CHAPTER 4

Performance of Centrifugal Pump

4.1 Introduction
To truly understand pump operation, one needs to carefully examine the specifics
of each individual system in which a pump is installed and operating as shown in figure
(4.1). The main elements of a pumping system are:
• Supply side (suction or inlet side)
• Pump (with a driver)
• Delivery side (discharge or process)

Fig.(4.1): Pump in a system

The energy delivered to a pump by the driver is spent on useful energy to move
the fluid and to overcome losses.
From the pump user viewpoint, there are two major parameters of interest:
4.2 Flow and Pressure
(i) Flow: is a parameter that tells us how much of the fluid needs to be moved
(transferring from a large storage tank to smaller drums for distribution and sale, adding
chemicals to a process).
(ii) Pressure: tells us how much of the hydraulic resistance needs to be overcome by the
pumping element, in order to move the fluid.
In a perfect world of zero losses, all of the input power would go into moving the flow
against given pressure. We could say that all of the available driver power was spent on,
165
or transferred to, a hydraulic (i.e., useful) power. Consider the simple illustration in
Figure (4.2), which shows a piston steadily pushed against pressure, “ p ” inside a pipe
filled with liquid. During the time “ t ” the piston will travel a distance
“ L ” and the person, exerting force “ F ” on a piston, is doing work to get this process
going. From our school days, we remember that work equals force multiplied by
distance:
Work  F  L

For a steady motion, the force is balanced by the pressure p acting on area A
Work  F  L
Work  p  A  L  p   A  L   p  v

Fig.(4.2): Concept of power transfer to the fluid

Now consider we have a pump is connected a two tank with each other as shown in
figure.

Fig. (4.3): Typical flow system

H m  H s  H losses in pipe (4.1)

166
4.3 System Curve
From the discussion above, we have established that flow and pressure are the two
main parameters for a given application. Other parameters, such as pump speed, fluid
viscosity, specific gravity, and so on, will have an effect on flow and/or pressure, by
modifying the hydraulics of a pumping system in which a given pump operates.
A mechanism of such changes can be traced directly to one of the components of losses,
namely the hydraulic losses.
Essentially, any flow restriction requires a pressure gradient to overcome it. These
restrictions are valves, orifices, turns, and pipe friction. From the fundamentals of
hydraulics based on the Bernoulli equation, a pressure drop (i.e., hydraulic loss) is
proportional to velocity head:
Consider any pipe system, the losses expressed in terms of standard loss
coefficients are the sum of the minor losses hm
V2
hm   k
2g

and the friction loss

V2 L
hf  f
2g D

where f is the friction coefficient, L is the length of the pipe and D its diameter. Thus
the total head loss is:
H Losses in pipe  h f  hm

V2 L V2
H Losses in pipe  f  k
2g D 2g

 1 L 1  2
H Losses in pipe   f  k V
 2g D 2 g 

The velocity in the pipe can be expressed as a function of volume flow rate:
Q Q 4Q
V  
A  2 D 2
D
4
Then, the total pipe losses can be expressed as:
 1 L 1  2
H Losses in pipe   f  k V
 2g D 2 g 

167
 2
 1 L 1  4Q 
H Losses in pipe   f  k  
 2g D 2 g  D 2 

16  1 L 1  2
H Losses in pipe   f  k Q
 2D4  2g D 2 g 

H Losses in pipe  cons tan t  Q 2

H Losses in pipe  K Q 2 (4.2)

If any parameter in the system is changed, such as adjusting a valve opening, or inserting
a new bend, etc., then K will change.
H Losses in pipe  Q 2

If this equation is plotted, it will be a parabola

Fig. (4.4): Hydraulic losses as a function of flow rate

Finally, the liquid must be moved from the lower reservoir to the upper reservoir
through the static head H s ; hence the total opposing head of the pipe system that must
be overcome in order to move the fluid from the lower to upper reservoir is
H m  H s  H Losses in pipe

The total system head loss therefore becomes

H  H s  KQ 2 (4.3)
and if this equation is plotted on the head–flow characteristic for the pipe, we obtain the
system curve:

168
Fig. (4.5): System Curve

169
4.4 Pump Application for Different Systems
(1) Lifting pump
Pump using to increase the pressure (manometric head) and this application is
used in power stations to raise the exit pressure of the condenser to the boiler pressure
and also in the hydraulic circuits. This pump used to overcome the static head like water
rising for houses.

Fig. (4.6): System Curve with lifting pump

170
(2) Circulating Pump
This pump is used to overcome the friction head losses and this type of
application is used to overcome the friction in pipes the long petroleum pipe lines

Fig. (4.7): System Curve with circulating pump

171
(3) Boosting Pump
This pump is used to increase the discharge , we use the pump in this application
when we need more and more flow rate.

Fig. (4.8): System Curve with boosting pump

172
4.5 Pump Curve
Pump curve is the relation between the flow discharge from the pump and the
pump pressure (or Head) output from the pump. So to draw the performance curve a
relation between the discharge and the head must be obtained.
For Backward facing blades
Cu 2  U 2  C r 2 cot  2

Therefore: gH 0  U 2 Cu 2  U 1Cu1
gH 0  U 2 C u 2  0

U 2 Cu 2
H0 
g

U 2 U 2  C r 2 cot  2 
H0 
g

U 22  U 2 C r 2 cot  2
H0 
g

U 22 U 2 C r 2 cot  2 Q
H0   , but Cr 2 
g g A2

U 22 U 2 cot  2
H0   Q
g gA2

Fig.(4.9): Theoretical and Actual Pump Curve

173
 Then, the pump curve which is a relationship between its two main parameters,
flow and pressure. The shape of this curve as shown in figure (4.10) depends on the
particular pump type.

Fig.(4.10): Pump Curve, Relation between pressure and flow rate

Generally, head curves arc downward from the zero-flow condition that is, as the
backpressure on the pump decreases, the flow increases. The specific slope and shape of
the curve depend largely on the shape of the impeller vanes and the pump speed.
The slope of the pump curve demonstrates the response of the pump’s output to
changes in backpressure. A flat pump curve shows that the response to a small decrease
in backpressure is a large increase in flow. This sensitivity can lead to system instability,
especially in systems that have substantial changes in throttle or bypass valve positions.
The performance curves of some pumps droop at low flow rates. This
characteristic applies primarily to pumps with low specific speeds. As shown in Figure
(4.11) the performance curves of these pumps point upward at low flow rates. Since
system curves also point upward, the system curve and the pump curve can intersect at
more than one point, occasionally leading to instability. In some cases, a pump operating
in this range will “hunt,” that is, repeatedly adjust its output as it searches for a stable
operating point. Although most manufacturers publish a minimum flow requirement to
prevent a design engineer from specifying a pump that operates in this region, pumps

174
can wear out, allowing their operating points to drift into this region. Operators should
be aware that surging pump operation may be the combined result of a deteriorating
pump and a drooping head curve. On the positive side, pumps with drooping head
curves tend to be more efficient.

Fig. (4.11): Pump Performance curve

It is important to understand that the energy supplied to a pump (and from a pump
to fluid) must overcome a system resistance: mechanical, volumetric, and hydraulic
losses. In terms of pressure drop across the pump, it must be equal to the system
resistance or demonstrated mathematically.
When the centrifugal pump operates at the design speed, the maximum efficiency
occurs. To obtain operating characteristic curve, the pump is run at the design speed and
the discharge is varied. The operating characteristic curves are shown in Figure (4.12).
The design discharge and head are obtained from the corresponding curves where the
efficiency is maximum.

175
 Fig. (4.12): Operating characteristic of a centrifugal pump

Typical performance characteristics for a centrifugal pump of a given size

operating at a constant impeller speed are shown in Figure (4.13). Some observations on
the curve may be noted:
(1) Rise head curve: the head curve continuously rises as the flow rate decreases.
(2) Falling head curve: The Head–Discharge curves initially rise as discharge is
decreased from the design value and then fall with a continued decrease in discharge.
(3) Shutoff head: the head developed by the pump at zero discharge. It represents the
rise in pressure head across the pump with the discharge valve closed.
(4) Best efficiency points (BEP): the points on the various curves corresponding to the
maximum efficiency.
(5) As the discharge is increased from zero the brake horsepower increases, with a
subsequent fall as the maximum discharge is approached.
(6) The efficiency is a function of the flow rate and reaches a maximum value at some
particular value of the flow rate, commonly referred to as the normal or design flow rate
or capacity for the pump.

176
 Fig. (4.13): Operating characteristic of a centrifugal pump

Figure (4.14) shows a centrifugal pump curve describing the head (or pressure)
versus flow characteristics of a typical centrifugal pump. This curve shows that the
centrifugal pump will produce limited flow if applied to a piping system in which a large
pressure differential is required across the pump to lift the liquid and overcome
resistance to flow (as at point A). Higher flow rates can be achieved as the required
pressure differential is reduced (as at point B).

177
 Fig. (4.14): Typical Centrifugal Pump Curve

The variation of pump performance with rotational speed is usually described by

the affinity laws, which states that:
(i) The flow rate is directly proportional to the rotational speed.
(ii) Manometric Head is proportional to the square of the rotational speed.

Fig. (4.15): Pump curve at different rotational speed.

The variation of pump performance with impeller diameter is usually described by the
affinity laws, which states that:
(i) The flow rate is proportional to the cubic of impeller diameter.
(ii) Manometric Head is proportional to the square of the impeller diameter.

178
Fig. (4.16): Pump curve at different impeller diameter.

179
4.6 Pump and System Matching
It has been shown that a hydraulic pump has a design point at which the overall
efficiency of operation is a maximum. However, it may happen that the pipe system in
which the pump is being used is unsuited to the pump and a different pump with a more
suitable characteristic is required. This section will examine how a pump and a pipe
system may be matched to each other, the effect of changing the pump speed and
diameter, and finally the effect of connecting pumps in series and parallel.
The point at which Equation (4.3) intersects the pump characteristic is the
operating point, and this may or may not lie at the duty point, which usually corresponds
to the design point and maximum efficiency. The closeness of the operating and duty
points depends on how good an estimate of the expected system losses has been made.
In Figure (4.17) the system curve is superimposed on the H  Q characteristic.
It should be noted that if there is no static head rise of the liquid (e.g. pumping in
a horizontal pipeline between two reservoirs at the same elevation) then H s is zero and
the system curve passes through the origin. This has implications when speed and
diameter changes take place. Because of the flatness of rotodynamic pump
characteristics, a poor estimate of the system losses can seriously affect the flow rate and
head; whereas in positive displacement pumps the H  Q curve is almost vertical and,
even if the head changes substantially, the flow rate stays almost constant.

Fig. (4.17): Pump operating point

180
 Fig. (4.18): System resistance and pump characteristic curves
If the system resistance changes, such as an opening or a closing of the discharge
valve, or increased friction due to smaller or longer piping, the slope of the system curve
will change as shown in Figure (4.19). The operating point moves:
1 → 2, as valve becomes “more closed,” or
1→ 3, if it opens more.

Fig. (4.19): Pump operating point at different resistance

181
Example (4.1)
Data from tests of a centrifugal pump operates at 1750 rpm with impeller diameter of
35 cm area:


Q m 3 min
1.1 
1.7 2.1 3 3.5 4.8
H m 
63 62 61 57 54 41
PS kW 
40 47 54 60 67 80
Plot the performance curves H  Q,   Q, PS  Q  for this pump, locate the best efficiency
point.
Solution
 g Q Hm

PS

Q m 3 min  1.1 1.7 2.1 3 3.5 4.8

H m  63 62 61 57 54 41
PS kW  40 47 54 60 67 80
 %  28.3 36.6 38.7 46.5 46 40.2

The best efficiency point is the point with maximum efficiency:

66 50
64 48
62 46
60 44
58 42
56 40
Efficiency (%)

54 38
Head (m)

52 36
50 34
48 32
46 30
44 28
42 26
40 24
38 22
36 20
1.2 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.4 2.7 3 3.3 3.6 3.9 4.2 4.5 4.8 1.2 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.4 2.7 3 3.3 3.6 3.9 4.2 4.5 4.8
Discharge (m3/min) Discharge (m3/min)

182
The best efficiency point is: 85

80
Q  3.2 m 3 min
75

H  56 m 70

Power (KW)
  47% 65

60
PS  62.5 kW
55

50

45

40

35
1.2 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.4 2.7 3 3.3 3.6 3.9 4.2 4.5 4.8
Discharge (m3/min)

Example (4.2)
Test results on a single stage single suction centrifugal flow type pump operating at
375 rpm designed to deliver water are given in curve form as follows:


Q m 3 min  0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 34
H m  12 11.3 10.6 9.9 9.1 8.2 7.2 5.9 4.9
 % 0 23 45 62 75.5 84 88 85 81
(a) Plot these curves and draw the Power curve.
(b) Draw the performance curve for the pump when it rotates at 500 rpm.
Solution
 g Q Hm
PS 


(a) Performance curves at 375 rpm


Q m 3 min  0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 32
H m  12 11.3 10.6 9.9 9.1 8.2 7.2 5.9 4.9
 % 0 25 45 62 75.5 84 88 85 81
PS kW  0 29.5 30.8 31.3 31.5 31.9 32.1 31.7 31.6

(b) Performance curves at 500 rpm

If the characteristic at one speed N1 is known, then it is possible to predict the
corresponding characteristic at speed N 2 . We have:
(1) The Flow Coefficient
1  2

183
 Q1 Q2
3
 Since D is constant
N 1 D1 N 2 D32

Q1 Q2

N1 N 2

Q2 N 2 500
 
Q1 N 1 375

Q2  1.333 Q1

(2) The Head Coefficient

1   2
gH 1 gH
2 2
 2 22 Since D is constant
D1 N 1 D2 N 2

H1 H 2

N 12 N 22
2 2
H 2  N 2   500 
   
H 1  N1   375 

H 2  1.7778 H 1

(3) The Overall Efficiency

 0 1   0 2

(4) The Power

 g Q Hm
PS 



Q m 3 min  0 5.33 10.67 16 21.33 26.67 32 37.33 42.67
H m  21.33 20.09 18.84 17.6 16.18 14.58 12.8 10.49 8.71
 % 0 25 45 62 75.5 84 88 85 81
PS kW  0 69.95 72.96 74.18 74.66 75.61 76.02 75.25 74.94

184
 24

22

20

18

16

Head (m)
14

12 N=500 rpm

10

6 N=375 rpm

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Discharge (m3/hr)
90

80

70 N=375 rpm N=500 rpm

60
Efficiency (%)

50

40

30

20

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Discharge (m3/hr)

80

N=500 rpm
70

60

50
Power (kW)

40

N=375 rpm
30

20

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Discharge (m3/hr)

185
Example (4.3)
A pump whose performance is given by:
Q L s 
0 150 300 450 600
H m m 
15.5 15 14 12 9
is interposed in a pipe in which the loss in suction pipe  1 3 loss in delivery line when
the static lift was 6 m, the pump discharge was found to be 300 L s. Find the highest
possible position of pump above sump level, given that hv  0.3 m, hatm  10.3 m, cavitation
factor  0.5.
Solution
1
h fs  h fd Hs  6 m Q  300 L s
3
hv  0.3 m hatm  10.3 m  c  0.5

(1) Manometric Head

From the pump characteristic curve at Q  300 L s obtain H m  14 m
(2) Pipe friction losses
H m  H s  h fs  h fd h fd  3h fs

H m  H s  h fs  3h fs

H m  H s  4h fs

14  6  4h fs

8  4h fs h fs  2 m

(3) The Net Positive Suction Head

NPSH
c 
Hm

NPSH   c H m  0.5  14  7 m

(4) The Static Suction Head

p atm p
NPSH   v  H ss  h fs 
 .g  .g
NPSH  hatm  hv  H ss  h fs 

7  10.3  0.3  H ss  2

7  8  H ss H ss  1 m

186
Example (4.4)
A centrifugal pump is to be used to pump water from a low to high reservoir having a
water level difference of 32 m. The total length of the pipe is 1000 m, with a friction
factor of 0.2, and its diameter is 200 mm. Neglecting all loses except friction, determine
the rate of flow between the reservoir and the power required to drive the pump. The
characteristic curve of the pump is as follows.
Q L s  0 13 26 39 52 64
H m  68 63.5 55 42 26.5 8
 % 0 49.5 61 63.5 53 10
Solution
The system characteristic curve is
H m  H s  H loss

V2 L
H  32  f
2g D
Q2 L
H  32  8 f
 2 g D5
2
8  0.2  Q  1000
H m  32  2   
  9.81  1000  0.2 5
H m  32  0.0516 Q 2

System characteristic curve

Q L s  0 13 26 39 52 64
H m  32 40.72 66.88 110.48 171.53 243.3

187
 110

100
System Curve
90

80
Head (m) 70

60 (22.5 L/s, 58 m)

50

40
Pump Curve
30

20

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
Discharge (L/s)
70

60
(22.5 L/s, 58%)

50
Efficiency (%)

40

30

20

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70
Discharge (L/s)

From the curve, we can obtain: H m  58 m

Q  22.5 L s
η0  58%
ρ g Q H m 1000  9.81  22.5  10 3  58
Power    22072.5 Watt  22.07 KW
η0 0.58

188
Example (4.5)
40 L s of water flows from tank “A” to tank

“B” due to 10 m difference of water level. In

order to increase this discharge, a pump used
in this line. Calculate the percentage
increase in discharge and input power. The
pump performance is given as:
Q L s  0 20 40 60 80 100
H m  30 31 29 25 20 12.5
% 0 40 60 70 75 70
Solution
Water flow from up to down, so: H s  10 m
(a) The system curve
H m  H s  KQ 2

H m  10  KQ 2

at Q  40 L s Hm  0 (there is no pump)

2 10
0  10  K 40 K
402
2
Q
H m  10  10 
 40 
Obtain the system curve
Q L s  0 20 40 60 80 100
H m m  -10 -7.5 0 12.5 30 52.5

Draw the pump curve and system curve to obtain operating point

189
 55
50
45
40
35 P ump
Curve
30

Head (m)
25
(72 L/s, 22 m)
20
15
10
5 rve
Cu
0 tem
S ys
-5
-10
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Discharge (L/s)
80
75
70 (72 L/s, 70%)
65
60
55
Efficiency (%)

50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Discharge (L/s)
Operating point for the pump Q  72 L s
H m  22 m
  74 %

Q2  Q1
(a) % increase in discharge   100
Q1
72  40
% increase in discharge   100  80%
40
ρgQH
(b) PS 
η
1000  9.81  22  0.072
PS   20977 W PS  21 kW
0.74

190
Example (4.6)
A pump takes a liquid from tank A to tank B; the level in tank B varies between 6 m and
12 m higher than in tank A. When the level in tank B is 6 m , the pump discharge is

50 L s. Calculate the discharge when the level in tank B is 12 m using the same system. If

the performance of pump is given as follows:

Q L s  0 10 20 30 40 50 60
H m  15 15 14.4 13 11.5 10 8
Solution
The system equation can be determined as
H  H s  K Q2

(a) When the static head is 6 m the discharge is 50 L s and at this the head H m  10 m
H 1  H s1  K Q 2

2 4
10  6  K 50 K
502
2
Q
H1  6  4  
 50 
Q L s  0 10 20 30 40 50 60
H m  6 6.16 6.64 7.44 8.56 10 11.76

(b) When the static head is 12 m

H 2  H s2  K Q2
2
Q
H 2  12  4 
 50 
Q L s  0 10 20 30 40 50 60
H m  12 12.16 12.64 13.44 14.56 16 17.76

191
 20

18 12 m
d=
tic H ea
16 t S ta
Pump Curve ve a
Cur
tem
14 S ys
(28 L/s, 13.2m)
Head (m)
12

10
(50 L/s, 10m)
8
d= 6 m
6 at S ta tic H ea
ste m Curve
Sy
4

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Discharge (L/s)

When the static head is 12 m :

Q  28 L s

H m  13.2 m

192
Example (4.7)
The performance of a centrifugal pump is given by:
Q L s  50 100 150 200 250 300
H m  21 20 19 17.5 15 12.5
When this pump is used with a long pipeline of 450 mm diameter it lifts a maximum
discharge of 150 L s with a static lift of 10 m. If it is required to lift 250 L s by the same
pump and using another pipeline of the same length as the first one and parallel to it.
Select the minimum size of the new line, if the available pipes are: 400,450, 500, 550
mm…etc.
Solution

Case (1) Case (2)

Case (1): First pipeline

The system curve is for pipe line (A) only:
H A  H s  K A Q A2

H A  10  K A Q A2

When Q A  150 L s the head is 19 m then the above equation becoms

H A  10  K A Q A2

2 9
19  10  K A 150  KA 
1502
2
Q 
H A  10  9  A  (1)
 150 

Case (2): The whole system (two pipelines)

The system curve for the two pipe lines in parallel
H  H s  K Q2

The discharge is 250 L s when H  15 m , then the system characteristic is

193
 H  Hs  K Q2

H  10  K Q 2

2 5
15  10  K 250  K
2502
2
 Q 
H  10  5  
 250 

For the two pipeline in parrallel, so:

HA  HB  H

HA  H
2 2
Q   Q 
10  9  A   10  5  
 150   250 
2 2
Q   Q 
9 A   5 
 150   250 

then,
Q A  0.447 Q  111.8 L s

QB  Q  Q A  138.2 L s

The two pipe lines are connected in parallel, so:

hf  A
 hf 
B

Q A2 L A QB2 LB
8f  8 f
 2 g D A5  2 g DB5

For the same length and friction coefficient,so:

Q A2 QB2

D A5 DB5
2 5
 QA  D 
    A 
 QB   DB 
2 5
 111.8   450 
    
 138.3   DB 

Then, DB  485.54 mm and it must be correct to become 500 mm.

Hence Q A and QB must be recalculated.
2 5
 QA  D 
    A 
 QB   DB 
194
 52
QA  DA 
 
QB  DB 
2.5 2.5
QA  DA   450 
     0.786434
QB  DB   500 

Q A  0.786434 QB (1)
Q A  QB  250 (2)
Then,
Q A  108.7 L s

QB  141.3 L s

195
Example (4.8)
A centrifugal pump transmits water against 15 m static lift. When the valve A is fully
closed the discharge was 300 L s and when the valve B is fully closed the discharge was
200 L s . Table gives the pump performance at 1000 rpm. .

Q L s  0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450

H m  32 31.5 31 30 29.3 28 26.4 24 21.5 18
% 0 24 50 60 74 80.7 85 84.4 82.6 75.6
(a) Determine the pump operating point when the two valves are opened.
(b) What is the flow rate in each pipe branch when the two valves are opened?
(c) What is the pump input power when the two valves are opened?
Solution

(1) Pipe Branch 'A' (Valve 'B' closed)

When the valve B is closed the flow rate through the branch A is 200 L s and the head is
29.3 m (from pump characteristics). The characteristic equation of the branch A is

written as:
H A  H S  K A Q A2

When Q A  200 L s then H A  29.3 m

2
29.3  15  K A 200 

2 14.3
14.3  K A 200  KA 
2002
2
Q 
H A  15  14.3 A 
 200 
The following table represents the above equation
QA 0 50 100 150 200 250
HA 15 15.9 18.575 23 29.3 37.34

196
(2) Branch 'B' (Valve 'A' closed)
When the valve A is closed the flow rate through the branch B is 300 L s and the head is
26.4 m (from pump characteristics). The characteristic equation of the branch b is written

as:
H B  H S  K B QB2

When QB  300 L s then H B  26.4 m

2
26.4  15  K B 300 

2 11 .4
11 .4  K B 300  KB 
3002
2
Q 
H A  15  11 .4 B 
 300 
The following table represents the above equation
QB 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350
HB 15 15.3 16.26 17.85 20 22.9 26.4 30.5

(3) Overall system (when the two valves are opened)

2
H sys  H S  K sys Qsys
2
H sys  15  K sys Qsys

Since the two branches are connected in parallel, the head across branch A = the head
across branch B = the head for the overall system, then
H A  H B  H system

(i) HA  HB
2 2
Q  Q 
15  14.3 A   15  11 .4 B 
 200   300 
2 2
Q  Q 
14.3 A   11 .4 B 
 200   300 

From the above equation

Q A  0.595QB

Qs  Q A  QB  0.595QB  QB  1.595QB

197
(ii) H B  H system
2
Q  2
15  11 .4 B   15  K sys Qsys
 300 
2
Q  2
11 .4 B   K sys Qsys
 300 
2
Q 
11 .4 B   K s 1.595QB 
2
K s  4.97  10 5
 300 

Then the overall system characteristic can be represented by,

2
H sys  15  K sys Qsys

H sys  15  4.97  10 5 Qsys

2

The following table represents the system characteristics

Qsys 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
H sys 15 15.12 15.5 16.12 17 18.1 19.47 21 22.9 25
(a) The pump operating point when the two valves are opened
From this Figure the intersection between the system and pump characteristics gives the
pump operating head and discharge.
These are 385 L s and 22.5 m. The corresponding pump efficiency is 83.5 %.
Then the pump operating point is ( 385 L s , 22.5 m, 83.5% ).
35

P um
p Cu
30 rve

25

(385,22.5)
Head (m)

20
s open
valve
15 for two
e
em Curv
Syst
10

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
Discharge (L/min)

198
 90
(385, 83.5%)
80

70

Efficiency (%)
60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500
Discharge (L/min)

(b) The flow rate in each pipe branch when the two valves are opened
The discharges through the two branches are given as,
Qsys 385
QB    241.4 L s
1.595 1.595
Q A  Qsys  QB  385  241.4  143.6 L s

(c) The pump input power when the two valves are opened
 .g.Q.H m 1000  9,81  385  10 3  22.5
PS    101771.4 W PS  101.8 kW
. 0.835

199
 Example (4.9)
A centrifugal pump transmits water against 15 m static lift. When the two valves are
opened the system curve equation is given by H m  15  4.97  10 5 Q 2 . Table gives the
pump performance at 1000 rpm.
Q L s  50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
H m  31.5 31 30 29.3 28 26.4 24 21.5 18
% 24 50 60 74 80.7 85 84.4 82.6 75.6
For the two valves are opened, determine:
(a) Determine the pump operating when the pump speed becomes 1200 rpm.
(b) What is the pump input power when the pump speed becomes 1200 rpm.

Solution
(1) The system curve when the two valves are opened
H m  15  4.97  10 5 Q 2 .

The following table represents the system characteristics

Qsys 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550
H sys 15 15.12 15.5 16.12 17 18.1 19.47 21 22.9 25 27.43 30.03

(2) The pump Curve at 1200 rpm

If the characteristic at one speed N1 is known, then it is possible to predict the
corresponding characteristic at speed N 2 and also the corresponding operating points.
We have:
(1) The Flow Coefficient
1  2
Q1 Q2
3
 Since D is constant
N 1 D1 N 2 D32

200
 Q1 Q2

N1 N 2

Q2 N 2

Q1 N 1

Q2 1200

Q1 1000

Q2  1.2 Q1

(2) The Head Coefficient

1   2
gH 1 gH
2 2
 2 22 Since D is constant
D1 N 1 D2 N 2

H1 H 2

N 12 N 22
2
H2  N2 
 
H 1  N 1 
2
H 2  1200 
 
H 1  1000 

H 2  1.44 H 1

(3) The Overall Efficiency

 0 1   0 2

Then the following table gives the new pump characteristics (at 1200 rpm).
Q L s  0 60 120 180 240 300 360 420 480 540
H m  46.08 45.36 44.64 43.2 42.19 40.3 38 34.5 31 26
% 0 24 50 60 74 80.7 85 84.4 82.6 75.6

The new speed of the pump 1200 rpm  characteristics can be plotted as shown in Fig.
From this Figure the intersection between the system and pump characteristics gives the
pump operating head and discharge.

201
 50

P um
p Cu
rve a
t 1200
40 rpm

Head (m)
30 (512, 28)

20

C urve
S ystem

10

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550
Discharge (L/min)
90

80
(512, 78%)
70
Efficiency (%)

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550
Discharge (L/min)

These are 512 L min and 28 m. The corresponding pump efficiency is 78 %.

Then the pump operating point is ( 512 L min , 28 m, 78% ).
Then the input power is
 .g.Q.H m 1000  9.81  512  103  28
PS    180303 W PS  180.3 k W
 0.78

202
4.7 Multi–Stage Pump
4.7.1 Pumps in Series
Should the head of a single pump not be sufficient for an application, pumps can
be combined in series to obtain an increase in head. The combined pumps need not be of
the same design. For two pumps in series:
(1) Q1  Q2  Q
(2) H m  H m1  H m 2
(3) H s  H s1  H s 2
Figures (4.20) show the combined H-Q characteristic for the cases of identical pumps
connected in series. It will be observed that the operating point changes in the case of
two pumps.

Fig.(4.20): Two pumps in series

203
4.7.2 Pumps in Parallel
Should the flow rate of a single pump not be sufficient for an application, pumps
can be combined in parallel for an increase in flow rate. The combined pumps need not
be of the same design. For two pumps in parallel:
(1) Q  Q1  Q2
(2) H m  H m1  H m 2
(3) H s  H s1  H s 2
(4) H losses  H losses in branch (1)  H losses in branch (2)
Figure (4.21) show the combined H-Q characteristic for the cases of identical pumps
connected in parallel. It will be observed that the operating point changes in both cases.
The combined characteristics of two different pumps connected in parallel and series are
drawn in Fig. (4.21).

Fig. (4.21): Two similar pumps in parallel

204
Example (4.10)
A centrifugal pump has the following performance:
Q L s  0 100 200 300 400
H m  40 39 36 30 21
This pump gives 300 L s in a pipe line when the static head is 21 m. In order to increase
the discharge in this pipe line to be 400 L s . What is the minimum number of pump used
in series?
Solution
The system equation can be determined as
Hm  Hs  K Q2

When the discharge is 300 L s and static head is 21 m , the manometric head H m  30 m,
then
H m  21  K Q 2

2 9
30  21  K 300  K
300 2
2
 Q 
H m  21  9 
 300 

The system table can be determined as

Q L s 0 100 200 300 400 500
H m  21 22 25 30 37 46
When the volume flow rate in the system is to be 400 L s the head must be 37 m.
For one pump operate at 400 L s it gives head 21 m
H system 37
Number of Pumps =   1.76
H pump 21

Then, Number of Pumps =2

205
Example (4.11)
A centrifugal pump has the following characteristic curve:
Q L s 
0 10 20 30 40
H m 20 19 17.5 15 10
% 0 25 75 78 70
(a) If one pump gives 40 L s in a pipe line where the static head is 5 m. Calculate the
discharge and shaft power when two pumps are used in parallel.
(b) If one pump gives 10 L s in another pipe line where the static head is 15 m. Calculate
the discharge and shaft power when two pumps used in series.
Solution
The system equation can be determined as
H  H s  K Q2

(a) When the discharge is 40 L s and static head is 5 m, the head H m  10 m, then
H  5  K Q2

2 5
10  5  K 40 K
402
2
Q
H  5  5 
 40 
The system table can be determined as
Q L s  0 10 20 30 40 50 60
H m  5 5.3125 6.25 7.8125 10 12.8125 16.25
The two pump in parallel this mean
H1  H 2  H

Q  Q1  Q2  2 Q pump

The table for two pumps in parallel

Q L s  0 20 40 60 80
H m  20 19 17.5 15 10

206
 20
Sin Two
Pum
gle p in
18 P P ara
um llel
p
16
(58L/s, 15.4m)

14
Head (m)
12

10

6
urve
em C
4 S yst

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Discharge (L/s)
Then Qtwo pumps  58 L s , H two pumps  15.4 m
58
Qone pump   29 L s
2
H one pump  H two pumps  15.4 m
90

80 (29L/s, 77%)

70
Efficiency (%)

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Discharge (L/s)

From pump curve at Q pump  29 L s , the pump efficiency   0.77

PS  2  Power of one pump

207
  g Q pump  H pump
PS  2 

1000  9.81  0.029  15.4
PS  2   11380 W PS  11 .38 kW
0.77
(b) When the discharge is 10 L s and static head is 15 m , the head H  19 m , then
H  15  K Q 2

2 4
19  15  K 10 K
102
2
Q
H  15  4 
 10 
Then the system table can be determined as
0 Q L s  10 20 30 40
15 H m  19 31 51 79
The two pump in series this mean
Q  Q1  Q2

H  H 1  H 2  2 H pump

The table for two pumps in series

Q L s  0 10 20 30 40
H m  40 38 35 30 20

55

50 System Curve

45
Two Pump in
40 Serie s

35 (22L/s, 34m)
Head (m)

30

25

20
(10L/s, 19m)
15
S ing
le P u
10 mp

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Discharge (L/s)

208
Then Qtwo pumps  22 L s , H two pumps  34 m
Qone pump  Qtwo pumps  22 L s
H two pumps 34
H one pump    17 m
2 2
90

80 (22L/s, 75%)

70
Efficiency (%)

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Discharge (L/s)

From pump curve at Q pump  22 L s , the pump efficiency   0.75

PS  2  Power of one pump

 g Q pump  H pump
PS  2 

1000  9.81  0.022  34
PS  2   9783.8 W PS  9.78 kW
0.75

209
Example (4.12)
A single centrifugal flow water pump has the following characteristics:
Q L s  0.0 136 233 311 388 466 608
H m  12.6 9.45 9.29 9.07 7.61 5.45 0
A pumping system in which the resistance to flow is purely resistive with no static lift
exhibits the same volume flow rate when two of the pumps are connected in parallel as
when they are connected in series. What would be the flow rate and head that a single
pump would deliver connected to the same system.
Solution
No static lift, so Hs  0

(1) Two pump in parallel

H m  H m  pump

Q  2Q pump

Table for two pumps in parallel can be obtained

Q L s  0.0 272 466 622 776 932 1216
H m  12.6 9.45 9.29 9.07 7.61 5.45 0

(2) Two pump in series

H m  2 H m  pump

Q  Q pump

Table for two pumps in series can be obtained

Q L s  0.0 136 233 311 388 466 608
H m  25.2 18.9 18.58 18.14 15.22 10.90 0

Draw the two cases on the same graph and obtain the intersection point

210
 26
24
Tw
22 o
Pu
20 m
ps
in
18 S
er
ie
Head (m) 16 s

14
)
12 .3 m
,9
0 L/s
10 (4 9
Tw
oP
8 um
ps
in
6 P ara
lle
4 l

2
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
Discharge (L/s)

For the system when: Q  490 L s H  9.3 m

(3) System Curve

H m  H s  KQ 2

H m  0  KQ 2

H m  KQ 2

at Q  490 L s H  9 .3 m

9.3
9.3  K 490
2
K
4902
2
 Q 
H m  9.3 
 490 
The system curve can be obtained
Q L s  0.0 136 233 311 388 466 608
H m  0 0.716 2.103 3.746 5.831 8.411 14.318

Draw the system curve with the single pump curve:

211
 15
14
13

e
rv
Cu
12

m
ste
11 S ingle

Sy
P ump
10 Curve
Head (m)
9
8
7 (420L/s, 6.8m)
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
Discharge (L/s)

The operating point from the curve

Q  420 L s

H m  6.8 m

212
4.8 Pump Flow Rate Control
The working principle of the centrifugal pump is based upon energy transfer by
flow diversion as well as an additional centrifugal force effect in radial impellers. In
contrast to positive- displacement pumps the maximum pump pressure is limited by the
operating principle.
Special devices to protect against overpressure are seldom necessary. Based upon
the assumption that the drive speed is constant, different flow rates can simply be
achieved by means of a throttling valve.
4.8.1 Flow Rate adjustment by Throttling
The purpose of increasing the system resistance – the fitting of a restriction
(throttling) – is to make the resulting system characteristic curve steeper. At a constant
pump speed the operating point on the pump characteristic curve is moved to a lower
flow rate. The pump thus generates a higher pressure (head) than is necessary for the
system. The excess head thus created is broken down in the restricting fitting to create a
pressure drop.

Fig. (4.22): Throttling Configuration

213
 Fig. (4.23): Pump and power characteristic curves

Advantages Disadvantages
1. Lower control cost 1. Pump pressure too high, particularly
where the pump characteristic curve is
steep
2. Advantageous at mainly full load 2. Poor pump efficiency in part load
operation operation
3. Suitable for applications with short 3. Low power saving in part load operation
operating periods
4. Well suited for flat pump characteristic 4. Unfavorable control behavior when the
curves excess head is high
5. Throttle valve is necessary
6. Mechanical load on the throttle valve
7. Danger of flow noise at high levels of
throttling

214
4.8.2 Flow Rate Adjustment Using a Bypass
The bypass line is arranged in parallel to the pump. The pump flow is thus divided
into the useful flow, which flows into the system, and the bypass flow, which is directly
or indirectly returned to the inlet pressure side of the pump. Changing the bypass flow
rate or the bypass line characteristic curve by means of a control valve thus allows the
useful flow to be varied.
The pump itself runs at almost the same operating point, i.e. at the system’s
design point, in full load operation.

Fig. (4.24): Bypass configuration

215
 Fig. (4.25) Pump and power characteristic curves

Advantages Disadvantages
1. No increase in head even in part load 1. Increased construction costs (bypass
operation circuit)
2. In contrast to throttling the pump 2. No reduction of the power consumption
pressure remains constant when the in part load operation
flow is adjusted
3. Suitable in situations where low head is 3. In part load operation there is still excess
combined with high flow rates head
4. Well suited if full load operation 4. This method of flow rate adjustment is
prevails uneconomical in terms of energy used

216
4.8.3 Flow Rate Adjustment by Speed Adjustment
Unlike the procedures for flow rate adjustment mentioned in the preceding
sections, continuous speed adjustment permits a continuous modification of the pump
output to the system requirements by changing the pump characteristic curve. If the flow
rate increases linearly, the system resistance (piping characteristic curve) increases
quadratically. The centrifugal pump behaves in a similar manner. In the event of linearly
increasing flow rate and linearly increasing speed the resulting head also increases
quadratically. As a result of these relationships even relatively small speed changes
cover a wide working range. According to the similarity law the following relationships
apply to centrifugal pumps:
N 
Discharge Flow Rate: Q2  Q1  2 
 N1 
2
N 
Discharge Head: H 2  H 1  2 
 N1 
3
N 
Power Input: P2  P1  2 
 N1 

217
 Fig. (4.26) Pump and power characteristic curves

Fig. (4.27): Operation of a variable speed pump at different system characteristic curves

218
 Advantages Disadvantages
1. Avoidance of excess pressure 1. Higher control costs
2. Soft starting of the pumps via the frequency inverter
3. Protection (wear reduction) of mechanical components
4. Reduction of hydraulic feedback effects
5. Power saving
6. Low grid load due to reduced starting currents
7. Reduction of life cycle costs

219
Example (4.13)
Four Pumps are connected in parallel to pump water at a rate of 552 L/s against a static
head of 26 m. Each pump is running at 1450 rpm and its characteristics is as follows,
Q L s  0 48 92 138 184 230
H m  68 63.5 55 42 26.5 8
% 0 39.5 61 63.5 53 10

(a) Determine the operating point Q, H ,  for each pump.

(b) Calculate the power required to drive each pump.
(c) It is required to reduce the total discharge by 10%.
This is done either by water bleed or using flow
control valve. What is the power lost in each case.

By using water bleed By using control valve

Solution
For one pump
Qtotal 552
Qp    138 L s
4 4
H s  26 m
N  1450 rpm

(a) Operating point for each pump

From table for Q p  138 L s , obtain
H m  42 m
  63.5 %
(b) Power required driving each pump

220
 ρgQH
PS 
η

1000  9.81  0.138  42

PS   89450 W PS  89.45 kW
0.635
Power  89.45 kW
(c) Reduce total discharge by 10%
(1) Pumps Curve
Four pumps in parallel then
Q  4 Qp

H m  H mp

Q L s  0 192 368 552 736 920

H m m  68 63.5 55 42 26.5 8

(2) System curve

Hm  H s  K Q2

H m  26  K Q 2

At Q  552 L s H m  42 m

2 16
42  26  K 552 K
5522
2
 Q 
H m  26  16 
 552 
Q L s  0 192 368 552 736 920
H m m  26 27.936 33.11 42 54.44 70.44

Drawing the pumps and system curves

221
 80
75
70 P um
p Cu
65 rve e
rv
60 Cu
em
55 yst
S
50
Head (m) (496.8, 47)
45
Valve Operating point
40 (552,42)
(496.8, 38.96)
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900
Discharge (L/s)
70
65
60
55
50
Efficiency (%)

45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900
Discharge (L/s)

Qnew  Q  0.1Q

Qnew  552  0.1 552  496.8 L s

222
(a) Using Control Valve
gQH pump  H system 
Power lost 


1000  9.81 496.8  10 3 47  38.96

Power lost   61707 W
0.635
Power lost  61.71 kW

(b) Using Water Bleed

gH Q pump  Qsystem 
Power lost 


1000  9.81  42552  496.8  10 3

Power lost   35816.5 W
0.635
Power lost  35.82 kW

223
Example (4.14)
The performance curve of a centrifugal pump at speed of 875 rpm is:
Q L s  70 140 210 280 350 420
H m  18 18 17 16 13 9
% 38 62.5 76 83 80 70

When the pump interposed in a piping system of static head 10 m it gives maximum
discharge is 280 L s when rotating at 875 rpm. Calculate the input power, pump speed,
shaft power lost in a valve when the discharge is reduced to 140 L s . by using
(a) Throttle valve
(b) Variable Speed motor
Solution
The system equation can be determined as
H  H s  K Q2

When the static head is 10 m the discharge is 280 Lit/s and at this the head H=16 m,
then
H  10  K Q 2

2 6
16  10  K 280 K
2802
2
 Q 
H  10  6 
 280 
The system table can be determined as
Q L s  70 140 210 280 350 420
H m  10.375 11.5 13.375 16 19.375 23.5

(a) Using Throttle valve

This keeps the speed constant N 2  N1  875 rpm 
Discharge =140 L s

224
 25

System Curve

20
(140,18)

15
Head (m)
Valve (280,16)

(140,11.5)
10 Pump Curve at 875 rpm

0
70 140 210 280 350 420
Discharge (Lit/s)

ρ g Q H 1000*9.8*140*10 3*18
(i) PS    39513.6 W PS  39.5 kW
η 0.625

ρ g Q *ΔH 1000*9.8*140*10 3* 18  11.5

(ii) PS losses    14268.8 W PS losses  14.3 kW
η 0.625

(b) Variable Speed motor

This motor is used to reduce the pump speed
N1  875 rpm N2  ?

To achieve this we must obtain the similarity point on the similarity line, where
Hm  N 2 and QN then
Hm  Q2

Hm  K Q2

at H m  11 .5 m, Q  140 L s

Hm  K Q2

2 11 .5
11 .5  K 140  K
140 2
2
 Q 
H m  11 .5 
 140 

225
The curve of the symmetry line can be obtained as:
Q L s  0 70 140 210 280
H m  0 2.875 11.5 25.875 46

26
24
22 System Curve

20
(170,17.6)
18 Symmilarity Point

16
Head (m)

(280,16)
14
12
(140,11.5)
10 Single Pump
8
6
4
2
0
70 140 210 280 350 420
Discharge (Lit/s)

N1  875 rpm N2  ?
H 1  17.6 m H 2  11.5 m

H  N2
2
H 1  N1 
 
H 2  N 2 
2
17.6  875 
  N 2  707.3 rpm
11.5  N 2 

Then Q  140 L s

H m  11 .5 m

N 2  707.3 rpm

  70 %

ρ g Q H 1000  9.81  140  10 3  11.5

PS    22540 W PS  22.54 kW
η 0.7

226
Example (4.15)
Four Pumps are connected in parallel to pump water at a rate of 552 L s against a static
head of 26 m. Each pump is running at 1450 rpm and its characteristics is as follows,
Q L s  0 48 92 138 184 230
H m  68 63.5 55 42 26.5 8
% 0 39.5 61 63.5 53 10

(a) Determine the operating point Q, H ,  for each pump.

(b) Calculate the power required to drive each pump.
(c) It is required to increase the discharge to of 700 L s ,
What will the pump speed.
Solution
For one pump
Qtotal 552
Qp    138 L s
4 4
H s  26 m
N  1450 rpm

(a) Operating point for each pump

From table for Q p  138 L s , obtain
H m  42 m
  63.5 %
(b) Power required driving each pump
ρgQH
PS 
η

1000  9.81  0.138  42

PS   89450 W PS  89.45 kW
0.635
(c) Increase the discharge to of 700 L s ,
(1) Pumps Curve
Four pumps in parallel then
Q  4 Qp

H m  H mp

227
 Q L s  0 192 368 552 736 920
H m m  68 63.5 55 42 26.5 8
(2) System curve
Hm  H s  K Q2

H m  26  K Q 2

At Q  552 L s H m  42 m

2 16
42  26  K 552 K
5522
2
 Q 
H m  26  16 
 552 
Q L s  0 192 368 552 736 920
H m m 26 27.936 33.11 42 54.44 70.44
Drawing the pumps and system curves
(3) Obtain Symmetry line
This motor is used to increase the pump speed
N 1  1450 rpm N2  ?

To achieve this we must obtain the similarity point on the symmetry line, where
H  N2 and QN then
H  Q2

H  K line Q 2

From the system curve at Q  700 L s

2
 Q 
H system  26  16 
 552 
2
 700 
H system  26  16   51.74 m
 552 
H  K line Q 2

2 51.73
51.73  K line 700  K line 
7002
2
Q 
H  51.73  
 700 
The curve of the symmetry line can be obtained as:
228
 Q L s  0 70 140 210 280
H m m  0 2.875 11.5 25.875 46

80
75
70
P um
ps C
65 urve
at N=1
60 45 0
rpm
55
50 (2)
Head (m)

45
40
Symmetry point
(1)
35 rve
e m Cu
30 S yst

25
20
15 ine
tryL
10 e
mm
Sy
5
0
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900
Discharge (L/s)
Point (1) Q1  600 L s , H 1  38 m , N1  1450 rpm

Point (2) Q2  700 L s , H 2  51.73 m , N2  ?

H  N2
H 1  38 m N1  1450 rpm

H 2  51.73 m N2  ?

H2 N2

H 1 N1

51.73 N
 2 N 2  1692 rpm
38 1450

229
 Problems
4.1 The following data represent the performance of 20 cm diameter centrifugal pump
running at 2900 rpm.

Q m3 h  100 150 206 280 380 440 500 540
H m  49 48 46.5 43 36 29.5 22 16
 % 40 50 60 65 65 60 50 40
(a) Plot the pump performance curve H  Q,   Q, P  Q, 
(b) Calculate the flow, head, and power of this pump at its design point.
4.2 A centrifugal pump is used to deliver water from a water main at point A to the
atmosphere at a height of 23 m above pump level. The suction pipe is horizontal and
has length of 5 m and diameter 5 cm, the delivery pipe has 3 bends k  0.8 and is of
length 45 m and diameter 5 cm. If the water is collected in a tank of dimensions
3 m  2 m  2 m, find the minimum time to fill the tank given that the water main

pressure at point A is 2 bar, coefficient of friction of both pipes f  0.12, and the
performance of the pump is given by:
Q L s  3 0 6 9 12
H m  22
22.5 20 16 10
 % 40 0 70 85 65
4.3 A centrifugal pump of 0.7 m impeller diameter is running at 750 rpm has the
following performance:

Q m 3 min  0.0 7 14 21 28 35 42 49 56
H m  40 40.6 40.4 39.3 38 33.6 25.6 14.5 0
% 0.0 41 60 74 83 83 74 51 0
(a) If the pump is initially used to transfer water from one reservoir to another at the
same level, determine the pump operating point if the head lost to frictional and other
resistances is 35 m at 25 m 3 min .
(b) The pump is then used to transfer water between two reservoirs having difference in
level of 15 m through a pipe of 0.45 m diameter. If the pipeline is 93 m long with a
friction factor of 0.016 and pipe entry and exit loss coefficients of 0.5 and 1.0
respectively, find volume flow rate and power absorbed.
(c) If the pump is now changed to one of 0.51 m diameter and the motor is changed to
running at 975 rpm, what is the new volume flow rate and power absorbed?

230
4.4 The characteristic curve of a pump at 1450 rpm rotor speed is H  40  40000 Q 2 . Find
the equation of the characteristic curve for this pump when the rotational speed
become 2900 rpm . H 2900  160  40000Q 2 

4.5 The performance curve of a pump at 1450 rpm is given by H  100  30000 Q 2 and the
efficiency is given by:   78000 Q 2  4500 Q . Find the head and flow rate of the best-
efficiency point. Find the performance curve at 1740 rpm .
Q  0.02885 m 3
s , H  75 m,  max  64.9%, H 1740  144  3000Q 2 

4.6 Consider the pump performance specifications are given below as a curve fitting:
H  32.3  165 Q  4820 Q 2

Where: Q in m 3 s and H in m
If the pump is used to pumping water to a static head of 10 m through a cast iron pipe
with diameter 10 cm of length 50 m with friction coefficient of 0.1 .
(a) Determine the system head curve for the pipe system. H  10  41355.6 Q  2

(b) Determine the operating point for the system. Q  0.0238 m 3

s , H  33.48m 

4.7 The pump performance specifications are given below as a curve fitting:
H  0.5582 Q 2  3.8441 Q  28.011

  0.0802 Q 2  0.3459 Q  0.0133

NPSHr  0.3 Q 2  1

Where: Q in L s , H in m and NPSHr in m

If the pump is used to pumping water to a static head of 1 m in suction and 1 m in
discharge through a cast iron pipe with diameter 2.5 cm of total length 100 m with
friction coefficient of 0.12 , take the vapor pressure pv  2.4 kPa
(a) Determine the system head curve.
(b) Determine the operating point for the given conditions.
(c) Will this pump cavitate for the given conditions?
4.8 Consider the pipe/pump system shown below in which water with dynamic viscosity
of 1.3  10 3 Pa.s is pumped from tank A to tank B.

231
The pump to be used in the system has the following pump performance curve.
H  1500 Q 2  28 Q  63

  56 Q 2  12 Q  0.21

Where: Q in m 3 s , H in m
(a) Determine the operating point for the system.
(b) Is the given pump efficient for this application? Explain your answer.
(c) Do you anticipate that cavitation in the pump will be an issue? Explain your answer.
4.9 Consider the pipe system shown in the figure below. The fluid to be pumped is water
with a kinematic viscosity of 106 m 2 s , and a vapor pressure of 2.3 kPa.

All pipes are comprised of 0.2 m inner diameter commercial steel pipe. The pump used in
this system has the performance data are given below.
H  32.5 Q 2  1.23 Q  27.8

  3.74 Q 2  3.6 Q

Where: Q in m 3 s , H in m
(a) Determine the operating volumetric flow rate of the system.
(b) Is the given pump a good choice for this system? Explain your answer.
(c) Determine the NPSHa to the pump for the flow rate determined in part (a).

232
(d) Give one specific modification to the pipe system that could be employed to decrease
the likelihood that cavitation will occur in the pump.
4.10 The performance curves of a centrifugal pump are:
Q L s  50 100 150 200 250 300
H m  21 20 19 17.5 15 12.5
 % 38 67.5 70 83 80 70
When this pump is used with a long pipeline 50 cm diameter, it gave a discharge as
150 L s with static lift 10 m. If another pipeline 40 cm has the same length as the first

one is used in parallel with the first line, calculate the discharge and power absorbed
assume the friction coefficient f  0.12.
4.11 A centrifugal pump of 0.5 m impeller diameter has the following performance:
Q L s  0.0 100 150 200 250 300
H m  40 37.5 32 27.5 20 12
% 0.0 73 82 81 71 48
When this pump is used in a system of a static lift of 10 m, it lifts a discharge of
220 L s . If another pump having 0.56 m impeller diameter running at the same speed

and geometrically similar to the first pump and used in series with it. Estimate the
operating discharge and power consumption for each pump.
4.12 Two parallel centrifugal pumps are used to discharge 840 lit/s into a pipeline
against static lift of 20.5 m. The following table gives the characteristics of each pump.
Q L s  0 110 200 260 320 420 470
H m  36 33.5 31 29.5 28 24 21.5
% 0 45 70 80 85 85 80
(a) Draw single pump characteristics H  Q and   Q 
(b) Draw H  Q curve for the two pumps and the system.
(c) Find the power required for driving each pump.
4.13 Two centrifugal pumps have the head–discharge characteristic as follows:
Q L s 
0.0 4 8 12 16 20 24
Pump (I) H m 
50 51.8 50.8 48 47.5 32.5 18.3
Pump (II) H m 
46.5 45.9 44.2 40.3 40.3 26 17
Both pumps are installed together and are required to pump water through a pipe
15 cm diameter having f  0.08. Calculate the heads under which pumps are working

and discharges in lit/s pumped by them if:

233
(a) The pumps are connected in series, static lift is 65 m and suction and delivery pipes
are 800 m long.
(b) The pumps are connected in parallel, static lift is 15 m and suction and delivery pipes
are 360 m long.
4.14 A centrifugal pump has the performance curve H m  pump  70  45000 Q 2 is installed

through the pipe system has the curve H m system  20  20000 Q 2

(1) How much water is delivered by the pump through the pipe system?
(2) The flow rate must be reduced to 0.015 m 3 s . This can be done either by throttling
control or by using a by-pass control. Draw the pump-pipe-valve arrangements
for both cases?
(3) How large is the hydraulic loss in the valves in the first and in the second case?
The power consumption of the pump is Ppump  9.4  6240 Q  50000 Q 2 .
The head in m  , the volume flow rate in m 3 s  and the power in kW  .
4.15 A centrifugal pump running at 1000 rpm gave the following relation between head
and discharge:
Discharge m 3 min  0 4.5 9.0 13.5 18.0 22.5
Head m  22.5 22.2 21.6 19.5 14.1 0
The pump is connected to a 300 mm suction and delivery pipe the total length of which is
69 m and the discharge to atmosphere is 15 m above sump level. The entrance loss is

equivalent to an additional 6 m of pipe and the friction coefficient is 0.024 .

(a) Calculate the discharge in m3 per minute.
(b) If it is required to adjust the flow by regulating the pump speed, estimate the speed to
reduce the flow to one-half
4.16 The following data represent the performance of a 40 cm diameter centrifugal pump
running at a design speed of 1600 rpm :
Q L s  30 60 90 120 150 170
H m  53 52 48 43 37 30
 % 45 60 76 85 84.5 74
(a) Plot the pump performance curve H  Q,   Q, P  Q,  at the design speed

234
(b) Calculate the flow coefficient, head coefficient and power coefficient of this pump at
its design point.
(c) Plot the pump performance curve H  Q,   Q, P  Q,  when impeller running at
1300 rpm.

(d) Determine the speed at which the pump should run to deliver 100 L s against a head
of 56 m.

235