[SEGi University]

[Chemical Engineering Laboratory 2]

EXPERIMENT 4: CENTRIFUGAL PUMP

Candidates Name: GONG WEE JIE Student ID: SCM-023815
1.

Group Members Name: 1) Marie Rachel Chan Chee Mei

2) Sabrina Najwa bt Termizi

3) Steffi Untin Reginald Iggan 4) Shahrukh Ahmed 5) Mohammad Hussain

Lecturer/ Supervisor: Dr Yap Pow Seng Date of Submission: 28/01/2014

1.0 Objective

The main objective of this experiment is to explore the characteristics of a centrifugal pump. This is done by determining the capacity and efficiency of the centrifugal pump. The pressure reading on the pressure gauges is observed . The flowrate and pressure are values are recorded when stable condition is achieved. These steps are repeated using different flowrates. The flowrates used in this experiment are, 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40 and 30 LPM.

2.0 Introduction
Pumps are devices that transfer mechanical energy from a prime mover into fluid energy to produce the flow of liquids. There are two broad classification of pumps: positive displacement and dynamic. In the experiment, student are able to operate horizontal single stage centrifugal pump. 2.1 Dynamic pump Dynamic pump add energy to the fluid by the action of rotating blade, which increases the velocity of fluid. Figure 2 shows the construction feature of a centrifugal pump, the most commonly used type of dynamic pump.

2.2 Horizontal single stage centrifugal pump Centrifugal pump have two major components: 1. The impeller consists of a number of curved blades (also called vanes) attached into a regular pattern to one side of a circular hub plate that is connected to the rotating driveshaft. 2. The housing (also called casing) is a stationary shell that enclosed the impeller and supports the rotating drive shaft via a bearing. A centrifugal pump operates as follows. The prime mover rotates the driveshaft and hence the impeller fluid is drawn in axially through the center opening( called the eye) of the housing. The fluid

then makes a 90 turn and flows radially outwards. As energy is added to the fluid by the rotating blades (centrifugal action and actual blade force), the pressure and velocity increase until the fluid reaches the outer tip of the impeller. The fluid then enters the volute shape housing whose increased flow area cause the velocity to decrease. This action results in decrease kinetic energy and an accompanying increase in pressure. The volute-shape housing also provides a continuous increase in flow area in the direction of flow to produce a uniform velocity as the fluid travels around the outer portion of housing and discharge opening. Although centrifugal pump provides smooth, continous flow, their flow rate output (also called discharge) is reducing as the external resistance is increase. In fact, by closing a system valve ( thereby creating theoretically infinite external system resistance) even while the pump is running at design speed, it is possible to stop pump output flow completely. In such a case no harm occurs to the pump unless this no-flow condition occurs over extended period with resulting excessive fluid temperature build-up. Thus pressure relief valves are not needed. the tips of the impeller blade merely shear to through the liquid, and the rotational speed maintains fluid pressure corresponding to the centrifugal force established. Figure 3 shows the cutaway of a centrifugal pump.

Figure 3: The Cutaway of a Centrifugal Pump

3.0 APPARATUS

The unit is constructed on a stable stainless steel base plate, comprises of a fixed speed centrifugal pump, a water sump tank and all required pipe works. It is installed with pressure gauges and flow meter for pump characteristic studies. The pump casing is made of transparent material; therefore the pump mechanism can be clearly visualized.

Figure 1: Equipment Assemble

4.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

1. The circulation tank is filled with water up to at least the end of the pipe and the output is submerged with water. 2. Suction valve is opened. 3. Power supply to the pump is switched on. 4. Delivery valve is regulated to achieve the desired operating condition. 5. Delivery valve is slowly regulated until the flowrate reaches 90 LPM. 6. Pressure reading on the pressure gauges is observed. Flowrate and pressure values is recorded when stable condition is achieved. 7. Observation is repeated by decreasing the flowrate as follows.

5.0 Results and analysis

Rotameter Suction Pressure (FI1) LPM (P1) cmHg 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 7.8 5.2 2.6 0.0 ---Kgf/cm2 ----0.0 0.05 0.05

Delivery Pressure (P2) kgf/cm2 0.15 0.25 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.65 0.70

Rotameter (FI1) LPM 90 80 70 60 50 40 30

Water flow rate, Q (m3/s) 1.50x10-3 1.33 x10-3 1.17 x10-3 1.00 x10-3 8.33 x10-4 6.67 x10-4 5.00 x10-4

Difference in pressure, P (pa) 4310.84 17584.25 35760.84 49034.03 58840.84 58840.84 63744.24

Hydraulic power, Pi (W) 6.47 23.39 41.84 49.03 49.01 39.25 31.87

Rotameter (FI1) LPM 90 80 70 60 50 40 30

Pump efficiency, (%) 3.59 12.99 23.24 27.24 27.23 21.81 17.71

Calculation

When LPM=90,

= 1.50x10-3 m/s

Delievery pressure = 0.15kgf/cm2 x 98066.5kPa = 14709.98 Pa

Suction pressure = 7.8cmHg x 1333.2237Pa/cmHg= 10399.14 Pa

P = 14709.98 Pa 10399.14 Pa = 4310.84 Pa

Hydraulic power, Pi = Q P (W) 1.50x10-3 m/s x 4311.6Pa = 6.47 W

Pump efficiency, = 3.59

Pi 100% P

Discussion
Pressure difference versus flowrate graph

70000 60000

Pressure difference, P (Pa)

50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 0 5.00 x10-46.67 x10-48.33 x10-41.00 x10-31.17 x10-31.33 x10-3 1.50x10-3

Flowrate ,Q (m3/s)

Pump efficiency versus flowrate graph

30 25 20

Pump efficiency,n (100%)

15 10 5 0 5.00 x10-4 6.67 x10-4 8.33 x10-4 1.00 x10-3 1.17 x10-3 1.33 x10-3 1.50x10-3

Flowrate, Q (m3/s)

Based on the results, as the flowrate decreases, the suction pressure decreases while the delivery pressure increases. From the pressure difference versus flowrate graph, when the flowrate increases, the pressure difference decreases. As the flowrate increases the efficiency of the pump increases but this relationship is only applicable within a certain range. If the flowrate is further increased after the limit, the efficiency will decrease. In this experiment, the maximum pump efficiency is 27.24% with a flow rate of 1.00 x10-3m3/s while the minimum pump efficiency obtained is 3.59% when the flow rate is 5.00 x10-4m3/s. Accurate values could not be obtained in this experiment due to some factors such as the apparatus is not in perfect working condition and the experiment is not conducted under standardize conditions. Human error such as parallax error could cause some error in the result value.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the change of speed of flow rate of the centrifugal pump will cause the characteristics to vary and affect the overall efficiency. Efficiency increases with an increase of speed.

Reference

1. Munson,B.R., Young,D.F and Okiishi, T.H, 2006. Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics, 5th ed.,John Wiley and Sons, Inc., NewYork.

2. White F.M, 2006. Fluid Mechanics 6th ed. McGraw H,ss Book Company, New York.