Afm W13

Advanced Fluid Mechanics
CE 352
HYDRAULIC MACHINES
Week 13
A pump is a hydraulic machine which converts mechanical
energy into hydraulic energy or pressure energy.
A centrifugal pump is also known as a Rotodynamic pump or dynamic pressure
pump. It works on the principle of centrifugal force. In this type of pump the liquid
is subjected to whirling motion by the rotating impeller which is made of a number
of backward curved vanes. The liquid enters this impeller at its center or the eye
and gets discharged into the casing enclosing the outer edge of the impeller. The
rise in the pressure head at any point/outlet of the impeller is Proportional to the
2
𝑢
square of the tangential velocity of the liquid at that point ( ) . Hence at the
2𝑔
outlet of the impeller where the radius is more the rise In pressure head will be
more and the liquid will be discharged at the outlet with a high pressure head. Due
to this high pressure head, the liquid can be lifted to a higher level. Generally
centrifugal pumps are made of the radial flow type only. But there are also axial
flow or propeller pumps which are particularly adopted for low heads.
𝑢2 ω2 𝑟2
=
2𝑔 2𝑔
An impeller is the equivalent of a rotor in a turbine
Shrouded -wrap or dress
Shrouded impeller
Shrouded /fully closed impellers are the most common type and in this, the blades are
covered on both sides by shrouds (cover plates).
Semi-enclosed impellers This type has a shroud on only one side; the side that is connected
to the shaft. This type of impeller is used when the liquid to be pumped contains some
solids in suspension.
Fully open impeller
In this type the blade assembly is open in the sense that there are no shrouds. This type
of open impeller is meant to handle highly solid-laden liquids like concrete, slurry,
sewage and water containing sand and silt
Losses in a Centrifugal Pump
•Mechanical friction power loss due to friction between the fixed and rotating parts in
the bearing and stuffing boxes.
•Disc friction power loss due to friction between the rotating faces of the impeller (or
disc) and the liquid.
•Leakage and recirculation power loss. This is due to loss of liquid from the pump and
recirculation of the liquid in the impeller. The pressure difference between impeller tip
and eye can cause a recirculation of a small volume of liquid, thus reducing the flow rate
at outlet of the impeller as shown in Fig.
Leakage and recirculation in a centrifugal pump

Working of a centrifugal pump:
A centrifugal pump works on the principal that when a certain mass of fluid is rotated
by an external source, it is thrown away from the central axis of rotation and a
centrifugal head is impressed which enables it to rise to a higher level.
Working operation of a centrifugal pump is explained in the following steps.
1) Close the delivery valve and prime the pump.
2)Start the motor connected to the pump shaft, this causes an increase in the
impeller pressure.
3) Open the delivery valve gradually, so that the liquid starts flowing into the deliver
pipe.
4)A partial vacuum is created at the eye of the centrifugal action, the liquid rushed
from the sump to the pump due to pressure difference at the two ends of the
suction pipe.
5) As the impeller continues to run, move & more liquid is made available to the
pump at its eye. Therefore impeller increases the energy of the liquid and delivers
it to the reservoir.
6)While stopping the pump, the delivery valve should be closed first, otherwise there
may be back flow from the reservoir. It may be noted that a uniform velocity of flow
is maintained in the delivery pipe. This is due to the special design of the casing. As
the flow proceeds from the tongue of the casing to the delivery pipe, the area of the
casing increases. There is a corresponding change in the quantity of the liquid from
the impeller. Thus a uniform flow occurs in the delivery pipe.
Operation difficulties in centrifugal pumps
Causes and Remedial measures
1) Improper priming due to leakage of foot valve or incomplete filling. Repair or replace
the foot valve, prime completely.
2) Head more than design head. Reduce the head or change the pump
3) Clogging of impeller, suction pipe or strainer. Clean the suspected part
4) Suction lift may be excessive. Reduce the height of pump above the sump
5) Speed more than design speed. Connect another prime mover of higher speed
6) Direction of rotation of impeller is wrong. Change the direction.
Pump does not give the required capacity
a) Leakage of air through the suction pipe or through the gland packing. Stop the leakage
b) Damage to some parts of the pump by wear & tear. Replace the damaged parts
c) Clogging of impeller passages. Clean the impeller
Pump has poor efficiency
a) Higher than design speed. Reduce the speed
b) Low head & higher discharge. Reduce the discharge
c) Impeller touching, the casing or improper alignment of shaft. Carryout the necessary
repair.
Pump stops working
a) Air entry into suction pipe. Stop the pump, plug the leakage, reprime and start
b) Suction lift is high Reduce the suction lift.

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Advanced Fluid Mechanics

Leakage and recirculation in a centrifugal pump

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