Pumps and Pumping

in Irrigation applications

Basic Pump Theory

John Starke: Irri Gator Products

 What do Pumps pump?
Slurry - Liquids - Gases - etc

oils liquidfoods
petroleum sewerage
water air
fertiliser etc-etc
What type of pumps are there?
Centrifugal single or multi stage
Positive displacement
Rotary
Peristaltic
Axial flow
Turbine
Vacuum
Piston
etc-etc
 Pumps Commonly found in
Irrigation
Centrifugal = used for pumping water
Positive displacement rubber screw (Mono) =
lower volume high pressure = pumping water
Piston type very low volume precise =
fertiliser injection
Turbine = pumping water
Submersible multistage low to med volume +
higher pressures = borehole
Submersible single stage high volume + low
pressure = dewatering
 Concentrate on Centrifugal
Pumps for pumping Irrigation
water.

What is a Centrifuge or
Centrifugal force?
 A Centrifuge is:
a piece of equipment -
generally driven by a motor -
that puts an object in
rotation around a fixed axis
applying a force -
perpendicular to the axis.
Centrifugal & Centripetal Forces
 Centrifugal Pumps
A centrifugal pump is one of the simplest types of pump
that uses centrifugal force to move fluid into a pipe.

The basic purpose of the pump is to convert energy of an

electric motor , or engine into velocity or kinetic energy and
then into pressure of a fluid that is being pumped.

Centrifugal pumps are the most commonly used pump and

their operating cost is low compared to other pumps.

They are reputed for high reliability and ensure smooth

operation.
 Centrifugal Pump
Delivery Flange

Backing Plate
Suction Flange
Gland Packing

Bearings

Shaft

Impeller

Volute Casing Pedestal

 Pump Terminology
Duty Point = a certain flow of water at a certain
pressure to fulfil the system requirement
constant or varying
Pump Efficiency = how effectively the pump
converts the input energy into water pressure
Rotational Speed = Speed at which the Impeller
turns
Positive Suction = The water flows into pump on
its own e.g. below dam wall
 Pump Terminology
Negative Suction = The pump has to lift
the water from a source lower than itself
e.g. river
NPSH = refers to the maximum lift
capability a pump has to extract water
from a source lower than itself
Cavitation = Noise in the Volute Casing of
a Pump due to the presence of
undesirable air particles imploding
 Pump Identification & Pump Curves
Pump Manufacturer e.g. KSB; Rapid Allweiller; Grundfos

Pump Type - Single Stage - 65/250; 80/40; 150/315 etc

Multistage - 80/40 2 stage; WKLN 65/4 etc

Impeller Size e.g. 250mm; 185mm

Motor Size kilowatts or horsepower

Speed of Motor 2 / 4 Pole or 29?? / 14?? RPM

Efficiency of motor ?

Power factor of motor cos ?

Typical Motor Identification Plate
Typical Pump Identification Plate
 What is a Pump Curve?
This is the characteristics of the pump when
operating at a specific speed and giving the
following info:
Pressure / Head Developed

Flow rate of liquid

Power consumed @ Duty point and Non overload

NPSH required

Efficiency of pump
 65 / 250 Centrifugal Pump

82m
Head in Metres

Flow rate in m per hour 120m^3/hour

120m/hr@82m

80m/hr@54m

80 120

37kW Power

17kW Power
82 meters head
71% efficiency

Nett pump
suction head
required is 4,6m

Motor size
required for non
overload is 45 kW

120 m^3/hr
 Laws of Affinity
The affinity laws express the mathematical
relationship between the several variables
involved in pump performance.

They apply to all types of centrifugal and

axial flow pumps.

They are as follows:

 Volume Capacity
The volume capacity of a centrifugal pump can
be expressed as:

q = (n1 / n2) x (d1 / d2)

Where:

q = volume flow capacity (m / hour)

n = wheel velocity - revolution per minute - (rpm)
d = wheel diameter (mm)
 Head or Pressure

The head or pressure of a centrifugal pump can

be expressed as:

h = (n1 / n2) x (d1 / d2)

Where:

h = head or pressure (metres)

 Power

The power consumption of a centrifugal pump

can be expressed as:

P = (n1 / n2) x (d1 / d2)

Where:

P = power (kilowatt)
 Changing the Impeller Speed
If the Impeller diameter is constant - change in
Impeller speed can simplify the affinity laws to:

Volume Capacity
q1 / q2 = (n1 / n2)

Head or Pressure
dp1 / dp2 = (n1 / n2)

Power
p1 / p2 = (n1 / n2)
 If the speed of a pump is increased with
10% then:

the volume flow increases with 10%

the head increases with 21%
the power increases with 33 %

Ifwe want to increase the volume of an

existing system with 10% we have to
increase the power by 33%.
How NOT to do it !!
How many of these
do we see ? !!
 Pump House or
Store Room?

Time for an Upgrade ??!!

Rather do THIS !!!
Or This !
Sell some of these!!!!
Thanks