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Lab 3-Pumps in Series and Parallel

This lab experiment examines how pumps can be configured in series or parallel to increase flow rates or pressure heads. Students will collect data for single pumps, pumps in series, and pumps in parallel to develop characteristic curves showing the relationships between flow rate and head. They will compare the experimental curves to theoretical predictions and calculate percentage errors. Similarity laws will also be used to predict pump performance at different rotation speeds.

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551 views

Lab 3-Pumps in Series and Parallel

This lab experiment examines how pumps can be configured in series or parallel to increase flow rates or pressure heads. Students will collect data for single pumps, pumps in series, and pumps in parallel to develop characteristic curves showing the relationships between flow rate and head. They will compare the experimental curves to theoretical predictions and calculate percentage errors. Similarity laws will also be used to predict pump performance at different rotation speeds.

Uploaded by

nidhalsaada
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CE 3620: Water Resources Engineering

Spring 2012

Lab 3: Pumps in Series & Pumps in Parallel


BACKGROUND
Pumps are used to transfer fluid in a system, either at the same elevation or to a new height. The
needed flow rate depends on the height to which the fluid is pumped. Each pump has a headdischarge relationship that is inversely proportional (i.e., if a higher flow rate is needed, then less
head or pressure will be produced by the pump, and vice versa). This head-discharge
relationship, also known as the pump characteristic curve, is provided by the pump manufacturer.
In civil engineering applications, a single pump often cannot deliver the flow rate or head
necessary for a particular system. However, two pumps (or typically more in practice) can be
combined in series to increase the height to which the fluid can be pumped at a given flow rate,
or combined in parallel to increase the flow rate associated with a given value of head. The H32
pumping apparatus employed in this lab demonstrates how the combined pump characteristic
curve (whether in series or parallel) compares with that of the single pump. In theory, if two
pumps are combined in series, the pumping system will produce twice the head for a given flow
rate. Similarly, if two pumps are combined in parallel, the pumping system is expected to have
twice the flow rate of single pump for a given head.
LAB OBJECTIVES

To develop pump characteristic curves for a single pump, two pumps in series, and two
pumps in parallel by measuring head (h) and flow rate (Q) using the experimental
apparatus.
To develop theoretical pump characteristic curves for pumps in series and pumps in
parallel experimentally derived single pump characteristic curve.
To compare the experimental and theoretical pump characteristic curves for pumps in
series and pumps in parallel.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
1. Adjust the valves on the apparatus so that a single pump is active.
2. Use the valve downstream of the pump(s) to control discharge and the corresponding
head. For a given head (pressure) reading, use the volume-time method to measure the
flow rate. Measure the flow rate three times. Record the values in the appropriate table
on the attached data sheet.
3. Measure the head (pressure) downstream of each pump. Record the values in the
appropriate table on the attached data sheet.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for five different discharges/head readings, plus with no flow.
5. Adjust the valves on the apparatus such that two pumps in series or two pumps in parallel
are active. Repeat steps 2 4 for each pumping system.

RESULTS
Compare the experimental and theoretical pump characteristic curves for pumps in series and
pumps in parallel. Comparisons should be made both graphically and in terms of the percentage
error. Record measurements taken during lab in the tables on the attached data sheet. Type
these results in a spreadsheet and include them in the report.
CALCULATIONS
Show sample calculations for one trial (i.e., for one flow rate/head reading) as outlined below.
Note: sample calculations for each pumping system should be provided when alternative forms
of a given equation are needed. Label variables and use units in your calculations.

Calculate flow rate using the volume-time method.

Calculate the change in head (Ep) based on your measured/experimental values.


Note: P corresponds to the head produced by the pump.

Calculate the change in head (Ep(th)) expected based on theory.

Calculate the percentage error (theoretical versus experimental) in the change in head for
the pumps in series and in parallel.

For ease of unit conversion: 1 bar = 100 kN/m2, 1000 liters/sec = 1 m3/sec.
GRAPHS
Create two graphs showing pump characteristic curves as follows:

Graph 1 - Pumps in Parallel


o Single pump line (reference pump A)
o Theoretical line for pumps in parallel
o Experimental line for pumps in parallel

Graph 2 - Pumps in Series


o Single pump line (reference pump A)
o Theoretical line for pumps in series
o Experimental line for pumps in series

DISCUSSION
1. List possible causes for differences between your predicted values and experimental
values of the pump characteristic curves for pumps in series or parallel.
2. Given the data for reference pump A (N = 1850 rpm) collected/derived in this lab, use
similarity laws to predict the values of discharge and head for pumps rotating at 3000
rev/min. Provide a table with the predicted values of discharge and head for a single
pump, pumps in parallel, and pumps in series rotating at 3000 rev/min. (Similarity laws
are discussed in Section 4.2.1 of Water Resources Engineering by Wurbs & James.)

DATA SHEET
Table 1. Single Pump Data
Trial Time (s) Volume (L)
0
1

NA

NA

Q
0

Qavg

Ep(1)

Ep(2)

Ep

Table 2. Pumps in Series Data


Trial

Time
(s)

Volume
(L)

NA

NA

Qavg

Ep(1)

Ep(2)

Ep

Ep(th)

%
Error

Table 3. Pumps in Parallel Data


Trial

Time
(s)

Volume
(L)

NA

NA

Qavg

Ep(1)

Ep(2)

Ep

Ep(th)

%
Error

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