Pumps and pumping systems II
Combination of pumps
There are circumstances where it may be desirable to use
two ore more pumps operating together instead of one
large machine.
Single machine
Three choices Pumps in series
Pumps in parallel
Combination of pumps
This may be
because the required discharge varies over a wide
range hence it is preferable to use several small
machines operating at the peak efficiency.
Q and H are out of the range of the individual
machine.
If the pump is in continuous use, splitting the duty
between several pumps allows one to be on standby
to provide emergency backup in the event of a
breakdown, and for planned maintenance.
Pumps in series (P+P)
Each pump has its own motor.
Both pumps are fitted to the same suction and
delivery pipes, i.e. the same water passes through
each of the pumps in turn.
Q is the same of a single pump but the head
doubled hence we obtain by doubling it for a given
Q.
Pumps in series (P+P)
We can cover an high range of H.
Problems: if one brakes the whole system fails
Specific speed for each unit in series is
Ns ( N Q ) /( H / n )
3/ 4
If friction consists the major part of the system
curve, series operations provides more capacity
Pumps in series (P+P)
Pumps in parallel (P//P)
Each pump has its own suction pipe but delivers
into a common delivery pipe.
Thus the head obtained from the two pumps is the
same as for a single pump, but the discharge is
doubled.
H-Q curve may be obtained by doubling Q for a
particular H.
Pumps in parallel (P//P)
This may be the best arrangement when H is relatively
constant but Q varies over a wide range.
If the static head component is a large portion of the system
total head and friction losses are low, pumps in parallel
provides more capacity.
The specific speed of each unit is
Q
N
Ns n
3
H4
Pumps in parallel (P//P)
Numerical Example
The H-Q of a centrifugal pump is
single pump characteristic curve
40
head m
20
0
0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3
single pump 23 22 21 19 16 13 7.7 0
head in m
discharge (m^3/s)
Numerical Example
The pump is to be connected to a rising main. D 400 mm,
length 137 m.
Entry exit and minor losses can be taken as 80D.
Friction loss hf = λLQ2 /12D5 with λ=0.04.
Static lift 10 m
H-Q curve of the two pump combinations.
For two identical pumps in series double H for a given
Q
For two identical pumps in parallel double Q for a given
H
Numerical Example
Rising main system curve
Total effective length of the pipeline = actual length +
allowance for minor losses. 137m + 80D = 169 m.
Total head required of pump
Ht = static head + friction loss
=10 + λLQ2 /12D5
pump selection
50
single pump
head ( m )
40
30
pumps in
20
series
10 pumps in
0 parallel
system
characteristic
discharge ( m^3 / s )
If we ask the pumps to deliver 0.3 m3/s, either P+P and
P//P can be used.
If we ask the pumps to deliver 0.35 m3/s just P//P can be
used.
Cavitation
Considering the total energy of a fluid moving, every time a
fluid increases its velocity its pressure decreases.
This relationship between velocity and pressure produces some
unwelcome effects with respect to hydraulic machinery, pipes
and hydraulic structures.
These problems arise when the absolute pressure
falls sufficiently for the small quantity of air that is
dissolved in the water to be released followed by
local vaporization of the liquid . This is cavitation.
It results in small bubbles of vapour being formed
that gradually get bigger.
When pressure increases they implode.
Homologous equations or performance
equations
The derivation of these equations comes from dimensional
analysis.
This enables us to compare the performance of two
similar, geometrically and cinematically pumps even if
they are of different size.
Equations
H Q P
2 2
const const const
D N 3
D N 5
D N 3
Calculate the
performance of the
prototype from the
These
model results
relationships can
be used to What changes need to be made to a
pump of a particular design to
obtain the optimum performance
when used in another location with
a different head discharge
requirement
The use of this equations is based on the fact that most
pumps either
Have variable Have a constant speed motor,
speed motor so so that the pump speed is
that the pump fixed (N=const) and
speed can be consequently different
changed to diameter impellers have to be
obtain the used to vary the required
required head head discharge relationship.
discharge
relationship while
retaining the
same impeller,
D=const
N=const, i.e. variable D=const, i.e. variable
diameter speed
QA QB
3
3 QA QB
DA DB
N A NB
H A HB HA HB
2
2 2
DA DB 2
N A NB
POWA POWB POWA POWB
5 3
3
5
DA DB NA NB
Either different
pumps
These equations
can relate
Or one pump under
two different operating
conditions
Flow control operations
We have already seen that the pump
automatically sets itself at the operating point,
i. e. the intersection of the discharge curve with
the system head curve.
If we have a rotodynamic pump we can vary
the position of the intersection point by
Flow control operations
Varying the pump’s
speed (the best thing
for a centrifugal pump
but difficult to achieve )
Flow control operations
Acting on the system head curve,
increasing or decreasing the losses by
DISCHARGE THROTTLING
H Systems head curves
H
for different openings of
the valve
H-Q curve of the
pump
Q
RECYCLE CONTROL
H Increasing the
opening of the
valve in the
bypass.
Q
Transients in pumping stations
Starting the pump
Stopping the pump
Changing the flow rate
Pressure variation
This implies that in the raising main we have a surge
pressure
Oversimplified explanation of surge
in pumping stations
We are pumping water through a water main at a
constant rate.
We shut the valve.
The liquid has momentum, it keeps moving on.
This leads to a water column separation and the
formation of an empty space.
The column comes to rest.
Oversimplified explanation of surge
in pumping stations
Can then reverse into the vacated space with a bang (i.e. a
positive pressure surge). Kinetic energy is transformed into
pressure energy.
Surge pressure
• Surge pressure depends upon
Form of the pumping plant.
Pipeline profile.
Pipeline length.
Pipeline diameter.
Pipeline thickness.
Liquid treated (temperature, celerity of the pressure wave)
Some formulas
Wave velocity Surge pressure
1 aV Allievi
a
D H
1
( ) ( ) g
Ee
2 LV Michaud
H
gt
Limiting Surge Pressures
Prolonging pump run-down period. (be careful, it is not the best thing
for the pump)
Injecting liquid from another source into the pipeline.
Pneumatic loading by means of a compression thank containing air or
other no condensable gas under pressure.
Check Valves (sketch)
Check valves are the valves we used in the previous
section to avoid a flow back to the pump. Their closure
should not be too quick to exacerbate downsurge nor to slow
to avoid flow back.
Other Considerations
We have omitted to talk about many other important
issues:
Construction details of pumps and pumping stations.
Access for vehicles, service buildings, cranes,…
Ventilation and screenings of a pumping station.
Maintenance of pumps and pumping station.
Flow measuring devices and other monitoring.
Engines which provide power to the pumps.
