Module 4

By
[Link] kumar A
Assistant professor
Dept. Of Mechanical Engineering
Govt. Engineering College skp
Pump
pump is a power absorbing device used to increase the pressure energy of the
liquid and lifts liquids from a lower to a higher level at the expense of mechanical
energy.
In other words, it is defined as a machine, which converts mechanical energy into
pressure energy. It can also be defined as a machine, which converts the
mechanical energy into fluid (liquid) energy.
Pumps can be broadly classified into two categories:
(a) positive displacement pumps and
(b) rotodynamic or dynamic pressure pumps.
CENTRIFUGAL PUMP
A turbomachine, which converts mechanical energy into pressure energy by
means of centrifugal action on the liquid and raises the liquid from a lower level to
a higher level is known as centrifugal pump.

When a certain amount of liquid is rotated by an external energy (mechanical

energy) inside the pump casing, a forced vertex is set up, which raises the
pressure head of the rotating liquid purely by centrifugal action.
Working principle
● The first step in the operation of a centrifugal pump is priming. Priming is the operation of filling the suction pipe, casing and
a portion of the delivery pipe (up to the check valve) with the liquid to be pumped in order to avoid any air bubble in the line
up to the check valve. Even the presence of a small air pocket may result in no delivery of liquid from the pump.

● After the pump is primed, the delivery valve is still kept closed and the electric motor is started to rotate the impeller. The
rotation of the impeller produces a forced vortex, which results in an increased pressure.

● When the delivery valve is opened, the liquid is made to flow in an outward radial direction with increased velocity and
pressure When the fluid is discharged to the delivery, a partial vacuum is created near the eye of the impeller causing the
liquid from the sump (which is at atmospheric pressure) to rush through the suction pipe to replace the liquid that is being
discharged.

● The casing should be so shaped that part of the kinetic energy is converted into useful pressure energy. The developed head
is purely due to the whirling motion of the liquid imparted by the rotating impeller and is not due to any displacement or
impact.
Main parts of centrifugal pumps
Impeller

The impeller is a wheel provided with a series of backward curved vanes. It is

mounted on a shaft, which is connected to an electric motor.

Casing:

Casing in an airtight chamber surrounding the impeller. It is similar to the casing of

a reaction turbine.

Types of casings are:

1. Volute casing

2. Volute casing with vertex chamber

3. Diffuser casing
Suction pipe and foot valve and a strainer
It is a pipe connected to the centre of the impeller, which is known as an eye. The
lower end of the suction pipe dips into liquid in a sump from which the liquid is to
be lifted up. The lower end of the suction pipe is fitted with a foot valve and
strainer.
The strainer will avoid the entry of any foreign matter.
The foot valve is a non-return or one-way type valve, which opens only in the
upward direction.
To minimize the losses in the suction pipe, the diameter should be large and
bends should be avoided. Care should be taken so that there is no leakage of air
on the suction side.
Delivery pipe
The lower end of the delivery pipe is connected to the outlet of the pump and the
other end is connected to the tank, where the liquid is stored or pumped from.
Usually the diameter of the suction and delivery pipes must be same and its value
depends upon the quantity to be lifted per unit time.

A check valve or delivery valve is provided in the delivery pipe near the pump to
regulate the discharge from the pump. This valve should be closed before the
pump is switched on and it is opened as soon as the pressure builds up.

Also, the valve should be closed before the pump is switched off so that the
delivery pressure is not transmitted to the suction pipe.
Heads of centrifugal pump
In a Centrifugal Pump, the term “head” means the energy per unit weight of liquid, usually expressed as the height of a liquid
column (meters).

[Link] head
2. Manometric head
Static head is the vertical height difference between the liquid source and the discharge point.

Types:

● Static Suction Head – Vertical distance from the pump centerline to the liquid level above the pump on the suction side.

● Static Suction Lift – Vertical distance when the liquid level is below the pump.

● Static Discharge Head – Vertical distance from the pump centerline to the discharge liquid level.
Suction Head

Head present at the inlet of the pump due to liquid level or pressure in the suction tank.
It determines how easily liquid enters the pump.

Delivery (Discharge) Head

The height to which the pump raises the liquid on the discharge side.

Manometric Head

The actual head against which the pump works.

It includes suction head, delivery head, and losses.
Total Static Head

The total vertical distance between suction water level and discharge water level.

Velocity Head
Head due to the velocity of the liquid flowing through the pipe.

Friction Head

Head lost due to friction in pipes, bends, valves, and fittings.

Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) in a Centrifugal Pump
NPSH (Net Positive Suction Head) is the pressure head available at the pump suction above the liquid’s vapor pressure.
It ensures that the liquid enters the pump without forming vapor bubbles.

If NPSH is insufficient, Cavitation occurs, which can damage the pump.

Types of NPSH
NPSH Available (NPSHₐ)

This is the actual suction head available in the system.

It depends on:

● Liquid level in suction tank

● Atmospheric pressure

● Friction losses in suction pipe

● Vapor pressure of the liquid

NPSH Required (NPSHᵣ)

This is the minimum suction head required by the pump to avoid cavitation.

● Determined by the pump manufacturer

● Found from pump performance curves.

Condition to Avoid Cavitation

If this condition is not satisfied, vapor bubbles form and collapse inside the pump.

Effects of Cavitation:

Effects of Cavitation include:

● Noise and vibration

● Damage to impeller blades

● Reduced pump efficiency

● Pitting and erosion of metal surfaces

● Shorter pump life

Methods to Increase NPSHₐ
To prevent cavitation:

● Place the pump below the liquid level (increase suction head)

● Reduce suction pipe length

● Increase suction pipe diameter

● Reduce friction losses

● Lower liquid temperature

NPSH ensures that pressure at the pump inlet never falls below the vapor pressure of the liquid.