A CASE STUDY ON

PUMP
CONFIGURATIONS AND
RICTIONAL AND MINOR
LOSSES
KATUREEBE H.J 219266042, SOBEKWA OYAMA 217822711, NEO TAMAKO
216415055
CWEV201
5/27/19
Contents
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 2
Background ............................................................................................................................................. 2
Objective ................................................................................................................................................. 2
SINGLE PUMP .......................................................................................................................................... 3
Procedure............................................................................................................................................ 3
SINGLE PUMP SYSTEM CURVE ............................................................................................................ 3
Observations ................................................................................................................................... 5
Explanation ..................................................................................................................................... 5
SERIES OPERATION.................................................................................................................................. 6
Guidelines to follow ............................................................................................................................ 6
Procedure............................................................................................................................................ 6
SERIES PUMP SYSTEM CURVE ............................................................................................................. 6
Observations ................................................................................................................................... 8
Explanation ..................................................................................................................................... 8
PARALLEL OPERATION ............................................................................................................................ 9
Things to consider ............................................................................................................................... 9
Procedure............................................................................................................................................ 9
PARALLEL PUMP SYSTEM CURVE ........................................................................................................ 9
Observations ................................................................................................................................. 11
Explanation ................................................................................................................................... 11
Theory ................................................................................................................................................... 12
The effect of major and minor losses on the shape of system head curve. ..................................... 12
The effect of different pump configurations on the system head curve and flow rate. .................. 13
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 14
Introduction
A pump is a hardware, which feeds energy to a fluid to flow through channels. Pumps have various
uses such as, to direct water out of the ground, to transport drinking or sewage water over large
distances in combined pipe networks or to discard water from polders. In any of the above mentioned
scenarios, the pump needs to work with its best performance. It is important to check that the flow
rate and head of the pump are within the required specifications, which are presented at the Pump
Characteristic Curves. These plots play an important role in understanding the region in which the
pump needs to be operated therefore ensuring the life of the pump.

Background
Pumps are used for transmission of fluid in a system, either at the same height or to a
different height. The required flow rate depends on the height to which the fluid is pumped.
Each pump has a Head-Charge relationship, this H-Q characteristic is provided by the
manufacturer.

When a single pump cannot deliver the flow rate or head required for a particular system,
combination of pipes can be used. Combination in series can increase the height to which the
fluid can be pumped at a given flow rate. While a combination in parallel can increase the
flow rate associated with a given value of head.

Objective
The main objective of this experiment is to differentiate the flow rate and pressure head of a
single pump and of two identical pumps that operate in a series and parallel configuration.
Graphs of Head vs Flow rate for a single, series and parallel pump operation is to be obtained
from the tests.
SINGLE PUMP
A centrifugal pump will pump fluid at the point where the system curve intersects the pump curve.
This point is defined as the Duty Point.

Procedure
 The first testing was done on a single pump. Water was let water to flow through the
single pump and the maximum flow at 3000 RPM was obtained.
 We throttled the valve at different rates and obtained different Q values, that each
represents a duty point on the respective H-Q curve of the single pump configuration.

Below is a table showing these Q values.

Description Q1 Q2 Q3

Q value(m3/hr) 18.1 14.58 11.55

SINGLE PUMP SYSTEM CURVE

We used these duty point values on and obtained the Hsystem equations using these values and
plotted the rest of the system curve using the respective duty points.
We assumed a static head of 1 metre.
Duty Point Hsystem Equation
Duty Point 1 (Q1) 𝐻𝑠𝑦𝑠 = 1 + 1.431 × 10−3
Duty Point 2 (Q2) 𝐻𝑠𝑦𝑠 = 1 + 2.59 × 10−2
Duty Point 3 (Q3) 𝐻𝑠𝑦𝑠 = 1 + 7.58 × 10−2
We plotted these duty point values on Gilkes GH 75 pump curve along with their respective
system curves.
 30 SINGLE PUMP SYSTEM CURVE

25

CURVE 1 CURVE 2 CURVE 3

20
HEAD (m)

15

10

0
0 2 4 6 DISCHARGE,Q
8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Observations
From the graph above we made the following observations based on the shape of the graph.

 The curve for max flow (curve 1) shows a small deviation from the normal.
 The curve for the first throttling (curve 2) shows a more significant deviation from the normal
 The curve for the second throttling (curve 3) shows a great deviation from the normal.

Explanation
From these observations it is seen that on throttling, the frictional and minor losses increase thus
making the curve steeper after each throttling.
The curve for the second throttling becomes steeper in comparison to the first throttling owing to the
fact that the minor losses at the valve become significantly more. More on this is discussed in the
theory analysis section of this report.
 SERIES OPERATION
Centrifugal pumps are connected in series if the discharge of one pump is connected to the suction
side of a second pump. Each of the pumps is putting
energy into the pumping fluid, so the resultant head
is the sum of the individual heads.

Guidelines to follow

 Both pumps must have the same width impeller or

the difference in capacities otherwise this could
cause a cavitation problem if the first pump cannot
supply enough liquid to the second pump.
 Both pumps must run at the same speed to avoid
cavitation as well.
 Be sure the casing of the second pump is strong
enough to resist the higher pressure.
 Be sure both pumps are filled with liquid during
start-up and operation.
 Start the second pump after the first pump is running

Procedure
 The second testing was done on two pump in series arrangement. Water was let water
to flow through the pump configuration following the above guidelines and the
maximum flow at 3000 RPM was obtained.
 We throttled the valve at different rates and obtained different Q values, that each
represents a duty point on the respective H-Q curve of the single pump configuration.

Below is a table showing these Q values.

Description Q1 Q2 Q3

18.55 30.75 16.7 15

SERIES PUMP SYSTEM CURVE

We used these duty point values on and obtained the Hsystem equations using these values and
plotted the rest of the system curve using the respective duty points.
We assumed a static head of 1 metre.
Duty Point Hsystem Equation
Duty Point 1 (Q1) 𝐻𝑠𝑦𝑠 = 1 + 9.5 × 10−4
Duty Point 2 (Q2) 𝐻𝑠𝑦𝑠 = 1 + 2.44 × 10−2
Duty Point 3 (Q3) 𝐻𝑠𝑦𝑠 = 1 + 5.41 × 10−2

We plotted these duty point values on Gilkes GH 75 pump curve along with their respective
system curves.
 40
SERIES

35 SERIES SYSTEM CURVE CURVE 1

CURVE 2 CURVE 3

30
SINGLE PUMP CURVE

25
HEAD(m)

20

15

10

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
DISCHARGE,Q
Observations
From the graph above we made the following observations based on the shape of the graph.

 The curve for max flow (curve 1) shows a small deviation from the normal.
 The curve for the first throttling (curve 2) shows a more significant deviation from the normal
 The curve for the second throttling (curve 3) shows a great deviation from the normal.
These observations are similar to single pump configuration.

Explanation
From these observations it is seen that on throttling, the frictional and minor losses increase thus
making the curve steeper after each throttling.
The curve for the second throttling becomes steeper in comparison to the first throttling owing to the
fact that the minor losses at the valve become significantly more.
These are a bit similar to the single pump configurations due to the fact that the discharge stays the
same and only the head increases. This similar discharge implies that the losses in both configurations
will be close in magnitude safe for some small minor losses in the second pump.
More on this is discussed in the theory analysis section of this report.
PARALLEL OPERATION
Pumps are operated in parallel when two or more pumps are connected to a common discharge line,
and share the same suction conditions. The resultant discharge increases in this configuration.

Two pumps in parallel will deliver less than twice the flow rate of a single pump in the system
because of the increased friction in the piping.

Things to consider

 Both pumps must produce the same

head, this usually means they must be
running at the same speed, with the
same diameter impeller.
 System curve determines the actual
increase in capacity. If there is
additional friction in the system from
throttling (see dotted line in the
following diagram), two pumps in
parallel may deliver only slightly more
than a single pump operating by its
self.

Procedure
 The second testing was done on two pump in parallel arrangement. Water was let
water to flow through the pump configuration following the above guidelines and the
maximum flow at 3000 RPM was obtained.
 We throttled the valve at different rates and obtained different Q values, that each
represents a duty point on the respective H-Q curve of the parallel pump
configuration.

Below is a table showing these Q values.

 Description Q1 Q2 Q3

Q value(m3/hr) 30.75 23.6 13.6

PARALLEL PUMP SYSTEM CURVE

We used these duty point values on and obtained the Hsystem equations using these values and
plotted the rest of the system curve using the respective duty points.
We assumed a static head of 1 metre.

Duty Point Hsystem Equation

Duty Point 1 (Q1) 𝐻𝑠𝑦𝑠 = 1 + 9.5 × 10−4
Duty Point 2 (Q2) 𝐻𝑠𝑦𝑠 = 1 + 2.44 × 10−2
Duty Point 3 (Q3) 𝐻𝑠𝑦𝑠 = 1 + 5.41 × 10−2
We plotted these duty point values on Gilkes GH 75 pump curve along with their respective
system curves.
 PARALLEL
30

TWO PUMPS IN PARALLEL

25
CURVE 1
CURVE 2
CURVE 3
SINGLE PUMP CURVE

20
HEAD (m)

15

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
DISCHARGE, Q
Observations
From the graph above we made the following observations based on the shape of the graph.

 The curve for max flow (curve 1) shows a larger deviation from the normal in comparison to
the single pump and series configuration.
 The curve for the first throttling (curve 2) shows a more significant deviation from the normal
 The curve for the second throttling (curve 3) shows a great deviation from the normal.

Explanation
From these observations it is seen that on throttling, the frictional and minor losses increase thus
making the curve steeper after each throttling.
The curve for the second throttling becomes steeper in comparison to the first throttling owing to the
fact that the minor losses at the valve become significantly more.
These curves are significantly steeper than the series and single pump configuration due to the fact
that there is an increase in Discharge, Q that leads to increase in minor losses.
There is also an increase in frictional losses due to additional pipes added to the system
More on this is discussed in the theory analysis section of this report.
Theory
In this experiment we were majorly investigating two major aspects i.e.
1. The effect of major and minor losses on the shape of system head curve of respective
configuration.
2. The effect of different pump arrangements and configurations on the system head
curve and flow rate.

The effect of major and minor losses on the shape of system head curve.
We observed a direct proportionality of flow to the magnitude of major and minor losses in
the system and correlated this to the theoretical aspect.
Below is a theoretical analysis of the generic shape of our system curves.

The equation for the system head curve is as follows;

Hsystem =Hstatic + Hf +Hm +Hv

𝑓𝑙𝑣 2 𝑣2 𝑣2
=Hstatic + +K +
2𝑔∅ 2𝑔 2𝑔

𝑓𝑙𝑄2 𝑄2 𝑄2
=Hstatic + +K +
𝐴2 2𝑔∅ 𝐴2 2𝑔 𝐴2 2𝑔

This can be simplified in the quadratic form

Hsystem = A + BQ2
According to the derived system head curve equation above, the friction, minor and dynamic
head loss are proportional to the velocity and flow, Q. These values make up the parabolic
characteristic of the system head curve.
When the valve is adjusted, moving from fully to partially open and to quarterly open, the
flow decreases but the velocity of the fluid increases.
𝑓𝑙𝑣 2 𝑣2 𝑣2
Looking at the friction, minor and dynamic head loss equation 2𝑔∅
+K2𝑔 + 2𝑔 , as the
velocity increases, there is an increase in magnitude of the losses.
On throttling the valve, we noticed a higher head loss experimentally,
This is due to the fact that as the fluid approaches a smaller diameter, the velocity of the fluid
4𝑄
increases (from 𝑉 = 2 ) thus leading to an increase in frictional and minor losses. This
𝜋𝐷
explains why our curves were so steep on each throttling and the duty point at each throttling
was higher.

The effect of different pump configurations on the system head curve and flow rate.
We studied the effect of adding two pumps to each other in series and parallel configurations. When
two pumps are added in series, there is an increase in head but the capacity/ flow remains more or
less the same.

When two pumps are added in parallel, there is an increase in flow rate but the head stays more or
late the same

From the equation of the curve;

Hsystem =Hstatic + Hf +Hm +Hv

𝑓𝑙𝑣 2 𝑣2 𝑣2
=Hstatic + +K +
2𝑔∅ 2𝑔 2𝑔

𝑓𝑙𝑄2 𝑄2 𝑄2
=Hstatic + +K +
𝐴2 2𝑔∅ 𝐴2 2𝑔 𝐴2 2𝑔

From this equation we can explain the following observations made on the series and
parallel arrangement curves.
1. For series arrangement there is a slight increase in head loss and duty point as
compared to the single pump.
This is due to the fact that head losses, (as earlier discussed and derived from our
preceding notes) increase with flow rate, Q. In series alignment there is a more or less
zero increase in Q so the increase in major and minor losses is low, especially at max
flow and on the first throttling, except for probably the extra minor losses coming from
the addition of an extra pump. Therefore the duty point increases just a little
On the second throttling, a more significant head loss is realised due to the increase in
minor losses from the valve. Therefore the duty point sees a higher increase.
2. For parallel arrangement there is a steep increase in head loss as compared to
the single pump.
This is due to the fact that head losses, (as earlier discussed and derived from our
preceding notes) increase with flow rate, Q. In parallel arrangement, there in an
increase in flow rate by almost double therefore significant head losses are realised
and the duty point becomes significantly higher.
Conclusion
Pumps combined in parallel can increase the flow twice for the same given head. In practice,
this would be done if a pump provides the right head, but provides small flow. Parallel
arrangement is also used if the demand of flow is different. One pump can be used at lower
flow than the second pump. The advantage of arranging pumps in parallel is the redundancy
in case failure occurs.
On the other hand, applying pumps arrangement into series can twice increase the head. In
practice, this would be done if the pump provides the right flow rate, but small head. When
pumps are connected in series or parallel, the power input to the pump increases.
When the head or flow rate of a single pump is not sufficient for an application, pumps are
combined in series or in parallel to meet the desired requirements. Pumps are combined in
series to obtain an increase in head or in parallel for an increase in flow rate.