3 PUMP-PIPELINE SYSTEM ANALYSES AND DESIGN

1 Introduction
This chapter deals with the analysis and design of pipe systems which incorporate
rotodynamic pumps. The civil engineer is mostly concerned with pump selection, in the
design of river abstraction, borehole supplies from ground water and surface water and
foulwater drainage from low-lying land. Rotodynamic pumps can be sub-classified
according to the shape of impellers into 3 main categories:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)

centrifugal (radial flow)

mixed flow
propeller (axial flow)

For the same power input and efficiency, the centrifugal pump would generate relatively
large pressure head with a low discharge, the propeller type a relatively large discharge at
a low head with the mixed flow having characteristics somewhere between the two.
Pump types may be more explicitly defined by the parameter called SPECIFIC SPEED
(N s) expressed by:

Ns =

N Q
H 3/ 4

(1)

where Q: discharge
H: total head
N: rotational speed (rev/min)
This expression may be interpreted as the speed in rev/min at which a geometrically
scaled model would have to operate to deliver unit discharge (eg. 1 l/s) when generating
unit head (eg. 1m).
Pump type
Centrifugal
Mixed flow
Axial flow

Ns range
Up to 2600
2600 to 5000
5000 to 10 000

The total head generated by a pump is also called the manometric head (Hm) since it is
the difference in pressure head recorded by pressure gauges connected to the delivery and
inlet pipes on either side of the pump, provided that the pipes are of the same diameter.

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2 Head terms in pumping

For the following terms, refer to Fig 1.
State suction lift. The vertical distance from the water level in the source tank to the
centerline of the pump. If the pump is located at a lower level than the source tank (Fig
b), the static suction lift is negative.
Static discharge head. The vertical distance from the centerline of the pump to the water
level in the discharge tank.
Total static head. The sum of the static suction lift and the static discharge head, which
is equal to the difference between the water levels of discharge and source tanks.
Total dynamic head (TDH). The sum of the total static head and the friction and minor
losses. This term is also known as the total head.

Figure 1 Head terms in pumping

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3 System Head Curve

For any piping system, the friction loss, hf [=(lL/D)(V2/2g)], and the minor loss, h m
(=SKV2/2g), can be expressed in terms of the flow through the system. Thus,

H p = DZ +

lLV 2
kV 2
+
D2 g
2g

(2)

0.81 lLQ 2 SKQ 2

+
g D 5
D 4

(3)

or,
H p = DZ +

The plot of eq (3) between Hp versus Q, as shown in Fig 2 is known as the system head
curve. This curve, representing the behavior of the piping system, is important in the
selection of a pump.

Figure 2 Typical system head curve

4 Pump Characteristics Curves
For a given pump at a given speed, there are definite relationships among the pump
discharge capacity, head, power, and efficiency. These relations are derived from actual
tests on a given pump or similar unit and are usually depicted graphically by the pump
characteristics or performance curves, comprising the following:
a- Pumping head versus discharge
b- Power input (P) versus discharge
c- Efficiency (h) versus discharge
The energy imparted to fluid is rgQHm, so that a pump efficiency may be derived as
h=

rgQH m
P

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Figure 3 Pump Characteristic Curve

Fig 3 illustrates the typical characteristics curves. The general shape of the curves varies
with the size, speed, and design of a particular pump. The important feature of the curves
is that an increase in the head reduces the capacity. These curves are supplied by the
manufacturer of the pump. A set of characteristic curves represents the behavior of a
given-size pump operating at a given speed, in the same manner as a system head curve
represents the behavior of a piping system. At a given speed, a pump is rated at the head
and discharge, which gives the maximum efficiency, referred to as the best efficiency
point, shown by point A in Fig 3. The characteristic curves, particularly the headdischarge curve, are important in pump selection.
5 Single Pump and Pipeline System
The primary requirement is to determine a suitable pump and pipe combination for the
required design discharge. Consider Fig 4 which shows a simple pumping main. It is
clear that the pump must generate a total head equal to Hst plus the pipeline head losses at
Q.
Vs : velocity in suction pipe
Vd : velocity in delivery pipe
hld : head loss in delivery pipe (friction, valves, etc.)
hls : head loss in suction pipe
hm : local losses
Manometric head is defined as the rise in total head across the pump.
Hm =

Pd Vd2 Ps Vs2

+
-
+
rg 2 g rg 2 g

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with:
Ps
V2
= Z 1 - s - hls
rg
2g

Pd
V2
= Z 2 + hld - d
rg
2g

Thus,
H m = H st + hld + hls

(6)

The discharge is a function of both the pump and pipeline. For a given system, the headdischarge characteristic curves for the pump may be superimposed on that for the
pipeline, as shown in Fig 5. The point of intersection of the two characteristics curves
locates the one possible combination of head and discharge for the system under steady
flow conditions. The intersection point is referred to as the operating point.

Fig 4 Simple pumping main

Figure 5 Pump and pipeline characteristics curves

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6 Multiple Pump Systems

A. Pumps in Parallel
Pumping stations frequently contain several pumps in parallel arrangement. In this
configuration (Fig 6), any number of the pumps can be operated simultaneously, the
objective being to deliver a range of discharges. This is a common feature of sewage
pumping stations where the inflow rate varies during the day. By automatic switching
according to the level in the suction well, any number of the pumps can be brought into
operation.
In predicting the head vs discharge curve for parallel operation, it is assumed that the
head across each pump is the same. Thus, at any arbitrary head the individual pump
discharges are added (Fig 6b).
H np = H p

Qnp = nQ p

(7)

Fig 6 (a) Pumps operating in parallel

6 (b) Characteristic curves for identical pumps operating in parallel

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B. Pumps in Series
This configuration is the basis of multistage and borehole pumps; the discharge from the
first pump (or stage) is delivered to the inlet of the second pump, and so on. The same
discharge passes through each pump receiving a pressure boost in doing so. Fig 7 shows
the series configuration together with the resulting head vs. discharge characteristics
which are clearly obtained by adding individual pump manometric heads at any
discharges. All the pump in series system must be operating simultaneously.
H np = nH p

Qnp = Q p

(8)

Figure 7 Pumps operating in series

7 Variable speed pump operation
By the use of variable speed motors the discharge of a single pump can be varied to suit
the operating requirements of the system. Using dimensionless analysis and dynamic
similarity criteria, it can be shown that if the pump delivers a discharge Q1 at manometric
head H1 when running at speed N1 the corresponding values when the pump is running at
speed N2 are given by the relationships

N2
)
N1
N
H 2 = H1 ( 2 ) 2
N1

Q2 = Q1 (

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Figure 8 Effect of speed change on pump characteristics

In constructing the characteristic curve for speed N2, several pairs of values of Q1, H1
from the curve for N1 can be obtained and transformed into homologous points Q2, H2 on
the N2 curve. (Fig 8).
8 Suction lift limitations
Cavitation, the phenomenon which consists of local vaporization of a liquid and which
occurs when the absolute pressure falls to the vapour pressure of the liquid at the
operating temperature, can occur at the inlet to a pump and on the impeller blades,
particularly if the pump is mounted above the level in the suction well. Cavitation causes
physical damage, reduction in discharge and noise, and to avoid it the pressure head at
inlet should not fall below a certain minimum which is influenced by the further
reduction in pressure within the pump impeller. (Fig 9)

Figure 9 Head conditions in suction pipe

p - pv
If p s represents the pressure at inlet, then s
is the absolute head at the pump inlet
rg
above the vapour pressure (p v) and is known as the net positive suction head (NPSH).

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 p - pv
Thus, NPSH = s
rg

p a - pv
V2
=
- hs + hls + s
rg
2g

(10)

Where pa : ambient atmospheric pressure

hs : suction lift
hls : total head loss in suction pipe
Vs : velocity head in suction pipe
r : density of liquid.
Value of NPSH can be obtained from the pump manufacturer and are derived from fullscale or model tests; these values must not be exceeded if cavitation is to be avoided.
Thoma introduced a cavitation number:

s =

NPSH
Hm

(11)

and from physical tests found this to be strongly related to specific speed.
In recent years electro-submersible pumps in the small to medium size range have been
widely used. This type eliminates the need for suction pipes and are provided that the
pump is immersed to the manufacturers specified depth, the problems of cavitation and
cooling are avoided.
9 Installation of a Centrifugal Pump
A typical centrifugal pump installation is shown in Fig 10. The pump is installed between
two valves for easy removal in case of maintenance. On the suction side, a combined
bellmouth entry and strainer are necessary, together with a non-return valve to ensure
self-priming. On the delivery side, a second non-return valve is necessary to prevent
damage from possible surge pressures. In addition, an air valve and flow meter (venturi
type) are desirable.

Figure 10 Typical centrifugal pump installation

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