UNIVERSITI TENAGA NASIONAL

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

MEHB221 - FLUIDS MECHANICS LAB

(FORMAL REPORT)

EXP. TITLE : PUMP PERFORMANCE (DOUBLE PUMPS)

GROUP MEMBERS:
1. ID: ME0104438 NAME: MUHAMMAD FIRDAUS BIN MUHAMMAD SUKOR
2. ID: ME0104434 NAME: MUHAMMAD ANAS FATHY BIN MHD NASSER
3. ID: ME0104988 NAME: ZAKRIYATUL IMAN BIN ZAHARI
4. ID: ME0104351 NAME: LIM BOON CHUN
5. ID: ME0105080 NAME: THANESWARAN A/L KALA ARASU

SECTION : 01 GROUP :B

INSTRUCTOR : DR. HASSAN BIN MOHAMED

Performed Date Due Date* Submitted Date

19th November 2019 rd
3 December 2019 rd
3 December 2019
*Late submission penalty: Late 1 day: 10%, Late 2 days: 20%, Late 3 days: 30%, More than 3 days: 50%
Table of Contents
Abstract .................................................................................................................................................. 3
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Objectives ........................................................................................................................................... 3
Theories .............................................................................................................................................. 3
Methods.................................................................................................................................................. 4
Results .................................................................................................................................................... 5
Table 1: Pumps in series operation with variable flowrate ................................................................... 5
Table 2: Pumps in series operation with variable pump speeds ............................................................ 5
Table 3: Pumps in parallel operation with variable flowrate ................................................................. 5
Table 4: Pumps in parallel operation with variable pump speeds ......................................................... 6
Sample calculations ......................................................................................................................... 6
Graphs................................................................................................................................................. 7
Analysis and Discussions .......................................................................................................................... 9
The advantages and disadvantages of using two pumps in series and parallel ...................................... 9
Graph Analysis..................................................................................................................................... 9
Pump Head vs Flowrate ................................................................................................................... 9
Efficiency vs Flowrate .................................................................................................................... 10
Flowrate vs Pump Speed ................................................................................................................ 10
Pump Head vs Speed ..................................................................................................................... 10
Sources of Error and Safety Precaution .............................................................................................. 10
Conclusions ........................................................................................................................................... 11
References ............................................................................................................................................ 11
Appendix ............................................................................................................................................... 12
Abstract
In this activity, the pumps are used to increase the velocity of fluid in a system. The flow rate
changes are depending on the elevation of the fluid. To understand the difference in performance
between pumps in series and parallel configuration is the main objective of this experiment.
There’s a head discharge in each of the pumps used in the experiment. The efficiency of the pump
can be found in the data obtained from the experiment. Characteristic pump curve by the
experimental flow rate is also formed. The configuration of the pumps is interchanged between
parallel and series to study the change in head and flowrate. In theory, relationship between number
of pumps connected in series and the pump head is directly proportional. Similarly, in parallel
configuration, the flowrate’s relationship with the number of pumps in parallel is directly
proportional.

Introduction
Objectives
To understand the difference in performance between pumps in series and parallel configuration.
Theories
Energy is transferred from kinetic energy to fluid action by blades in a dynamic pump. This
increases the velocity of fluid thus transporting it from two different points. Pump shutoff head
occurs when the external valve is closed shut resulting in zero flow. Zero pump head, on the other
hand, occurs when the discharge port is opened to atmospheric pressure, this condition introduces
zero resistance to the flow in the pump. Priming is necessary when the reservoir is located below
the level of the centrifugal pump. This is due to the excessive clearance between the outlet and the
intake of the pump to seal the pump from atmospheric pressure [1].

Series configuration
Pumps are configured in series when the desired head is not achieved by a single pump. The
flowrates of both pumps are summed up effectively. Apart from the increased head compared to
single pump, the flowrate is also increased [1].
Parallel configuration
In a condition where desired flowrate is not reached, parallel configuration is ideal to overcome
the problem. The effects are similar to the series configuration in increased flowrate and head. But,
in parallel configuration, the obvious change is in flowrate [1].

Methods
Water is observed to be prefilled in the circulation tank before switching on the switch to the power
source before starting the experiment. Next, for the series configuration, turn V5 720 degree or for
two turns and make sure the valve V1 and V3 are fully opened and V2 and V4 closed shut. Before
pump 1 and 2 is on, the controller for the pump speed must be at least value. After both pumps has
been switched on, the speed of the pump is slowly cranked up until around 1800 rotations per
minute (RPM). Adjust V5 to achieve 75 liters per minute (LPM) not to be concerned when the
flowrate changes during the experiment. The reading of flowrate, pump speed, power, and pressure
at PT1 and PT3 is taken note of in Table 1. Flowrate is cranked up by 5 LPM and the data is
collected in the same Table 1 given. Next, the speed is adjusted to 2100 RPM. All readings are
taken into table 2 that has been provided, then the pump speed is turned down by 100 RPM and
repeat the same step by recording it into Table 2. Turn off the pump.

To start the parallel configuration of pumps, change the configuration of the valve that is opened.
V1, V2 and V4 is let to be opened while V3 is closed shut. The speed controller is made sure to be
at the minimum using the speed controller before switching it on. Next, increase the speed of the
pump until 1700 RPM then V5 is adjusted to have an output of 95 LPM. Record the pump speed,
flowrate, power and pressure at PT1 and PT3 in Table 3. Increase the flowrate by 10 LPM and
record it at Table 3. For the next experiment, adjust the speed to 2100 RPM with a deduction of
100 RPM for 7 repetitions and record the data in table 4. Pump is turned off after the experiment
is finished, check if V5 is shut off and switch off the main power from the wall plug [1].
Results
Table 1: Pumps in series operation with variable flowrate
Flowrate, Speed Power PT1 PT3 PT3 - Pump Vol. Power Overall
Q (RPM) (pump) (Bar) (Bar) PT1 Head, Flowrate, (fluid) efficiency
(l/min) (W) (Bar) H Q (W) (%)
(m) (m3/s)
59.1 1806 392.1 1.0 1.7 0.7 7.1356 0.000985 68.95 17.58
65.3 1803 393.2 1.0 1.7 0.7 7.1356 0.001088 76.16 19.37
70.8 1802 400.7 1.0 1.5 0.5 5.0968 0.00118 58.99 14.72
74.3 1801 410.4 1.0 1.4 0.4 4.0774 0.00124 49.59 12.08
80.2 1800 409.0 1.0 1.3 0.3 3.0581 0.001337 40.10 9.80
84.4 1799 405.2 0.9 1.1 0.2 2.0387 0.001406 28.11 6.94
88.7 1799 413.2 0.9 1.1 0.2 2.0387 0.001478 29.57 7.16
Table 2: Pumps in series operation with variable pump speeds
Speed Flowrate, Power PT1 PT3 PT3 – PT1 Pump
(RPM) Q (pump) (Bar) (Bar) (Bar) Head, H
(l/min) (W) (m)
2104 83.2 562.8 0.9 1.6 0.7 7.14
2000 79.2 496.3 1.0 1.6 0.6 6.12
1900 78.2 489.2 1.0 1.5 0.5 5.10
1802 71.0 399.2 1.0 1.4 0.4 4.08
1700 67.2 352.9 1.0 1.4 0.4 4.08
1600 61.5 314.6 1.0 1.4 0.4 4.08
1500 56.1 279.5 1.0 1.3 0.3 3.06

Table 3: Pumps in parallel operation with variable flowrate

Flowrate, Speed Power PT1 PT3 PT3 - Pump Vol. Power Overall
Q (RPM) (pump) (Bar) (Bar) PT1 Head, Flowrate, (fluid) efficiency
(l/min) (W) (Bar) H Q (W) (%)
(m) (m3/s)
94.48 1673 324.2 1.0 1.4 0.4 4.08 0.00157 62.79 19.37
103.2 1674 333.1 1.0 1.3 0.3 3.58 0.00172 60.40 18.13
113.6 1672 336.2 1.0 1.3 0.3 3.58 0.00189 66.38 19.74
124.5 1670 338.5 1.0 1.2 0.2 2.39 0.00207 48.53 14.34
133.2 1669 339.6 1.0 1.2 0.2 2.39 0.0022 51.58 15.19
143.7 1669 340.5 1.0 1.2 0.2 2.39 0.00239 56.04 16.46
150.2 1672 340.9 1.0 1.1 0.1 1.02 0.0025 24.53 7.19
Table 4: Pumps in parallel operation with variable pump speeds
Speed Flowrate, Power PT1 PT3 PT3 – PT1 Pump
(RPM) Q (pump) (Bar) (Bar) (Bar) Head, H
(l/min) (W) (m)
2100 92.8 482.1 1.0 1.7 0.7 7.14
2000 87.2 440.2 1.0 1.6 0.6 6.12
1900 81.1 396.2 1.0 1.6 0.6 6.12
1800 77.6 355.7 1.0 1.5 0.5 5.10
1700 72.8 320.4 1.0 1.5 0.5 5.10
1600 66.2 292.8 1.0 1.4 0.4 4.08
1499 63.2 260.5 1.0 1.4 0.4 4.08

Sample calculations
PT3 – PT1
𝑃𝑇3 − 𝑃𝑇1 = 1.7 − 1.0 = 0.7
H
𝑃𝑇3 − 𝑃𝑇1 0.4 × 100000
= = 4.08
⍴𝑔 1000 × 9.81
Volumetric Flowrate
𝐿𝑃𝑀 75.2
= = 0.00125
60000 60000
Power (Fluid)
⍴𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 ∗ 𝑔 ∗ 𝑄 ∗ 𝐻 = (1000)(9.81)(0.00125)(4.08)
Efficiency
𝑃𝑓𝑙 49.99
× 100 = × 100 = 14.43
𝑃𝑒𝑙 346.5
Graphs
1. Pump Head vs Flowrate
8

5
Pump Head (m)

4
series
3 parallel
2

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
Flowrate (l/min)

2. Efficiency vs Flowrate
25

20
Efficiency (%)

15

series
10
parallel

0
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
Flowrate (l/min)
 3.Flowrate vs Pump Speed
100
90
80
70
Flowrate (l/min)

60
50
series
40
parallel
30
20
10
0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Pump Speed (RPM)

4. Pump Head vs Pump Speed

8

6
Pump Head (m)

4
series
3 parallel
2

0
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
Pump Speed (RPM)
Analysis and Discussions

The advantages and disadvantages of using two pumps in series and parallel

i. For two pumps in series: -

Advantage
- Process of maintaining is quite easy and are simpler as the size of the pump is
smaller if compared to bigger centrifugal pump.

Disadvantage
- An additional precaution is needed because it must not exceed the maximum
pressure of the pump in order to avoid damaging the equipment.

ii. For two pumps in parallel: -

Advantage
- High in availability as if one pump fails to operate, the other pump will continue to
discharge as usual.
- Maintenance can be done on one pump while the other pump can still operate.

Disadvantage
- Longer time for maintenance

Graph Analysis

Pump Head vs Flowrate

- From the graph for series pump we can conclude that as flowrate increase, pump
head will first remain constant, then increase to its maximum value and then finally
decreases and kept constant.
- For parallel pump, as flowrate increases, pump head decreases.
Efficiency vs Flowrate
- From the graph for both series and parallel pump, a similar trend can be seen,
because as the flowrate increases, the efficiency for both decreases, however it can
be seen that the gradient of the graph of series pump is much steeper than parallel
pump. Thus, we can conclude that it is more efficient to use pump in parallel rather
than series.

Flowrate vs Pump Speed

- From the graph, we can conclude that flowrate is directly proportional to the pump
speed. However, it is observed that the value of flowrate of parallel pump is greater
than series pump.

Pump Head vs Speed

- From the graph, for series, as speed increases, the value of pump head increases but
for parallel pump, the case is also the same, but the pump head only increases up to
a certain value and then begin to decrease.

Sources of Error and Safety Precaution

- Despite the results and data were obtained and recorded, errors can occur in the
experiment. One of it is by the apparatus itself, for instance the inconsistency of the
meter reading caused by the pipe. Next, other than the apparatus, human error can
also occur from taking the reading of the meter.
- For safety precautions, all the machines were handled with care and extreme
cautious as we are dealing with machines that connected to power supply and water
supply which can cause electric shock.
Conclusions
From this experiment, we can conclude that different arrangement of the pump has different
characteristics and performance. The pumps are used to convert the mechanical energy to kinetic
energy and then to fluid mechanical energy which allows the liquid to flow from one place to
another place. We are able to differentiate the pump characteristics and performance of parallel
and series arrangement pump with the same velocity.

References
[1] Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Experiment 8: Pump Performance (double pumps), Kajang, MA:
Universiti Tenaga Nasional, 2016. [E-book] Available: moodle.com.
Appendix