Theory

The pump characteristic is a graphical relation between volumetric flow rate and rotational speed.
Both of them are a function of the increase in head 𝐻 between the inlet and the outlet of a pump as
shown in (Figure 1):

Figure 1: Pump characteristics

Where the head (𝐻) is the height of water measured in meters.

𝑁 is the rotational speed (the number of fan blades rev per unit time).

𝑄̇ is the volumetric flow rate in 𝑚3 /𝑚𝑖𝑛.

The head 𝐻 is connected with the pressure drop ∆𝑃 by the following relation:

∆𝑃 = 𝜌𝑔𝐻 (1)

Where:

∆𝑃 is the 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑙 (𝑃𝑎).

𝜌 is the density of water (𝑘𝑔/ 𝑚3)

𝑔 is the acceleration of gravity (𝑚/s2).

Mass flow rate through pump 𝑚̇ in (𝑘𝑔/𝑠)

𝑚̇ = 𝜌Q˙̇ (2)

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Where:

𝜌 is the density of water (𝑘𝑔/𝑚3)

𝑄̇ is the volumetric flow rate in (𝑚3 /𝑠)

Hydraulic power generated (𝑃𝐻) in 𝑤𝑎𝑡𝑡:

𝑃𝐻 = 𝑚̇𝑔𝐻 = 𝜌Q˙̇ 𝑔𝐻 (3)

Electrical power input to pump (𝑊̇ ) in watt.

Overall Pump Efficiency (𝜂)

𝜂 = 𝑃𝐻 /W ˙̇ = 𝜌Q˙̇ 𝑔𝐻 /W ˙̇ (4)

In terms of pressure rise across the pump

𝜂 = Δ𝑃Q˙̇ ¿ W˙ ̇ (5)

The overall efficiency of a small circulating pump is typically not much greater than 10 to 15%.
Some text books work in terms of Ap, others in terms of H. The two sets of equations look
similar, but differ by the presence of pg. Never confuse the two systems!
The H32 pump manufacturer's published performance curves are shown in Figure 2.
For practical convenience, pressure is measured in kN/m² and flow rate in litres/sec, but on the
experimental equipment the pressure is measured in bars (1 bar = 100 kN/m²)
If you are using a gravimetric hydraulic bench, approximately for water,
1 litre/sec = 1 x 10' m'/s = 1 kg/s
The input power W, may be measured on a wattmeter or the pump manufacturers published data
may be used.

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Figure 2: manufacture’s published performance curves

Two pumps in series:

The flow rate across all of the pumps keeps the same when two or more pumps are arranged in
series, but each pump increases the pressure so that the total pressure equals the sum of the
contributions of each pump.

pump. Two pumps in series The pressure-flow parameters for two pumps in series are depicted in
Figures 3 and 4, respectively.

Be aware that the head losses between the two pumps have been ignored in this experiment.

2 pumps linked together:

∆𝑃 = ∆𝑃1 + ∆𝑃2 (6)

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 Figure 3: Schematic showing two pumps in series

Figure 4: Pressure flow characteristics for two pumps in series

Two pumps in parallel:

When two pumps are connected in parallel, one pump handles half of the flow while the other
handles the other half. Although the flow rate is increased and equals the sum of the volumetric
flowrates of the two pumps, the total pressure rise for each pump stays constant and is equal to the
overall pressure rise. Be aware that the head losses between the two pumps have been ignored in

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this experiment. Figures 5 and 6 respectively demonstrate the volumetric flow characteristics for two
parallel pumps and two pumps operating in parallel.

Two pumps working in tandem:

∆𝑃 = ∆𝑃1 = ∆𝑃2 (7)

Figure 5: schematic shown two pumps in parallel

Figure 6: pressure flow characteristic in parallel two pumps system

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The actual pressure-flow characteristic in the parallel two pumps system is a curve of the form:

∆𝑝 = 𝐴 − 𝐵Q̇ 2̇ (8)

where A and B are constants which depend on the system. Figure 7 below shows this relation
between Δ𝑝 and 𝑄 2 which should be straight lines.

Figure 7: Curve of Δ𝑝 against 𝑄2

In practice, due to manufacturing tolerances the performance of each single pump may be slightly
different. For demonstration purposes, it is satisfactory to assume that both pumps have the same
characteristic. The experimental results shown in Section 6 confirm this. Bernoulli's equation is
used to estimate the inlet pressure to the pump.

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In practice, there is a difference in the level between the water in the reservoir and the pump inlet.
Bernoulli’s Equation is used to estimate the inlet pressure to the pump:

∆ℎ = ℎ𝐴 − ℎ𝐵 (9)

Where ∆ℎ is the difference in levels between the water in the reservoir and the pump inlet.

So, there is a loss in the pressure head in the pipe. Therefore, the pressure at the pump inlet is:

𝑝𝐼𝑁 = 𝜌𝑔∆ℎ − (Σ𝐾 × 1/2 𝑉 2) (10)

Where:

𝑉 is the speed of water in the pipe

Σ𝐾 is the sum of all the dynamic pressure losses between the water level in the reservoir and the
pump inlet (see Figure 9).

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 Figure 9: Pressure losses K, within the pipe

For convenience, the value of Σ𝐾 ≈ 1.5, it will be assumed for pipework for all pump configurations.
The control valve must be placed after the pumps to eliminate its unknown variable pressure drop
from the equation.

Hence: 𝑝𝐼𝑁 = 9810∆ℎ − 750𝑉 2 (11)

Since: 𝑄 = 𝐴𝑉 = 𝜋D2𝑉/ 4 (12)

Where:

𝐴 is the cross-sectional area

𝐷 which is equal here 22𝑚𝑚

V is the fluid velocity.

Then to the same accuracy of the reading of the Bourdon gauge.

𝑝𝐼𝑁 = ∆ℎ /10 − 0.0625Q˙̇ (13)

Where:

𝑝𝐼𝑁 is the inlet pressure in bar.

∆ℎ is the difference in levels between the water in the reservoir and the pump inlet in meters.

𝑄̇ is the flow rate in litters or kg per second.

Including the pressure drop, due to friction, in the inlet pipe, the following are suggested:

➢ very short pipe: 𝑝𝐼𝑁 = ∆ℎ/ 10 − 0.0625Q̇ 2̇ (14)

➢ metre pipe: 𝑝𝐼𝑁 = ∆ℎ/ 10 − 0.125 Q̇ 2̇ (15)

➢ 2 metre pipe: 𝑝𝐼𝑁 = ∆ℎ /10 − 0.18 Q̇ 2̇ (16)

Keep in mind that the following equation must be applied to get the flow rate experimentally:

To keep the units consistent in the computations, the experiment's volume in litters will be converted
to m3 using the formula Q = Volume/Time (17)

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 Sample of Calculations
:For single pump 1 at speed 1

𝑉 = 5𝐿 and 𝑡1 = 23.76s

t2= 23.73

Average time =(23.76+23.73)/2=23.745s

By using equation No.17:

Q=5/23.745=0.2105 L/s

Convert it to 𝑚3 /𝑠:

Q=0.0002105 𝑚3 /𝑠

Using equation No. 14 to find 𝑃𝑖𝑛:

𝑝𝐼𝑁 = 0.27/10 − 0.0625 × 0.0002105 ^2=0.0269999 bar

𝑝𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 0.37 𝑏𝑎𝑟 (it was recorded in the experiment)

Then, ∆𝑃 = 0.37 − 0.0269999 = 0.3530001 𝑏𝑎r

Convert it to 𝑃𝑎: ∆𝑃 =3.530001 × 104 Pa

Using equation No. 5 to calculate the efficiency:

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3.530001×10 ×0.0002105
𝜂= × 100 %=7.0768%
105
𝑊 = 105 𝑊 from table A.1 in the appendices

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Result
For Single Pump 1:

Table 1: The result of the first pump in single

Operation Single
Test # 1 2 3 4 5
V(L) 5
time 52.14 24.18 36.705 33.385 25.51
0.09589566 0.20678 0.13622 0.14976 0.19600
Q(L/s) 6 2 1 8 2
9.58957E- 0.00020 0.00013 0.00019
Flow Rate, 𝑄̇ (m3 /s) 05 7 6 0.00015 6
9.19598E- 4.28E- 1.86E- 2.24E- 3.84E-
𝑄̇^2 09 08 08 08 08
Pump 1 Electrical Input Power (Watts) 95
Pump 1 Speed (rpm) 3
Pump 1 Inlet Pressure (calculated), P1 0.02699999
(N/m2) 9 0.027 0.027 0.027 0.027
Pump 1 Inlet Pressure (measured), P1
(N/m2) 0.22 0.15 0.2 0.28 0.18
Pump 1 Outlet Pressure, P2 (N/m2) 0.37 0.37 0.38 0.37 0.38
17699.9999
DP (Pa) 4 24700 20700 11700 22700
Pump 1 Head, Hm (m) 0.27
Pump 1 Hydraulic Power, Wh (Watts) 105
1.61652692 4.86431 2.68550 1.66884 4.23736
Pump 1 Overall Efficiency, η (%) 8 1 4 2 7

Table2: The result of the first pump in single

Operation Single
Test # 1 2 3 4 5
V(L) 5
time 11.4 9.845 22.44 17.505 11.16
0.43859 0.50787 0.22281 0.28563 0.44802
Q(L/s) 6 2 6 3 9
0.00043 0.00050 0.00022 0.00028 0.00044
Flow Rate, 𝑄̇ (m3 /s) 9 8 3 6 8
1.92E- 2.58E- 4.96E- 8.16E- 2.01E-
𝑄̇^2 07 07 08 08 07
Pump 1 Electrical Input Power (Watts) 65
Pump 1 Speed (rpm) 2
Pump 1 Inlet Pressure (calculated), P1
(N/m2) 0.027 0.027 0.027 0.027 0.027
Pump 1 Inlet Pressure (measured), P1
(N/m2) 0.19 0.19 0.32 0.25 0.2
Pump 1 Outlet Pressure, P2 (N/m2) 0.35 0.36 0.37 0.35 0.36

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DP (Pa) 18700 19700 7700 12700 18700
Pump 1 Head, Hm (m) 0.27
Pump 1 Hydraulic Power, Wh (Watts) 70
11.7167 14.2929 5.18219 11.9687
Pump 1 Overall Efficiency, η (%) 9 7 2.45098 3 7

Table 3: The result of the first pump in single

Operation Single
Test # 1 2 3 4 5
V(L) 5
time 6.805 6.39 17.665 11.035 6.075
0.73475 0.78247 0.28304 0.45310 0.82304
Q(L/s) 4 3 6 4 5
0.00073 0.00078 0.00028 0.00045 0.00082
Flow Rate, 𝑄̇ (m3 /s) 5 2 3 3 3
6.12E- 8.01E- 2.05E- 6.77E-
𝑄̇^2 5.4E-07 07 08 07 07
Pump 1 Electrical Input Power (Watts) 40
Pump 1 Speed (rpm) 1
Pump 1 Inlet Pressure (calculated), P1
(N/m2) 0.027 0.027 0.027 0.027 0.027
Pump 1 Inlet Pressure (measured), P1
(N/m2) 0.22 0.25 0.34 0.33 0.23
Pump 1 Outlet Pressure, P2 (N/m2) 0.31 0.31 0.49 0.4 0.31
8699.99 9699.99
DP (Pa) 11700 6 17700 9 10700
Pump 1 Head, Hm (m) 0.27
Pump 1 Hydraulic Power, Wh (Watts) 40
21.4915 17.0187 12.5247 10.9877 22.0164
Pump 1 Overall Efficiency, η (%) 4 7 7 6 5

Table 4: The result of the second pump in single

Test # 1 2 3 4 5

V(L) 5
time (average)(s) 36.43 23.745 16.18 12.78 10.88
0.21057 0.30902 0.39123 0.45955
Q(L/s) 0.13724952 1 3 6 9

0.00021 0.00030 0.00039

Flow Rate, Q̇ (m3/s) 0.00013725 1 9 1 0.00046
1.88374E- 4.43E- 9.55E- 1.53E- 2.11E-
𝑄̇^2 08 08 08 07 07
Pump 2 Electrical Input Power (Watts) 50

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Pump 2 Speed (rpm) 3
0.02699999
Pump 2 Inlet Pressure, P1 (N/m2) 9 0.027 0.027 0.027 0.027
Pump 2 Outlet Pressure, P2 (N/m2) 0.41 0.37 0.31 0.28 0.2
38300.0001
DP (Pa) 2 34300 28300 25300 17300
Pump 2 Head, Hm (m) 0.27
Pump 2 Hydraulic Power, Wh (Watts) 105
5.00633963 6.87864 8.32891 9.42693 7.57177
Pump 2 Overall Efficiency, η (%) 6 1 9 2 9

Table5: The result of the second pump in single

Test # 1 2 3 4 5

V(L) 5
time (average)(s) 41.98 24.135 18.435 14.87 12.115
0.11910 0.20716 0.27122 0.33624 0.41271
Q(L/s) 4 8 3 7 2

0.00011 0.00020 0.00027 0.00033 0.00041

Flow Rate, Q̇ (m3/s) 9 7 1 6 3
1.42E- 4.29E- 7.36E- 1.13E-
𝑄̇^2 08 08 08 07 1.7E-07
Pump 2 Electrical Input Power
(Watts) 45
Pump 2 Speed (rpm) 2
Pump 2 Inlet Pressure, P1 (N/m2) 0.027 0.027 0.027 0.027 0.027
Pump 2 Outlet Pressure, P2
(N/m2) 0.37 0.31 0.27 0.23 0.19
DP (Pa) 34300 28300 24300 20300 16300
Pump 2 Head, Hm (m) 0.27
Pump 2 Hydraulic Power, Wh
(Watts) 70
3.89074 5.58367 6.50078 6.40685
Pump 2 Overall Efficiency, η (%) 2 1 6.27688 5 5

Table 6: The result of the second pump in single

Test # 1 2 3 4 5

V(L) 5
time (average)(s) 52.76 32.45 23.845 19.565 16.09
0.09476 0.15408 0.20968 0.25555 0.31075
Q(L/s) 9 3 8 8 2

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 9.48E- 0.00015 0.00025 0.00031
Flow Rate, Q̇ (m3/s) 05 4 0.00021 6 1
8.98E- 2.37E- 6.53E- 9.66E-
𝑄̇^2 09 08 4.4E-08 08 08
Pump 2 Electrical Input Power
(Watts) 35
Pump 2 Speed (rpm) 1
Pump 2 Inlet Pressure, P1 (N/m2) 0.027 0.027 0.027 0.027 0.027
Pump 2 Outlet Pressure, P2
(N/m2) 0.34 0.26 0.22 0.19 0.17
DP (Pa) 31300 23300 19300 16300 14300
Pump 2 Head, Hm (m) 0.27
Pump 2 Hydraulic Power, Wh
(Watts) 40
2.82501 3.85425 4.23214
Pump 2 Overall Efficiency, η (%) 2 3.41918 7 3.96724 7

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