OBJECTIVES

1)To observe the differences between single ,series and parallel pump operation
2)To determine single ,series and parallel pump characteristic curves.

SUMMARY
This experiment is about pump configurations, specifically single, series, and parallel
pumps. The experiment required us to measure the flow rates and pressure difference
between the three pump operations. The purpose of conducting this experiment is to observe
the differences as well as to determine the characteristic curves of the single, series, and
parallel pumps. The parameters involved in this experiment are volumetric flow rates, and
different pressures (PSuction, PDelivery, POutflow, and P). The results in this experiment were
obtained through manipulating the configurations of the pumps (Shown in Appendix). By the
end of this experiment, an average volumetric flow rate of 10.75 L/min was obtained as well
as an average pressure difference of 1.4 bar. Next, for the series configuration of two pumps,
an average volumetric flow rate of 11.76 L/min was obtained as well as an average pressure
difference of 1.7 bar, and for the parallel configuration of two pumps, an average volumetric
flow rate of 6.87 L/min was obtained as well as an average pressure difference of 1.7 bar.
This shows that the three pump operations possess different flow rates and pressure.
Theoretically, all pump operations follow the same relationship which is when the pressure
increases, the volumetric flow rate decreases simultaneously. Based on the characteristic
curves (Based on Results) plotted, the trend supported the theory stated. Besides that, it can
be observed that the parallel pump has the highest pressure which is 1.7 bar, while series
pump has the lowest pressure which is 1.4 bar. In the case of the flow rate, the highest flow
rate is 11.76 L/min which belongs to the series pump operation, while the lowest flow rate is
6.87 L/min which belongs to the parallel pump operation. In conclusion, based on the theory
and results acquired, the objectives of this experiment have been smoothly achieved but the
results and graph obtained are opposite to the theory.The explanation is in discussion.

INTRODUCTION
A pump is a device that moves fluids (fluids or gases). Pumps can be classified into three
major groups accordin to the methods they use to move the fluid : direct lift ,displacement
and gravity pumps. Pumps operate by some mechanism (typically reciprocating or rotary ),
and consume energy to perform mechanical work by moving the fluid .Pumps operate via
many energy sources, including manual operation ,electricity,engines or wind power , come
in many sizes ,from microscopic for use in medical applications to large industrial pumps.
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 behavior 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.

THEORY

In this experiment, centrifugal pumps are connected in series because the discharge of one
pump is connected to the suction side of a second pump. Two similar pumps, in series,
operate in the same manner as a two-stage centrifugal pump. Centrifugal pumps in series are
used to overcome larger system head loss than one pump can handle alone. For two identical
pumps in series the head will be twice the head of a single pump at the same flow rate as
indicated in point 2. With a constant flow rate the combined head moves from 1 to 2. In
practice the combined head and flow rate moves along the system curve to point 3.

Point 3 is where the system operates with both pumps running.

The single pump may be insufficient to perfom the requirements.Combining two pumps
increase the pumping capacity of the system.Two pumps may be connected in series ,so that
the water passes first through one pump and then through the second.When two pumps
functioned in series , the flowrate is the same as for a single pump but the total head is
increased.The combined pump head capacity curve is found by adding the heads of the
single pump curves at the same capacity.
Next the experiment was conducted in a parallel configuration of two pumps manner. When
the pumps are parallel manner, it indicates that the flow rate added. Pumps are operated in
parallel when two or more pumps are connected to a common discharge line, and share the
same suction conditions. When two or more pumps are arranged in parallel their resulting
performance curve is obtained by adding their flow rates at the same head as indicated in the
figure below.

Centrifugal pumps in parallel are used to overcome larger volume flows than one pump can
handle alone. For two identical pumps in parallel, and the head is kept constant, the flow rate
doubles as indicated with point 2 compared to a single pump. In practice the combined head
and volume flow moves along the system curve as indicated from 1 to 3.

Point 3 is where the system operates with both pumps running

In practice, if one of the pumps in parallel or series stops, the operation point moves along
the system resistance curve from point 3 to point 1 - the head and flow rate are decreased.
A single pump may be insufficient to produce the performance required. Combining two
pumps increase the pumpin capacity of the system.Twpo pumps may be connected in parallel,
so that half the flow passes through one of the pumps and the other half through the second
pumps.When the two pumps operate in parallel, the total head increase remains unchanged
but the flow rate is increased.The head capacity curve is found by adding the capacities of the
single pump curves at the same head.

RESULTS:
Volumetric Flow, V
(L/min)

P Suction
(bar)

11.3
11.2
10.8
10.7
10.5
10.0

0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05

Volumetric
Flow, V
(L/min)

Volumetric
Flow, V
(L/min)
5.0
6.2
6.9
7.5
7.56
8.1

Outflow
(bar)

0.2
0.7
1.2
1.7
2.2
2.7
Table 1: Single Pump

Pump 1

0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0

Pump 2
Outflow
(bar)

P Suction 1
(bar)
10.0
11.0
11.8
11.9
12.5
13.4

P Delivery
(bar)

0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05
0.05

P Delivery 1
(bar)

P Suction 2
(bar)

P Delivery 2
(bar)

0
0
0.5
0.5
0.2
0.2
1.0
1.0
0.4
0.4
1.5
1.5
0.7
0.8
2.0
2.0
1.0
1.0
2.5
2.5
1.2
1.25
3.0
3.0
Table 2: Series Configuration of Two Pumps.

Pump 1

Pump 2

Outflow
P Suction 1
P Delivery 1
P Suction 2
P Delivery 2
(bar)
(bar)
(bar)
(bar)
(bar)
0.05
0.2
0
0.5
0.5
0.05
0.6
0
1.0
1.0
0.05
1.1
0
1.2
1.5
0.05
1.6
0
2.2
2.0
0.05
2.2
0
2.5
2.5
0.05
2.6
0
3.0
3.0
Table 3: Parallel Configuration of Two Pumps

P
P Delivery
P Suction
0.15
0.65
1.15
1.65
2.15
2.65

P
P Delivery 2
P Suction
1
0.45
0.95
1.45
1.95
2.45
2.95

P
P Outflow
P Suction 1
0.45
0.95
1.45
1.95
2.45
2.95

Single Pump

P P Delivary-P Suction

Series Configuration of Two Pumps

P P Delivary 2-P Suction 1

Parallel Configuration of Two Pumps

P P Outflow-P Suction 1

DISCUSSION
By conducting this experiment consistently, we were able to observe the differences
between single, series, and parallel pumps operation. The experiment was manipulated to 3
types of configurations and to each, 5 volumetric flow rates, V, need to be obtained in order
to acquire the characteristic curves.
The volumetric flow rate, V, was obtained by measuring how long it takes, with a
stopwatch, for the fluid in the reservoir to reach 10 L. The volumetric flow rate, V, was
calculated by using the constant volume, 10 L over the measured time in minutes. The flow
rates were obtained by adjusting the outflow pressure, POutflow, from 0.5 bar to 3.0 bar.
Initially, PSuction of single pump is constant which is 0.05 bar for all volumetric flow
rates because there is no suction of fluid using the energy by the pump and it was the normal
flow of fluid. PDelivery values were obtained and the graph was plots. The volumetric flow rate
was calculated by using the constant value, 10L over the measured time in minutes. For the
configuration of a single pump (POutflow/ V), 0.5 bar/ 11.3 L/min, 1.0 bar/ 11.2 L/min, 1.5 bar/
10.8 L/min, 2.0 bar/ 10.7 L/min, 2.5 bar/ 10.5 L/min, 3.0 bar/ 10.0 L/min. As the pressure
increase, the volume flow rate increase. Next, the experiment was conducted for the operation
which involves the series pump configuration in a fluid flow system. In this experiment, one
pump is connected to the suction side of a second pump. For the series configuration of two
pump (POutflow/ V), 0.5 bar/ 10.00 L/min, 1.0 bar/ 11.0 L/min, 1.5 bar/ 11.8 L/min, 2.0 bar/ 11.9
L/min, 2.5 bar/ 12.5 L/min, 3.0 bar/ 13.4 L/min. The delivery pressure in pump 1 (P Delivery 1) is
quite similar to suction pressure in pump 2 (P Suction 2). The relationship is as the volumetric
flow increases, the pressure will also increases. Lastly, for parallel configuration of two
pumps (POutflow/ V), ), 0.5 bar/ 5.0 L/min, 1.0 bar/ 6.2 L/min, 1.5 bar/ 6.9 L/min, 2.0 bar/ 7.5
L/min, 2.5 bar/ 7.56 L/min, 3.0 bar/ 8.1 L/min. As the pressure increase, the volume flow rate
decrease.
It was observed that when the pressure increases, the volumetric flow rate also
increase for series and parallel configuration of two pump but for single pump when the
pressure increase, the volumetric flow rate decrease. These things happened because the
experimenter might have error while controlling the valve and misconducted during the
operation causing the fluid does not flow well. Based on the results obtained and the graph
plotted, it can be observed that the stated theory was not achieved.

During this experiment, there are probabilities of some errors occurring. One of the
errors that might occur is physical errors (caused by observer), which is to read
measurements wrongly. By reading the measurements wrongly, the results obtained will
deviate so much, and will definitely affect the trend graph plotted. Furthermore, parallax error
might have contributed to the major errors of this experiment. The reason for this is because
the observer might have recorded the readings while the fluid was still moving and wasnt
steady yet, which could lead to inaccurate measurements and results.

Tutorial

FIGURE 1 : SKETCH PUMPS IN SERIRES CONFIGURATION

FIGURE 2 SKETCH PUMPS IN PARALLEL CONFIGURATION

CONCLUSION
As a conclusion, the operational differences between the single, series and parallel
configuration of pumps and the characteristic of the three configurations of pumps by
comparing the plotted graph can be

collected from the result and the graph.

There are some mistakes that

may cause the inaccuracy of the result.

The errors are experimenter

error and equipment error. Experimenter

error occurred when our lack of

knowledge to

handle the machine.

For other

errors which is too

small gap of

outflow pressure

value and

when we
valve for
which not use did not switch off

switch on the
each pump, the other valve
properly and was cause the

pressure not persistant and the flow rate is not accurate.

RECOMMENDATION
There are some recommendation that could contribute to better improvements in this
experiment. All the possible errors that might occur in this experiment have been controlled
in order to obtain the best possible results. Firstly, the systematic error (zero error) should be
controlled by checking the measuring device prior to the experiment. Next, parallax error
should also be controlled by confirming the measurements with group members. Instead of
that, all the configurations of the operations (single, series, and parallel pumps) were
followed exactly as shown in the laboratory manual. This is to ensure that there are no
misoperation that could lead to inlogical results. Moreover, any faulty equipment, damages,
leakages, and unsolved errors should be reported to the technician immediately so that the
outcome could be the best. The laboratory manual must be read beforehand so that no time
will be wasted in conducting the experiment, as well as to know briefly on what this
experiment is all about.

REFERENCES
1. Fluids Mechanics Fundenmental and Applications ,First Edition , Yunus A. Cengel
John M.Cimbala
2. [Anonymous, 2015], http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pump, [1th May 2015]
3. McGraw-Hill Concise Encyclopedia of Engineering. 2002 by The McGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc.
4. [Anonymous, 2015]http://www.cheresources.com/invision/blog/4/entry-322multiple-centrifugal-pumps-in-series-and-parallel/

5. [Anonymous, 2015]http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/pumps-parallelserial-d_636.html