Centrifugal pump characteristics
1
Pump characteristics
Euler's pump equation gives the theoretical head developed
by the pump, but if it is assumed that there is no whirl
component of velocity at entry then CX1 = 0 or (Vu1 = 0) and
the actual theoretical head developed is:
Hth.∞ = E= (U2 CX2)/g = (U2 V2u)/g (2.23)
And if slip is accounted: EN = σs E = σs (Hi +hi) (2.24)
Hth = σs Hth.∞
Now :
2
Pump characteristics
For constant U2, A, β2; E = K1 – K2 Q (2-25)
For slip condition: when Cr2 increases, Q increases and σs
decreases: EN = (K1 – K2 Q) σs (2-26)
Accounting for hydraulic losses: (shock and friction)
hshock = K3(Q- QD)² (2-27)
hf = K4 Q² (2-28)
Finally we will have the real H-Q characteristic
3
Pump characteristic curve H-Q (at constant n)
β2 > 90
β2 = 90
β2 < 90
4
Experimental Rig
5
H, P, NPSH, η = f(Q) at n = const
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Effect of flow rate variation
A pump is usually designed to run at a fixed speed with a design
head and flow rate and these conditions would normally occur at
the maximum efficiency point. However, it is not always the case
in practice that the operating point lies at the design point. This
may be due to a pipeline being partially blocked, a valve jammed
partially closed or poor matching of the pump to the piping
system. Also in general a variable-speed motor is not available to
correct for any deviation from the design condition, so that in
what follows it is assumed that the speed of the pump remains
constant.
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Effect of flow rate variation on outlet velocity
n = constant
8
Effect of flow rate variation on inlet velocity
At the inlet the effect of flow rate change is to cause eddies on
the suction surface of the blade for a reduced flow rate and on
the pressure surface of the blade for an increased flow rate. The
design condition is the 'no-shock‘ condition, which corresponds
to the designed flow QD. The corresponding velocity diagrams
can be seen in the Figure
In all cases it is assumed that CX1 is zero
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Effect of flow rate variation on inlet velocity
Extrados
Intrados +++++
----
10
Effect of outlet blade angle
Backward facing blades β2 < 90
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Effect of outlet blade angle
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Theoretical characteristics
for varying outlet blade angle
13
Actual characteristics
for varying blade outlet angle
14
Flow in discharge casing
The discharge casing is that part of the casing following the
impeller outlet. It has two functions:
(i) to receive and guide the liquid discharged from the
impeller to the outlet ports of the pump
(ii) to increase the static head at the outlet of the pump by
reducing the kinetic energy of the liquid leaving the
impeller. These two functions may be called collector and
diffuser functions.
The former function may be used alone while the latter can
occur either before or after the collector function. in addition
diffusion can take place in a vaned or vaneless diffuser.
15
Flow in discharge casing
A simple volute or scroll collector is illustrated in the Figure and consists of a
circular passage of increasing cross-sectional area. The advantage of the simple
volute is its low cost. The cross-sectional area increases as the increment of
discharge increases around the periphery of the impeller and it is found that a
constant average velocity around the volute results in equal pressures around
the pump casing, and hence no radial thrust on the shaft.
Any deviation in capacity (flow rate) from the design condition will result in a
radial thrust, which if allowed to persist could result in shaft bending. Values of
radial thrust are given by the empirical relationship
where P =radial force (N), H =head (m), D2 =peripheral diameter (m), B2 =
impeller width (m) and K =constant determined from the following equation
for a particular value of Q:
16
Simple volute or scroll collector
Of the available kinetic energy at impeller outlet, 25-30 per
cent may be recovered in a simple volute.
17
Vaneless diffuser
18
Logarithmic spiral flow in vaneless space
If frictionless now is assumed, then by
the conservation of angular momentum
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Logarithmic spiral flow in vaneless space
Cx >> Cr (usually) and therefore the absolute velocity C is approximately
equal to Cx
From the equation above, for C to be small, which is what we are trying to
achieve, then (r) must be large and therefore, for a large reduction in the outlet
kinetic energy, a diffuser with a large radius is required. For an incompressible
fluid, the inclination of the absolute velocity vector in the radial line remains
constant at all θ since at the outlet from the impeller
20
Logarithmic spiral flow in vaneless space
Since (r Cr) is constant from the constant mass flow rate requirement, and (r
Cx) is constant from the conservation of angular momentum requirement. Thus
the flow in the diffuser remains at a constant inclination α’ to radial lines, the
flow path tracing out a logarithmic spiral, and if for an incremental radius (dr)
the fluid moves through angle dθ, then
21
Vaned diffuser
22
Vaned diffuser
A ring of diffuser vanes surrounds the impeller at the outlet, and after leaving
the impeller the fluid moves in a logarithmic spiral across a short vaneless
space before entering the diffuser vanes proper, Once the fluid has entered
the diffuser passage, the controlling variable on the rate of diffusion is the
divergence angle of the diffuser passage, which is of the order of 8-10° and
should ensure no boundary-layer separation along the passage walls.
The number of vanes on the diffuser ring is subject to the following
considerations
1. The greater the vane number, the better is the diffusion but the greater is
the friction loss.
2. The cross section of the diffuser channel should be square to give a
maximum hydraulic radius (cross-sectional area/channel perimeter).
3. The number of diffuser vanes should have no common factor with the
number of impeller vanes. This is to obviate resonant or sympathetic
vibration.
23
Head rise across a centrifugal pump
24
Pump-System Matching
25
Pumps in series
Pm total = Pm1 + Pm2
Pm total = (ρg Q H1/η1) + (ρg Q H2/η2)
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Pumps in series; multistage pump
Q = const; Htot = ΣHj; j = 1…n
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Pumps in parallel
H = const, Qtot = ΣQi; i = 1…n
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Pumps in parallel
29
Two different pumps coupled
in series and in parallel
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Laws of similitude
Affinity Laws
Geometric similitude
Dp/Dm = bp/bm = const 1
Angles are equal: βp = βm and αp = αm
Kinematic similitude
Vnp/Vm = Wp/Wm = Up/Um = (Np/Nm) x (Rp/Rm) = const 2
Dynamic similitude: For Ren = Rem
p- prototype; m - model
31
Prototype and model efficiency
The efficiencies of the model and prototype are the same providing the similarity
laws are satisfied, In practice, the two are not the same due to scaling effects,
such as relative surface roughness, slight Reynolds-number changes and Mach-
number effects at higher blade speeds
32
Flow, Head, Power and Velocity Coefficients
33
Dimensionless specific speed
34
Specific speed ns
ns = 3.65 n √Q / H^3/4; ny =ns/3.65 = n √Q / H^3/4
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Pump working at different n
Parabola of similar regimes (Affinity laws)
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Effect of speed variation on efficiency
1/ηn2 = 1 + (1/ηn1 – 1) (n1/n2)0.182 (μ2/μ1)0.182
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Constant Efficiency Curves
The constant efficiency curves or Muschel curves (Fig. next slide) help
determine the range of pump operation for a particular efficiency. As shown in
Fig., the constant or iso-efficiency curves may be obtained from Hm vs Q and
ho vs Q curves of main characteristic curves. In order to plot the iso-efficiency
curves, horizontal lines representing constant efficiencies are drawn on the
ho vs Q curves. The points at which these lines cut the efficiency curves at
various speeds are transferred to the corresponding Hm vs Q curves. The
points corresponding to the same efficiency are then joined by smooth curves,
which represent the iso-efficiency curves or Muschel curves. From these
curves, the line of maximum efficiency can be obtained.
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Impeller trim
The performance of a centrifugal pump can be modified by changing the
diameter of the impeller. The impeller trim is the finished outside diameter of the
impeller.
The majority of centrifugal pumps are available with a range of impeller trim
sizes. The maximum trim is the largest diameter impeller that can be installed
inside a specific pump. The minimum trim diameter is the minimum diameter
impeller that will still produce acceptable operation.
By increasing or decreasing the diameter of an impeller, the production of a
pump can be increased or decreased. Impellers with a larger diameter produce
greater head and flow than impellers with a smaller diameter.
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42
Trimming percentage
Q1/Q2 = (D²)initial / (D²)trim
H1/H2 = (D²)initial / (D²)trim
Let Dtrim = m x Dinitial
Q1/Q2 = H1/H2 = (D²)initial/(D²)trimmed = 1/m²
m = √(Q2/Q1)
ηtrim = 1- (1- η) (D/Dtrim)^0.45
Trimming percentage, (1-m) 100% = f(ns)
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Hsystem
Qnew Qold
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Characteristics with Impeller trim
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Definition of cavitation
Cavitation is a phenomenon that occurs when the local absolute static
pressure of a liquid falls below the vapor pressure of the liquid and thereby
causes vapor bubbles to form in the main body of liquid, that is the liquid
boils, When the liquid flows through a centrifugal or axial flow pump, the
static pressure (suction pressure) at the eye of the impeller is reduced and
the velocity increases. There is therefore a danger that cavitation bubbles
may form at the inlet to the impeller. When the fluid moves into a higher-
pressure region, these bubbles collapse with tremendous force, giving rise
to pressures as high as 3500 atm. Local pitting of the impeller can result
when the bubbles collapse on a metallic surface, and serious damage ,can
occur from this prolonged cavitation erosion, as shown in the Figure. Noise
is also generated in the form of sharp cracking sounds when cavitation
takes place.
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NPSH and σ
NPSH – net positive suction head in m
σ – Thoma coefficient – caviation parameter
At the inlet flange of the pump
Where the numerator is called NPSH
σc – critical value corresponds to minimum NPSH; determined
experimentally
48
NPSH determination
49
Figure 2.1 (next slide)
Where NPSH = PA/ρg – Pvap/ρg – Hsuction
Or NPSH = PA/ρg – Pvap/ρg – Hsuction* - Σsuction Losses
In this case Σlosses = hin + hfi and Hsuction = Zi
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51
Condition of no cavitation
Providing σ is above σc, cavitation will not occur, but, in order to
achieve this, it may be necessary to decrease Hsuction by
decreasing Zi and in some cases the pump may have to be placed
below the reservolr or pump free surface, I.e. negative Zi,
especially if hfi is particularly high due to a long inlet pipe. Thus
when the pump is connected to any other inlet pipe system, σ as
determined , may be calculated and providing
σ(available) > σ(required) then cavitation will be avoided.
Or NPSH (available) > NPSH (required)
52
NPSHR and NPSHA
Required NPSH
It is value given by pump manufacturer
This value can be determined experimentally and it
varies with pump design, speed of the pump and
capacity of the pump.
Available NPSH
When pump is installed the value of available NPSH is
calculated from equations
The available NPSH should be greater than required
NPSH for cavitation free operation of Pump.
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Required Net Positive Suction Head NPSHR
• NPSHR is a pump characteristic (increases as Q increases)
• If NPSHA > NPSHR No Cavitation
• If NPSHA < NPSHR Cavitation will occur
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NPSH required versus NPSH available
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Suction height
(Hsuction)max = (Patm – Pv)/ρg – (NPSH)R – Σsuction Losses
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Suction specific speed
It is found from experiments that the inception of cavitation Occurs at constant
values of Nsuc and empirical results show that N suc = 3 for N in rad/s Q in m3/s
and (g NPSH) in m2/s2.
The cavitation parameter may also be determined by dividing the dimensionless
specific speed by the dimensionless suction specific speed:
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Constructing against cavitation
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Special blades
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Flow regulation: Variable speed pumps
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Shift of system curves: Flow regulating valve
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Pump priming
The priming of centrifugal pump is the process of filling the suction pipe,
casing of the pump and portion of the delivery pipe from outside source of
the fluid to be raised. This removes the air, gas or vapour from these parts.
Priming is done before the starting the pump
It is necessary to avoid discontinuity of flow or dry running of pump
The dry running of pump may result in rubbing and seizing of the wearing
rings and cause severe damage.
Also when the pump is running with air instead of water, the head generated
is in terms of meters of air. But as the density of air very low, the generated
head of air in terms of equivalent meter of water head is negligible and hence
water may not be sucked from the pump.
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Priming methods
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Problem 2.5
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Cavitation; two types of problems
1- Hsuction (max) ?; 2- Cavitation?
Given: System, suction side
NPSH required (pump charac.)
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Type 1; Determine Hsuction max.
A- Operating point is known; (Q, H) given; NPSHr is also given
B- system characteristics ( L, D, friction coefficient, roughness,
components); Losses suction side
C- liquid characteristics (density, viscosity, vapor pressure = f(T)
D- reservoir pressure; atmospheric, pressurized, vacuum
Example: NPSHr = 3m; losses suction side = 2m; Tw = 70C; 1atm
pressure
Solution: Hsuc max = Patm/ρg – pv/ρg – NPSHr – losses =
(101325/9.81x 977.5) – (31202/9.81x977.5) – 3 – 2 = 10.566 –
3.2538 – 3 – 2 = 2.3122 m
Hsuction < Hsuction max
If losses = 6m; Hsuc max = - 1.6878
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Type 2; NPSH available > NPSH required
Given: Q = 100 L/s; Ksuc = 400; NPSHr = 3 m; Patm = 1 atm; Tw
= 20 C; Hsuction = 2 m
Determine NPSH available and check if: NPSH av > NPSH r
100 L/s
NPSHav = Patm/ρg – pv/ρg – Hsuction – KQ^2 = 101325/998x 9.81 – 2339.2/998x9.81- 2 – 4 =
= 10.34 – 0.238 – 2 – 4 = 4.102 m >3 m
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Problem 2.8
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Solution 8
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Problem 2.9
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Solution 9
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Problem 2-10
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Solution 10
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Trimming
Dinitial = 8 inch, Q = 260
Dtrim = 6 ;Qy = 150; Qx= 220, m?
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Trimming percentage
Q1/Q2 = (D^2)initial/(D^2)trimmed
H1/H2 = (D^2)initial/(D^2)trimmed
Let Dtrimmed = m x Dinitial
Q1/Q2 = H1/H2 = (D^2)initial/(D^2)trimmed = 1/m^2
m = (Q2/Q1)^1/2 = (Qy/Qx)^1/2 = 0.82
Trimming percentage, (1-m) 100% = 18 % = f(ns)
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Water physical properties
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