Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 3: Series and Parallel Pump

Experiment 3
Series and Parallel Pump
Objectives
-

To observe the differences between single, series and parallel pump

operation.
To determine the single, series and parallel pump characteristic curves.

Overview
A pump can serve to move liquid, as in a cross country pipeline, to lift liquid as
from a well or to the top of a tall building; or to put fluid under pressure as in a
hydraulic brake. In chemical plants and refineries pumps transfer or circulate oil
and a great variety of fluids.

General Start - Up Procedures

Before conducting any experiment, it is necessary to do the following checking to
avoid any misuse and malfunction of equipment.
1.

Fill sump tank with tap water. Water level can be checked using the
viewing window.

2.

Check whether the Emergency-Off switch is released.

3.

Switch on main power switch.

4.

Open flow adjustment valve.

5.

Switch on pump.

Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 3: Series and Parallel Pump

Experimental Procedures
Experiment 1

: Single Pump

Figure 1: Configuration of a Single Pump

1.

Connect the stop-cocks as shown in Fig. 1 (handle parallel to the pipe

valve open, handle perpendicular to the pipe valve closed).

2.

Switch on pump 1 (9) with the main switch on the switchbox (11); pump 2
must remain off!

3.

Adjust the outlet valve (8) by setting pressure , P, to 0 bar in order to

obtain the desired volumetric flowrate, Q. (ensure continuous water in
flow into the reservoir)

4.

Record measured values, (Refer Table 1):

P Suction
- on the intake side of the pump (13)
P Delivery
- on the delivery side of the pump (14)
Q
- Volumetric flow
Note:
To determine volumetric flow rate close the outlet valve. Use stopwatch to
establish time required for raising the level in the volumetric tank in 1
minute.

Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 3: Series and Parallel Pump

5.

Repeat with the other six pressure, P (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 bar)

Experiment 2

: Series Configuration of Two Pumps

Figure 2: Series Configuration

1.

Connect the stop-cocks as shown in Fig. 2.

2.

Switch on both pumps (9, 10) with the main switch on the switchbox (11).

3.

Set the desired volumetric flow Q with the drain cock (8); ensure
continuous water inflow into the reservoir.

4.

Record measured values, (Refer Table 2):

PSuction1
- on the intake side of pump 1 (13)
PDelivery1
- on the delivery side of pump 1(14)
P Suction 2
- on the intake side of pump 2 (15)
PDelivery2
- on the delivery side of pump 2 (16)
V
- Volumetric flow

5.

Repeat with the other six pressure, P (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 bar).

Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 3: Series and Parallel Pump

Experiment 3

: Parallel Configuration of Two Pumps

Figure 3: Parallel Configuration

1.

Connect the stop-cocks as shown in Fig. 3.

2.

Switch on both pumps (9, 10) with the main switch on the switchbox (11).

3.

Set the desired volumetric flow Q with the drain cock (8); ensure
continuous water inflow into the reservoir.

4.

Record measured values, (Refer Table 3):

PSuction1
- on the intake side of pump 1 (13)
PDelivery1
- on the delivery side of pump 1(14)
P Suction 2
- on the intake side of pump 2 (15)
PDelivery2
- on the delivery side of pump 2 (16)
P Outflow
- at the outflow (17)
V
- Volumetric flow

5.

Repeat with five other different volumetric flows V.

Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 3: Series and Parallel Pump

Results
Table 1: Single Pump
Poutflow
(bar)

Volume, V
(L)

Time,t
(min)

Volumetric
Flowrate,Q
(L/min)

Psuction
(bar)

PDelivery
(bar)

0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
Table 2: Series Configuration of Two Pumps
Poutflow
(bar)

Volume,
V (L)

Time,t
(min)

Volumetric
Flowrate,Q
(L/min)

Pump 1
PSuction,1
PDelivery,1
(bar)
(bar)

Pump 2
PSuction,2
PDelivery,2
(bar)
(bar)

0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0

Table 3: Parallel Configuration of Two Pumps

Poutflow
(bar)

Volume,
V (L)

Time,t
(min)

Volumetric
Flowrate,Q
(L/min)

Pump 1
PSuction,1
(bar)

0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0

PDelivery,1
(bar)

Pump 2
PSuction,2
(bar)

PDelivery,2
(bar)

Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 3: Series and Parallel Pump

Plot the pump characteristic curve for each configuration. (It is advisable to plot
all three curves in one graph).

Where the vertical axis:

Single Pump

: P = P Delivery P Suction

Series Configuration

: P = P Delivery 2 P Suction 1

Parallel Configuration

: P = P Outflow P Suction 1

While the horizontal axis is the respective volumetric flow rate

Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 3: Series and Parallel Pump

Discussion
Discuss and compare the characteristic curves plotted.

Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 3: Series and Parallel Pump

Tutorial

1.

Sketch pumps in series configuration.

2.

Sketch pumps in parallel configuration.

Fluid Mechanics (CLD 10603)

Experiment 3: Series and Parallel Pump

Conclusion

References

1. White, F.M. Fluid Mechanics 4th Ed. McGraw Hill

2. McCabe, W.L., Smith, J.C and Harriot Unit Operations of Chemical
Engineering 5th Ed. McGraw Hill
3. Anthony Esposito. Fluid Mechanics with Applications. Prentice Hall
International Inc.
4. Debler, W.R. Fluid Mechanics Fundamentals. Prentice Hall International
Inc.