Basic Mechanical Engineering

PUMPS
 In this chapter, students will learn about
(1) Pumps.
(2) Classification of pumps.
(3) Construction and working of reciprocating and centrifugal types of
pumps.

Pumps

 Pump is device which transfers/lifts the liquid from one place to another
place.
 It is used to increase the potential energy of liquid.
 It requires external work to operate a pump.
 Pump is generally operated with the help of electric motor.

Classification of pumps

 Pump is broadly classified as (1) positive displacement pumps and (2)

dynamic pressure pumps.

(1) Positive Displacement Pumps

 A pump which transfers/lifts the liquid due to its movement in fixed

space is known as positive displacemnt pumps.
 In this type of pumps, liquid is enclosed properly and moved from one
place to another place.
 Positive displacement pumps can be reciprocating type or rotary type.
 Further classification of positive displacement type pumps are as under.

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

Classification of Positive Displacement Pumps

Reciprocating type pumps Piston Pump
 A positive displacement pump in which Plunger Pump
liquid is lifted due to reciprocating motion Bucket Pump
is known as reciprocating type pump. Single Acting Pump
Double Acting Pump
Rotary type pumps Gear Pump
 A positive displacement pump in which Vane Pump
liquid is lifted due to rotary motion is
Screw Pump
known as reciprocating type pump.

(2) Dynamic Pressure Pumps (Non-Positive Displacemnent Pumps)

 A pump in which liquid is transferred/lifted due to continuously
generated pressure is known as dynamic pressure pumps.
 In this type of pumps, pressure of the liquid is increased due to rotary
motion.
 Dynamic pressure pumps are always rotary type pumps.

Classification of Dynamic Pressure Pumps

Centrifugal pumps Volute Casing type pump
A dynamic pressure Volute Casing with Vortex chamber
pump in which liquid is type pump
lifted due to centrifugal Diffuser type pump
force is known as Single stage pump
centrifugal pump. Multi stage pump
Turbine pumps
Propeller pumps

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

Reciprocating Pump – Piston Pump – Single Acting Pump

Construction and working of single acting reciprocating piston pump
 It contains a fixed cylinder in which piston reciprocates.
 Piston is connected to crank shaft through connecting rod
and crank.
 Crank is connected to electrical motor.
 Suction pipe connects the cylinder with sump and
Construction discharge (delivery) pipe connects cylinder with overhead
tank.
 Suction valve and discharge valve are located in suction
pipe and discharge pipe respectively.
 Both the valves are one way valves i.e. non return valve
(NRV) which allows the flow of liquid in one direction only.

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

 Electrical motor is switched on.

 As electrical motor rotates, crank shaft also rotates.
First  Crank shaft rotates from 0O to 180O.
Stroke  Piston reciprocates from left end side of the cylinder to
(Suction right hand side of the cylinder.
Stroke)  Due to movement of piston, partial vacuum is created.
 Thus, suction valve opens and water from the sump enters
the cylinder.
 Crank rotates from 180O to 360O (0O).
 Piston reciprocates from right end side of the cylinder to
left hand side of the cylinder.
Second  Due to movement of piston, gap between piston and
Stroke
Working

cylinder head reduces continuously and water inside the

(Discharge
Stroke) cylinder is compressed to high pressure.
 Due to high pressure, delivery valve opens and allows high
pressure water to enter into overhead tank.
 Then cycle is repeated.
 Thus, during suction stroke, only water is filled inside the cylinder and
during discharge stroke water is lifted to overhead tank.
 Discharge of water to overhead tank is available only during discharge
stroke only.
 Thus, this type of pump provides the discharge intermittently.

 In this type of pump, as the width of the reciprocating member is less

than the stroke length of the cylinder, it is known as piston pump.

 In this type of pump, water is in contact with only one the side of
piston. So, it is known as single acting pump.

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

Reciprocating Pump – Piston Pump – Single Acting Pump with Air Vessels

Construction and working of single acting reciprocating piston pump

with Air Vessels
 The pump consists of a piston that reciprocates in a
closely fitted cylinder.
 Suction and delivery pipes are provided with a non return
valve known as suction valve in suction pipe and delivery
valve in delivery pipe.
 The pump is driven by crank and connecting rod
Construction
mechanism operated by a power source which may be an
electric motor, steam engine or IC engine.
 The liquid acts at only one side of piston.
 Air vessels are connected to suction & delivery pipe both.
 An air vessel is a vessel which is filled with the
compressed air at the top.

First  When crank turns clockwise from I.D.C to O.D.C the

W

ki
n
o

g
r

Stroke

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

(Suction piston moves towards right at this time vacuum develops

Stroke)
on the left side of the cylinder.
 Due to this phenomenon the suction valve opens and
liquid is forced from the sump in to the cylinder on the left
side of the piston.
 When piston moves, I.D.C. to the middle of the cylinder,
vacuum created is more, so more liquid is lifted from the
sump and at that time, space between the piston and
cylinder head is less.
 During this time, the excess liquid enters the air vessel
provided in the suction line and compresses the air.
 When piston moves from middle of cylinder to O.D.C.,
vacuum created is less, so less liquid is lifted from the
sump and at that time, space between the piston and
cylinder is more.
 During this time, the air exerts the pressure on the liquid
inside the air vessel and pushes the liquid into cylinder.
 When the piston moves from O.D.C to I.D.C, space
between piston and cylinder head decreases continuously.
 So, high pressure is developed in the cylinder and this
increase in pressure closes the suction valve and opens
the delivery valve.
Second
 Consequently, the liquid is forced out of the cylinder in the
Stroke
discharge pipe.
(Discharge
 As similar to the suction stroke, air vessel stores the
Stroke)
excess liquid when more quantity of liquid at high
pressure is available and gives back the same liquid when
the liquid in delivery pipe is at low pressure.
 When the piston reaches I.D.C, the delivery stroke is
completed.
 Thus, air vessel in suction and delivery pipe help to maintain the
constant flow of liquid in both the pipes.

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

Reciprocating Pump – Piston Pump – Double Acting Pump

Construction and working of double acting reciprocating piston pump

 It contains a fixed cylinder in which piston reciprocates.
 Piston is connected to crank shaft through connecting rod
and crank.
 Crank is connected to electrical motor.
 Suction pipes are connected to both the sides of the piston
below the cylinder and discharge (delivery) pipes are also
Construction connected to both the sides of the piston but above the
cylinder.
 Two suction valves (S1 and S2) and discharge valves (D1
and D2) are located in suction pipes and discharge pipes
respectively.
 All the valves are one way valves i.e. non return valve (NRV)
which allows the flow of liquid in one direction only.

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

 Electrical motor is switched on.

 As electrical motor rotates, crank shaft also rotates.
 Crank shaft rotates from 0O to 180O.
 Piston reciprocates from left end side of the cylinder to
right hand side of the cylinder.
 Process Left Hand Side of the Piston
 Due to movement of piston, partial vacuum is created at
the left hand side of the piston.
 Thus, suction valve, S1 opens and water from the sump
First enters the cylinder in the left side of the piston.
 Process Right Hand Side of the Piston
Stroke
 Due to movement of piston, gap between piston and right
side end of the cylinder reduces continuously and water
inside the cylinder is compressed to high pressure at right
side of the piston.
 Due to high pressure, delivery valve, D2 opens and allows
high pressure water to enter into overhead tank.

 Thus, left hand side of the piston, suction is going on and

right hand side of the piston discharge of water to overhead
tank is going on.
Working

 Crank rotates from 180O to 360O (0O).

 Piston reciprocates from right end side of the cylinder to
left hand side of the cylinder.
 Process Left Hand Side of the Piston
 Due to movement of piston, gap between piston and left
side end of the cylinder reduces continuously and water
inside the cylinder is compressed to high pressure at left
side of the piston.
 Due to high pressure, delivery valve, D1 opens and allows
high pressure water to enter into overhead tank.
Second
 Process Right Hand Side of the Piston
Stroke
 Due to movement of piston, partial vacuum is created at
the right hand side of the piston.
 Thus, suction valve, S2 opens and water from the sump
enters the cylinder in the right side of the piston.

 Thus, left hand side of the piston, discharge of water to

overhead tank is going on and right hand side of the piston
suction is going on.

 Then cycle is repeated.

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

 Thus, during both the strokes, water is lifted to overhead tank.

 Discharge of water to overhead tank is available during both the
strokes.
 Thus, this type of pump provides the discharge continuously.

 In this type of pump, as the width of the reciprocating member is less

than the stroke length of the cylinder, it is known as piston pump.

 In this type of pump, water is in contact with both the sides of piston.
So, it is known as double acting pump.

Plunger Pump

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

Construction and working of plunger pump

 It contains a fixed cylinder known as body or frame of
a plunger pump.
 A plunger reciprocates inside the fixed cylinder.
 Plunger is connected to handle.
Construction
 Suction pipe and suction valve are connected to
bottom of the cylinder.
 Discharge pipe and discharge valve are connected to
one side of a cylinder.
 As the handle is moved down, plunger moves up in
the cylinder.
Working

First Stroke
(Suction  Thus, partial vacuum is generated in the cylinder and
Stroke) water is lifted through suction pipe and enters the
cylinder through suction valve.
 As the handle is moved up, plunger moves down in
the cylinder.
Second Stroke
(Discharge  Water is compressed inside the cylinder and due to
Stroke) high pressure of water, discharge valve opens and
water comes out.
 In this type of pump, as the width of the reciprocating member is more
than the stroke length of the cylinder, it is known as plunger pump.

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

Bucket Pump

Construction and working of bucket pump

 It contains a fixed cylinder known as body or frame of
the bucket pump.
 A valve known as bucket valve is located in inside the
piston. Thus, it is known as bucket.
Construction  Piston is connected to hand lever.
 Suction pipe and suction valve are connected to the
bottom side of the cylinder.
 Discharge pipe and discharge valves are connected to
top side of the cylinder.

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

 As the hand lever is moved down, bucket moves up.

 Due to this movement of bucket, partial vacuum is
generated below the bucket and water available above
First Stroke the bucket is compressed.
(Suction Stroke  Thus, water is lifted and filled in side the cylinder
and Discharge below bucket region and water comes out from top
Stroke) side of the cylinder.
 So, there is a suction process below the bucket and
Working

discharge process above the bucket during the

stroke.
 As the hand lever is moved up, bucket moves down.
Second Stroke  Due to this movement of bucket water below the
(Transfer bucket transfers to above the bucket through the
Stroke) bucket valve located in bucket.
 Thus, during this stroke only water transfers.
 In this type of pump, a valve is located in the reciprocating member.
Thus, it is known as bucket pump.

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

Rotary Pump

Gear Pump

Construction and working of gear pump

 It contains two interconnected gears.
 These gears are placed in casing.
 One gear is connected to electric motor. This gear is known
Construction as driving gear and another gear is known as driven gear.
 As electric motor rotates, driving gear rotates which in turn
rotates the driven gear.
 At one side there is suction & another side discharge.
 As electric motor rotates, driving gear rotates which in turn
rotates the driven gear.
 Both the gears rotate in opposite direction.
 When inter-meshed teeth of both the gears disengage,
Working partial vacuum is created in side the gear pump. Thus,
liquid enters through the suction.
 Then liquid is enclosed (entrapped) between two teeth of a
gear and casing.
 Now, enclosed liquid has to move along with the gears.
Thus, liquid is pumped to the discharge section.

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

Vane Pump

Construction and working of vane pump

 It contains a rotor mounted on shaft of electric motor.
 On the periphery of rotor, grooves are prepared.
 Sliding vanes are arranged in each groove with springs.
Thus, when we press the sliding vane, it moves inside the
groove and comes out when we release the pressure on it.
Construction  The rotor is placed in the casing eccentrically, i.e. centre of
rotor and center of casing are not same.
 Due to this arrangement, there is non-uniform gap between
rotor and casing.
 Sliding vanes are always in contact with casing.
 At one side there is suction and another side discharge.

 As electric motor rotates, rotor also rotates and fluid enters

the pump.
 Fluid is entrapped between two vanes and casing.
 Thus, entrapped fluid has to rotate along with the rotor
Working from suction to discharge section.
 When fluid moves from suction to discharge section, gap
between rotor and casing also decreases. Thus, fluid is
compressed.
 Compressed fluid comes out from the discharge section.

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

Screw Pump

Construction and working of screw pump

 It contains two interconnected screws.
 These screws are placed in casing.
 One screw is connected to electric motor. This screw is
known as driving screw and another screw is known as
Construction
driven screw.
 As electric motor rotates, driving screw rotates which in
turn rotates the driven screw.
 At one end there is suction and another end discharge.

 As electric motor rotates, driving screw rotates which in

turn rotates the driven screw and fluid enters the pump.
Working
 Then liquid is enclosed (entrapped) between the passage of
both the screws and moves from suction to discharge side.

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

Centrifugal Pump

 The pumps which employ centrifugal force for transferring liquids from
one place to another are called the centrifugal pumps.
 These pumps are also called as roto-dynamic pump as the liquids are
handled by a rotating impeller with a stationary casing.
Construction and Working of Centrifugal Pump
Casing
 It is an air tight passage around the impeller.
 The area of casing is continuously increasing from inlet to outlet.
 It is designed in such a way that, when water passes through it,
kinetic energy of water is converted into pressure energy.
 There are three types of casing, viz., (a) Volute casing (b) Volute
casing with vortex chamber and (c) Diffuser pump.
Impeller
 It is made up of a series of vanes.
 It is mounted on a shaft which is connected to electric motor.
 As electric motor rotates, impeller also rotates.
 When water comes into contact with impeller, its kinetic energy
Construction

increases and enters into casing.

 There are three types of impeller, viz., (1) Open type impeller used for
totally impure liquid, (2) Semi closed impeller used for partially
impure liquid and (c) Closed impeller used for pure liquid.
Suction pipe
 It connects the sump with inlet of the pump.
 Foot valve is provided at the end of the suction pipe. It is a non-
return valve. It does not allow the water to drain out from suction
pipe to the sump.
 Strainer is also provided at the end of the suction pipe before the foot
valve. The water from sump first passes through strainer. It does not
allow any impurities to enter into the suction pipe.
Discharge pipe
 It connects the outlet of the pump with overhead tank.
Priming cup
 Priming cup is provided on top of the casing for priming.

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

 Initially, priming cup is opened and water is filled in the suction pipe,
impeller and casing.
 Then, electric motor is switched on.
 As the electric motor rotates, impeller of the pump also rotates.
 So, water in contact with impeller also rotates with the impeller and
Working

with high kinetic energy it leaves the impeller and enters the casing.
 As, water leaves the impeller at high velocity, vacuum is created in
the impeller and water is lifted from the sump.
 Water at high velocity enters the casing, in which the kinetic energy
of water is converted into pressure energy and then enters into the
discharge pipe.
 Through discharge pipe, water is lifted to the overhead tank.

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

Classification of Centrifugal Pump According To the Type of Casing

Working of different types of centrifugal pump based on type of casing
 The impeller is located in the casing.
 But the impeller and casing are not concentric. Thus, the
gap between impeller and casing is not uniform.

Volute  The impeller is located in such a way that, gap between

Casing impeller and casing continuously increases from inlet of
Centrifugal
Pump water to outlet of water. (converging type)
 This type of casing is known as volute casing.
 In the volute casing, kinetic energy of water is converted in
pressure energy.

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

 An imaginary circular gap is maintained between

impeller and volute casing.
Volute
Casing with  This type of casing is known as volute casing with
Vortex vortex chamber (whirlpool chamber).
Chamber  The function of the imaginary circular gap (vortex
(Whirlpool
Chamber) chamber, whirlpool chamber) is to convert kinetic
type energy of water into pressure energy.
Centrifugal  Thus, a pump with volute casing gives less
Pump
discharge compared to a pump with volute chasing
and vortex chamber.

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

 When the guide vanes are provided in the whirlpool (vortex)

chamber, the pump is called diffuser type of pump.
 Fixed guide vanes are provided around the impeller
periphery.
 The ring of guide vanes is known as diffuser.
Diffuser  The water leaving the impeller flows through the fixed guide
Pump vanes.
(Turbine  As the passage along the guide vanes is of continuously
Pump) increasing, the kinetic energy of water is converted into
pressure energy. (Velocity of the water decreases and the
pressure of water increases)
 This type of pump gives more pressure compared to the
vortex type and the volute type pumps.
 This type of pump has more efficiency.

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

Priming

 Priming means removal of air, gas or vapour from pump casing, impeller
and from the suction pipe by filling them with the liquid to be pumped.
 The priming of the centrifugal pump is necessary only at the time of the
starting the pump.
 After pump starts, necessary vacuum is created at impeller to lift the
water from the sump from about 8 m. depth.

Different Priming Methods

 In small centrifugal pumps, priming is done by pouring the
liquid directly into the casing using a funnel with an air vent
cock opening provided on the casing.
Manual  Sometimes, priming cup is also provided at the top of casing for
Priming priming the centrifugal pump.
 When the system is filled throughout with the liquid to be
pumped, it is seen that air has been removed from the suction
pipe, impeller and casing. Now the air vent cock is closed and
the pump is started.
 When the pump is idle and the liquid level in the pump
remains full in the suction pipe and casing, the pump can
remove the air by its own through pumping action at the time
Self
of starting. This is known as self priming.
Priming
 Specially designed self-priming pumps are available with the
use of suitable foot valve and proper liquid level of reservoir for
the suction line.
 Using vacuum creating devices like vacuum pumps, etc.
Vacuum vacuum is generated inside the centrifugal pump to lift the
Priming water from sump to casing and impeller.
 Then after pump is started.
 This is known as vacuum priming.

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

Single Stage and Multi Stage Centrifugal Pump

Single Stage Pump

 When a pump is having only one casing and one impeller, it is
known as single stage pump.
 Thus, pressure of water is increased in one stage only. (one set of
impeller and casing)
Pumps in Series
Multi Stage Pump
 When pumps are connected in series
 When a pump is having
i.e. output of one pump enters
more than one casing
another pump, the arrangement is
and one impeller, it is
known as pumps in series.
known as multi stage
 Due to this arrangement, less
pump.
quantity of water can be lifted to high
 Thus, pressure of water
height.
is increased in more than
Pumps in Parallel
one stage. (more than
 When pumps are connected in
one set of impeller and
parallel i.e. output of all the pumps
casing)
are mixed, the arrangement is known
 There are two types of
as pumps in parallel.
multi stage pump, viz.,
 Due to this arrangement, more
(1) Pumps in series and
quantity of water can be lifted to low
(2) Pumps in parallel
height.

Pumps in Series Pumps in Parallel

Difference between reciprocating pump and centrifugal pump

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 Basic Mechanical Engineering

Reciprocating Pump Centrifugal Pump

It is positive displacement type It is non-positive displacement type
pump. pump.
It does not provide continuous It provides continuous and uniform
and/or uniform discharge. discharge.
It is mainly used for less discharge It is mainly used for more discharge at
at high head. low head.
It operates at low speed. It operates at high speed.
Maintenance cost is high. Maintenance cost is less.
It can lift less viscous liquids. (non- It can lift high viscous. liquids (highly
sticky liquids) sticky liquids)

Reference Books:
(1). Elements of Mechanical Engineering – MCQ and Numerical as per GTU,
By Neeraj Chavda, Lap Lambert Academic Publishing, Germany (ISBN :
978-3-330-07021-9)
(2). Elements of Mechanical Engineering – Laboratory Manual (as per GTU),
By Neeraj Chavda, Lap Lambert Academic Publishing, Germany (ISBN :
978-620-2-05650-2)
(3). Elements of Mechanical Engineering – Tutorial (as per GTU), By Neeraj
Chavda, Lap Lambert Academic Publishing, Germany (ISBN : 978-613-9-
82424-3)
(4). Basic Mechanical Engineering (Elements of Mechanical Engineering), By
J. P. Hadiya, H. G. Katariya and S. M. Bhatt, Books India Publications.
(5). Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach Seventh Edition in SI Units,
Yunus A. Cengel, Michael A. Boles, McGraw-Hill, 2011.
(6). Basic Mechanical Engineering, By Pravin Kumar, Pearson Publications.
(7). Engineering Thermodynamics, By Rayner Joel.
(8). Thermal Science and Engineering, By Dr. D. S. Kumar, S. K. Kataria &
sons Publications.
(9). Fundamental of Mechanical Engineering, By G. S. Sawhney, PHI
Publications.
(10). Elements of Mechanical Engineering, By Sadhu Singh, S. Chand
Publication.
(11). Elements of Mechanical Engineering, By P. S.Desai and S. B.Soni.

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