CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

P.K.Nagarajan Sr.Lecturer School of Mechanical and Building Sciences VIT University

CONTENTS
Introduction Basic Features Construction Features Important Terms Selection of Pumps Cavitation Effects &Remedy

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of Centrifugal pump is to convert

energy of a prime mover (a electric motor or turbine) first into velocity or kinetic energy and then into pressure energy of a fluid that is being pumped. The energy changes occur by virtue of two main parts of the pump, the impeller and the volute or diffuser. The impeller is the rotating part that converts driver energy into the kinetic energy. The volute or diffuser is the stationary part that converts the kinetic energy into pressure energy.

How It Happens?

The process liquid enters the suction nozzle and

then into eye (center) of a revolving device known as an impeller. When the impeller rotates, it spins the liquid sitting in the cavities between the vanes outward and provides centrifugal acceleration. As liquid leaves the eye of the impeller a lowpressure area is created causing more liquid to flow toward the inlet. Because the impeller blades are curved, the fluid is pushed in a tangential and radial direction by the centrifugal force. This force acting inside the pump is the same one that keeps water inside a bucket that is rotating at the end of a string.

Introduction-Fluid flow in a Centrifugal Pump

Introduction- Contd

The key idea is that the energy created by the

centrifugal force is kinetic energy. The amount of energy given to the liquid is proportional to the velocity at the edge or vane tip of the impeller. The faster the impeller revolves or the bigger the impeller is, then the higher will be the velocity of the liquid at the vane tip and the greater the energy imparted to the liquid . This kinetic energy of a liquid coming out of an impeller is harnessed by creating a resistance to the flow. The first resistance is created by the pump volute (casing) that catches the liquid and slows it down . In the discharge, the liquid further decelerates and its velocity is converted to pressure according to Bernoullis principle.

Introduction -Contd

The Head Developed by the pump is

H = V2 /2g

Where H = Head Developed by the pump

V= Velocity at the periphery of the impeller
V = ( D N)/60

D= Diameter of the impeller N = RPM g= Acceleration due to gravity 9.81m/sec2

FACT on the pump

A pump does not create pressure, it only provides

flow. Pressure is a just an indication of the amount of resistance to flow.

Components of Centrifugal Pumps

A rotating component comprised of an impeller and a

shaft

A stationary component comprised of a casing,

casing cover, and bearings

Components of Centrifugal Pumps [CONT..]

Components of Centrifugal Pumps [CONT..]

Casing Volute casing and Circular casing. The impellers are fitted inside the casings. Volute casings : A volute is a curved funnel increasing in area to the discharge port as shown in Fig. As the area of the cross-section increases, the volute reduces the speed of the liquid and increases the pressure of the liquid. Circular casing :have stationary diffusion vanes surrounding the impeller periphery that convert velocity energy to pressure energy. Conventionally, the diffusers are applied to multi-stage pumps.

Components of Centrifugal Pumps [CONT..]

Components of Centrifugal Pumps [CONT..]

Suction and Discharge Nozzles

Top suction Top discharge Side suction top discharge

Components of Centrifugal Pumps [CONT..]

Seal chamber

Components of Centrifugal Pumps [CONT..]

Rotating Components Impeller Shaft Types Of Impeller

Based on major direction of flow in reference to the axis of rotation Radial flow Axial flow Mixed flow

Based on suction type Single-suction: Liquid inlet on one side. Double-suction: Liquid inlet to the impeller symmetrically from both
sides. Based on mechanical construction (Figure) Closed: Shrouds or sidewall enclosing the vanes. Open: No shrouds or wall to enclose the vanes. Semi-open or vortex type.

Components of Centrifugal Pumps [CONT..]

Components of Centrifugal Pumps [CONT..]

Shaft:

The basic purpose of a centrifugal pump shaft is to transmit the torques encountered when starting and during operation while supporting the impeller and other rotating parts. It must do this job with a deflection less than the minimum clearance between the rotating and stationary parts.

Definition of Important Terms

Static Suction Head (hS) : Head resulting from elevation of the
liquid relative to the pump center line.

Static Discharge Head (hd): It is the vertical distance in meter Friction Head (hf): The head required to overcome the

between the pump centerline and the point of free discharge or the surface of the liquid in the discharge tank. resistance to flow in the pipe and fittings. It is dependent upon the size, condition and type of pipe, number and type of pipe fittings, flow rate, and nature of the liquid. which a liquid and its vapor co-exist in equilibrium at a given temperature. The vapor pressure of liquid can be obtained from vapor pressure tables. When the vapor pressure is converted to head, it is referred to as vapor pressure head, hvp. The value of hvp of a liquid increases with the rising temperature and in effect, opposes the pressure on the liquid surface, the positive force that tends to cause liquid flow into the pump suction i.e. it reduces the suction pressure head.

Vapor Pressure Head (hvp): Vapor pressure is the pressure at

Definition of Important Terms

Pressure Head (hp): Pressure Head must be considered when
a pumping system either begins or terminates in a tank which is under some pressure other than atmospheric. The pressure in such a tank must first be converted to feet of liquid. Denoted as hp, pressure head refers to absolute pressure on the surface of the liquid reservoir supplying the pump suction, converted to feet of head. If the system is open, hp equals atmospheric pressure head. Velocity Head (hv): Refers to the energy of a liquid as a result of its motion at some velocity v. It is the equivalent head in feet through which the water would have to fall to acquire the same velocity, or in other words, the head necessary to accelerate the water. The velocity head is usually insignificant and can be ignored in most high head systems. However, it can be a large factor and must be considered in low head systems. Total Suction Head (HS): The suction reservoir pressure head (hpS) plus the static suction head (hS) plus the velocity head at the pump suction flange (hVS) minus the friction head in the suction line (hfS). HS = hpS + hS + hvS hfS

Definition of Important Terms

Total Discharge Head (Hd): The discharge reservoir

pressure head (hpd) plus static discharge head (hd) plus the velocity head at the pump discharge (hvd) plus the total friction head in the discharge line (hfd). Hd = hpd + hd + hvd + hfd The total discharge head is the reading of a gauge at the discharge flange, converted to feet of liquid.

Total Differential Head (HT): It is the total discharge

head minus the total suction head or HT = Hd HS

Definition of Important Terms Net Positive Suction Head Net Positive Suction Head Required( NPSHr) NPSHr is Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) is the total head at the suction flange of the pump less the vapor pressure converted to fluid column height of the liquid.. Net Positive Suction Head Available (NPSHa) NPSHa is a function of the system in which the pump operates. It is the excess pressure of the liquid in feet absolute over its vapor pressure as it arrives at the pump suction, to be sure that the pump selected does not cavitate. It is calculated based on system or process conditions.

Net Positive Suction Head

Power and Efficiency, Specific Speed

Hydraulic efficiency = Overall Efficiency = Specific Speed

=

(gHm)/(impeller work) (pQgH)/(Power supplied)

Selection of pumps

Ns: 500 to 5000; D1/D2 > 1.5 - radial flow pump Ns: 5000 to 10000; D1/D2 < 1.5 - mixed flow pump Ns: 10000 to 15000; D1/D2 = 1 - axial flow pump

Performance curves

Cavitation (Cont)

The term cavitation implies a dynamic process of

formation of bubbles inside the liquid, their growth and subsequent collapse as the liquid flows through the pump. Vapor bubbles are formed due to the vaporisation of a process liquid that is being pumped. The cavitation condition induced by formation and collapse of vapor bubbles is commonly referred to as Vaporous Cavitation. Gas bubbles are formed due to the presence of dissolved gases in the liquid that is being pumped (generally air but may be any gas in the system). The cavitation condition induced by the formation and collapse of gas bubbles is commonly referred to as Gaseous Cavitation.

Cavitation

Cavitation Regions

How the things are happening?

Thank you