COVER PAGE

NAME OF EXPERIMENT:
Pumps in single, series, and parallel
STUDENT(s) NAME:
Abdullah Alturki
Mohammed Ahmed
Abbas Al-Saleh
Ziyad Al-Muayli
Muath Alwarthan

STUDENT(s) ID:
218011786
218008416
219009679
218010212
218019097

DAY, DATE&TIME:
Monday, 4/8/2023 & 12:50 PM

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 MINOR REPORT EVALUATION SHEET

Reporting, interpreting and analyzing Grade Max.

1 Abstract 5
2 Table of measurements and results 5
3 Sample of calculations 20
4 Figures, Sources of error and validation of results 20
5 Discussion, conclusion and recommendations 20
Total 70

Writing, Editing, and Presentation Max.

1 Cover Page, evaluation sheet and table of content 5
2 Numbering of Pages, tables, figures, and organizing the report 10
3 Typing 5
4 Citations &Referencing 5
5 Language 5
Total 30

Report Grade 100

Notes:………………………………………………………………………………………
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Table of Contents
List of Tables ...................................................................................................................... 3
List of Figures ..................................................................................................................... 3
Abstract ............................................................................................................................... 4
Table of measurements ....................................................................................................... 5
Table of results .................................................................................................................... 7
Sample of Calculations ....................................................................................................... 9
Single pump .................................................................................................................... 9
Two pumps in Series ..................................................................................................... 10
Two pumps in Parallel .................................................................................................. 11
Discussion & Conclusion.................................................................................................. 13
References ......................................................................................................................... 17

List of Tables

Table 1: Single Pump Data ................................................................................................. 5

Table 2: Two Pump in Series Data ..................................................................................... 5
Table 3: Two Pump in parallel Data ................................................................................... 6
Table 4: Result for Single Pump ......................................................................................... 7
Table 5: Result for Two Pumps In Series ........................................................................... 7
Table 6: Result for Two Pumps in Parallel ......................................................................... 8
Table 7: Apparatus data ..................................................................................................... 9

List of Figures
Figure 1: Relationship between flow rate and total head for a single pump..................... 13
Figure 2: mechanical power against flow rate, efficiency against flow rate for a single
pump. ................................................................................................................................ 13
Figure 3: Relationship between flow rate and total head for two pumps in series. .......... 14
Figure 4: mechanical power against flow rate, efficiency against flow rate for two pumps
in series. ............................................................................................................................ 14
Figure 5: Relationship between flow rate and total head for two pumps in parallel. ....... 15
Figure 6: mechanical power against flow rate, efficiency against flow rate for two pumps
in parallel. ......................................................................................................................... 15

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Abstract
The objective of this experiment was to compare the performance of a single centrifugal
pump with two pumps connected in series and parallel. The pumps were used to transfer
fluid in the system, and the important values such as pump speed and pressure were
recorded. The result showed that the efficiency of the single pump was the highest and the
total head of series was the highest.

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Table of measurements
Table 1: Single Pump Data

Sample Pump Pump Water Inlet Pump 1 Pump 2 Motor 1 Flow

Number Setting Speed Temperature Pressure Pressure Pressure Torque Rate
S n T P0 P1 P2 t Q
[%] [rpm] [°C] [kPa] [kPa] [kPa] [Nm] [l/s]
1 100 1800 22.8 1.8 46.6 63.5 2.09 1.769
2 100 1800 23.3 2.6 69.0 74.7 1.91 1.365
3 100 1800 23.9 3.4 80.5 88.1 1.79 1.019
4 100 1800 24.2 3.4 85.4 85.8 1.70 0.808
5 100 1800 24.4 3.8 91.3 92.6 1.55 0.500
6 100 1800 24.7 3.9 92.8 94.0 1.43 0.308
7 100 1800 24.7 4.0 95.0 95.9 1.33 0.077
8 100 1800 24.8 4.0 95.5 95.9 1.32 0.096
Operating Mode: Single, Density of water 997 𝑘𝑔/𝑚 ,
Table 2: Two Pump in Series Data

Sample Pump Pump Water Inlet Pump 1 Pump 2 Motor Flow Pump 1 Pump 1 Pump 2 Pump 2
Number Setting Speed Temperature Pressure Pressure Pressure 1 Rate Inlet Outlet Inlet Outlet
S n T P0 P1 P2 Torque Q Velocity Velocity Velocity Velocity
[%] [rpm] [°C] [kPa] [kPa] [kPa] t [l/s] [m/s] [m/s] [m/s] [m/s]
[Nm]
1 100 1800 24.0 1.8 44.2 58.9 2.15 1.731 3.99 7.19 7.19 7.19
2 100 1800 24.7 2.6 66.2 105.4 1.97 1.346 3.10 5.60 5.60 5.60
3 100 1800 25.3 3.2 79.5 135.8 1.78 1.000 2.31 4.16 4.16 4.16
4 100 1800 25.6 3.5 84.4 147.7 1.72 0.808 1.86 3.36 3.36 3.36
5 100 1800 25.8 3.9 90.3 162.6 1.53 0.538 1.24 2.24 2.24 2.24
6 100 1800 26.1 3.9 91.8 169.4 1.41 0.308 0.71 1.28 1.28 1.28
7 100 1800 25.3 4.1 93.5 173.1 1.39 0.096 0.22 0.40 0.40 0.40
Operating Mode: series, Density of water 997 𝑘𝑔/𝑚 ,

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Table 3: Two Pump in parallel Data

Sample Pump Pump Water Inlet Pump 1 Pump 2 Motor 1 Flow Pump 1 Pump 1 Pump 2 Pump 2
Number Setting Speed Temperature Pressure Pressure Pressure Torque Rate Inlet Outlet Inlet Outlet
S n T P0 P1 P2 t Q Velocity Velocity Velocity Velocity
[%] [rpm] [°C] [kPa] [kPa] [kPa] [Nm] [l/s] [m/s] [m/s] [m/s] [m/s]

1 100 1800 25.3 -0.1 63.1 58.3 1.88 2.480 2.86 5.16 2.86 5.16
2 100 1800 25.5 1.0 72.6 66.5 1.80 2.057 2.37 4.28 2.37 4.28
4 100 1800 25.9 2.3 80.5 74.9 1.74 1.519 1.75 3.16 1.75 3.16
5 100 1800 25.8 2.9 83.6 79.3 1.63 1.211 1.40 2.52 1.40 2.52
6 100 1800 25.7 3.4 86.9 82.3 1.55 0.904 1.04 1.88 1.04 1.88
7 100 1800 25.8 3.7 90.7 86.7 1.52 0.654 0.75 1.36 0.75 1.36
8 100 1800 25.9 3.9 92.6 90.8 1.42 0.327 0.38 0.68 0.38 0.68

Operating Mode: Parallel, Density of water 997 𝑘𝑔/𝑚

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Table of results
Table 4 Result for Single Pump

Sample Pump 1 Pump 1 Pump 1 Pump 1 Pump 1 Overall

Number Inlet Outlet Total Hydraulic Mechanical Efficiency
Velocity Velocity Head Power Power Egr
[m/s] [m/s] [m] [W] [W] [%]
1 4.08 7.35 6.563 113.6 393.3 28.89%
2 3.15 5.68 8.000 106.9 360.6 29.63%
3 2.35 4.24 8.586 85.6 337.3 25.38%
4 1.86 3.36 8.859 70.0 321.0 21.80%
5 1.15 2.08 9.164 44.8 293.1 15.29%
6 0.71 1.28 9.222 27.8 269.7 10.29%
7 0.18 0.32 9.382 7.1 251.1 2.81%
8 0.22 0.40 9.431 8.9 249.4 3.56%

Table 5 Result for Two Pumps In Series

Sample Pump 1 Pump 2 Combined Pump 1 Pump 2 Total Pump 1 Pump 1 Pump 2 Overall
Number Total Total Total Hydraulic Hydraulic Hydraulic Mechanical Efficiency Efficiency Efficiency
Head Head Head Power Power Power Power E1 E2 Egr
[m] [m] [m] [W] [W] [W] [W] [%] [%] [%]

1 6.240 1.579 7.82 105.6 26.7 132.4 405.5 26.1% 6.6% 16.3%
2 7.679 4.080 11.76 101.1 53.7 154.8 370.5 27.3% 14.5% 20.9%
3 8.490 5.831 14.32 83.0 57.0 140.0 335.0 24.8% 17.0% 20.9%
4 8.746 6.546 15.29 69.1 51.7 120.8 323.9 21.3% 16.0% 18.6%
5 9.088 7.461 16.55 47.8 39.3 87.1 289.0 16.6% 13.6% 15.1%
6 9.127 8.011 17.14 27.5 24.1 51.6 265.7 10.3% 9.1% 9.7%
7 9.223 8.211 17.43 8.7 7.7 16.4 262.2 3.3% 2.9% 3.1%

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Table 6 Result for Two Pumps in Parallel

Sample Pump 1 Pump 2 Combined Pump 1 Pump 2 Total Pump 1 Pump 1 Pump 2 Overall
Number Total Total Total Hydraulic Hydraulic Hydraulic Mechanical Efficiency Efficiency Efficiency
Head Head Head Power Power Power Power E1 E2 Egr
[m] [m] [m] [W] [W] [W] [W] [%] [%] [%]

1 7.474 6.981 7.23 90.7 84.7 175.3 354.2 25.59% 23.91% 24.75%
2 8.044 7.422 7.73 80.9 74.7 155.6 339.7 23.83% 21.98% 22.90%
4 8.422 7.851 8.14 62.6 58.3 120.9 328.0 19.07% 17.78% 18.42%
5 8.544 8.105 8.32 50.6 48.0 98.6 307.6 16.45% 15.61% 16.03%
6 8.736 8.269 8.50 38.6 36.5 75.1 292.5 13.20% 12.49% 12.85%
7 9.033 8.633 8.83 28.9 27.6 56.5 286.6 10.07% 9.63% 9.85%
8 9.163 8.977 9.07 14.6 14.3 29.0 268.0 5.46% 5.35% 5.41%

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Sample of Calculations
Table 7: Apparatus data

Name Symbol Unit Definition

Inlet diameter din m Diameter of inlet pipe

din = 0.0235
Outlet Diameter dout m Diameter of outlet pipe
dout = 0.0175
Change in Elevation He m Vertical distance between inlet and
Head outlet
He = 0.075m
Change in Static Head Hs m 𝒑𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒑𝒊𝒏
𝝆𝒈
Change in Velocity Head Hv m 𝑽𝟐𝒐𝒖𝒕− 𝑽𝟐𝒊𝒏
𝟐𝒈
Change in total Head Ht m He + Hs +Hv

Single pump

Note : All of the calculations below were done for sample No. 1.

𝑄 1.769 𝐿⁄𝑠 ∗ 10 𝑚 /𝐿
𝑉 = = = 4.08 𝑚/𝑠
𝐴 0.0235
𝜋∗ 𝑚
2

𝑄 1.769 𝐿⁄𝑠 ∗ 10 𝑚 /𝐿
𝑉 = = = 7.35 𝑚/𝑠
𝐴 0.0175
𝜋∗ 𝑚
2

𝑃 −𝑃 (46.6 − 1.8) ∗ 10 𝑃𝑎
𝐻 = = = 4.579 𝑚
𝜌𝑔 998 𝑘𝑔⁄𝑚 ∗ 9.81 𝑚⁄𝑠

𝑉 −𝑉 (7.35 − 4.08 ) 𝑚 /𝑠
𝐻 = = = 1.909 𝑚
2𝑔 2 ∗ 9.81 𝑚/𝑠

𝐻 = 𝐻 + 𝐻 + 𝐻 = 0.075 + 4.579 + 1.909 = 6.563 𝑚

𝑘𝑔 𝑚 𝐿 𝑚
𝑃 = 𝜌𝑔𝑄̇ 𝐻 = 998 ∗ 9.81 ∗ 1.769 ∗ 10 ∗ 6.563 𝑚 = 113.7 𝑤
𝑚 𝑠 𝑠 𝐿

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 1800 𝑟𝑝𝑚
𝑃 = 2𝜋𝑛𝑡 = 2 ∗ 𝜋 ∗ 𝑠 ∗ 2.09 = 393.3 𝑤
60
𝑚

𝑃 113.7
𝜂= ∗ 100 = ∗ 100 = 29.81%
𝑃 393.3

Two pumps in Series

Note: All the calculations below were done for sample No. 1.

For pump 1.

𝑃 −𝑃 (44.2 − 1.8) ∗ 10 𝑃𝑎
𝐻 , = = = 4.338 𝑚
𝜌𝑔 997 𝑘𝑔⁄𝑚 ∗ 9.81 𝑚⁄𝑠

𝑉 −𝑉 (7.19 − 3.99 ) 𝑚 /𝑠
𝐻 , = = = 1.827 𝑚
2𝑔 2 ∗ 9.81 𝑚/𝑠

𝐻, =𝐻 +𝐻 , +𝐻 , = 0.075 + 4.338 + 1.827 = 6.240 𝑚

𝑘𝑔 𝑚 𝐿 𝑚
𝑃 = 𝜌𝑔𝑄̇ 𝐻 , = 997 ∗ 9.81 ∗ 1.731 ∗ 10 ∗ 6.240 𝑚 = 105.6 𝑤
𝑚 𝑠 𝑠 𝐿

1800 𝑟𝑝𝑚
𝑃 = 2𝜋𝑛𝑡 = 2 ∗ 𝜋 ∗ 𝑠 ∗ 2.15 = 405.5 𝑤
60
𝑚

𝑃 105.6
𝜂 = ∗ 100 = ∗ 100 = 26.1%
𝑃 405.5

For pump 2.

𝑃 −𝑃 (58.9 − 44.2) ∗ 10 𝑃𝑎
𝐻 , = = = 1.504 𝑚
𝜌𝑔 997 𝑘𝑔⁄𝑚 ∗ 9.81 𝑚⁄𝑠

𝑉 −𝑉 (7.19 − 7.19 ) 𝑚 /𝑠
𝐻 , = = =0𝑚
2𝑔 2 ∗ 9.81 𝑚/𝑠

𝐻, =𝐻 +𝐻 , +𝐻 , = 0.075 + 1.504 + 0 = 1.579 𝑚

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 𝑘𝑔 𝑚 𝐿 𝑚
𝑃 = 𝜌𝑔𝑄̇ 𝐻 , = 997 ∗ 9.81 ∗ 1.731 ∗ 10 ∗ 1.579 𝑚 = 26.7 𝑤
𝑚 𝑠 𝑠 𝐿
1800 𝑟𝑝𝑚
𝑃 = 2𝜋𝑛𝑡 = 2 ∗ 𝜋 ∗ 𝑠 ∗ 2.15 = 405.5 𝑤
60
𝑚

𝑃 26.7
𝜂 = ∗ 100 = ∗ 100 = 6.6%
𝑃 405.5

Combined Total Head. 𝐻 = 𝐻 , + 𝐻 , = 7.82 𝑚

Total Hydraulic Power 𝑃 , =𝑃 , +𝑃 , = 132.4 𝑤

( . . )%
Overall Efficiency 𝜂 = = = 16.3%

Two pumps in Parallel

𝑃 −𝑃 (63.1 + 0.1) ∗ 10 𝑃𝑎
𝐻 , = = = 6.461 𝑚
𝜌𝑔 997 𝑘𝑔⁄𝑚 ∗ 9.81 𝑚⁄𝑠

𝑉 −𝑉 (5.16 − 2.86 ) 𝑚 /𝑠
𝐻 , = = = 0.938 𝑚
2𝑔 2 ∗ 9.81 𝑚/𝑠

𝐻, =𝐻 +𝐻 , +𝐻 , = 0.075 + 6.461 + 0.938 = 7.474 𝑚

𝜌𝑔𝑄̇ 𝐻 , 𝑘𝑔 𝑚 𝐿 𝑚
𝑃 , = = 997 ∗ 9.81 ∗ 2.480 ∗ 10 ∗ 7.474 𝑚 = 90.7 𝑤
2 𝑚 𝑠 𝑠 𝐿

1800 𝑟𝑝𝑚
𝑃 = 2𝜋𝑛𝑡 = 2 ∗ 𝜋 ∗ 𝑠 ∗ 1.88 = 354.2 𝑤
60
𝑚

𝑃 , 90.7
𝜂 = ∗ 100 = ∗ 100 = 25.59%
𝑃 354.2

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For pump 2.

𝑃 −𝑃 (58.3 + 0.1) ∗ 10 𝑃𝑎
𝐻 , = = = 5.968 𝑚
𝜌𝑔 997 𝑘𝑔⁄𝑚 ∗ 9.81 𝑚⁄𝑠

𝑉 −𝑉 (5.16 − 2.86 ) 𝑚 /𝑠
𝐻 , = = = 0.938 𝑚
2𝑔 2 ∗ 9.81 𝑚/𝑠

𝐻, =𝐻 +𝐻 , +𝐻 , = 0.075 + 5.968 + 0.938 = 6.981 𝑚

𝜌𝑔𝑄̇ 𝐻 , 𝑘𝑔 𝑚 𝐿 𝑚
𝑃 , = = 997 ∗ 9.81 ∗ 2.480 ∗ 10 ∗ 6.981 𝑚 = 84.7𝑤
2 𝑚 𝑠 𝑠 𝐿
1800 𝑟𝑝𝑚
𝑃 = 2𝜋𝑛𝑡 = 2 ∗ 𝜋 ∗ 𝑠 ∗ 1.88 = 354.2 𝑤
60
𝑚

𝑃 , 84.7
𝜂 = ∗ 100 = ∗ 100 = 23.91%
𝑃 354.2

Combined Total Head. 𝐻 = 𝐻 , + 𝐻 , = 7.23 𝑚

Total Hydraulic Power 𝑃 , =𝑃 , +𝑃 , = 175.3 𝑤

( . . )%
Overall Efficiency 𝜂 = = = 24.75%

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Discussion & Conclusion
1. Single pump

Total head Vs flow rate.

10.000
9.500
9.000
Total head (m)

8.500
8.000
7.500
7.000
6.500
6.000
0.000 0.500 1.000 1.500 2.000
Flow rate Q (L/s)

Figure 1: Relationship between flow rate and total head for a single pump.

The flowrate and total head have an inverse relation in which if the flowrate increased, the
total head decreased. Also, for the last four points the change in the total head is high
compared to the previous points.

450.0 35.00
400.0
30.00
350.0
Overall efficiency %

25.00
300.0
mechanical power (w)

250.0 20.00

200.0 15.00
150.0
10.00
100.0
5.00
50.0
0.0 0.00
0.000 0.500 1.000 1.500 2.000
Flow rate Q (L/s)

mechanical power efficiency

Figure 2: Mechanical power against flow rate, efficiency against flow rate for a single pump.

In the single pump the efficiency was increased in the all points expect the last one point.

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 2. Series.

Total head Vs flow rate.

20.00

15.00
Total head (m)

10.00

5.00

0.00
0.000 0.500 1.000 1.500 2.000
Flow rate Q (L/s)

Combined total head pump 1 total head

Figure 3: Relationship between flow rate and total head for two pumps in series.

While the flowrate increasing, thee total head was decreasing. In the first three points the
decreasing in the total head was not that much. On the other hand, for the rest of the points
the decreasing in the total head was too much higher than the first three.

450.0 25.0%
400.0
20.0%
Mechanical Power [W]

350.0
Overall Efficiency
300.0
15.0%
250.0
200.0
10.0%
150.0
100.0 5.0%
50.0
0.0 0.0%
0.000 0.500 1.000 1.500 2.000
Flow rate (L/s)

Mechanical Power Overall Efficiency

Figure 4: Mechanical power against flow rate, efficiency against flow rate for two pumps in series.

In the series pump the efficiency was increased in the all points expect the last two point.

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 3. Parallel

Total head Vs flow rate.

9.500

9.000
Total head (m)

8.500

8.000

7.500

7.000

6.500
0.000 0.500 1.000 1.500 2.000 2.500 3.000
Flow rate (L/s)

Pump 1 total head Combined Total Head

Figure 5: Relationship between flow rate and total head for two pumps in parallel.

The decreasing in the total head was not much comparing with the change of flowrate.

200.0 30.00%
180.0
25.00%
160.0
Mechanical power (w)

Overall Efficiency
140.0
20.00%
120.0
100.0 15.00%
80.0
10.00%
60.0
40.0
5.00%
20.0
0.0 0.00%
0.000 0.500 1.000 1.500 2.000 2.500 3.000
Floe rate (L/s)

Mechanical power (w) Overall Efficiency

Figure 6: Mechanical power against flow rate, efficiency against flow rate for two pumps in parallel.

In the parallel pump the efficiency is the lowest compare to the other pumps.

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  Difference between the total head gain for single and series pumps.

The difference between the total head gain for single and series pumps is that series pumps
can produce a higher head than a single pump at the same flow rate. The total head gain
for series pumps is the sum of the individual head gains for each pump.

 Difference between the total flow rate for single and parallel pumps.

The difference between the total flow rate for single and parallel pumps is that parallel
pumps can produce a higher flow rate than a single pump at the same system head. The
total flow rate for parallel pumps is the sum of the individual flow rates for each pump.

 State the applications of both series and parallel connections.

Series connections:

- They are used to increase the total head gain for pumps at the same flow rate by placing
pumps in series.
- They are used to overcome larger system head losses than one pump can handle alone by
placing pumps in series.
- They are used for high-pressure water supply systems, pumping tailings, power station
ash, underground fill and pumping concentrates by placing pumps in series.

Parallel connections:

- They are used to increase the total flow rate or current for pumps at the same head by
placing pumps in parallel.
- They are used to provide redundancy and backup in case one pump fails or needs
maintenance by placing pumps in parallel.
- They are used to handle variable flow or current demands by switching on/off different
pumps in parallel.

 Sources of error in this experiment

1. The mismatched head curves, unequal capacity splits, or low flow rates for pumps
in parallel that can cause reliability issues and damage.
2. The pressure fluctuations and instability for pumps in parallel that have different
speeds, types, or characteristics.
3. The deviation of the actual pump performance curves from the theoretical ones due
to friction losses, leakage, wear.

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  The main difference between connecting pumps on parallel or on series

When pumps are connected in parallel, the flowrate is increased while the pressure
remains constant. This is because the pumps are working together to provide more
flow, but each pump is still operating at its own pressure. When pumps are
connected in series, the pressure is increased while the flowrate remains constant.
This is because the pumps are working together to increase the overall pressure, but
the flow through each pump is reduced. The main difference between connecting
pumps in parallel or in series is the effect on the flowrate and pressure.

References
1. ROBERSON, J. A., ELGER, D. F., WILLIAMS, B. C., & CROWE, C. T.
(2013). Engineering fluid mechanics.

2. Water - Density, Specific Weight and Thermal Expansion Coefficients. (n.d.).

Engineering Toolbox. Retrieved April 7, 2023, from
https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/water-density-specific-weight-d_595.html

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