Operation of Centrifugal pump

Pump World
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The two main components of a centrifugal pump are the impeller and the volute.
The impeller produces liquid velocity and the volute forces the liquid to discharge
from the pump converting velocity to pressure. This is accomplished by offsetting
the impeller in the volute and by maintaining a close clearance between the impeller
and the volute at the cut-water.
Pump World
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Typically constant speed electrical motors operate pumps.
This means that for a given pump there is a discrete set of operating speeds

Pairs 60 50
Hz Hz
of

Poles Synchronous Induction Synchronous Induction

1 3600 rpm 3500 rpm 3000 rpm 2900rpm

2 1800 1750 1500 1450

3 1200 1160 1000 970

4 900 870 750 720

8 450 435 300 360

 For a GIVEN pump operating at a given speed we can plot a
Performance Curve

The shutoff head the maximum head

h, P that can be provided—the pump can lift water to
this height BUT water can not flow (Q = 0)


Q The free-delivery This is the maximum

flow through the pump. It can only
be achieved if no pipe is attached to
the pump ( hP = 0).

Qh p Pump Efficiency


P
 For a GIVEN pump operating at a given speed we can plot a
Performance Curve

Power

h, P
See Fig 14.9 in Book


And define the Best Efficiency Point BEP

We attempt to size our pump so that the head required is as close as possible
To the BEP
 Operating Point

In addition to the head provided by the pump we also have the

the system curve which says how the head required changes with Q

h Operating point: the head that

a given speed pump will operate at

We attempt to size our pump so that the operating point is as close as possible
To the BEP
The performance of Similar Pumps can be represented by A single Dimensionless
Performance Curve see 14.10 which can be used to size the pump for the job
 Dimensionless Pump Performance –see Fig 14.10

6 CH

CP and efficiency
1 H
CH  , Head Coef.
D2n 2 / g
P
 CP  , Power Coef.
CH 5 3
D n
CP
Q
CQ  3
Capacity Coef.
nD

0 0
CQ
H head required, Diameter of impeller, P power n revolutions per second,

Note n rotational speed. Some times this is written as N –revs per MINUTE
If you are given an angular speed ( radians per second) n   / 2
14.21
A pump defined by Fig 14.9 –pumps water from, 366 to 450 m through
A 0.36 m steel pipe 610 m long. What is Q for Pipe

Solve by Iteration

Head required is = 450-366 + head loss (hL) in Pipe—Guess 90 (hL = 6)

14.9 Q = 0.24 m3/s

V=Q/A=2.36 m/s Relative Roughness ks/D = 0.00012

L V2
hL  f Find f from Moody hL = 6.7
D 2g

14.9  Q = 0.23 m3/s

!4.22 If the pump in Fig 14.9 and Fig 14.10 is operated at 1500 rpm what is
Discharge when the head is 150 ft

From Fig 14.9 we know D = 37. 1cm = 1.217 ft

H 150x 32.2
CH  2 2
 2 2
 5.217
D n / g 1.217 x (1500 / 60)

Q Q
Fig 14.10  CQ = 0.122  
nD3 (1500 / 60) x1.2173

Q = 5.5 ft3/s
14.25

Fig 14.10 pump has a D = 0.4 m and operates at 25 rps

What is discharge when head is 50 m

H 50x9.81
CH  2 2
 2 2
 4.9
D n / g .4 x (25)

Q Q
14.10  CQ=0.13  
nD3 (25) x 0.43

Q = 0.208 m3/s
 Specific speed

In selecting a pump a rule of thumb

An axial Flow pump is suited for low heads and high discharge
Radial flow for higher heads and lower discharge

We can be a little more precise in pump style selection by

defining the specific speed obtained by combing CH and CQ to eliminate the size factor D


nQ1 / 2 NQ1 / 2
ns  3/ 4 3/ 4 , Ns 
g H H 3 / 4 Radial Mixed Axial

ns
(form used in USA, N is rpm, Q is in gallons per min and ΔH in feet)

NOT dimensionless

This value can be used to select the correct style of pump

(radial, mixed or axial) (see Fig 14.14)
Suction Limit and Cavitation

The Net Positive Suction Head NPSH is defined as the pump head on the
suction side of the pump minus the vapor pressure (expressed as head).

(p s ) abs Vs2 p v
NPSH   
 2g 
(see example 14.7 on page 596)

Note: Typically ps ~ atmospheric pressure. Pressure is ABSOLUTE

In US dimensioned system we can also define a suction specific speed

NQ1 / 2
S (N i s rpm, Q is in gallons per min and NSPH in feet)
NPSH3 / 4
(SI dimensionless form given on page 597)

A value of S < 8500 is usually safe from cavitaion

Note in Roberson and Crowe S = Nss ; 1 cfs = 449 gpm = 0.02832 m3/s
1 m3/s = 15,854 gpm
14.29

What is the suction specific speed for the pump of Figure 14.7—page 586
When the discharge is Q = 0.22 m3/s and velocity 2.21 m/s (answer of problem 4.13).
Is it safe.

D=.356 n = 11.5 rps, N = 690 rpm Q = .22 m3/s = 3488 gpm

Q .22
CQ  3
 3
 0.424
nD 11 .5x.356

From Figure 4.13 (axial flow pump) C H  1.5

(ps ) abs Vs2 p v 101 2.212 2.34

NPSH        10.30m  33.8ft
 2g  9.81 2 x9.81 9.81

NQ1 / 2 690x34880.5 < 8500 so OK

S 3/ 4
 .75
 2908
NPSH 33. 8
14.32
What type of pump should be used to pump at Q =0.4 m3/s
Under a head of 70 m if N = 1100 rpm

Use Fig 14.14 and definition of specific speed

nQ1 / 2 (1100 / 60 ) x 0. 4 0.5

ns  3/ 4 3/ 4   0.0864
g H 3 / 4
9.81 x 70 3 / 4

Fig 14.14  Radial Flow

Steps in Pump sizing –see Lab
For a given pump motor frequency and type and
Design discharge we can
Identify a pump speed N that will not cause cavitation

NQ1 / 2
S (N i s rpm, Q is in gallons per min and NSPH in feet)
NPSH3 / 4

Could meet
With Known N use dimensionless
Design by using
Pump performance curve 6 CH Pumps in series
(supplied by manufacturer)
or parallel see
From definitions CH  Fig 14.9 (601)

H
CH  ,
D2n 2 / g
0 0
Q CQ
CQ 
nD 3
Can calculate diameter of pump and head delivered
May require some iteration and use of pumps in parallel to meet
Design Head required