CHE391A Lab Report: 2023-34-II

Experiment no. 3 : Centrifugal Pump Test Rig

Date of Experiment: 02/02/2024 Date of Report submission: 06/02/2024

Date of Revision: N/A

Group Number: 10 Batch: Friday

Name of Contributing Students:

1. Lakshita Gopalani [210555]

2. Sneh Omer [211041]
3. Vaibhav Agarwal [211133]

Executive Summary: The Centrifugal Pump Test Rig experiment was conducted to
comprehensively explore the performance characteristics of centrifugal pumps,
specifically in series and parallel configurations. Key parameters such as power input,
shaft output, discharge, total head, pump output, overall efficiency, and pump efficiency
were quantified to provide valuable insights into pump behavior.

Problem Statement: The experiment aimed to study the performance characteristics of

a Centrifugal Pump Test Rig in both series and parallel setups, investigating crucial
parameters such as power input, shaft output, discharge, total head, pump output,
overall efficiency, and pump efficiency.

Key Findings: The centrifugal pump operates on the principle of forced vortex flow,
converting mechanical energy into hydraulic energy through centrifugal force acting on
the fluid. The experiment successfully demonstrated the functioning of a multistage
centrifugal pump in both series and parallel configurations. Performance
characteristics, including Head vs Discharge, Speed vs Discharge, and Pump efficiency
vs Discharge, were plotted and analyzed, providing valuable insights into the
relationship between impeller characteristics and pump performance.
Conclusion: The experiment effectively explored the operation and performance of a
centrifugal pump in various configurations. The findings contribute to a deeper
understanding of the factors influencing pump efficiency and discharge, essential for
optimizing pump systems in practical applications.

Recommendations:
1. Investigate the dynamic relationship between varying speeds and discharge rates to
optimize the overall efficiency of the centrifugal pump.
2. Extend the scope of research by simulating real-world scenarios in the experimental
setup. Introduce external factors such as variable load conditions, diverse fluid
characteristics, or transient conditions to enhance the practical relevance of the
findings.
3. Explore the integration of smart control systems to dynamically adjust pump
parameters based on real-time conditions. This can contribute to increased operational
efficiency and adaptability in response to varying demands.

Aim : To determine:
➢ Power input ➢ Shaft output
➢ Discharge ➢ Total head
➢ Pump Output ➢ Overall efficiency
➢ Pump efficiency

To plot the following performance characteristics:

➢ Head vs Discharge
➢ Speed vs. Discharge
➢ Pump efficiency vs. Discharge.
Line Diagram:
Signed Data Sheet:
DETAILED THEORY AND ANALYSIS:

The centrifugal pump operates as the reverse of an inward radial flow reaction turbine,
causing the flow within the pump to move in radial outward directions. The
fundamental principle governing its function is the forced vortex flow. In this process,
an external torque imparts rotational motion to a mass of liquid, leading to a rise in
pressure head within the rotating liquid. The increase in pressure head at any point in
the rotating liquid is proportionate to the square of the tangential velocity (i.e., rise in
pressure head = V²/2g or ω²r²/2g). At the impeller outlet, where the radius is greater,
there is a corresponding increase in pressure head, resulting in the discharge of liquid
with a high-pressure head. This high-pressure head enables the lifting of liquid to a
higher level.
A centrifugal pump is a mechanical device comprising a body, impeller, and a rotating
element, such as a motor or engine. The impeller, which rotates within a stationary
body, draws in fluid through its axis and expels it through its periphery. The impeller's
inlet angle, outlet angle, and peripheral speed significantly influence the pump's head
and discharge. The impeller is driven by a motor, engine, or other rotating devices.

Multistage Centrifugal Pump: A multistage centrifugal pump consists of two or more

impellers, and it serves two critical functions:
High Head Production: When there is a need to develop a high head, the impellers are
connected in series.
Large Quantity Liquid Discharge: For discharging a large quantity of liquid, the
impellers are connected in parallel.

This setup facilitates the study of centrifugal pump performance characteristics in

different configurations. The variation of RPM, coupled with the control of power input,
enables the exploration of the pump's behavior under different operating conditions.
The instrumentation, including RPM indicators, proximity sensors, and pressure
gauges, ensures accurate data collection for subsequent analysis of head, discharge,
and efficiency. The multistage configuration allows for the observation of how series
and parallel setups impact the pump's ability to produce head and discharge liquid,
providing valuable insights into the practical application of centrifugal pumps.
OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS:

Pump 1:

Pd Ps1 Q (*10^-3 E0 ( *10-2

N1 (rpm) (kg/cm3) (mmHg) Fl (LPH) Pulse Ei (kW) Es (kW) m3/sec) H (m) kW) η₀ ηₚ
2710 0.05 280 10500 7 0.7875 0.63 2.917 5.184 14.833 18.836 23.545

2710 0.25 240 9500 7 0.7875 0.63 2.639 6.658 17.236 21.887 27.358

2710 0.30 220 9000 7 0.7875 0.63 2.500 6.895 16.909 21.472 26.840

2710 0.40 200 8000 6 0.6750 0.54 2.222 7.632 16.637 24.647 30.809

2710 0.55 160 7000 6 0.6750 0.54 1.944 8.605 16.415 24.318 30.397

2710 0.60 140 6500 6 0.6750 0.54 1.806 8.842 15.662 23.202 29.003

2710 0.65 120 6000 7 0.7875 0.63 1.667 9.079 14.844 18.850 23.562

2710 0.70 120 5500 6 0.6750 0.54 1.528 9.579 14.356 21.269 26.586

2710 0.80 80 4000 5 0.5625 0.45 1.111 10.053 10.957 19.480 24.350

2710 0.75 100 4500 5 0.5625 0.45 1.250 9.816 12.037 21.398 26.748

Pump 2:

Pd Ps1 Q (*10^-3 E0 ( *10-2

N1 (rpm) (kg/cm3) (mmHg) Fl (LPH) Pulse Ei (kW) Es (kW) m3/sec) H (m) kW) η₀ ηₚ
2600 0.05 200 9500 6 0.6750 0.54 2.639 4.132 10.696 15.845 19.807

2600 0.15 180 8750 6 0.6750 0.54 2.431 4.868 11.608 17.197 21.497

2600 0.20 160 8250 6 0.6750 0.54 2.292 5.105 11.477 17.003 21.254

2600 0.35 130 7500 6 0.6750 0.54 2.083 6.211 12.693 18.804 23.505

2600 0.40 110 7000 6 0.6750 0.54 1.944 6.447 12.298 18.220 22.775

2600 0.45 100 6500 5 0.5625 0.45 1.806 6.816 12.072 21.462 26.828

2600 0.50 90 6000 5 0.5625 0.45 1.667 7.184 11.746 20.882 26.103

2600 0.55 70 5500 5 0.5625 0.45 1.528 7.421 11.122 19.773 24.716

2600 0.60 60 5000 6 0.6750 0.54 1.389 7.789 10.613 15.723 19.654

2600 0.70 30 4000 5 0.5625 0.45 1.111 8.395 9.150 16.267 20.334
 Parallel:

Q (*10^- E0 (
N1 N2 Pd Ps1 Ps2 Fl Ei Es 3 *10^-2
(rpm) (rpm) (kg/cm3) (mmHg) (mmHg) (LPH) Pulse (kW) (kW) m3/sec) H (m) kW) η₀ ηₚ
2600 2450 0.30 180 90 16000 10 1.125 0.90 4.444 5.776 25.185 22.386 27.983

2600 2450 0.35 180 90 15500 10 1.125 0.90 4.306 6.276 26.510 23.564 29.455

2600 2450 0.40 160 60 14500 9 1.013 0.81 4.028 6.447 25.475 25.161 31.451

2600 2450 0.45 140 50 13500 9 1.013 0.81 3.750 6.750 24.832 24.525 30.656

2600 2450 0.50 120 30 12000 9 1.013 0.81 3.333 6.987 22.847 22.565 28.206

2600 2450 0.60 100 20 11000 8 0.900 0.72 3.056 7.789 23.349 25.943 32.429

2600 2450 0.65 100 10 10000 8 0.900 0.72 2.778 8.224 22.410 24.899 31.124

2600 2450 0.65 80 10 9000 8 0.900 0.72 2.500 8.092 19.846 22.051 27.564

2600 2450 0.70 80 10 8000 7 0.788 0.63 2.222 8.592 18.731 23.785 29.731

2600 2450 0.75 60 10 6000 7 0.788 0.63 1.667 8.961 14.650 18.604 23.255

Series:

E0 (
N1 N2 Pd Ps1 Ps2 Fl Es Q (*10^-3 *10^-2
(rpm) (rpm) (kg/cm3) (mmHg) (mmHg) (LPH) Pulse Ei (kW) (kW) m3/sec) H (m) kW) η₀ ηₚ
2600 2450 0.05 240 0 9250 10 1.125 0.90 2.569 4.658 11.741 10.436 13.045

2600 2450 0.30 220 0 8500 10 1.125 0.90 2.361 6.895 15.970 14.195 17.744

2600 2450 0.45 200 0 8000 10 1.125 0.90 2.222 8.132 17.727 15.757 19.696

2600 2450 0.60 180 0 7500 10 1.125 0.90 2.083 9.368 19.147 17.019 21.274

2600 2450 0.70 160 0 7000 10 1.125 0.90 1.944 10.105 19.276 17.134 21.418

2600 2450 0.95 120 0 6000 9 1.013 0.81 1.667 12.079 19.749 19.505 24.382

2600 2450 1.05 120 0 5500 9 1.013 0.81 1.528 13.079 19.602 19.360 24.200

2600 2450 1.10 100 0 5000 9 1.013 0.81 1.389 13.316 18.143 17.919 22.398

2600 2450 1.25 80 0 4500 9 1.013 0.81 1.250 14.553 17.845 17.625 22.031

2600 2450 1.25 80 0 4000 9 1.013 0.81 1.111 14.553 15.862 15.667 19.583
RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS:

➢ Total Head decreases with increase in discharge flow rate.

➢ The discharge flow rate in parallel combination is the highest compared
to single stage pump-1 and pump-2, as well as series combination.
➢ The total head is highest for Series combination.
➢ Hence, if a high head is to be developed, the pumps should be
connected in series, while for discharging large quantities of liquid; the
pumps should be connected in parallel.
➢ The pump efficiency, as well as overall efficiency first increases,
reaches a maximum and then decreases, with increasing flow rate.
➢ Among Pump -1 and Pump-2 (Single Stage Operation), Pump-1 has
higher head loss compared to Pump-2

PRECAUTIONS:

➢ The apparatus should not be run if the power supply is less than 180
volts and above 230 volts.
➢ The Delivery line and By-Pass line valves should never be closed
simultaneously.
➢ Ensure that the apparatus is always kept free from dust.
➢ Clean water should always be used.
➢ If the apparatus will not be in use for more than half a month, it should
be completely drained.

SOURCES OF ERROR/ ERROR ANALYSIS:

➢ The eye level should be perpendicular to the readings to avoid parallax

error.
➢ Since the pressure gauges display different units for readings
corresponding to inner and outer markings, it should be verified before
recording any readings.