XI.

Turbomachinery
This chapter considers the theory and performance characteristics of the
mechanical devices associated with the fluid circulation.
General Classification:
Turbomachine - A device which adds or extracts energy from a fluid.
Adds energy:
Extracts energy:

Pump
Turbine

In this context, a pump is a generic classification that includes any device

that adds energy to a fluid, e.g. fans, blowers, compressors.
We can classify pumps by operating concept:
1. Positive displacement
2. Dynamic (momentum change)
General Performance Characteristics
Positive Displacement Pumps
1. Delivers pulsating or periodic flow (cavity opens, fluid enters, cavity
closes, decreasing volume forces fluid out exit opening.
2. Not sensitive to wide viscosity changes.
3. Delivers a moderate flow rate.
4. Produces a high pressure rise.
5. Small range of flow rate operation (fixed pump speed).
Dynamic Pumps
1. Typically higher flow rates than PDs.
2. Comparatively steady discharge.
3. Moderate to low pressure rise.
4. Large range of flow rate operation.
5. Very sensitive to fluid viscosity.

XI - 1

e-Text Main Menu

Textbook Table of Contents

Study Guide

Typical Performance Curves (at fixed impeller speed)

Fig. 11.2 Performance curves for dynamic and positive

displacement pumps
Centrifugal Pumps
Most common turbomachine used in industry. Includes the general
categories of (a) liquid pumps, (b) fans, (c) blowers, etc.
They are momentum change devices and thus fall within the dynamic
classification.
Typical schematic shown as

Fig. 11.3 Cutaway schematic of a typical centrifugal pump

XI - 2

e-Text Main Menu

Textbook Table of Contents

Study Guide

Writing the energy equation across the device and solving for hp hf ,we
have

P P1 V2 V1
H = hp hf = 2
+
+ Z 2 Z1
g
2g
2

where H is the net useful head delivered to the fluid, the head that results in
pressure, velocity, and static elevation change.
Since for most pumps (not all), V1 = V2 and Z is small, we can write

P
g

Since friction losses have already been subtracted, this is

the ideal head delivered to the fluid. Note that velocity
head has been neglected and can be significant at large
flow rates where pressure head is small.
Pw = Q g H

The ideal power to the fluid is given

by

The pump efficiency is given by

QgH QgH
Pw
=
=
BHP
BHP
T

where BHP = shaft power necessary to drive the pump

= angular speed of shaft
T = torque delivered to pump shaft
Note that from the efficiency equation, pump efficiency is zero at zero flow
rate Q and at zero pump head,H.

XI - 3

e-Text Main Menu

Textbook Table of Contents

Study Guide

Basic Pump Theory

Development of basic pump theory begins with application of the integral
conservation equation for moment-of-momentum previously presented in Ch. III.
Applying this equation to a centrifugal pump with one inlet, one exit, and uniform
properties at each inlet and exit, we obtain
& e r x Ve m
& i r x Vi
T=m

where T is the shaft torque needed to drive the pump

Vi , Ve are the absolute velocities at the inlet and exit of the pump
This is used to determine the change of angular momentum across the device.

Fig. 11.4 Inlet and exit velocity diagrams for an idealized impeller
Since the velocity diagram is key to the analysis of the device, we will discuss the
elements in detail.

XI - 4

e-Text Main Menu

Textbook Table of Contents

Study Guide

1. At the inner radius r1 have two velocity components:

a. the circumferential velocity due to the
impeller rotation

u1 = r1

V1

w1

blade tip speed at inner radius

1

b. relative flow velocity tangent to the

blade

w1

tangent to the blade angle

Vn

u1

Vt

These combine to yield the absolute inlet

velocity V1 at angle 1
The absolute velocity can be resolved into two absolute velocity components:
1. Normal ( radial ) component:

Vn1 = V1 sin 1 = w1 sin 1

Note that for ideal pump design,

Vn1 = V1 and 1 = 90

2. Absolute tangential velocity:

Vt1 = V1 cos 1 = u 1 - w1 cos 1

again, ideally Vt1 = 0

It is also important to note that Vn1 is use to determine the inlet flow rate, i.e.,

Q = A1 Vn1 = 2 r1 b1 Vn1
where b1 is the inlet blade width

XI - 5

e-Text Main Menu

Textbook Table of Contents

Study Guide

Likewise for the outer radius r2 we have the following:

a. the circumferential velocity due to the
impeller rotation

u 2 = r2 blade tip speed at outer radius

b. relative flow velocity tangent to the
blade

w2

tangent to the blade angle

V2

w2
2

Vn2

Vt

u2

These again combine to yield the absolute

outlet velocity V2 at angle 2
The exit absolute velocity can also be resolved into two absolute velocity
components:
1. Normal ( radial ) component:

Vn2 = V2 sin 2 = w2 sin 2 =

Q
2 r2 b2

Note that Q is the same as for the

inlet flow rate

2. Absolute tangential velocity:

Vt 2 = V2 cos 2 = u 2 - w2 cos 2

Vt 2 = u 2 -

Vn2

tan 2

= u2 -

Q
2 r2 b 2 tan 2

Q = A1 Vn1 = 2 r1 b1 Vn1 = A 2 Vn2 = 2 r2 b 2 Vn 2

where

Again, each of the above expressions follows easily from the velocity diagram,
and the student should draw and use the diagram with each pump theory
problem.

XI - 6

e-Text Main Menu

Textbook Table of Contents

Study Guide

We can now apply moment - of momentum equation.

T = Q r2 * Vt 2 r1 * Vt1

(again Vt1 is zero for the ideal design)

For a sign convention, we have assumed that Vt1 and Vt2 are positive in the
direction of impeller rotation.
The ideal power supplied to the fluid is given by

Pw = T = Q r2 Vt2 r1 Vt1
or

Pw = T = Q u 2 Vt 2 u1 Vt1 = Qg H
Since these are ideal values, the shaft power required to drive a non-ideal pump
is given by

BHP =

Pw

The head delivered to the fluid is

H=

Q{u 2 Vt2 u1 Vt1 }

Qg

u
{
=

Vt 2 u 1 Vt1

For the special case of purely radial inlet flow

H* =

u 2 Vt 2
g

XI - 7

e-Text Main Menu

Textbook Table of Contents

Study Guide

From the exit velocity diagram, substituting for Vt2 we can show that

u
Q
H= 2
g 2 b 2 g tan 2
2

has the form

C1 - C2 Q

shutoff head, the head produced at zero flow, Q = 0

u2
where: C1 =
g
Example:

A centrifugal water pump operates at the following conditions:

speed = 1440 rpm, r1 = 4 in, r2 = 7 in, 1 = 30o, 2 = 20o, b1 = b2 = 1.75 in
Assuming the inlet flow enters normal to the impeller (zero absolute tangential
velocity):
find: (a) Q, (b) T, (c) Wp, (d) hp, (e) P

= 1440

rev 2
rad
= 150.8
min 60
s

Calculate blade tip velocities:

u1 = r1 =

4
rad
ft
ft150.8
= 50.3
12
s
s

u 2 = r2 =

Since design is ideal, at inlet

7
rad
ft
ft150.8
= 88
12
s
s

V1 = Vn1

w1

1 = 90 , Vt1 = 0
o

Vn1 = U1 tan 300 = 50.3 tan 30o = 29.04 ft/s

30

90

Q = 2 r1 b1 Vn1

r1

XI - 8

e-Text Main Menu

Textbook Table of Contents

Study Guide

30
u1

ft
ft
4
Q = 2 ft1.75 ft 29.04 = 8.87
s
12
s
3

ft
gal
gal
s
Q = 8.87 60
7.48 3 = 3981
ft
min
s
min
Repeat for the outlet:

ft 3
8.87
Q
s
Vn2 =
=
2 r2 b 2 2 7 ft 1.75 ft
12 12
ft
Vn2 = 16.6
s
Vn2
16.6 ft/s
ft
w2 =
=
=
48.54
s
sin 20 o sin 20 o

V2

w2

20

20
u2

r2

Vt 2 = u 2 - w 2 cos 2 = 88 48.54 cos 20 o = 42.4

ft
s

We are now able to determine the pump performance parameters. Since for the
centrifugal pump, the moment arm r1 at the inlet is zero, the momentum equation
becomes
Ideal moment of momentum delivered to the fluid:

T = Q r2 * Vt2

slug
ft 7
ft
= 1.938 3 8.87
ft 42.4 = 425.1ft lbf
ft
s
s 12

Ideal power delivered to the fluid:

P = T = 150.8

rad
ft lbf
425.1ft lbf = 64,103
= 116.5 hp
s
s

XI - 9

e-Text Main Menu

Textbook Table of Contents

Study Guide

Head produced by the pump (ideal):

H=

P
64,103 ft lbf/s
=
= 115.9 ft
lbf
ft 3
gQ
62.4 3 8.87
ft
s

Pressure increase produced by the pump:

3

ft
P = g H = 62.4 115.9 ft = 7226 psf = 50.2 psi
s

Pump Performance Curves and Similarity Laws

Pump performance results are typically obtained from an experimental test of the
given pump and are presented graphically for each performance parameter.
Basic independent variable - Q {usually gpm or cfm }
Dependent variables typically
head pressure rise, in some cases P

BHP input power requirements (motor size)

pump efficiency

These typically presented at fixed pump speed and impeller diameter

Typical performance curves appear as

XI - 10

e-Text Main Menu

Textbook Table of Contents

Study Guide

Fig. 11.6 Typical Centrifugal Pump Performance Curves

at Fixed Pump Speed and diameter
These curves are observed to have the following characteristics:
1. hp is approximately constant at low flow rate.
2. hp = 0 at Qmax.
3. BHP is not equal to 0 at Q = 0.
4. BHP increases monotonically with the increase in Q.
5. p = 0 at Q = 0 and at Qmax.
6. Maximum pump efficiency occurs at approximately Q* = 0.6 Qmax . This
is the best efficiency point BEP. At any other operating point, efficiency is
less, pump head can be higher or lower, and BHP can be higher or lower.
7. At the BEP, Q = Q*, hp = hp*, BHP = BHP*.
Measured Performance Data
Actual pump performance data will typically be presented graphically as shown in
Fig. 11.7. Each graph will usually have curves representing the pump head vs flow
rate for two or more impeller diameters for a given class/model of pumps having a
similar design. The graphs will also show curves of constant efficiency and
constant pump power (BHP) for the impeller diameters shown. All curves will be
for a fixed pump impeller speed.

XI - 11

e-Text Main Menu

Textbook Table of Contents

Study Guide

Fig. 11.7 Measured performance curves for two models of a centrifugal

water pump

XI - 12

e-Text Main Menu

Textbook Table of Contents

Study Guide

How to Read Pump Performance Curves

Care must be taken to correctly read the performance data from pump curves. This
should be done as follows:
(1) For a given flow rate Q
(2) Read vertically to a point on the pump head curve h for the impeller
diameter D of interest.
(3) All remaining parameters ( efficiency & BHP) are read at this point; i.e.,
graphically interpolate between adjacent curves for BHP to obtain the pump
power at this point.
Note that the resulting values are valid only for the conditions of these curves:
(1) pump model and design, (2) pump speed N, (3) impeller size D, (4) fluid
(typically water)
Thus for the pump shown in Fig. 11.7a with an impeller diameter D = 32 in, we
obtain the following performance at Q = 20,000 gpm:
Q = 20,000 gpm, D = 32 in, N = 1170 rpm
H 385 ft, BHP 2300 bhp, p 86.3 %
Note that points that are not on an h vs. Q curve are not valid operating points.
Thus for Fig. 11.7b, the conditions
Q = 22,000 gpm, BHP = 1500 bhp, hp = 250 ft
do not correspond to a valid operating point because they do not fall on one of the
given impeller diameter curves. However, for the same figure, the point
Q = 20,000 gpm, BHP = 1250 bhp
is a valid point because it coincidentally also falls on the D = 38 in impeller curve
at hp = 227 ft.

XI - 13

e-Text Main Menu

Textbook Table of Contents

Study Guide

Net Positive Suction Head - NPH

One additional parameter is typically shown on pump performance curves:
NPSH = head required at the pump inlet to keep the fluid from cavitating.
NPSH is defined as follows:
2

P
NPSH = i +
g

Vi
P
v
2g g

where Pi = pump inlet pressure

Pv = vapor pressure of fluid
Pump inlet

Considering the adjacent figure,

write the energy equation between
the fluid surface and the pump
inlet to obtain the following:

P
NPSH = i +
g

zi

Pa

Pi
z=0

Vi
P
P
P
v = a Z i h f,ai v
2g g g
g

For a pump installation with this configuration to operate as intended, the righthand-side of the above equation must be > the NPSH value for the operating
flow rate for the pump.
Example:
A water supply tank and pump are connected
as shown. Pa = 13.6 psia and the water is at
20 o C with Pv = 0.34 psia. The system has a
friction loss of 4.34 ft. Will the NPSH of the
pump of Fig. 11.7a at 20,000 gpm work?

a
10 ft
i

XI - 14

e-Text Main Menu

Textbook Table of Contents

Study Guide

Applying the previous equation we obtain

NPSH =

Pa
P
Z i h f,ai v
g
g

13.6 0.34) lbf/in2 *144 in 2 /ft 2

(
NPSH =
(10 ft) 4.34 ft
3
62.4 lbf/ft

NPSH = 36.26 ft

The pump will work because the system NPSH as shown in

Fig. 11.7a is 30 ft which provides a 6.3 ft safety margin.
Conversely, the pump could be located as close as 3.7 ft
below the water surface and meet NPSH requirements.

Pump Similarity Laws

Application of the dimensional analysis procedures of Ch. V will yield the
following three dimensionless performance parameters:
Dimensionless flow coefficient:

CQ =

Q
D3

Dimensionless head coefficient:

CH =

gH
2 D2

Dimensionless power coefficient:

CP =

BHP
3 D5

where is the pump speed in radians/time and other symbols are standard design
and operating parameters with units that make the coefficients dimensionless.
How are these used?
These terms can be used to estimate design and performance changes between two
pumps of similar design.

XI - 15

e-Text Main Menu

Textbook Table of Contents

Study Guide

Stated in another way:

If pumps 1 and 2 are from the same geometric design family and are operating at
similar operating conditions, the flow rates, pump head, and pump power for the
two pumps will be related according to the following expressions:

Q2 N2
=
Q1 N1

D2

D1
2

H 2 N2 D2
=
H1 N1 D1

Use to predict the new flow rate for a design

change in pump speed N and impeller
diameter D.
2

Used to predict the new pump head H for a

design change in pump speed, N and
impeller diameter D.
3

BHP2 2 N 2 D2
=
BHP1 1 N1 D1

Used to predict the new pump power BHP

for a design change in fluid, , pump speed
N and impeller diameter D.

Example
It is desired to modify the operating
conditions for the 38 in diameter
impeller pump of Fig. 11.7b to a
new pump speed of 900 rpm and a
larger impeller diameter of 40 in.

H(ft)
BEP1

Determine the new pump head and

power for the new pump speed at
the BEP.

Q(gpm)

XI - 16

e-Text Main Menu

Textbook Table of Contents

Study Guide

BEP 2

For the D = 38 in impeller of Fig. 11.7b operating at 710 rpm, we read the best
efficiency point (BEP) values as
Q* = 20,000 gpm, H* = 225 ft, BHP * = 1250 hp

Applying the similarity laws for N2 = 900 rpm and D2 = D1 = 38 in, we obtain
3

3
Q2 N2 D2
900 40
=
= 1.478
=
710 38
Q1 N1 D1

Q2 = 20,000*1.478 = 29,570 gpm

2

ans.

2
2
H 2 N2 D2
900 40

= =
= 1.78
710 38
H1 N1 D1

H2 = 225*1.78 = 400.5 ft
3

ans.

3
5
BHP2 2 N 2 D2
900 40

= = (1)
= 2.632
710 38
BHP1 1 N1 D1

BHP2 = 3290 hp

ans.

Thus, even small changes in the speed and size of a pump can result in significant
changes in flow rate, head, and power.
It is noted that every point on the original 38 in diameter performance curve
exhibits a similar translation to a new operating condition.
The similarity laws are obviously useful to predict changes in the performance
characteristics of an existing pump or to estimate the performance of a modified
pump design prior to the construction of a prototype.

XI - 17

e-Text Main Menu

Textbook Table of Contents

Study Guide

Matching a Pump to System Characteristics

The typical design/sizing requirement for a pump is to select a pump which has a
pump head which matches the required system head at the design/operating flow
rate for the piping system.

Key Point

hp = hsys at Qdes.

It is noted that pump selection should occur such that the operating point of the
selected pump should occur on the pump curve near or at the BEP.
From the energy equation in Ch. VI, the system head is typically expressed as
2

h sys

V2
P2 P1 V2 V1
L

=
+
+ Z 2 Z 1 + f + K i
D
2g
g
2g

Thus the selection of a pump for a

piping system design should result in
a pump for which the pump head
hp at the design flow rate Qdes is
equal ( or very close) to the head

hp
Hdes

requirements hsys of the piping

system at the same flow rate, and this
should occur at or near the point of
maximum efficiency for the chosen
pump.

hsys

Q(gpm)

Qdes

Other operating and performance requirements (such as NPSH) are obviously also
a part of the selection criteria for a pump.

XI - 18

e-Text Main Menu

Textbook Table of Contents

Study Guide

Pumping Systems: Parallel and Series Configurations

For some piping system designs, it may be desirable to consider a multiple pump
system to meet the design requirements. Two typical options include parallel and
series configurations of pumps. Specific performance criteria must be met when
considering these options.
Given a piping system which has a known design flow rate and head requirements,
Qdes, hdes. The following pump selection criteria apply.
Pumps in Parallel:
Assuming that the pumps are identical,
each pump must provide the following:
Q(pump) = 0.5 Qdes
h(pump) = hdes

Pumps in Series:
Assuming that the pumps are identical,
each pump must provide the following:
Q (pump) = Qdes
h(pump) = 0.5 hdes
For example, if the design point for a given piping system were Qdes = 600 gpm,
and hsys = 270 ft, the following pump selection criteria would apply:
1. Single pump system

Q(pump) = 600 gpm, hp = 270 ft

2. Parallel pump system

Q(pump) = 300 gpm, hp = 270 ft

for each of the two pumps

3. Series pump system

Q(pump) = 600 gpm, hp = 135 ft

for each of the two pumps

XI - 19

e-Text Main Menu

Textbook Table of Contents

Study Guide