Fluid Machines

Dr. Hammad Amjad

FM-II (CH342)
Faculty of Materials and Chemical Engineering
Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology
 2
Introduction
Any water conveying system may include the following elements:
• Pipes (in series, pipes in parallel)
• Elbows
• Valves
• Other devices.

Solving flow problems:

• Calculate the total head loss (major and minor) using the different methods
• Apply the energy equation.

Flow Through A Single Pipe (simple pipe flow):

• A simple pipe flow: It is a flow takes place in one pipe, having a constant diameter with no
branches.
• This system may include bends, valves, pumps and so on.
 3
Pipe Flow Analysis:
Figure shows a simple pipe network consisting of two tanks connected by a
pipe of length L and diameter D. The difference in water level in two tanks
is ΔH and discharge through the pipe is Q. Applying Bernoulli’s equation
between sections 1 and 2,
p1 v12 p2 v 22
+ +( z+H ) = + +( z 2+H2 ) + hL ,entry + hf + hL ,exit
ρg 2 g ρg 2 g
 L  v2
H = hL ,entry + hf + hL ,exit =  0.5 + f + 1 
 D  2g
 L  Q2  8  L  2
H = 1.5 + f  2 =  2 4 1.5 + f   Q
 D  A ( 2g )  π D g  D 

The quantity in the bracket is a constant quantity and is termed pipe resistance.

H = RQ 2
This equation is analogous to the Ohm’s law, where the difference in levels of two tanks ∆H is analogous to the
potential difference and Q2 is analogous to current. This equation is also known as friction equation.
 4
Pipe Flow Analysis:
• Most piping systems encountered in practice such as the water distribution systems in cities or commercial or
residential establishments involve numerous parallel and series connections as well as several sources
(supply/discharge of fluid into the system) and loads (discharges of fluid from the system).
• A piping project may involve the design of a new system or the expansion of an existing system. The
engineering objective in such projects is to design a piping system that will reliably deliver the specified flow
rates at specified pressures with minimum total cost. Once the layout of the system is prepared, the
determination of the pipe diameters and the pressures throughout the system required.
• When two or more pipes with different diameters are connected together head to tail (in series) or
connected to two common nodes (in parallel), the system is called compound pipe flow
• If you can solve the equations for one-pipe systems, you can solve them all
The principles of continuity and energy are used to analyze pipe systems. The predicted
parameters are discharge and piezometric head.
• The pipe network problems can be solved easily by drawing an analogy from electrical circuitry as
shown in the figure.
 5
Pipes in Series:
Figure shows the pipe assembly of different diameters and lengths when joined together coaxially, are said to be
connected in series. The flow rate in each pipe may be constant, or variable due to the leakage in the end of
each pipe. We assume the friction , length, the diameter, and flow rate of each pipe are fi, Li, Di, and Qi
respectively. Q Q
f1,v1,l1,d1 f2,v2,l2,d2
Rule 1: The flow rate is the same in all pipes: f3,v3,l3,d3

QA = Q1 = Q2 = Q3 = QB = constant  v1d12 = v2 d 22 = v3d 32

Rule 2: The total loss of energy (head loss) through the system equals the sum of the head loss in each pipe
plus local losses at connections.
If HA and HB are the total heads at sections A and B, respectively, their difference is equal to the total
losses between them in the pipe network.
hL = hA→ B = h1 + h2 + h3 = hL, + h sudden expansion + hL, + h,sudden expansion + hL,

L1 v12 v22 L2 v22 v32 L3 v32

hL = f1 + K sudden expansion + f2 + K sudden expansion + f3
d1 2 g 2g d2 2 g 2g d3 2 g
 6
Pipes in Series:
L1 Q12 Q22 L2 Q22 Q32 L3 Q32
hL = f1 5 + K sudden expansion 4 + f 2 5 + K sudden expansion 4 + f 3 5
d1 πg πd 2 g d 2 πg πd 3 g d3 g

L1 Q12 L2 Q22 L3 Q32

= f1 5 + f2 5 + f3 5 ( when minor losses are minimal )
d1 πg d 2 πg d3 πg

 L1 L2 L3  Q 2
=  f1 5 + f 2 5 + f 3 5  ( Q = Q = Q = constant )
 d1 d2 d3  πg

Pipes in Parallel: f1,v1,l1,d1

• If a main pipe divides into two or more branches and again join pA pB< pA
f2,v2,l2,d2
together downstream to form a single pipe, then the branched pipes
are said to be connected in parallel (compound pipes).

• In Fig. there are three pipes in parallel between point A and B. The total flow rate is Q. The diameter of each
pipe is di, length is li, the flow rate of each pipe is Qi, and the head loss is hfi. The piezometric head
difference between point A and B is hf .
 7
Pipes in Series:
• Because there exists only one piezometric head for each point, the piezometric head difference between point
A and B through different pipes is invariable. Thus, the characteristic of parallel flow is that the head loss of
each parallel pipe is same.
Rule 1: Pressure drop is the same in each pipe

hA→ B = hL1 = hL2 = hL3 = ....hLn

Rule 2: The total flow is the sum of the individual flows.
n
Q= Q
i =
i = Q + Q + Q
EXAMPLE:
A certain part of cast iron piping of a water distribution system involves a parallel section. Both
parallel pipes have a diameter of 30 cm, and the flow is fully turbulent. One of the branches
(pipe A) is 1500 m long while the other branch (pipe B) is 2500 m long. If the flow rate through
pipe A is 0.4 m3/s, determine the flow rate through pipe B. Disregard minor losses and assume
the water temperature to be 15°C. Show that the flow is fully rough, and thus the friction factor
is independent of Reynolds number. ρ15°C,water =999.1 kg/m3, 𝜇15°C,water = 1.138×10−3 kg/m. s, 𝜀cast iron = 0.00026 m
SOLUTION: 8
QA = 0.4 m s LA =  m, LB =  m , d A = d B = d =  m
QA 0.4
0.00026 vA = = = 5.65 m s
ε d= = 0.00087 (1 4) πd 2 (1 4) π ( 0.30 m)
2
0.30

π ( 0.30 m )
Since pipes are parallel: 2
QB
vB =  QB = ( 4.38 m s ) = 0.310 m s
Rule 1: Total head loss through the system
(1 4) πd 2
2
4
equals the sum of the head loss in each pipe.
hA→B = hA = hB ( Rule : 1)
Re A =
ρv A d
=
( )
999.1 kg m3 ( 5.65 m s )( 0.30 m )
= 1488114  4000
hA→B = hL,A ,major + hL,A,minor = hL,B ,major + hL,B ,minor μ 138 − kg m.s

 LA vA2 vA2   LB vB2 vB2 

=  fA + KA  =  fB + KB 
ReB =
ρv B d
=
( )
999.1 kg m3 ( 4.38 m s )( 0.30 m )
= 1153618  4000
 d 2 g 2 g   d 2 g 2 g 
μ 138  kg m.s
2 −

Neglecting the minor losses :

LA vA2 LB vB2 From Moody’s chart, we observe that for a relative roughness of 0.00087, the
fA = fB
d 2g d2 2g flow is fully turbulent for Reynolds number greater than about 106. Therefore,
Since, dA = dB (given) and fA = fB (to be verified): the flow in both pipes is fully turbulent, and thus the assumption that the
vA2 vB2 LA  friction factor is the same for both pipes is valid.
LA = LB  vB = vA = (  ) =  m s
2g 2g LB 
 9
EXAMPLE 8–8 Pumping Water through Two Parallel Pipes
Water at 20°C is to be pumped from a
reservoir (zA = 5 m) to another reservoir at
a higher elevation (zB = 13 m) through
two 36-m-long pipes connected in
parallel, as shown in Fig. The pipes are
made of commercial steel, and the
diameters of the two pipes are 4 and 8 cm.
Water is to be pumped by a 70% motor–pump combination that draws 8 kW of electric power during operation.
The minor losses and the head loss in pipes that connect the parallel pipes to the two reservoirs are considered to
be negligible. Determine the total flow rate between the reservoirs and the flow rate through each of the
parallel pipes.

ρ20°C,water =998 kg/m3, 𝜇20°C,water = 1.002×10−3 kg/m. s 𝜀commercial steel pipe = 0.000045 m
 10

EXAMPLE 8–8 Pumping Water through Two Parallel Pipes

SOLUTION: pA v A2 pB v B2 • pA = pB = patm
+ A + z A + hpump ,u = + B + z B + hturbine ,e + hL
ρg g ρg g • vA ≈ vB ≈ 0
hpump ,u = ( z 2 − z1 ) + hL = (13 m − 5 m ) + h→ = 8 m + h→

Since pipes are parallel: Q Q

v1 = = = 795.77Q
h→ = h = h ( Rule : 1) (1 4 ) πd12 (1 4 ) π ( 0.04 m )
2

h→ = hL,,major + hL,1,minor = hL, ,major + hL, ,minor Q2 Q2

v2 = = = 198.94Q2
(1 4 ) πd 2
2 (1 4 ) π ( 0.08 m )
2

 L v 2
v   L2 v
2
v  2 2
h→ =  f1 1 + K1
1
=
  2
f1
+ K 2 
2 2
ρv1d1 (
998 kg m3 v1 ( 0.04 m ))
 d 1 2 g 2 g   d 2 2 g 2 g  Re1 = = = 39840.31v1
μ − kg m.s
( )
( )
998 kg m3 v 2 ( 0.08 m )
neglecting minor losses
ρv 2 d2
Re2 = = = 79680.63v 2
 L1 v12   L2 v22  μ  kg m.s
−

h→ =  f1  =  f2  0.25
 d 1 2 g   d 2 2 g  f1 = 2
  ε D 5.74  
Q = Q +Q ( Rule : 2 ) log  + 0.9  
(Swamee and Jain Equation)
  3.7 Re  
 0.000045 11
0.25 0.25 0.25 ε D = = 0.00112
f1 = 2
= 2
= 2
= 0.0222 0.04
  ε D 5.74        5.74  
log  + 0.9   log  0 . 00112 5 .74  log
  . +  Suppose: Re:130,000
40045.06  
0 000304
. Re   +
  3 7  
  3. 7
( ) 
0.9

  
130000 3.26
Re1 = 39840.31v1  v1 = = 3.26 m s v1 = 795.77Q  Q1 = = 0.0041 m 3 s
39840.31 795.77
Similarly, calculation can be done for reservoir 2
(  m s) (  m s)
 
L v

 m L2 v 
 m
hL,,major = f 
= ( ) =  m s hL, ,major = f = (  )
2
=  m s
d  g (
 m   m s 
) d2  g (
 m   m s 
)
h→ = hL,,major = hL, ,major =  m hpump,u = 8 m + m = 9 m

Welec =
ρQghpump,u
 8000 W =
( 998 kg m )(  m s )(  m s ) h
3  
pump,u

ηpump−motor 0.70

8000 W  0.70
hpump,u = = 906 m
(998 kg m )(  m s )(  m s )
3  
12
 13
Hydraulic Grade Line (HGL) & Energy Grade Line (EGL):
It is known that the total head (which is also total energy per unit weight) with respect to any arbitrary datum, is the
sum of the elevation (potential) head, pressure head and velocity head, i.e.,
p v2
Total Head = + +z
ρg 2 g

Because all of the terms can be represented by a length in meters, they are
called heads: elevation (or potential), velocity and pressure head, respectively.
The heads can be drawn as vertical lines whose length above the centreline of
the pipe is proportional to the magnitude of the term
p p v
z = e l eva t i on h ea d , z+ = p i ezomet r i c h ea d , z+ + = t o t a l h ea d
ρg ρ g g

• The total energy of a real fluid decreases as the fluid moves through the pipe from one point to another along
the direction of the flow due to major and minor losses. The concept of hydraulic grade line (HGL) and energy
grade line (EGL) or total energy line (TEL) is employed for graphical representation of mechanical energy
 14
Hydraulic Grade Line (HGL) & Energy Grade Line (EGL):
Total Energy Line (T.E.L/E.G.L):
When the fluid flows along the pipe, there is loss of head
(energy) and the total energy decreases in the direction
of flow. If the total energy at various points along the axis
of the pipe is plotted and joined by a line, the Iine so
obtained is called the 'Energy gradient line' (E. G.L) or
'Total energy line' (T.E.L). The line that represents the valve pump nozzle turbine

total head of the fluid, p/𝜌g + v2/2g + z, is called the

energy grade line.
Hydraulic Grade Line (H.G.L):
The hydraulic grade line represents the height to which water would rise in a stand-pipe at any point. HGL in a
piping system is formed by the locus of points located a distance p/γ above the center of the pipe, or p/γ + z
(static pressure and the elevation heads) above a pre-selected datum. It lies below the energy grade line
(EGL) by an amount equal to the velocity head.
 15
Hydraulic Grade Line (HGL) & Energy Grade Line (EGL):
▪ EGL always drops in the direction of flow because of loss of
head, while HGL may rise or fall depending on the pressure
changes.
▪ The EGL is always a distance V2/2g above the HGL. These two
curves approach each other as the velocity decreases, and they
diverge as the velocity increases.

▪ The height of the HGL decreases as the velocity increases, and vice versa.
▪ A jump occurs in the HGL and the EGL whenever useful energy is added to the fluid as
occurs with a pump, and a drop occurs if useful energy is extracted from the flow, as in the
presence of a turbine.
▪ For stationary bodies such as reservoirs OR at a pipe exit, the EGL and HGL coincide with
the free surface of the liquid (the pressure head is zero (atmospheric pressure). The
elevation of the free surface z in such cases represents both the EGL and the HGL since
the velocity is zero and the gage pressure is zero.
 16
Hydraulic Grade Line (HGL) & Energy Grade Line (EGL):
 17
Fluid Machines
• Machines used in fluid flow systems can be broadly categorized as either
turbomachines or positive-displacement machines. Turbomachines add or
extract energy from a fluid by means of a rotating component (rotodynamic
machines), while positive displacement machines move fluids by forcing a fluid
into and out of a chamber.
• Turbomachines are mechanical devices consisting of several
blades/deflectors/vanes or buckets attached to a rotor that either extract
energy from a fluid (turbine) or add energy to a fluid (pump) as a result of
dynamic interactions between the device and the fluid resulting in change
in pressure and momentum of fluid
• All turbomachines include one or more rotating components, called rotors,
between the inflow and outflow sections of the turbomachine. In the case
of turbopumps, the rotor is commonly called an impeller and is powered
by an external motor, and the impeller does work on the fluid. Single-suction pump.
 18
Fluid Machines
• In the case of turbines, the rotor is commonly called a runner. The fluid does work on
the runner, which transmits mechanical energy to an external generator. The flow of
a fluid toward the rotor of a turbine is typically controlled by fixed or adjustable vanes
or blades.

For both turbopumps and turbines, the assembly of rotor and vanes is
usually contained within a casing, which is sometimes called a housing. Reaction turbine
• Examples of turbomachine-type pumps include simple window fans, propellers on ships or airplanes, squirrel-cage
fans on home furnaces, axial-flow water pumps used in deep wells, and compressors in automobile
turbochargers.

• Examples of turbines include the turbine portion of gas turbine engines on aircraft, steam turbines used to drive
generators at electrical generation stations, and the small, high-speed air turbines that power dentist drills.
Classification of Fluid Machines 19

Based on Energy/Work
Energy absorbing Energy Extracting
Mechanical Energy → Hydraulic Energy Hydraulic Energy → Mechanical Energy

• Use external power to impart energy to a fluid or • Extract energy from a fluid

machines that add energy to the fluid. • Work is done by the fluid

• Work is done on the fluid • Extract energy from the fluid and transfer most of that
• Energy is supplied to them, most of which is energy to some form of mechanical energy output,

transferred to the fluid, usually via a rotating shaft. typically in the form of a rotating shaft.

• The increase in fluid energy is usually felt as an • The fluid at the outlet of a turbine suffers an energy

increase in the pressure of the fluid. loss, typically in the form of a loss of pressure

• The pump family, such as fans, blowers, pumps, • Turbines family, such as propeller turbines, impulse

compressors, and propellers turbines, and windmills

Pump Turbine
Classification of Fluid Machines 20

Based on Motion Of Moving Parts

Positive-displacement Machines Dynamic Machines/Turbomachines

• Fluid is directed into a closed volume. • Turbo means ‘‘spin’’ or ‘‘whirl’’ in Latin. All those devices

• Closed volume expands and contracts, sucking in which energy is transferred either to, or from, a

the fluid in or pushing it out thus moving fluid from continuously flowing fluid by the dynamic action of one

maximum to minimum volume& Vice versa. or more moving blade rows

• Energy transfer is accomplished by movement of • Turbomachines use rotating shafts with attached blades,
the boundary of the closed volume. vanes, buckets, etc.

• For pumps, rotating blades are called impeller, while

for turbines, they are called runner blades or buckets.

Tire pump

Water well
pump
Centrifugal pump Pelton wheel
Human heart Water meter Kaplan type
Gear pump Axial fan hydraulic turbine
Classification of Fluid Machines 21

Based on the geometry of the flow path

Axial Flow Radial-flow Mixed-flow
• The flow path is nearly parallel • Radial flow impeller discharges • Impeller discharges fluid in a
to the machine centreline OR the fluid radially at 90° to the shaft conical direction using a combined
axial flow impeller discharges axis. radial and axial pumping action.
fluid along the shaft axis. • Significant changes in radius from • The flow-path radius changes only
• The radius of the flow path inlet to outlet. moderately.
does not vary significantly • Sometimes are called centrifugal • A mixed-flow pump is
machines intermediate between centrifugal
and axial.
 22
Classification of Turbo Machines
Turbomachines

Power absorbing Power producing

Incompressible Compressible Incompressible Compressible

Pump Propeller

• Pumps increase the pressure of • Propellers are used to generate thrust.

a liquid without changing its • Marine propellers work with incompressible
velocity considerably. water and aircraft propellers work with
• Shown centrifugal (radial) pump compressible air.
is the most common type. • Pressure difference between the front and
back surfaces of the blades create the thrust.
 23
Classification of Turbo Machines
Turbomachines

Power absorbing Power producing

Incompressible Compressible Incompressible Compressible

Pump Propeller Fan Blower Compressor

The main difference between fans, blowers and compressors is the pressure difference they create.
• Blowers work with medium amount of flow rates
• Fans create small pressure and pressure ratios.
difference. Their main purpose is to • They are mostly centrifugal type.
• Shown is an industrial type blower.
put high amount of fluid into
• Compressors work with smaller flow rates, but
motion. create very high pressure ratios.
• Shown is a multi-stage axial compressor.
• Compressors are used in gas and steam turbines,
natural gas pumping stations, turbochargers,
refrigeration cycles, etc.
 24
Classification of Turbo Machines
Turbomachines

Power absorbing Power producing

Incompressible Compressible Incompressible Compressible

Pump Propeller Fan Blower Compressor Pelton H-wheel

Hydraulic turbine

• Pelton wheels have • Hydraulic turbines are used at dams to generate

buckets attached to a electricity using high pressure water. Common types are

rotating disk (wheel). Francis and Kaplan.

• Shown are the runner
• They convert kinetic energy of a high speed blades of the Francis
liquid jet into mechanical energy. turbines used at Three
Gorges Dam / China.
• Largest ones used at hydraulic power plants
• Atatürk Dam has a
have capacities up to 200 MW. capacity of 8 x 300 MW.
 25
Classification of Turbo Machines
Turbomachines

Power absorbing Power producing

Incompressible Compressible Incompressible Compressible

Pump Propeller Fan Blower Compressor Pelton H-wheel Steam Gas Wind
Hydraulic turbine turbine turbine turbine

• Steam turbines are used at power plants to • Gas turbines are similar to steam
turbines, but they use high temperature
generate electricity using high temperature and high pressure combustion gases.
and high pressure steam. • A Boeing 777 is powered by 2 turbofan
engines, each generating a thrust of
• 80 % of world’s
~500 kN.
electricity is • World’s total wind energy production is 490 GW,
produced by which is about 2.5 % of all electricity usage.
• There are wind turbines with more than 120 m
steam turbines.
rotor diameter, producing 6 MW of electricity
(enough for 4500 homes)
 26
Machines for Doing Work on a Fluid
Power Absorbing

Incompressible Compressible

Pump Propeller Fan Blower Compressor

Rotodynamic +ve displacement

Low Medium High Reciprocating Rotary

Head Head Head
Very high pressure pump

Axial pump Centrifugal Centrifugal

(Propeller) pump pump Piston pump Gear pump
(Mixed flow (Radial flow
Plunger pump Screw Pump
type) type)
Diaphragm pump Vane pump
Progressive cavity
peristaltic pump
 27
Machines for Doing Work on a Fluid
• There are various types of fluid machinery. Among them are those that transfer fluid energy (torque
converters), those that convert mechanical energy to fluid energy (pumps), and those that convert fluid energy
to mechanical energy (turbines).

• For the pumping of liquids or gases from one vessel to another or through long pipes, some form of
mechanical pump is usually employed. The energy required by the pump will depend on the height through
which the fluid is raised, the pressure required at delivery point, the length and diameter of the pipe, the rate of
flow, together with the physical properties of the fluid, particularly its viscosity and density.

• Pumps are used to increase the pressure energy/potential energy of liquid by doing mechanical work on the
given fluid.

• The conversion of mechanical energy to fluid energy is accomplished by pumps for the case of
incompressible fluids (liquid/slurry), and by blower, fan, and compressors for the case of compressible fluids.
In this chapter we shall confine our discussion to pumps.
 28
Machines for Doing Work on a Compressible Fluid
Fan:
If the pressure rise is very small (<1 inch of water), a gas pump is called a fan. A fan is a gas
pump with relatively low pressure rise and high flow rate.
• Examples include ceiling fans, house fans, and propellers.
Blower:
A blower is a gas pump with relatively moderate to high pressure rise (Up to 1 atm) and moderate
to high flow rate.
• Examples include centrifugal blowers and squirrel cage blowers in automobile ventilation
systems, furnaces, and leaf blowers
Compressor:
If the primary object is to increase the pressure of the gas very high (>1 atm), the machine is termed
a compressor.
• Examples include air compressors that run pneumatic tools/
inflate tires at automobile service stations, and refrigerant
Reciprocating
compressors used in heat pumps, refrigerators/air conditioners. compressor
 29
Positive-Displacement Pumps
Positive displacement pumps deliver a pulsating or periodic flow and a specific volume of fluid for each revolution
of the pump shaft or each cycle of motion of the active pumping elements as the cavity volume opens, traps, and
squeezes the fluid. PDPs force the fluid along by volume changes.
Reciprocating pump:
Reciprocating pumps are a type of positive displacement pump which use alternating force and suction –
using a piston or diaphragm – to create a steady, pulsing flow, with one or more check valves to regulate and
direct flow through the system. The pump chamber is repeatedly expanded and contracted to draw the fluid
through an intake valve and force it out through the other end. They are able to generate high pressures.
Piston pumps:
Piston pumps (service pumps, high pressure pumps or high
viscosity pumps) use one or more reciprocating pistons to
move fluid through a cylindrical chamber which are usually
driven by an electric motor, internal combustion engine or Double-Acting

other power source through a crankshaft or connecting rod.

 30
Positive-Displacement Pumps
These pumps have contracting and expanding cavities that move in a reciprocating motion rather than a
circular (rotary) motion, alternately drawing the fluid in and then pushing it out under pressure. The periphery of
the piston usually has one or more o/T-rings to seal against the cylinder as the piston moves, and check valves
on either side of the pumping chamber stop fluid flowing in the wrong direction.
Diaphragm pumps:
• Diaphragm pumps use a flexible diaphragm to create a vacuum at the chamber
inlet to draw the fluid in, with the volume of the pumping chamber decreasing and
forcing the fluid out of the discharge as the diaphragm moves in the opposite
direction.

• Like piston and plunger pumps, diaphragm pumps have check valves at the inlet
and outlet of the pump to prevent the fluid from moving backwards.

• These pumps are highly reliable as they have no internal parts that rub against each other, and contain no
sealing or lubricating oils within the pump head which eliminates the chance of oil vapour leakage or
contamination of the pumped fluid.
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Positive-Displacement Pumps
Rotary pump:
• Rotary pumps are a type of positive displacement pump where for each revolution, a fixed volume of fluid is
moved. These pumps are self-priming and provide near constant delivered capacity no matter the pressure.

• These pumps are designed with very small clearances between its rotating and stationary parts in order to
minimise leakage from the discharge side to the suction side. As they are designed to operate at relatively
slow speeds to maintain these clearances, when operated at higher speeds they are susceptible to erosion
and excessive wear which result in larger clearances and decreased pumping capacity.

• Commonly used for pumping high viscosity liquids such as handling lube oil and fuel oil in engine rooms.

Peristaltic pumps:
Peristaltic pumps (also known as hose or tube pumps) use positive displacement
to force fluid through a hose or tube by squeezing it. The hose is located in the
tubing bed between the rotor and housing, and the rotor has a number of “rollers”
or “shoes” attached to the external circumference.
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Positive-Displacement Pumps
• During operation, the liquid is trapped between these shoes or rollers, and as these move across the hose, the
hose is occluded, pushing the liquid along. The hose behind the shoe or roller recovers its shape, creating a
vacuum and drawing more fluid in. As the fluid is completely contained within the tube or hose and connectors,
process validation is simplified.

Vane pumps

Screw pumps

Lobe pumps
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Positive-Displacement Pumps
Significance of PDPs:
▪ Used for delivery against high pressures and where nearly constant delivery rates are required. So, they are ideal for
high-pressure applications like pumping viscous liquids or thick slurries, and for applications where precise amounts of
liquid are to be dispensed or metered, as in medical applications.
▪ The capacity of the pump is only moderately affected by pressure changes because of minor slippage caused by
clearances between the housing and the rotor, pistons, vanes, or other active elements.
▪ A PDP is better able to handle shear sensitive liquids since the induced shear is much less than that of a dynamic pump
operating at similar pressure and flow rate. Blood is a shear sensitive liquid, and this is one reason why PDP are used
for artificial hearts.

▪ A well-sealed positive-displacement pump can create a significant vacuum pressure at

its inlet, even when dry, and is thus able to lift a liquid from several meters below the
pump. We refer to this kind of pump as a self-priming pump.
▪ The rotors of a positive-displacement pump run at lower speeds than the rotor (impeller)
of a dynamic pump at similar loads, extending the useful lifetime of seals, etc.
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Positive-Displacement Pumps
Limitations of PDPs:
• Since PDPs compress mechanically against a cavity filled with liquid, a common feature is that they develop
immense pressures at the outlet side and if the outlet is shut down or blocked for any reason, ruptures may occur, or
electric motors may overheat. Sturdy (durable) construction is required, and complete shutoff would cause damage
if pressure relief valves were not used.
• Their volume flow rate cannot be changed unless the rotation rate is changed. (This is not as simple as it sounds,
since most AC electric motors are designed to operate at one or more fixed rotational speeds.)
• Because of their design, positive-displacement pumps sometimes deliver a pulsating flow, which may be
unacceptable for some applications.