Introduction

A pump is a mechanism used to move liquids or gases from lower pressure to a higher
pressure. One of the main type of the pump is a centrifugal pump. A centrifugal pump is a device
that rotates the impeller in order to increase the velocity of the flowing fluid. This equipment
works by the conversion of energy supplied from a motor or turbine into kinetic energy and
potential energy and this operation is described by Bernoulli's principle (Centrifugal Pump
Demonstration Unit, 2017). So, this laboratory work is related to the operation of the centrifugal
pumps, which consists of two experiments such as introduction to centrifugal pump
characteristics and the observation of the pump characteristic curves. The purpose of the both
experiments was to understand the operations of FM50 Centrifugal Pump and obtain head,
power and efficiency graphs for a centrifugal pump according to the measured data. The FM50
Centrifugal Pump Demonstration is adjusted with electronic sensors, which allows to make the
measurements through the software by regulating the flow rate and the speed of the water
(Centrifugal Pump Demonstration Unit FM50, 2012). Both experiments involve readings
through the software and drawing the graphs of main pump characteristics for the 50%, 60%,
70%, 80%, 90%, 100% of pump speed.
Experimental objectives and Hypothesis
Theoretical background
Experimental Procedure
Equipment
The main equipment needed for this laboratory work is FM50 Centrifugal Pump. The FM50
Centrifugal Pump Demonstration Unit is used to move the liquid between two different places,
thus the water may flow to and from a centrifugal pump. The speed of water can be regulated by
slightly opening or closing the gate valve.

Figure 1. FM50 Centrifugal Pump

FM50 Centrifugal Pump is supplied with Armfield Software on a computer through the Armfield
interface device (IFD). The software allows to do the measurements automatically by providing
all necessary values.

Figure 2. IFD7 Armfield interface device

Experimental Protocol
Experiment A: Introduction to Pump Characteristics
1. Switch on the IFD7 Armfield interface device
2. By pressing Power on or Standby button switch on the FM50 centrifugal pump within the
computer software.
3. Set the speed to 80% and eliminate any bubble by slightly opening and closing the inlet
and gate valves.
4. Make the flow rate equal to zero by closing the gate valve.
5. Press the icon Go in order to record the readings.
6. Slightly open the gate vale to increase the flow rate of water.
7. After each opening, press the icon Go until the valve is fully open.
8. Reduce the speed from 80% to 0% and save all measured data by pressing Save as
icon.
Experiment B: Pump Characteristic urves

1. Open a new spreadsheet in a computer software.

2. Increasethespeedofthepumpuntilitreachesto50%.
3. Make the flow rate equal to zero by closing the gate valve.
4. Press the icon Go in order to record the readings.
5. Slightly open the gate vale to increase the flow rate of water.
6. After each opening, press the icon Go until the valve is fully open.
7. Save all measured data by pressing Save as icon.
8. Increase the speed of the pump to 60%, 70%, 90%, 100% and follow the same procedure
above [steps 1-7].
9. Save all measured data for the speed 60%, 70%, 90%, 100% by pressing Save as icon.
10. Reduce the speed of the pump bit by bit from 100% to 0% and switch off the centrifugal
pump.
Safety
As the equipment involves the use/flow of water, which under certain conditions can cause a
health problems due to infection by harmful micro-organisms. In order to avoid this problems the
apparatus should be cleaned properly and the water must be changed regularly. Usually, the
temperature of the water should be 20C and if it is not practicable to maintain this temperature,
then the water should be disinfected.

Calculations:

Results: Plots and Tables, Results description

Part A
Flow Total Mechanic Pump
al Efficien
Rate Head Power cy
Q Pm E
[l/s] Ht [W] [%]
[m]
0,00 4,52 66,8 0,0
0,03 4,48 64,1 1,9
0,24 4,28 70,3 14,2
0,61 4,18 71,3 35,1
0,85 4,27 77,1 46,1
1,09 4,18 81,2 55,0
1,29 3,98 86,8 58,0
1,47 3,92 84,9 66,6
Table 1. Measured data for Part A.
By using the obtained datas from computer software following graph was constructed.
 4.60 100.0

4.50 90.0

4.40 80.0

4.30 70.0

4.20 60.0

4.10 50.0
Head Ht (m) Efficiency (%) and Power (W)
4.00 40.0

3.90 30.0

3.80 20.0

3.70 10.0

3.60 0.0
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00

Volume flow rate Q (l/s)

Graph 1. Head, Power and Efficiency vs Volume flow rate at 80% setting.

Part B

50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Flow Total Flow Total Flow Total Flow Total Flow Total Flow Total
Rate Head Rate Head
Q Ht Rate Hea Q Ht Rate Hea Rate Hea Rate Head
[l/s] [m] d [l/s] [m] d d
Q Ht Q Ht Q Ht Q Ht
[l/s] [m] [l/s] [m] [l/s] [m] [l/s] [m]
0,00 1,78 0,00 2,62 0,00 3,60 0,00 4,52 0,00 5,78 0,00 6,86
0,08 1,82 0,13 2,55 0,19 3,54 0,03 4,48 0,21 5,45 0,21 6,28
0,20 1,76 0,35 2,50 0,40 3,48 0,24 4,28 0,43 5,09 0,49 6,05
0,41 1,82 0,48 2,54 0,56 3,49 0,61 4,18 0,69 5,27 0,77 6,21
0,56 1,74 0,65 2,55 0,72 3,42 0,85 4,27 0,90 5,28 1,00 6,34
0,66 1,73 0,76 2,43 0,90 3,42 1,09 4,18 1,18 5,16 1,36 6,09
0,77 1,68 0,90 2,43 1,06 3,25 1,29 3,98 1,39 4,95 1,36 6,13
0,86 1,58 1,06 2,32 1,09 3,30 1,47 3,92 1,63 4,77 1,57 5,95
0,93 1,55 1,14 2,31 1,31 3,05 1,79 5,75
1,77 5,72
Table 2. Required data for Part B.
Using the required datas following graph was obtained.

Graph 2. Head vs Volume flow rate for different settings and curve at constant efficiencies.

Graph shows the changes in total head loss as flow rate increases. Settings were written on the
right end of corresponding curves which are 50-100%. The smooth curve which corresponds to
the constant efficiencies (35%, 40%, 45% and 50%) in different settings has been obtained by
joining the points at which this efficiency is achieved. These points have been calculated by
interpolation method as follows:
For 35% efficiency 50% setting doesnt correspond, thus 60% setting was chosen:
From the measurements obtained by computer software:

The pump efficiency of 35% lies between 29.9% and 37.8% which corresponds to total head loss
of 2.43 meaning that it will be the same at required efficiency. But values of flow rate are 0.76
and 0.90, respectively meaning that needed value lies between this numbers.
By applying the interpolation method:
 37.829.9 37.835
=
0.90.76 0.9x
By solving the equation: x = 0.85 and h = 2.43.
These values give the corresponding point on the curve.
All other points on the graph are obtained in similar manner.
It is important to note that at 35% efficiency the curve lies on the right of the 50% setting curve,
but 40%, 45% and 50% lies above the curve.

The same procedure was applied for the constant mechanical power and the required graph was
obtained:

Graph 3. Head vs flow rate for different settings and curve at constant Mechanical Power.

Discussion: Results explanation

Conclusion
Reference list

Capture Fluid Machines. 2017. '' Centrifugal Pump Demonstration Unit''. Accessed February 25,
2017. http://discoverarmfield.com/en/products/view/fm50/centrifugal-pump-demonstration-unit

Armfield LTD. 2012. ''Centrifugal Pump Demonstration Unit FM50''. Accessed February 25,
2017. http://www.nqaco.com/san_pham/491/thiet-bi-mo-phong-bom-ly-tam-fm50/eng