Chemical Engineering Laboratory Report

Experiment No. 1

Date & Time Started: 02-09-16, 11:30 a.m. Date & Time Finished: 02-09-16, 3:30 p.m.

Group No.: 3 Supervisor/Instructor: Engr. Juvyneil E. Cartel

PERFORMANCE AND BENEFITS OF PUMPS IN SERIES/PARALLEL OPERATIONS

I. Introduction

Centrifugal pumps are often used together to enhance either the flow rate or the
delivery pressure beyond that available from the single pump. For some piping system
designs, it may be desirable to consider a multiple pump system to meet the design
requirements. Two typical options include parallel and series configurations of pumps which
require a specific performance criteria. In serial operation the heads of the pumps are added
and in parallel operation the flow rates (capacities) of the pumps are added.

The experimental unit provides the determination of the characteristic behaviour for
single operation and interaction of two pumps. The apparatus consists of a tank and pipework
which delivers water to and from two identical centrifugal pumps. The unit is fitted with
electronic sensors which measure the process variables. Signals from these sensors are sent to
a computer via an interface device, and the unit is supplied with data logging software as
standard.

II. Objective
To calculate the efficiency of pumps connected in series and parallel operations.
III. Methodology
III.1 Materials
Water
- The one that is to be pumped.
III.2 Equipment and Apparatus
Series/Parallel Pump Test Rig
- This accessory comprises a fixed speed pump assembly with
interconnecting pipe works. It is installed with necessary pressure gauges
and flow meter for pump performance study. This unit is mounted on a
support plinth which can be used in stand-alone operation.
Adjustable Counterweight
- Is an adjustable weight or force that balances or offsets another as when two
objects of equal weight, power, or influence are acting in opposition to each
other.
III.3 Procedures
1. The system was primed by opening all valves except the flow-regulating valve
and filling was filled with water through the filling plug. It was ensured that the
lines connecting the pressure tapping to the pressure gauges are filled with water,
since an air column will result in false indication of pressure head at the tapping
due to the height of gauge above the tapping point.
 2. The motor stator was balanced using the adjustable counterweight.
3. The water level was adjusted in the approach channel to the V notch so that it
is exactly level with the apex, taking account of the surface tension effect.
4. The point gauge was zeroed in stilling well.
5. The speed controller was set to zero.
6. With the regulating valve closed, the suction and delivery valves appropriate to
the test under the consideration were carefully selected, i.e. single pump
operation, parallel or series pump operation.
7. The initial readings on the two relevant pressure gauges were noted.
8. The motor was ran up to the chosen speed (e.r. 2900 rev/min)
9. With the regulating valve closed, again, the pressure gauge readings were noted.
This valve in intervals were opened such that the regulator increments of
discharge are attained; the calibrated manometer connected to the orifice plate
was used to establish the valve positions.
10. At each interval, after adjusting the speed controller as necessary to maintain the
chosen speed, the pressure gauge readings were noted and the head over the crest
of the V notch in the stilling well. Since the V notch responds slowly to
changes in discharge, sufficient time was allowed for the level in the stilling well
to become steady before a reading is taken.
11. The weights were applied to the torque arm until this was again balanced and the
total weight applied was noted.
12. This procedure was repeated for two other rotational speeds (2000 and 1000
rev/min) and for each of the other pump arrangements.
IV. Results and Discussion
For each test, calculate the discharge, total head, output power, input power and
efficiency.
Plot the performance curves (total head vs. discharge) and efficiency vs. discharge
and, in case of the single pumps tested at different speeds, superimpose the iso-
efficiency lines. The latter will reveal the optimum operating speed, head and
discharge for the pump operating singly. Discuss the results.
Determine the specific speed of each pump. Using the v-discharge curve at 2900
rev/min as basis, compute the predicted curves for speeds of 2000 and 1000
rev/min with the observed curves.
Plot the power curve showing the variation of input with discharge. Discuss.
Test at 2900 rev/min

V Suction Head, Torque

Delivery Head, (m)
Notch Discharge, (m) Mass, (g)
Arrangement
Head, (L/s) P1 P2 P1 P2
(mm)
48.5 2.417 0.8 9 13.5 23 3200
64 2.33 3 9.1 11 23 3300
Series 78 3.17 3 6.5 9.5 19.5 3900
77.5 2.47 2.5 8.0 10.8 23 3400
78 3.13 3.5 6.5 9.6 20 3900
60.5 1.67 0.7 -2 14 12.8 2044
67.5 1.92 0.6 -2 13.9 12.7 2200
Parallel 75.5 2.5 0.755 -2 14 12.8 2400
78.9 2.75 0.85 -2.1 13.9 12.6 2500
84 3.25 1 -2.2 13.9 12.6 2800

Test at 2000 rev/min

Arrangement V Notch Discharge, Suction Head, Delivery Head, (m) Torque

Head, (L/s) (m) Mass, (g)
 (mm) P1 P2 P1 P2
57.2 1.983 1.2 -1.5 1.2 0 728
55.5 1.833 1.2 -1.1 1.1 0 700
Series 55 1.75 1 -1 1 0 700
52.5 1.67 0.99 -1 0.94 0 648
47.9 1.417 0.8 -0.5 0.8 0.1 572
88.5 3.75 1.3 -2.3 4.9 4 1768
87.5 3.617 1.2 -2.2 5 4.1 1700
Parallel 84 3.25 1.1 -2.1 5.1 4.2 1724
80 2.97 0.9 -2 5.3 4.3 1500
72.2 2.33 0.75 -1.9 5.5 4.6 1342

Test at 1000 rev/min

V Notch Suction Head,

Discharge, Delivery Head, (m) Torque
Arrangement Head, (m)
(L/s) P1 P2 P1 P2 Mass, (g)
(mm)
77.9 3.317 3 -2.2 0.9 2.1 2616
79 3.417 3.2 -2.9 0.5 1.8 2600
Series 74.9 3 2.6 -0.7 2.9 4.2 2316
76.1 2.75 2.3 0.6 2.5 6 2200
65.9 2.33 1.8 2.3 3.9 8.2 1900
64 1.917 0.75 -1.6 0.2 0 500
62.9 1.83 0.74 -1.5 0.3 0 488
Parallel 61.1 1.8 0.75 -1.5 0.2 0 440
60 1.75 0.74 -1.5 0.3 0 458
57.5 1.67 0.72 -1.5 0.2 0 400

V. Conclusion

When pumps requirements are variable it is often more economical to fit two pumps
in series or parallel operation rather than a single larger one which may be under-utilised for
much of the time.

In the former arrangement one pump may be switched off when demand is low,
thereby operating the other at a higher efficiency and enabling maintenance to be done on the
idle unit.

Two identical pumps operated in parallel approximately double discharge while

preserving the same head. Likewise, when two identical pumps are connected in series, the
discharge rate is the same as that from one pump but the head is approximately doubled. This
can be useful route to the production of high heads.

VI. References

VII. Appendices
VII.1 Experimental Data
Test at 2900 rev/min

V Suction Head, Delivery Head,

Notch Discharge (m) (m)
Arrangement
Head, , (L/s) P1 P2 P1 P2
(mm)
 48.5 2.417 0.8 9 13.5 23
64 2.33 3 9.1 11 23
Series 78 3.17 3 6.5 9.5 19.5
77.5 2.47 2.5 8.0 10.8 23
78 3.13 3.5 6.5 9.6 20
60.5 1.67 0.7 -2 14 12.8
67.5 1.92 0.6 -2 13.9 12.7
Parallel 75.5 2.5 0.755 -2 14 12.8
78.9 2.75 0.85 -2.1 13.9 12.6
84 3.25 1 -2.2 13.9 12.6

Test at 2000 rev/min

V Suction Head, Delivery Head,

Notch Discharge (m) (m)
Arrangement
Head, , (L/s) P1 P2 P1 P2
(mm)
57.2 1.983 1.2 -1.5 1.2 0
55.5 1.833 1.2 -1.1 1.1 0
Series 55 1.75 1 -1 1 0
52.5 1.67 0.99 -1 0.94 0
47.9 1.417 0.8 -0.5 0.8 0.1
88.5 3.75 1.3 -2.3 4.9 4
87.5 3.617 1.2 -2.2 5 4.1
Parallel 84 3.25 1.1 -2.1 5.1 4.2
80 2.97 0.9 -2 5.3 4.3
72.2 2.33 0.75 -1.9 5.5 4.6

Test at 1000 rev/min

V Suction Head, Delivery Head,

Notch Discharge (m) (m)
Arrangement
Head, , (L/s) P1 P2 P1 P2
(mm)
77.9 3.317 3 -2.2 0.9 2.1
79 3.417 3.2 -2.9 0.5 1.8
Series 74.9 3 2.6 -0.7 2.9 4.2
76.1 2.75 2.3 0.6 2.5 6
65.9 2.33 1.8 2.3 3.9 8.2
64 1.917 0.75 -1.6 0.2 0
62.9 1.83 0.74 -1.5 0.3 0
Parallel 61.1 1.8 0.75 -1.5 0.2 0
60 1.75 0.74 -1.5 0.3 0
57.5 1.67 0.72 -1.5 0.2 0

VII.2 Computation
Pd
Hd=
g
Pd
=
Hd g