ADAMSON UNIVERSITY

Ermita, Manila

College of Engineering
Chemical Engineering Department

Experiment No. 1

Performance and Benefits of Pumps in

Series/Parallel Operations

Submitted by:

Aquino, Chamylle Rose T.

Carlos, Fauline Deune G.
Fundano, Jerome D.R.
Tayactac, Honeylet R.
Zulueta, Adrienne Hera O.

Submitted to:

Engr. Rugi Vicente Rubi

July 21, 2017

I. Objectives:
1. To examine the performance and benefits of single pump and pumps connected in
series and in parallel operations

II. Introduction:
A pump is a device used to move gases, liquids or slurries. A pump moves liquids or
gases from lower pressure to higher pressure, and overcomes this difference in pressure
by adding energy to the system (such as a water system). A gas pump is generally called
a compressor, except in very low pressure-rise applications, such as in heating,
ventilating, and air-conditioning, where the operative equipment consists of fans or
blowers. A centrifugal pump is a rotodynamic pump that uses a rotating impeller to
increase the velocity of a fluid. Centrifugal pumps are commonly used to move liquids
through a piping system. The fluid enters the pump impeller along or near to the rotating
axis and is accelerated by the impeller, flowing radially outward into a diffuser or volute
chamber, from where it exits into the downstream piping system. Centrifugal pumps are
used for large discharge through smaller heads.

Centrifugal pumps are often used together to enhance either the flow rate or the delivery
pressure beyond that available from the single pump. For some piping system designs, it
may be desirable to consider a multiple pump system to meet the design requirements.
Two typical options include parallel and series configurations of pumps which require a
specific performance criteria. In serial operation the heads of the pumps are added and in
parallel operation the flow rates (capacities) of the pumps are added. The experimental
unit provides the determination of the characteristic behavior for single operation and
interaction of two pumps. The apparatus consists of a tank and pipework which delivers
water to and from two identical centrifugal pumps. The unit is fitted with electronic
sensors which measure the process variables. Signals from these sensors are sent to a
computer via an interface device, and the unit is supplied with data logging software as
standard.

III. Materials and Equipment Needed:

1. Series/Parallel Pump Test Rig
2. Water
3. Adjustable Counterweight
IV. Procedure:
A. Inverse Square Law for Heat

1. Prime the system by opening ll valves except the flows-regulating valve and
filling with water through the filling plug. It is particularly important to ensure
that the lines connecting the pressure tapping to the pressure gauges are filled
with water, since an air column will result in false indication of pressure head at
the tapping due to the height of the gauge above the tapping point.
2. Balance the motor stator using the adjustable counter weight.

3. Adjust the water level in the approach channel to the V notch so that it is
exactly level with the apex, taking account of the surface tension effect.
4. Zero the point gauge in the stilling well.
5. Set the speed controller to zero.

6. With the regulating valve closed, select the suction and delivery valves
appropriate to the test under consideration, i.e. single pump operation, parallel or
series pump operation.
7. Note the initial readings on the two relevant pressure gauges.
8. Run up the motor to the chosen speed (e.g. 2900 rev/min)

9. With the regulating valve closed, again, note the pressure gauge readings. Open
this valve in intervals such that regulator increments of discharge are attained; the
calibrated manometer connected to the orifice plate may be used to establish the
valve positions.

10. At each interval, after adjusting the speed controller as necessary to maintain
the chosen speed, note the pressure gauge readings and the head over the crest of
the V notch in the stilling well. Since the V notch responds slowly to changes
in discharge, allow sufficient time for the level in the stilling well to become
steady before a reading is taken.

11. Apply weights to the torque arm until this is again balanced and note the total
weight applied.

12. Repeat this procedure for two other rotational speeds (2000 and 1000
rev/min) and for each of the other pump arrangements.
V. Results and Discussion:
From the experiments, characteristics of pumps ran at different conditions are observed.
Standard test were done according to the procedures defined by the lab manual. Initially, we
study the variation of head available with change in flowrate. With pumps in parallel we can
increase the flow almost twice for the same head delivered, while head delivered can be
increased twice by arranging pumps in series. Hence, where a single pump is inappropriate for
large flowrate or high head, pumps can be arranged in series and parallel or combination of both
to suite our requirement.

Putting your centrifugal pumps in series, or connected along a single line, will let you add
the head from each together and meet your high head, low flow system requirements. This is
because the fluid pressure increases as the continuous flow passes through each pump, much like
how a multi-stage pump works.

Putting your pumps in parallel, or connected to any number of line branches so that each
handles a division of the flow, will help you reach a low head, high flow operating point that a
single pump cannot supply. Additionally, this system configuration gives you flexibility by
permitting the switching of parallel pumps on or off in order to adjust to variable flow
conditions.

VI. Conclusions:
After completing this report we conclude that the experiment is a success, with all the
objective set is achieved. The conclusion that we made that with an increase of speed of the
pump it will cause the properties and characteristic to varied accordingly which in turn effect the
overall efficiency, and with the increase of speed it is relevant that the efficiency also increased.

The total energy of the fluid remains unchanged if there is no inlet or outlet power. When
fluid is in motion, the part energy is used to overcome the flow resistance (power outlet), with
the pump the energy is transported to the fluid. Pump head is at the same time a feature of the
pipeline and pump. In the pipeline it represents the energy needed for the desired quantity (flow)
of water, while at the pump it represents the energy that the pump is able to give the fluid at a
given flow.

Running a pump at full speed causes you to move past the best efficiency point (BEP) on
the right side, lowering efficiency and causing potential issues. With two controlled pumps
operating at partial capacity, you can still have control over the flow while running each pump
closer or to the left of its BEP, resulting in a more efficient operation. Overall, this configuration
offers a wide range of operating conditions and opportunities for better efficiencies in order to
meet your variable flow needs.
Appendices:
Appendix A. Experimental Data

Test at ____ rev/min

Suction Delivery
V Notch Discharge Torque Mass
Pump Head Head
Head (mm) (L/s) (g)
(mH2O) (mH2O)
0
50 215 4 1.5 3.8
70 190 3.5 1 3.1
73 170 3 0.75 2.6
70 150 2.5 0.25 2.2
Pump No. 1
65 130 2 0 1.7
60 105 1.75 -0.2 1.4
54 80 1.5 -0.25 1
49.5 40 1.2 -0.75 0.75
45 0 0.9 -0.9 0.5
70 220 2 -5 2.5
70 205 2 -4.3 2.1
65 180 1 -4 1.7
61 160 0.5 -3.2 1.4
58 140 0 -3 1.1
Pump No. 2 51.5 120 0 -2.5 0.8
48 100 0 -2.0 0.65
41 80 0 -1.4 0.5
40 50 0 -1.5 0.4
32.5 20 0 -1.3 0.3
24.5 0 0 -1.1 0.2
 Suction
Delivery Head
V Notch Discharge Head Torque
Arrangement (mH2O)
Head (mm) (L/s) (mH2O) Mass (g)
P1 P2 P1 P2
75 240 4.1 3 1 -4 5
68 190 3 1.9 0.5 -3 2.7
60 150 2.2 0 -0.2 -2 1.65
Series 55 110 1.7 0 -0.5 -1.8 1
45 50 1.3 0 -1 -1.3 0.5
26 10 1 0 -1 -1.1 0.25
16 0 0.8 0 -1 -1 0.2
58 270 1.5 6.3 7.5 -3.0 2.5
52 220 1.3 4 4.9 -2.5 1.75
44 180 1.1 2.1 1.252.5 -2 1.15
Parallel 34.5 130 1 0.2 1 -1.5 0.7
24 80 0.7 0 -0.2 -1.3 0.35
4 20 0.75 0 -1 -1.1 0.25
0 0 0.75 0 -1 -1.2 0.2