Curtin University of Technology
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Fluid Mechanics 433
LABOROTORY 1:
PUMP CHARACTERISTIC CURVES
Prepared by: Sebastian Colburn
Date submitted: 14/09/2010
Lecturer: Dr. Andrew King
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction 3
2.0 Objectives 3
3.0 Nomenclature 4
4.0 Theory 4
5.0 Apparatus 7
6.0 Procedure 8
6.1 Single Pump Flow Configuration 8
6.2 Two Pumps in Parallel Flow Configuration 8
7.0 Results 9
8.0 Discussion 16
9.0 Conclusion 17
10.0 References 18
1.0 Introduction
Centrifugal flow pumps are an important mechanical device in the field of engineering with many applications including, the transfer of petroleum and gas products, chemical processing or any situation in which fluid is forced through a network of pipes. Because of this wide range of applications it is important for an engineer to understand how pumps are characterised and how they can be applied to a situation. Many pumping requirements are complex requiring specific pump speeds or the configuration of pumps in parallel or series configurations, by developing an understanding of pump characteristic curves an engineer will gain the ability to solve any pumping problem that they are faced with.
2.0 Objectives
The objectives for this laboratory were as follows:
* To collect experimental data in order to construct pump characteristic curves for a single pump configuration operating at speeds of 1200, 1600 and 2000 rpm.
* Using similarity equations derive the theoretical pump characteristic curves of a single pump operating at 1400 and 1800 rpm.
* To collect experimental data in order to construct pump characteristic curves of two pumps acting in a parallel configuration at 1600 rpm.
* To compare the theoretical distribution of flow and power through the parallel system to the pressure and flow rate that was measured experimentally.
3.0 Nomenclature
Table 1: List of Nomenclature Used for this...