Mapúa University

School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

Experiment No. 3

SERIES AND PARALLEL PUMPS

Date Performed: January 12, 2023

16 Mojica, Neil Daniel B.
Date Submitted: January 18, 2023
2021100407

ME152L-2 / C2

Group 2

Engr. Teodulo Valle

Professor

GRADE
TABLE OF CONTENTS

OBJECTIVES………………………………………………………………….…………………..….…..1

THEORY AND PRINCIPLE…………………………………………..……………………………........2

LIST APPARATUS…………………………………………………………………..…………....……...5

PROCEDURE………………………………………………………………………………………..……6

SET UP OF APPARATUS……………………………………………………..……….…………..…...7

FINAL DATA SHEET………………………………………………………………..….……………......8

DISCUSSION………….………………………………………………………......………...………….12

QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS…………………………………………………….…………………13

CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………………………..………………14

REFERENCES………………………………………………………………………..……………...…15

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OBJECTIVES

1. To familiarize the pump configurations such as singly, series and parallel

2. To understand the principle and operation

3. To obtain the performance data in determining flow rate as well as efficiency

1
THEORY AND PRINCIPLE

Pumps can be arranged and connected in serial or parallel to provide additional head or flow
rate capacity.

A. Discharge Flow, Q

B. Manometric Head, Hm

C. Brake Power, BP in

D. Water Power, WP output

2
Pumps in Serial - Head Added

When two (or more) pumps are arranged in serial their resulting pump performance curve is
obtained by adding their heads at the same flow rate as indicated in the figure below.

Centrifugal pumps in series are used to overcome larger system head loss than one pump can
handle alone.

 for two identical pumps in series the head will be twice the head of a single pump at the
same flow rate - as indicated with point 2.

With a constant flowrate the combined head moves from 1 to 2 - BUT in practice the combined
head and flow rate moves along the system curve to point 3.

 point 3 is where the system operates with both pumps running

 point 1 is where the system operates with one pump running

Note that for two pumps with equal performance curves running in series

 the head for each pump equals half the head at point 3
 the flow for each pump equals the flow at point 3

Operation of single stage pumps in series are seldom encountered - more often multistage
centrifugal pumps are used.

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Pumps in Parallel - Flow Rate Added

When two or more pumps are arranged in parallel their resulting performance curve is obtained
by adding the pumps flow rates at the same head as indicated in the figure below. Centrifugal
pumps in parallel are used to overcome larger volume flows than one pump can handle alone.

 for two identical pumps in parallel and the head kept constant - the flow rate doubles
compared to a single pump as indicated with point 2

Note! In practice the combined head and volume flow moves along the system curve as
indicated from 1 to 3.

 point 3 is where the system operates with both pumps running

 point 1 is where the system operates with one pump running

In practice, if one of the pumps in parallel or series stops, the operation point moves along the
system resistance curve from point 3 to point 1 - the head and flow rate are decreased.

Note that for two pumps with equal performance curves running in parallel

 the head for each pump equals the head at point 3

 the flow for each pump equals half the flow at point 3

Note - for parallel operation

 zero flow or “shut valve” heads must match for the pumps
 unstable pump curves must be avoided
 steeper pump curves are preferred

4
LIST OF APPARATUS

1. Centrifugal Pump and Motor

2. Vernier Hook with Gauge

3. Weight Sets

4. Steel Tanks

5
PROCEDURE

Simple Pump Connection:

1. Manipulate the valves and make a simple pump connection.
2. Make use of the pump A first.
3. Adjust the Vernier hook gauge, and set to zero reading.
4. Switch on the motor and set the speed to 1200 rpm.
5. Put the needed weights to torque arm until it is balanced.
6. Let the pump run until the water level stabilizes.
7. Re-adjust the Vernier hook gauge, and record the caliper reading.
8. Record the suction and discharge gauges.
9. Repeat the same procedure for Pump B.

Series Pump Connection:

1. Manipulate the valves to have a series pump connection.
2. Switch on the motor and set the speed to 1200 rpm.
3. Put the needed weights to balance the motor
4. Let the pump run until the water level stabilizes.
5. Record the suction and discharge gauges.

Parallel Pump Connection:

1. Manipulate the valves to have a parallel pump connection.
2. Switch on the motor and set the speed to 1200 rpm.
3. Put the needed weights to balance the motor
4. Let the pump run until the water level stabilizes.
5. Adjust the Vernier hook gauge and record the caliper reading.
6. Record the suction and discharge gauges

6
SETUP OF APPARATUS

A. Full Set-Up

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Name: Mojica, Neil Daniel B. Seat Number: 16
Student Number: 2021100407 Date: 12-14-2023
Group No.: 2

Final Data Sheet:

Pump A:
N hv Q HS(A) HD(A) HM(A) MT Pin Pout PA
(rpm) (mm) (m3/s) (m) (m) (m) (gm) (W) (W) (%)
1.3598 435.575
1600 62 -1.8 1.8 3.8163 1060 50.9081 11.69
x10-3 5

Pump B:
N hv Q HS(B) HD(B) HM(B) MT Pin Pout PB
(rpm) (mm) (m3/s) (m) (m) (m) (gm) (W) (W) (%)
1.5279 452.012
1600 65 -2.5 0.5 3.2731 1100 49.0595 10.85
x10-3 4

SERIES:
N Q HS(A) HD(A) HM(A) HS(B) HD(B) HM(B)
S (%)
(rpm) (m3/s) (m) (m) (m) (m) (m) (m)
1.3598
1600 -2.25 0.8 3.2663 -1.5 1 2.7163 11.29
x10-3

PARALLEL:
N hv QT QA QB
P (%)
(rpm) (mm) (m3/s) (m3/s) (m3/s)
1600 69 1.7706x10-3 1.3598x10-3 1.5279x10-3 6.89

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Sample Computations:

Pump A

Total v-notch head reading

h o=h v + 0.00085=( 62 mm ) ( 10001 mmm )+ 0.00085=0.06285 m

Discharge flow

√( )
3
m −3 m
Q=0.31 ( ho )2.5 √ 2 g=( 0.31 ) ( 0.06285 )2.5 2 9.81 =1.3598 x 10
s2 s

Manometric head

−3 2
H M =H D−H S + ( 1.17 x 10 ) ( Q ) =1.8 m−(−1.8 m ) + ( 1.17 x 10 ) ( 1.3598 x 10 ) =3.8163 m
5 2 5

Brake power

B P ¿=2 π × N × M T × L=2 π 1600( rev

min )( 160mins ) ( 1060 grams x 1 kg / 1000 grams ) ( 0.25 m ) (9.81 ms )=
2

Water power

( ) (9.81 kNm ) ( 3.8163 m )( 1000

1 kW )
3
−3 m W
W Pout =Qδ H M = 1.3598 x 10 3
=50.9081 W
s

Pump efficiency

W Pout 50.9081W
η P= × 100 %= ×100 %=11.69 %
B P¿ 435.5755W

Pump B

Total v-notch head reading

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 h o=h v + 0.00085=( 65 mm ) ( 10001 mmm )+0.00085=0.06585 m
Discharge flow

√( )
3
m −3 m
Q=0.31 ( ho ) 2.5
√ 2 g=( 0.31 ) ( 0.06585 ) 2.5
2 9.81 2 =1.5279 x 10
s s

Manometric head

−3 2
H M =H D−H S + ( 1.17 x 10 ) ( Q ) =0.5 m−(−2.5 m ) + ( 1.17 x 10 )( 1.5279 x 10 ) =3.2731m
5 2 5

Brake power

B P ¿=2 π × N × M T × L=2 π 1600 ( rev

min )( 160mins ) ( 1100 grams x 1 kg /1000 grams )( 0.25 m ) (9.81 ms )=
2

Water power

( )( 9.81 kNm ) ( 3.2731m ) ( 1000

1 kW )
3
−3 m W
W Pout =Qδ H M = 1.5279 x 10 3
=49.0595 W
s

Pump efficiency

W Pout 49.0595 W
η P= × 100 %= × 100 %=10.85 %
B P¿ 452.0124 W

Series configuration

Manometric head (pump A)

−3 2
H M ( A )=H D ( A )−H S ( A ) + ( 1.17 x 10 ) ( Q A ) =0.8 m−(−2.25 m ) + ( 1.17 x 10 )( 1.3598 x 10 ) =3.2663 m
5 2 5

Manometric head (pump A)

H M (B )=H D ( B)−H S ( B) + ( 1.17 x 105 ) ( Q2B )=1 m−(−1.5 m ) + ( 1.17 x 10 5 )( 1.3598 x 10−3 ) =2.7163 m
2

Pump efficiency

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 H M ( A) + H M( B) 3.2663 m+2.7163 m
η series = ×100 %= ×100 %=11.29 %
H M ( A ) H M ( B) 3.2663 m 2.7163 m
+ +
η P (A ) η P(B ) 0.1169 0.1085

Parallel configuration

Total v-notch head reading

h o=h v + 0.00085=( 69 mm ) ( 10001 mmm )+0.00085=0.06985 m

Total discharge flow

√( )
3
m −3 m
Q T =0.31 ( ho ) 2.5
√2 g=( 0.31 ) ( 0.06985 ) 2.5
2 9.81 2 =1.7706 x 10
s s

Pump efficiency

3
−3 m
1.7706 x 10
QT s
η¿ = × 100 %= 3 3
×100 %=6.89 %
Q A QB −3 m −3 m
+ 1.3598 x 10 1.5279 x 10
η A ηB s s
+
0.1169 0.1085

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DISCUSSION
The experiment aimed to investigate the performance of centrifugal pumps in varying
setups, including single operation, series, and parallel configurations. The collected data and
computations offer valuable insights into the efficiency and characteristics of the pumps under
these different arrangements.

Performance of Pump A and Pump B Individually:

Operating Pump A and Pump B individually under identical conditions allowed the
calculation of individual pump efficiency. Pump A displayed an efficiency of 11.69%, while Pump
B exhibited an efficiency of 10.85%. These results indicate that both pumps operated at
relatively similar efficiencies under the specified parameters.

Series Configuration:
In the series configuration, where the pumps were connected linearly, the manometric
heads for Pump A and Pump B were computed separately, considering the cumulative effect.
The series operation resulted in an efficiency of 11.29%, indicating that when working in series,
the pumps contributed to an increased overall head, effectively overcoming higher resistance or
lift requirements.

Parallel Configuration:
In the parallel configuration, where the pumps operated simultaneously, drawing fluid
independently from the same source, the total discharge flow and efficiency for the parallel
setup were calculated. The parallel configuration exhibited an efficiency of 6.89%, highlighting
that parallel operation achieved a higher flow rate but with lower efficiency compared to the
series configuration.

Evaluation of individual pump efficiencies under experimental conditions revealed

consistent performance within a similar range. The series configuration demonstrated superior
overall efficiency, aligning with the principle that series setups are advantageous for applications
with elevated resistance. On the other hand, the parallel arrangement excelled in achieving
higher flow rates, which is beneficial for scenarios requiring the transport of larger fluid volumes.

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These findings underscore the importance of carefully selecting pump configurations based on
specific application requirements.

QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS

1. Question: What is the fundamental difference between series and parallel pumping
in fluid systems?
Answer: Series pumping involves the sequential connection of multiple pumps, where the output
of one pump becomes the input for the next. In contrast, parallel pumping involves the
simultaneous operation of multiple pumps, with each pump handling a portion of the total flow.

2. Question: How do series and parallel pumping configurations affect the total head
and flow rate in a pumping system?
Answer: In series pumping, the total head increases, while the flow rate remains constant. In
parallel pumping, the flow rate increases, and the total head remains constant. These
configurations offer different performance characteristics to meet specific system requirements.

3. Question: What are the advantages and disadvantages of series pumping in terms
of system efficiency and redundancy?
Answer: Series pumping provides increased system efficiency by allowing pumps to operate
near their best efficiency points. However, it lacks redundancy, as a failure in one pump can
disrupt the entire system. Redundancy can be achieved by adding standby pumps.

4. Question: Explain the concept of pump affinity laws and how they apply to parallel
pumping.
Answer: Pump affinity laws describe the relationship between pump speed, impeller diameter,
head, and flow rate. In parallel pumping, the flow rate is directly proportional to the number of
pumps running, assuming constant pump speed. Affinity laws help predict the system's
performance when multiple pumps are operating simultaneously.

5. Question: When is it preferable to use a combination of series and parallel pumping

in a fluid distribution system?
Answer: A combination of series and parallel pumping, known as a hybrid system, is often
preferred when flexibility and efficiency are crucial. Series pumps can provide the required

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head, while parallel pumps help achieve the desired flow rate. This hybrid approach offers a
balance between energy efficiency and system reliability.

CONCLUSION
This study investigated the performance of centrifugal pumps in various setups,

including individual operation, series, and parallel configurations. The primary goals were to

acquaint participants with pump setups, grasp operational principles, and collect performance

data for thorough analysis. The outcomes and discussions provided insights into pump

efficiency and characteristics under diverse conditions. Performance of Individual Pumps: Pump

A and B demonstrated comparable efficiencies when operated independently, showcasing

consistent performance within the experimental parameters. Series Setup: The series

configuration exhibited a higher overall efficiency of 11.29%, consistent with the principle that

series configurations effectively address elevated resistance or lift requirements, leading to a

cumulative increase in total head. Parallel Setup: Despite achieving a higher flow rate, the

parallel configuration displayed a lower efficiency of 6.89%. This highlights the robustness of the

parallel setup in scenarios requiring greater fluid transport volume, as suggested by the

professor. It is important to note that the parallel arrangement would require larger piping to

accommodate the increased flow rate.

Students acquired practical knowledge of pump configurations, comprehended functions

in different setups, and enhanced their understanding of fluid transport systems. The learning

experience involved applying theoretical principles in real-world contexts, translating academic

knowledge into practical insights. Through hands-on engagement, students developed skills in

optimizing pump systems based on factors such as flow rate, head requirements, and efficiency.

Practical skills in fluid dynamics experiments, including valve manipulation and parameter

recording, were refined. In summary, the experiment successfully achieved its objectives by

thoroughly investigating pump configurations in series and parallel. Students gained valuable

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data, refined practical skills, and deepened their understanding of pump performance principles.

This knowledge is crucial for future engineers and practitioners engaged in industries where

fluid transport plays a critical role.

REFERENCES

McLoone, J. (2022, May 4). Pumps in Parallel & Series. FluidFlow.

https://blog.fluidflowinfo.com/pumps-in-parallel-series

Pumps - Parallel vs. Serial Arrangement. (n.d.). https://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/pumps-

parallel-serial-d_636.html

Useful information on centrifugal pumps. (n.d.).

https://www.michael-smith-engineers.co.uk/resources/useful-info/centrifugal-pumps

Wikipedia contributors. (2023, November 23). Centrifugal pump. Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centrifugal_pump

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