rig. It would make data gathering much easier if each member of the group
is familiar with the different parts of the set-up, their positions and uses as well as the capabilities of
the entire set-up. This would also facilitate the manipulation of the test rig to attain the desired
operating conditions. Further, coming up with logical interpretation of experimental data becomes
easier if one were familiar with the design of the test rig.

For these reasons, it is suggested that one goes over the following before proceeding to perform
the experiment.

5.1 The test rig consists of two centrifugal pumps of identical design, driven by a centrally mounted
dynamometer motor connected to the pumps by chain couplings that can be easily
disconnected to enable each pump to be run separately. This assembly is mounted on a steel
bed-plate, which is in turn rigidly supported above the sump tank, to which the flow is returned
via an open channel incorporating a ‘V’ notch weir for flow measurement.
5.2 The PVC pipe system is provided with shut-off valves to enable the pumps to be tested
individually, in series and in parallel; a flow regulating valve is fitted in the common delivery
pipe which returns the flow to the sump via the ‘V’ notch. Water is drawn to each pump through
vertical suction pipes, leading from the sump provided with ball type foot valves.
5.3 In addition to the ‘V’ notch facility, the discharge can also be determined by an orifice plate
installed in the delivery line, the pressure taps being connected to calibrate differential
water/mercury manometer scaled directly in lit/min. The head over the crest of the ‘V’ notch
weir is read by a Vernier point gauge in a glass stilling well connected by tubing to the approach
channel of the ‘V’ notch.
5.4 Pressure taps are made in the pipe system on the suction and delivery sides of the pumps and
connected to the Bourdon type gauges mounted on the backboard of the rig.
5.5 Pump speed is determined by an electronic tachometer fitted across the motor drive shaft and
reading on a calibrated indicator mounted on the backboard.
5.6 Technical Data:

Pump Type : open impeller centrifugal

Impeller Diameter : 120 mm
Motor Type : variable speed 0 – 2,900 revolutions
per minute arranged as swinging
field dynamometer
Motor Rating : 2.2 kW at 2,900 revs/min
Electrical Supply : 220 V/1-phase/50 or 60 Hz

Torque Arm Radius : 0.25 m

Flow over 90 ‘V’ notch weir
2 g Cehe  (m 3 / s)
8
: Q
5/ 2

15

where: he = h + kh
h = measured head (m)
kh = 0.00085 m
Ce = 0.5765

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 Experiment A3: Series/Parallel Centrifugal Pumps

6. OPERATING PROCEDURE AND CONDITIONS

6.1 Start-Up

6.1.1 Prime the system by opening all valves except the flow-regulating valve.
6.1.2 Fill the entire system with water through the filling plug. Make sure that the lines
connecting the pressure taps to the pressure gauges are filled with water, since an air
column will result in false indication of pressure head at the taps due to the height of
the gauge above the tapping point.
6.1.3 Before starting the pumps: balance the motor stator using the adjustable
counterweight.
6.1.4 Adjust the water level in the approach channel to the ‘V’ notch so that is exactly level
with the apex, taking into account the surface tension effect, and zero the point gauge
in the stilling well. Set the speed controller to zero.

6.2 Experimental Procedure

6.2.1 With the regulating valve closed, select the suction and the delivery valves appropriate
to the test under consideration, i.e. series or parallel pump operation.
6.2.2 Note the initial readings on the two relevant pressure gauges. Run up the motor to the
chosen speed (e.g. 2,900 rpm).
6.2.3 With the regulating valve closed, again note the pressure readings.
6.2.4 Open the regulating valve in intervals such that the regulator increments of discharge
are attained; the calibrated manometer connected to the orifice plate may be used to
establish the valve positions.
6.2.5 Apply weights to the torque arm until this is again balanced and note the total weight
applied.
6.2.6 Repeat this procedure for two other rotational speeds (e.g. 2,000 and 1,000 rpm) and
for each of the other pump arrangements.

6.3 Shutdown

6.3.1 Disconnect the system from the electrical supply.

6.3.2 Drain the water from the entire system. Failure to do this would expose the sump
tank to corrosion.

Finally, is everything TIDY and SAFE?

7. TREATMENT OF RESULTS

7.1 Determine the specific speed of each pump. Using the volume discharge curve at 2,900
rev/min as a basis, compute the predicted curves for speeds of 2,000 and 1,000 rev/min.
7.2 Plot the power curve showing the variation of input with discharge.
7.3 For each test, calculate the discharge, total head, output power, input power and efficiency.
Tabulate your answers as shown below and show at least one sample calculation.

Pump/ ‘V’ Discharge Suction Delivery Total Torque Power

Eff
Arrangement Notch (lit/min) Head Head (m) Head Mass Input
(%)
Head (m) (m) (g) (W)
(mm)
Series
Parallel

Hm = (Hd – Hs) + 1.17 x 105Q2 (m)

Po = rgQHm (W)

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 Experiment A3: Series/Parallel Centrifugal Pumps

PI = PM - PL

PM = MgLw (W)

Where:
Hm = total head, m
Hd = discharge head
Hs = suction head
Q = rate of flow (m3/s)
Po = hydraulic power output of the pump
PI = input power to the pump
PM = power output of the motor
PL = transmission loss = 0.01kW
M = mass applied to torque arm, kg
L = lever arm = 0.25 m
w = angular velocity of shaft, 2pN/60

7.4 Plot the performance curves: (a) total head vs. discharge and (b) efficiency vs. discharge for each
of the different test runs.

8. ANALYSIS/INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS

8.1 How do you explain the discrepancies between the observed and the predicted specific speeds
of the pumps?
8.2 How do you explain the variation of efficiency of the same pump (or the same arrangement of
pumps) with other parameters such as total head and power input? What do you think is the
general trend in the variation of the efficiency with these parameters for series and parallel
arrangements?
8.3 Which among the different operation parameters that affect the operation of the pumps
(whether single, in parallel and in series) has the biggest effect on the overall efficiency? Explain
your answer.

9. QUESTIONS

9.1 Which among the performance curves obtained in 7.4, in your opinion is the most useful when
assessing the performance of the pumps (series/parallel)? Explain your answer briefly.
9.2 In choosing a pump for a particular system, what parameters must be considered? In what case
does any of these parameters become the most important design consideration?

10. REFERENCES

[1] Munson, B. R., Young, D. F., and Okiishi, T. H., Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics, 3rd ed., John
Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1998.

[2] Papanastasiou, T. C., Applied Fluid Mechanics, Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1994.

[3] Bird, Robert Byron, Stewart and Lightfoot, Transport Phenomena. New York: John Wiley and
Sons, Inc., 1924.

[4] Foust, Alan S., et. Al., Principles of Unit Operations, 2nd ed., New York: John Wiley and Sons,
Inc., 1980.

[5] Perry, Robert and Green, D., Perry’s Chemical Engineer’s Handbook, 6th ed., McGraw-Hill, Inc.,
1984.

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