EXPERIMENT 1

PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMP (SINGLE

STAGE)

1.0 OBJECTIVE
 To study the relationship between impeller speed and water flow rate.
 To evaluate the efficiency of centrifugal pump when the impeller speed
change.

2.0 INTRODUCTION & THEORY

The first concept of centrifugal pump was appeared at 1475 by the Italian Renaissance
engineer Francesco di Giorgio Martini. The pump that apply the concept of using only
a single impeller to function is basically called a single stage centrifugal pump. Over
the world, centrifugal pump can be considered is the most common pump type and its
always applying the principle of simple, well-described, thoroughly tested; the pump
is robust, effective and relatively inexpensive to produce.

Centrifugal pumps can be regarded as the inverse of a reaction turbine. The flow is
always outwards and they convert mechanical energy into a head of liquid. However,
it is less efficient than a turbine because of smaller losses when converting pressure
energy to kinetic energy than vice versa. The rotating impeller creates a forced vortex
in the passages of the pump and the efficiency depends largely upon the extent to
which the high velocity head is converted to pressure head. The impeller of the
centrifugal pump will convert input power into kinetic energy by accelerating liquid
flow. Fluid enters the pump through the eye of the impeller which rotates at high
speed, then the fluid accelerates radially outward from the pump chasing and a
vacuum is created at the impellers eye that continuously draw more fluid into the
pump.

3.0
 Overview of centrifugal pump (single stage)

The centrifugal pump function consist the shaft power input and water power output.
The rotation shaft or impeller will contribute the power input for the pump whereas
the water flow out rate of the pump is consider the power output. To calculate the
power output, head rise is needed while the head rise can be found by using Energy
equation:

ΔP=ρ gH

The ρ for power output of water is around 999.97 kg/m3 while the pressure
different ΔP is the pressure different between point 0 and 1, which is water tank
level to pump.

Pout
η=
The basic efficiency formula for the pump is Pin
 3.0 APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT14 15 16 17
Multi pump test rig (model
13 LS – 18048) Parts Identification Diagram

No. Item Quantity

1 Watt meter 1
2 Gear pump flow meter 1 1
12 3 Gear pump differential pressure meter 1
4 Stop button 1 2
11 5 Pump selector switches 1
6 Main switch 1 3
10
7 Hydraulic oil reservoir tank 1
8 Water reservoir tank 1 4
9 Single-stage centrifugal pump 1
5
10 Multi-stage centrifugal pump 1
9 11 Regulating valve 1
12 Pressure gauge 1 6
13 Gear pump 1
14 Frequency inverter 1
15 Centrifugal pump differential pressure meter 1
16 Centrifugal pump flow meter 1
17 Speed meter 1
8
7
4.0 SAFETY AND PRECAUTION

 Keep body away parts from the motor rotating parts to avoid injury.

 Ensure that the electrical console is dry at all time to prevent electric
shock.

 Avoid changing the setting and calibration of the digital meters, as the
meters have been calibrated in-house.

 Do not leave the flow regulator in a fully closed position for an extended
duration of time, as this may damage overload the pumps.

 Should there be any doubts, seek assistance from the lecturer or lab
supervisor.

5.0 PRE-PROCEDURE
I. Read the safety instruction given before conducting the experiment.
II. Read and understand the theory for centrifugal pumps before lab session.
III. Prepare the accessories needed for the experiment.
6.0 PROCEDURE

I. Place the LS-18048 Multi Pump Test Rig on a level table.

II. Adjust the leveling feet if necessary.

III. Fill the water reservoir tank with clean water until 3/4 full.

IV. Fill the hydraulic oil reservoir tank with clean hydraulic oil until 3/4 full.

V. Plug the 3 pin plug to the 240 VAC main power supply.

VI. Turn “ON” the power supply.

VII. Switch “ON” the main switch in front of the control panel.

VIII. Reset all digital meters to zero by pressing the “UP” button.

IX. Make sure that the regulating valve is fully open.

X. To operate any one of the three pumps, press the desired pump selector
switch.

XI. To switch other, press the “STOP” button then select pump by selector
switch.
 XII. The unit is ready for use if all components are working and in order.

7.0 RESULT

Powe
Power
r
Frequency, Speed, N Flowrate Flowrate, Pressure, Output η
Input,
f (Hz) (RPM) , Q (lpm) Q (m3/s) ∆P (kPa) , Po (%)
Pi
(watt)
(watt)
-4
8 520 10 1.67 x 10 11.036 1.843 70 2.633
11 660 17 2.83 x 10-4 11.036 3.123 82 3.809
14 840 24 4.00 x 10-4 11.036 4.414 96 4.598
17 1036 28 4.67 x 10-4 11.036 5.154 131 4.161
20 1240 33 5.50 x 10-4 11.036 6.070 151 4.019
23 1486 38 6.33 x 10-4 11.036 6.986 183 3.817
26 1694 43 7.17 x 10-4 11.036 7.913 226 3.501
30 1870 48 8.00 x 10-4 11.036 8.829 311 2.839

Reference for speed of the water in pump with respective frequency:

Frequency, f (Hz) Speed, N (RPM)

5 400
10 600
15 900
20 1240
25 1650
30 1870

Calculation:

Example 14Hz:

Speed, N

x−600 900−600
=
14−10 15−10

x= ( 900−600
15−10 )
( 14−10 ) +600

x=840 RPM

Flowrate, Q
 3
24 l 1 m 1m
Q= × ×
m 60 s 1000 l

Q=4 ×10−4 m3 / s

Pressure, ∆P

Given the head of the system, H = 112.5cm, density of water, ρ = 1000kg/m3,

gravitational acceleration, g = 9.81m/s2

∆ P= ρgH

∆ P= (1000 )( 9.81 ) ( 112.5 × 10−2 )

∆ P=11036.25 Pa

∆ P=11.036 kPa

Power output, Po

Po=Q × ∆ P

Po=( 4 × 10−4 ) ( 11.036 × 103 )

Po=4.414 Watt

Efficiency, η

Po
η= × 100
Pi

4.414
η= × 100
96

η=4.598

8.0 DISCUSSION & EVALUATION

8.1
 Water Flow Rate (m3/s) Against Impeller Speed (RPM)
0
0
0
Water Flow Rate, m3/s

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
Impeller Speed, RPM

Figure 1: Water Flow Rate (m3/s) Against Impeller Speed (RPM)

Efficiency Against Impeller Speed (RPM)

5
4.5 4.6
4.16 4.02
4
3.81 3.82
3.5 3.5
3
2.84
Efficiency

2.5 2.63

2
1.5
1
0.5
0
400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000
Impeller Speed (RPM)

Figure 2: Efficiency Against Impeller Speed (RPM)

8.2
Figure 2 show the efficiency against the impeller speed. Based on Figure 2,
the graph is not constant in one direction change which means that there is a
maximum point exist in the graph. Based on our experiment, the system
reached its maximum efficiency at impeller speed of 840 rpm. There is a trend
 of increasing of efficiency before the impeller speed reach 840 rpm and the
efficiency experience a significant decreased after 840 rpm.

Dimensionless Specific Speed, Ns Efficiency, η

0.1162 2.633
0.1920 3.809
0.2906 4.598
0.3872 4.161
0.5029 4.019
0.6466 3.817
0.7845 3.501
0.9147 2.839

Efficiency against Dimensionless Specify Speed

5
4.5
4
3.5
3
Efficiency, η

2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1
DImensionless Specify Speed, Ns

Figure 3: Efficiency (%) against the dimensionless specific speed

In order to explain the trend of the efficiency

9.0 CONCLUSION
As a conclusion, single stage centrifugal pump can pump more water out as the
impeller speed is increase due to the relationship between water flow rate and
impeller speed. The efficiency of the system may not reach higher enough if the
pump operates at lower input. It may be a new consideration and research for
engineer to improve the efficiency of pump by only increasing the speed of
impeller. Example of the industrial application for single stage centrifugal pump is:
use to district heating plants, clean contaminated liquids or viscose liquid.
10.0
11.0REFERENCE