UNIT 4 PUMP

WHAT IS A PUMP?
The Hydraulic machines which convert the mechanical energy into hydraulic energy
are called pumps.

Pumps enable a liquid to:

1. Flow from a region of low pressure to high pressure.

2. Flow from a low level to a higher level.
3. Flow at a faster rate.

There are two main categories of pump

Rotodynamic pumps.

Positive displacement pumps.

PUMP
Positive displacement

Rotodynamic

Centrifugal
Rotary

Reciprocating

Axial flow

Mixed flow

Gear

Piston

Lobe

Diaphragm

Turbine

Sliding Vane

Screw

Plunger

Centrifugal Pumps:
If the mechanical energy is converted into pressure energy by means of centrifugal
force acting on the fluid, the hydraulic machine is called Centrifugal pumps

Main Parts of Centrifugal Pumps

Impeller
Casing
Suction Pipe with a foot
valve and strainer

Delivery Pipe
The Shaft
The driving motor
5

Main Parts of Centrifugal Pumps

1. Impeller:

which is the rotating

centrifugal pump.

It consists of a series of backwards curved

vanes (blades).

The impeller is driven by a shaft which is

connected to the shaft of an electric motor.

part

of

the

Type of Impeller
There are three main categories of impeller due type of impellers vane,
which are used in the centrifugal pumps as;
Radial vanes, Fig. (a).
Backward vanes, Fig. (b).
Forward vanes, Fig. (c).

a) when 2 > 90o, the Forwards curved vanes of

the impeller.

b) when 2 = 90o , the radial curved vanes of

the impeller.

c) when 2 < 90o, the Backwards curved vanes

of the impeller.
where :
V = absolute velocity of the water.
U = Tangential velocity of impeller (peripheral velocity).
Vr = relative velocity of water to the wheel.
Vf = velocity flow.
N = Speed of impeller in (rpm).

= vane angle.

= angle at which water leaves.

Main Parts of Centrifugal Pumps

2. Casing

Which is an air-tight
surrounding the impeller

designed to direct the liquid to the

impeller and lead it away

Volute casing: It is of spiral type in

which the area of the flow increases
gradually.

passage

Main Parts of Centrifugal Pumps

Vortex Casing: If a circular chamber is introduced between the casing and the
impeller as shown in figure, the casing is known as Vortex casing
Casing with Guide Blades: In this casing the impeller is surrounded by a series of
guide blades mounted on a ring which is known as diffuser

Centrifugal Pump:

3.

Suction Pipe.

4.

Delivery Pipe.

5.

The Shaft: which is the bar by which the power is transmitted from the
motor drive to the impeller.

6.

The driving motor: which is responsible for rotating the shaft. It can be
mounted directly on the pump, above it, or adjacent to it.

Note that a centrifugal pump can be either

submersible (wet) or dry.

15

Workdone by the Centrifugal Pump

Workdone by the Centrifugal Pump

Workdone by the Centrifugal Pump

WORKING MECHANISM OF A CENTRIFUGAL PUMP

Simplest piece of equipment in any process plant

Energy changes occur by virtue of impeller and
volute
Liquid is fed into the pump at the center of a
rotating impeller and thrown outward by
centrifugal force
The conversion of kinetic energy into pressure
energy supplies the pressure difference between
the suction side and delivery side of the pump

Liquid flow path inside a

centrifugal pump

Workdone by the Centrifugal Pump

Definitions of Heads & Efficiency of Centrifugal Pump

1.Suction head(hs )

2.Delivery head(hd)
3.Static head (Hst)
Hst = hs + hd

where :
Vs = Velocity of fluid in the suction pipe.
Vd = Velocity of fluid in the delivery
pipe.
hfs = head losses in the suction pipe.
hfd = head losses in the delivery pipe.

4.Manometric head (Hm) :

4.Manometric head (Hm) :

4.Manometric head (Hm) :

Efficiencies of a Centrifugal Pump

Efficiencies of a Centrifugal Pump

Efficiencies of a Centrifugal Pump

Problem

Given Data

Solution

Multistage Centrifugal Pumps

Problem

Given Data

Solution

Suction Piping Detail

5 dia.

RIGHT
1. Pipe supported
2. Length of suction piping
allows even impeller
loading

WRONG
1.

Pipe weight hangs on

pump flange.
2. Short suction pipe results
in uneven impeller
loading.

The Table below outlines some of the main differences between centrifugal pumps, reciprocating
pumps and rotary pumps. Note that centrifugal, reciprocating and rotary pumps are all
relatively broad categories
Parameter

Centrifugal Pumps

Reciprocating Pumps

Rotary Pumps

Medium/High Capacity,
Low/Medium Pressure

Low Capacity,
High Pressure

Low/Medium Capacity,
Low/Medium Pressure

100,000+ GPM

10,000+ GPM

10,000+ GPM

No

Yes

Yes

6,000+ PSI

100,000+ PSI

4,000+ PSI

No

Yes

Yes

Smooth or Pulsating Flow

Smooth

Pulsating

Smooth

Variable or Constant Flow

Variable

Constant

Constant

No

Yes

Yes

Requires Less Space

Requires More Space

Requires Less Space

Lower Initial
Lower Maintenance
Higher Power

Higher Initial
Higher Maintenance
Lower Power

Lower Initial
Lower Maintenance
Lower Power

Suitable for a wide range

including clean, clear, nonabrasive fluids to fluids with
abrasive, high-solid content.

Suitable for clean, clear, nonabrasive fluids. Speciallyfitted pumps suitable for
abrasive-slurry service.

Requires clean, clear, nonabrasive fluid due to close

tolerances

Not suitable for high viscosity

fluids

Suitable for high viscosity

fluids

Optimum performance with

high viscosity fluids

Lower tolerance for entrained

gases

Higher tolerance for

entrained gases

Optimum Flow and

Pressure Applications
Maximum Flow Rate
Low Flow Rate Capability
Maximum Pressure
Requires Relief Valve

Self-priming
Space Considerations
Costs

Fluid Handling

Higher tolerance for

entrained gases

The steps involved in operation of centrifugal pump are as follows :

1. The delivery valve is closed.
2. The priming of the pump is carried out. Priming involves the filling the liquid
in suction pipe and casing up to the level of delivery valve so that no air
pockets are left in the system. If any air or gas pockets are left in this portion
of pump, it may result into no delivery of liquid by the pump.
3. The pump shaft and impeller is now rotated with the help of an external
source of power like a motor or any other prime mover. The rotation of
impeller inside a casing full of liquid produces a forced vortex which is
responsible in imparting the centrifugal head to the liquid. It creates a vacuum
at the eye of impeller and causes liquid to rise into suction pipe from the sump.

4.

The speed of impeller should be sufficient to produce the centrifugal head

such that it can initiate discharge from delivery pipe.

5.

Now the delivery valve is opened and the liquid is lifted and discharge
through the delivery pipe due to its high pressure. Thus the liquid is
continuously sucked from the sump to impeller eye and it is delivered from
the casing of pump through the delivery pipe.

6.

Before stopping the pump, it is necessary to close the delivery pipe otherwise
the back flow of liquid may take place from the high head reservoir.

The operation of filling the casing , impeller and suction

pipe and the portion of delivery pump upto delivery valve is
called priming.

In case the priming of pump is not done and the pump is not
done and the pump is not under the operation, the water
present in the pump and suction pipe will flow back to the
sump. The space occupied by water will be filled by air.

If the pump is now started, the air pockets inside the impeller may give rise to
vortices and cause the discontinuity of flow. Under these condition, the flow of fluid
does not commence and the pump runs dry. It causes the rubbing and seizing of
the wearing rings, increases noise level and vibrations and finally may cause the
serious damage to pump.

The priming in reciprocating pumps is not required since the pumping is done by
positively moving the fluid out of the cylinder by the piston. Hence, the air will be
displaced from the casing when the pump starts and it will get a suction pressure
which will draw the fluid from the sump.

Priming for small pumps is done by hand

A foot valve is essential at the bottom of suction pipe
A funnel or priming cup is provided to fill the water by hand. An air vent is
provided in the casing of pump. When the water is filled, the air escapes through
the air vent. It is closed once the priming is completed

ADVANTAGES OF CENTRIGUGAL PUMPS

Simple in construction and cheap

Handle liquid with large amounts of solids

No metal to metal fits
No valves involved in pump operation
Maintenance costs are lower

DISADVANTAGES OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

Cannot handle highly viscous fluids efficiently
Cannot be operated at high heads
Maximum efficiency holds over a narrow range of conditions

Specific Speed
Pump types may be more explicitly defined by the
parameter called specific speed (Ns) expressed by:
Ns

N
H

Where:

Q
3

Q = discharge (m3/s, or l/s).

H = pump total head (m).
N = rotational speed (rpm).

Screw pumps.

In the screw pump a revolving shaft fitted with

blades rotates in an inclined trough and pushes the
water up the trough.

51

Reciprocating pumps.

In the reciprocating pump a piston sucks the fluid into

a cylinder then pushes it up causing the water to rise.

Cavitation of Pumps and NPSH

In general, cavitation occurs when the liquid pressure at a given location is

reduced to the vapor pressure of the liquid.
For a piping system that includes a pump, cavitation occurs when the absolute
pressure at the inlet falls below the vapor pressure of the water.
This phenomenon may occur at the inlet to a pump and on the impeller blades,
particularly if the pump is mounted above the level in the suction reservoir.

 Under this condition, vapor bubbles form (water starts to boil) at the impeller
inlet and when these bubbles are carried into a zone of higher pressure, they
collapse abruptly and hit the vanes of the impeller (near the tips of the impeller
vanes). causing:

Damage to the pump (pump impeller)

Violet vibrations (and noise).

Reduce pump capacity.

Reduce pump efficiency

How we avoid Cavitation ??

To avoid cavitation, the pressure head at the inlet should not fall below a
certain minimum which is influenced by the further reduction in pressure
within the pump impeller.
To accomplish this, we use the difference between the total head at the
inlet , and the water vapor pressure head

PUMP SELECTION
The amount of fluid
The properties of the fluid

Type of power supply

Cost and mechanical efficiency of the pump

Selection of A Pump
It has been seen that the efficiency of a pump depends on the discharge, head, and power
requirement of the pump. The approximate ranges of application of each type of pump are
indicated in the following Figure.

Selection of A Pump

In selecting a particular pump for a given system:

The design conditions are specified and a pump is selected for the range of applications.
A system characteristic curve (H-Q) is then prepared.

The H-Q curve is then matched to the pump characteristics chart which is provided by the
manufacturer.
The matching point (operating point) indicates the actual working conditions.

Cavitation
Cavitation is defined as the phenomenon of formation of vapor bubbles of
flowing liquid in a region where the pressure of the liquid falls below its vapor
pressure and the sudden collapsing of this vapor bubbles in a region of higher
pressure. When the vapor bubbles collapse, a very high pressure is created.
The formation and the collapse of a great number of bubbles on the surface
produce intense local stresses that damage the surface by fatigue. It may
occur at the entry to pumps or at the exit from hydraulic turbines in the
vicinity of the moving blades

Cavitation processes in centrifugal pump

The cavitation phenomenon develops in the impeller pump, when the pressure
of liquid falls below the saturated vapor pressure at the prevailing temperature
( Ps< Pv of liquid), small vapor bubbles begin to form and the dissolved gases
are evolved. The vapor bubbles are caught up by the following liquid and swept
into a region of higher pressure, where they condense. Condensation takes
place violently, accompanied by a tremendous increase in pressure, which has
the character of water hammer blows. These impact follow each other in rapid
succession, the vapor bubbles bursting both in the immediate vicinity of the
surface attacked and in the pores causing cavitation pitting with many
effecting.

Cavitation of Pumps

In general, cavitation occurs when the liquid pressure at a given location is

reduced to the vapor pressure of the liquid.
For a piping system that includes a pump, cavitation occurs when the absolute
pressure at the inlet falls below the vapor pressure of the water.
This phenomenon may occur at the inlet to a pump and on the impeller blades,
particularly if the pump is mounted above the level in the suction reservoir. .
Under this condition, vapor bubbles form (water starts to boil) at the impeller
inlet and when these bubbles are carried into a zone of higher pressure, they
collapse abruptly and hit the vanes of the impeller (near the tips of the impeller
vanes). causing:

Damage to the pump (pump impeller)

Violet vibrations (and noise).
Reduce pump capacity.
Reduce pump efficiency

How we avoid Cavitation ??

To avoid cavitation, the pressure head at the inlet should not fall below a
certain minimum which is influenced by the further reduction in pressure
within the pump impeller.
To accomplish this, we use the difference between the total head at the
inlet , and the water vapor pressure head