Fluid Mechanics
TRANSPORTATION OF FLUID
Dr. Bimal Das
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemical Engineering
National Institute of Technology Durgapur
FLUID MOVING MACHINERIES
Pump: It is a fluid moving machine which is used to transport liquid from one
point to another through conduit. It increases the mechanical energy of the fluid,
increasing its velocity, pressure or elevation- or all three.
Objective of Pump:
In a pump, Mechanical work is transformed into fluid energy.
Fan: Fans are used to discharge very high flow rate of fluid to an open space.
Normally centrifugal machines are used for fans.
Blower: Blowers are high speed rotary devices. They discharge lower flow rate at
higher pressure into pipe.
Compressor: They discharge minimum or lowest flow rate at highest discharge
pressure. It may be of two kinds, Positive displacement type and
Centrifugal.
Motions Involved in Pumps
Positive Displacement Pump:
In this type of pump, the pressure is applied directly on the fluid by a moving members periodically. A definite volume
is delivered in each cycling.
Reciprocating Pump:
In this type of pump, the moving members undergo a reciprocating motion.
Rotary Pump:
In this type of pump, the moving members undergo a rotary motion.
Centrifugal Pump:
In this type of pump, the energy is imparted into torque and liquid is thrown upward by centrifugal motion.
Centrifugal pumps generate high rotational velocities, then convert the resulting kinetic energy of the liquid to pressure
energy.
Classification of Reciprocating Pump
Depending upon the mode of external power source, it may be divided into two classes:
Reciprocating Pump
Direct Acting Power Pump
Direct Acting: Driven directly by steam
Power Pump: Driven by any other power
On the basis of mode of operation, it may be divided into two categories:
Reciprocating Pump
Single Acting Double Acting Pump
Single Acting: In which suction and discharge stroke take place in a cylinder alternately.
Double Acting Pump: In which suction and discharge stroke take place in a cylinder simultaneously.
Working Principle of Reciprocating Pump
In this type of pump, a fixed volume of
liquid is trapped in a chamber which is
alternately filled with and emptied of the
liquid through suction and discharge
valves respectively. The chamber
expands while it is being filled and
contracts to give out the liquid against the
discharge pressure.
The moving member, which applies
pressure on the liquid, undergoes
reciprocating motion on liquid.
Double Acting Reciprocating Pump
In double acting reciprocating pump, the cylinder is
divided into 2 chambers by the piston. When suction
stroke takes place in one chamber, discharge stroke
takes place in other chamber and vice-versa.
To reduce the fluctuations in discharge stroke in a
cylinder during operation, more than one cylinder may
be used keeping them in parallel position.
When
1 cylinder is used the pump is called SIMPLEX
2 cylinder is used the pump is called DUPLEX
3 cylinder is used the pump is called TRIPLEX
Theoretical discharge and Slip of the Reciprocating Pump
Theoretical discharge, Qt
❖ Single acting reciprocating pump
❖Double acting reciprocating pump
where, N = rotational speed, rpm
❖Slip of the pump
A = area of the pump
L = stroke length
where, Qa = actual discharge
Qt = theoretical discharge
Slip
Slip Where Cd is known as co-efficient of discharge and is defined as the ratio of the actual
discharge to the theoretical discharge.
Cd = Qa / Qth.
Value of Cd when expressed in percentage is known as volumetric efficiency of the pump.
Its value ranges between 95---98 %. Percentage slip is of the order of 2% for pumps in good
conditions.
Negative
Itslip
is not always that the actual discharge is lesser than the theoretical discharge. In case of a
reciprocating pump with long suction pipe, short delivery pipe and running at high speed,
inertia force in the suction pipe becomes large as compared to the pressure force on the outside
of delivery valve. This opens the delivery valve even before the piston has completed its
suction stroke. Thus some of the water is pushed into the delivery pipe before the delivery
stroke is actually commenced. This way the actual discharge becomes more than the
theoretical discharge.
Thus co-efficient of discharge increases from one and the slip becomes negative.
Power Input
Consider a single acting reciprocating pump.
Let
hs = Suction head or difference in level between centre line of cylinder and the sump.
hd = Delivery head or difference in between centre line of cylinder and the outlet of delivery
pipe.
Hst = Total static head
= hs + hd
Theoretical work done by the pump
= ρ Qth g Hst
Power Input
Power input to the pump
However, due to the leakage and frictional losses, actual power input will be more than
the theoretical power.
Let η = Efficiency of the pump.
Then actual power input to the pump
Graphical Representation on Flow rate vs Time for Single and Double acting
Reciprocating Pump
Single-acting Double-acting
Problem
For a single acting reciprocating pump, piston diameter is 150 mm, stroke length is 300
mm, rotational speed is 50 rpm and the water is to be raised through 18 m. determine the
theoretical discharge Qt. If the actual discharge is 4.0 litre/sec, determine the volumetric
efficiency, slip and actual power required. Take the mechanical efficiency as 80%.
Solution
Theoretical discharge, Qt
= 4.416 litre/sec
Volumetric efficiency
Problem-1: A single-acting reciprocating pump discharge 0.018 m3 /s of water per second when
running at 60 rpm. Stroke length is 50 cm and the diameter of the piston is 22 cm. If the total lift is
15 m, determine:
a) Theoretical discharge of the pump
b) Slip and percentage slip of the pump
c) Co-efficient of discharge
d) Power required running the pump
Solution:
L = 0.5 m
Qa = 0.018m3 /s
D = 0.22 m
N = 60 rpm
Hst = 15 m
Solution:
(a)
Qth = (π/4)x(0.22)2x(0.5x60/60)
Qth = 0.019 m3 /s
(c) Cd = Qa / Qth
= 0.018/0.019
(b) Slip = Qth - Qa = 0.947
Slip = 0.019 – 0.018 (d) Power Input
= 0.001 m3 /s = ρ Qth g Hst (Neglecting Losses)
Percentage slip = (Qth - Qa)/ Qth
= 1000 x 0.019 x 9.81x 15
= (0.019-0.018)/0.019
= 2796 w or 2.796 kW.
= 0.0526 or 5.26%
Problem-2: A three-throw reciprocating pump delivering 0.1 m3 /s of water against a head of
100 m. Diameter and stroke length of the cylinder are 25 cm and 50 cm respectively. Friction
losses amount to 1 m in the suction pipe and 16 m in the delivery pipe. If the velocity of water
in the delivery pipe is 1.4 m/s, pump efficiency 90% and slip 2%, determine the pump and the
power required.
Solution:
Hst = 100 m Qa = 0.1 m3 /s
D = 0.25 m L = 0.5 m
hfs = 1 m hfd = 16 m
ηh = 0.9 s = 0.02
Vd = 1.4 m/s
Solution:
We know that, s = (Qth - Qa)/ Qth
0.02 = 1 – Qa / Qth
Qa / Qth = 0.98
Qth = Qa / 0.98
Qa / 0.98 = 3/60xπ/4 D2xLxN
0.1/ 0.98 = 3/60xπ/4 (0.25)2x0.5xN
N = 83.15 rpm
Total head generated
H = Hst + hfs + hfd + Vd2/(2g)Power required = 1/ ηh ( ρ Qth g H)
= 1/0.9 (1000 x 0.1/0.98 x 9.81 x 117.1)
H = 100+1+16+ (1.4)2/(2x9.81) = 130.21 x 103 W
H = 117.1 m = 130.21 KW
Comparison of Centrifugal and Reciprocating Pumps
Centrifugal Pumps Reciprocating Pumps
1. Steady and even flow 1. Intermittent and pulsating flow
2. For large discharge, small heads 2. For small discharge, high heads.
3. Can be used for viscous fluids e.g. oils, 3. Can handle pure water or less viscous
muddy water. liquids only otherwise valves give frequent
trouble.
4. Low initial cost 4. High initial cost.
5. Can run at high speed. Can be coupled 5. Low speed. Belt drive necessary.
directly to electric motor.
6. Low maintenance cost. Periodic check 6. High maintenance cost. Frequent
up sufficient. replacement of parts.
7. Compact less floors required. 7. Needs 6-7 times area than for centrifugal
pumps.
8. Low head pumps have high efficiency 8. Efficiency of low head pumps as low as
40 per cent due to the energy losses.
9. Uniform torque 9. Torque not uniform.
10. Simple constructions. Less number of 10. Complicated construction. More
spare parts needed number of spare parts needed.
Assignment
A single cylinder double acting reciprocating pump has a piston diameter of
300 mm and stroke length of 400 mm. When the pump runs at 45 rpm, it
discharges 0.039 m3/s under a total head of 15m. What will be the volumetric
efficiency, work done per second and power required if the mechanical
efficiency of the pump is 75 percent?
Centrifugal Pump
General Component of a Centrifugal Pump
Liquid flow path inside a centrifugal pump
Components of Centrifugal pumps
The Centrifugal pump has the following main components:
Components of centrifugal pumps
Impeller
A rotating wheel fitted with a series of backward curved vanes or blades mounted on a shaft
connected to the shaft of an electric motor. Due to rotation of impeller centrifugal force is
produced on the liquid, which produces kinetic energy in the liquid. Water enters at the
centre of the impeller and moves radially outward and then leaves from outer periphery of
the impeller with a very high kinetic energy.
Casing
It is an airtight chamber, which accommodates the rotating impeller. The area of flow of the
casing gradually increases in the direction of flow of water to convert kinematic energy into
pressure energy.
Components of centrifugal pumps
Suction pipe
It is the pipe through which water is lifted from the sump to the pump level. Thus the
pipe has its lower end dipped in the sump water and the upper end is connected to the eye
or the inlet of the pump. At the lower end, a strainer and a foot-valve are also fitted.
Strainer
It is a screen provided at the foot of the suction pipe, it would not allow entrance of the
solid matters into the suction pipe which otherwise may damage the pump.
Foot valve
It is a one direction valve provided at the foot of the suction pipe. It permits flow only in
one direction i.e. towards the pump. Foot valve facilitates to hold the primed water in the
suction pipe and casing before starting the pump. Priming is the process of filling of water
in centrifugal pump from foot valve to delivery valve including casing before starting the
pump.
Components of centrifugal pumps
Delivery pipe
Delivery pipe is used for delivery of liquid. One end connected to the outlet of the pump
while the other delivers the water at the required height to the delivery tank. It consists of
following components:
i. Delivery gauge
This gauge connected on the delivery side of the pump to measure the pressure on the
delivery side.
ii. Delivery Valve
It is a gate valve on the delivery side of the pump to control the discharge
Components of centrifugal pumps
Shaft
It is a rotating rod supported by the bearings. It
transmits mechanical energy from the motor to
the impeller.
Air Relieve Valve
These are the valves used to remove air from
casing while priming.
Working of centrifugal pump
Works on the principle that when a certain mass
of fluid is rotated by an external source, it is
thrown away from the central axis of rotation and
a centrifugal head is impressed which enables it
to rise to a higher level.
In order to start a pump, it has to be filled with
water so that the centrifugal head developed is
sufficient to lift the water from the sump. The
process is called priming.
Pump is started by electric motor to rotate the
impeller.
Rotation of impeller in casing full of water
produces forced vortex which creates a
centrifugal head on the liquid.
Working of centrifugal pump
The delivery valve is opened as the
centrifugal head is impressed.
This results in the flow of liquid in an
outward radial direction with high velocity
and pressure enabling the liquid to enter the
delivery pipe.
Partial vacuum is created at the centre of the
impeller which makes the sump water at
atmospheric pressure to rush through the
pipe.
Delivery of water from sump to delivery pipe
continues so long as the pump is on.
Relationship between head and flow
a) Flow increase
◦ System resistance increases
b) Head increases Head
◦ Flow decreases to zero
Flow
Performance curve for Centrifugal pump
Pumping System Characteristics
Duty point: rate of flow Pump Operating Curve
at certain head
Pump operating point: Pump performance
curve
intersection of pump
curve and system curve Pump
operating
point
Head System
curve
Static
head
Flow
Performance Curve of Centrifugal
Pump
Pump Characteristics Curve
Essential Data Required for Installation of Centrifugal Pump
1. No of units required
2. Nature of the liquid
a) Name
b) Temperature, vapor pressure
c) Specific gravity, viscosity
d) Clear/dirty (size, nature of solid, concentration)
e) Chemical analysis, pH
3. Capacity
4. Suction condition
a) suction lift/NPSH
b) length and diameter of suction pipe
Continued…
5. Discharge condition
a) static head
b) friction head
c) maximum discharge pressure
6. Total head
7. Continuous/Intermittent use
8. Power source
9. Space / weight/transportation limitation
10. Location
a) geographical
b) elevation above the sea level
c) range of ambient temperature
d) indoor/outdoor
11. Special requirements
Priming
Often it is found that a centrifugal pump when started, does not pump liquid, though the
impellers rotate. This problem is encountered when the pump is drained off and is not filled
with liquid during the start-off. As a result, the pump is air-bound.
If a pump is air or vapor bound, it will not function properly. Because the density of air is
very low compared to water and head developed (ΔP) by air is negligible also.
The head developed by a centrifugal pump depends on the geometry of the impeller vanes
and its rpm, but is independent of the liquid density. So, the head is developed irrespective
of whether the pump is filled with liquid or air.
But ΔP = ΔHρg, when the pump is filled with liquid ΔP generated, is large, while when it
is filled with air, ΔP created is very low. It is then not sufficient to force the liquid through
the pump and the pump ceases to function.
Steps to Overcome the Handicap
This problem may be overcome by venting out the air and refilling the pump with
liquid. This process is called priming.
a) Keeping two openings in the suction line/pump; one for venting the air out and the
other for filling the pump with liquid.
b) Providing a non-return valve at the tip of the suction or delivery line, along with a
strainer.
c) Installing a positive displacement pumps as these are self-priming.
d) Modifying the casing and volute design so that the pump becomes self-priming
e) Connecting an auxiliary priming tank to suction line.
CAVITATION
Cavitation is defined as the phenomenon of formation of vapour bubbles
of a flowing liquid in a region where the pressure of the liquid falls
below its vapour pressure and the sudden collapsing of vapour bubbles
in a region of high pressure. This leads to a high pressure as well as
damaging of the metallic surfaces.
Continued……………
The actual fact is, when the absolute pressure of the flowing fluid is less
than its vapour pressure, the liquid starts boiling and vapour bubbles are
formed. These vapour bubbles are carried along with the flowing liquid to
higher pressure zone where these vapour condense and bubbles collapse.
Due to sudden collapsing of the bubbles on the metallic surfaces, high
pressure is created. Then the surfaces are damaged.
Precautions to avoid Cavitation
1) The pressure of the flowing fluid in any part of the pump should
not be allowed to fall below its vapour pressure
2) The special materials or coatings such as aluminium bronze and
stainless steel, which are cavitation resistant materials, should be
used.
Cavitation Damage
Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH)
It is an important parameter used to prevent cavitation problem.
Cavitation does not occur at low flow rates. Cavitation may be reduced
or eliminated by reducing the pumping rate or by slight alteration in
impeller design to give better streamlining. Both vapour boiling and
cavitation may be eliminated by maintaining a significantly higher
pressure at the pump inlet that the vapour pressure of the liquid being
pumped. The required margin of the pressure is called NPSH.
Impellers of Centrifugal Pump
Flow Type
❖RADIAL FLOW: ONLY RADIAL FLOW OF FLUID IN IMPELLER
CHANNELS AND HEAD DEVELOPED IS ONLY BY CENTRIFUGAL
ACTION. THESE ARE USED FOR LOW FLOW RATES AND HIGH
HEAD. SPECIFIC SPEED IS LESS THAN 4200. THESE ARE
SUITABLE FOR CLEAN LIQUIDS.
❖MIXED FLOW: BOTH RADIAL AND AXIAL FLOW. HEAD IS
DEVELOPED BY BOTH CENTRIFUGAL AND LIFTING ACTION.
FLOW RATE AND HEAD DEVELOPED FALL INTERMEDIATE
BETWEEN RADIAL AND AXIAL. THESE ARE USED FOR LOW
FLOW RATES AND HIGH HEAD. SPECIFIC SPEED IS BETWEEN
4200 AND 9000. THESE ARE SUITABLE FOR SLURRIES.
❖AXIAL FLOW: ONLY AXIAL FLOW. HEAD IS DEVELOPED BY
PROPELLING OR LIFTING ACTION OF THE VANES. THESE
ARE USED FOR HIGH FLOW RATES AND LOW HEAD.
SPECIFIC SPEED IS GREATER THAN 9000. THESE ARE
SUITABLE FOR LIQUID CONTAINING HIGHLY ABRASIVE
SOLID.
Selection of Pump
Parameters Pump Recommended
Compactness
Ease of maintenance
High head requirement Centrifugal Pump
High capacity
Liquid containing solid particles
Higher concentration of solid Mixed flow turbine pump
Liquid containing abrasive solid Axial flow propeller pump
Slurry, toxic fluid Diaphragm pump
Liquid metal Electromagnetic pump
Highly viscous liquid Rotary pump
Extremely high head requirement Reciprocating pump
Schematic Presentation of Piston Pump
Working Principle of Piston Pump
This is the most common type of reciprocating pump. Tube well/hand pump is an
example of this type.
It essentially consists of a cylinder, in which a close-fitting piston moves. The
piston is connected to a shaft which passes through a gland at the end of the
cylinder. There are a set of suction and discharge valve. As the piston moves
away, the suction valve opens and the discharge valve closes and liquid is drawn
into the cylinder. Then in the return stroke, the piston forces the liquid through
the discharge valve which opens and the inlet valve closes.
Schematic Presentation of Plunger
Pump
High Pressure Plunger Pump
Working Principle of Plunger Pump
This pump is similar with piston pump in operation. The pump consists of a
plunger which occupies almost the entire volume of the cylinder.
In case of piston pump, packing around the piston is in motion and it is difficult
to detect the leakage from outside. Even when detected the cylinder is to be
opened to change the packing. But in case of plunger pump, the packing around
the plunger is stationary at the end of the cylinder through which the plunger
moves. So any leakage is easily detected and packing can be replaced easily.
By-pass Line and Relief Valve
In a reciprocating pump if the discharge valve gets stuck or stuffy, the moving
piston will generate high pressure. It will lead to a mechanical damage. To
overcome this, a by-pass line is provided with a relief valve to release the
pressure and avoid the damage. It can deliver very high pressure head upto 50
atm at low flow rate.
Rotary Pump: Schematic View
Working Principle of Rotary Pump
In a rotary pump, the chamber moves from the inlet end to the discharge end. As a result, a
definite volume of liquid is trapped near the inlet and moved to the outlet and squeezed out
to the discharge line. There should be close clearance between the moving and stationary
parts to minimize the leakage and reverse flow. But the operating speed is limited.
USE: These are very widely used for pumping viscous oils in petroleum industries, grease,
paints, vegetable oils, etc upto a head of 250 atm.
Rotary pumps are available as gear pump, screw pump, lobe pump etc.
Schematic View of Diaphragm Pump Working Principle of Diaphragm Pump
In this case, the piston is replaced by a
flexible disc, moving at the centre, but
fixed at the two ends at the periphery.
The pump chamber shrinks and expands
alternately, discharging and sucking the
liquid as a result. Diaphragm is made of
plastic/rubber/leather/metal. Only moving
parts, other than the diaphragm which
comes into contact with the liquid, are the
valves. Hence, it is very useful for
handling corrosive/toxic chemicals or
slurries.
FLUID FLOW CONTROLING DEVICES
VALVE: Valves are fluid flow-controlling fittings used
to:
1. Simply put the flow on or off
2. Control the flow rate of a fluid through a conduit
3. Allow the flow in only one direction.
Classification of Valves
Valves can broadly be categorized into three varieties:
VALVES
On-Off Flow control One-way/Check
Classification of On-Off Valves
On-Off Valves may be of three kinds :
ON-OFF VALVES
Gate Plug Ball
Classification of Flow Control Valves
Flow Control valves may be divided into five classes :
ON-OFF VALVES
Globe Butterfly Diaphragm Needle Angle
Classes of One way/Check Valves
One way or Check valves may be classified into two varieties:
ONE WAY/CHECK VALVES
Swing Lift
Disc Ball
PLUG VALVE
PICTORIAL VIEW: