CE202: Fluid Mechanics I

Hydraulic Machines – Part III

S.B.Weerakoon
BScEng (Peradeniya), MEng, PhD(Univ. of Tokyo)
FIESL, IntPE SL

Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
University of Peradeniya , Sri Lanka
4/17/2020 1
 Hydraulic Machines

This is a continuation of my lectures on HM.

Please follow Video Lecture Part I and Part II

before following this Video Lecture Part III.

Course materials:
Lecture notes
PowerPoint slides
Tutorial and answers
Performance characteristics of
rotodynamic machines

https://nptel.ac.in/

Pump head
 Performance characteristics of rotodynamic
machines

E.g. Centrifugal pump

Q

 Pd Vd2   Ps Vs2 
D

Hp     
 zd      z s 
  2g    2g  N
Q
Output power = Q ρ g HP T
Input power =Tω
Overall η = Q ρ g HP /T ω
 Performance characteristics of a centrifugal pump
Performance characteristics
For a given pump with impeller diameter D rotating at a
constant speed N, the variation of parameters
pump head ( H), power transferred (P), torque on the impeller
(T), efficiency (η) with discharge (Q)
Given pump D, N
Typical pump characteristic curve for
centrifugal pump For given pump
i.e. , for given D and N
Shutoff
Head

Max eff.

Q
 Non-dimensional performance characteristics of
rotodynamic machines
For a rotodynamic machine
working with an incompressible work
liquid, the performance inflow HM outflow
parameters are
• the energy transferred per unit They depend on
mass of fluid (gH), discharge (Q),
• power transferred (P), density (ρ),
viscosity (μ),
• torque on the impeller (T),
impeller diameter (D), and
• efficiency (η). rotational speed (N).
 Non-dimensional performance characteristics
of rotodynamic machines
Using the principles of dimensional analysis,
show that
Head No. Flow No. Re No. = ND.D.ρ/ μ
2
gH  Q ND  
2 2  1  3 ,  ;
N D  ND 
Power No.  2

P Q ND 
3 5  3  3 ,  ;
N D  ND 
2

  2  Q ND  
3 ,  ;
 ND 
Torque No.  Q ND 2
 
T 2 5  4  3 , 
N D  ND  
 Non-dimensional performance characteristics
of rotodynamic machines
 ND 2  
  
  is proportional to the Reynolds number
(Re). Flow in a rotodynamic machine is highly
turbulent, therefore, the change in the Re has a very
little effect on its performance and thus Re has a
constant effect.
It can be omitted in the above equations.
Then,
Head No, Power No, Efficiency and Torque No
given above will be functions of only the Flow No.
 Non-dimensional performance characteristics
of rotodynamic machines
Then, we can write
Head No. Flow No.
2
gH 
11  Q ND  
2 2 ψ 3 ,  ;
N D  ND 
Power No.  2

P 23  Q ND 
3 5 ψ 3 ,  ;
N D  ND 
2

  ψ23  Q ND  
3 ,  ;
 ND 
Torque No.  Q ND 2
 
T 2 5  ψ4  3 , 
N D  ND  
 Dynamically similar operation of rotodynamic
machines
For geometrically similar hydraulic machines (homologous
series), same non-dimensional relationships/curves are
valid.
• That is, if any of the above non-dimensional parameters
can be made equivalent in the operation of two
geometrically similar hydraulic machines they operate
under dynamically similar conditions.
e.g.: If two geometrically similar pumps run at same
efficiencies, then all the other non-dimensional parameters
are also equal between the two pumps – dynamically similar
operating condition:
(Hn)A = (Hn)B ; (Fn)A = (Fn)B ; (Pn)A = (Pn)B ; (Tn)A= (Tn)B ; (η)A = (η)B
Non-dimensional performance characteristics
Non-dimensional performance characteristics applied to a
homologous series of pumps can be derived by testing one
pump.
Hn ηmax ρ, μ
D
ηmax
η ηm
ax
Homologous series
Pn ηm
ax
Measure H, Q, T, N , of the
Fn pump and tabulate
Hn,Fn,Pn,Tn, η and plot the
curves.
Non-dimensional performance characteristics
For geometrically similar hydraulic machines (homologous
series), same non-dimensional relationships/curves are
valid.
ηmax
Hn

η
Hn*

Pn Pn* Homologous series

Fn* Fn

Thus, ηmax of geometrically similar pumps is one value

 Selection of pump for a given application
Q and H are given, a pump has to be selected.
What type? What size?

For pumps, a non-dimensional parameter where

impeller diameter (D) does not appear is derived by
combining the Flow No and the Head No.

Consider the ratio, k = (Flow No)1/2 /(Head No.)3/4

Then, k  NQ 1/ 2

( gH )3/ 4
Selection of centrifugal pump for a given application
1/ 2
k  NQ
( gH )3/ 4

Therefore, we can deduce from the non-dimensional

equations that all groups can be expressed as
functions of k.
 NQ 
E.g.     ( gH )3/ 4 
 

Note:
If = ∅ , = ∅ then
= ∅ / or = ∅ /
 Specific speed of the pump
The value of k at the maximum efficiency is a unique value
for a series of geometrically similar pumps and is called the
non-dimensional specific speed of the pump Kn.
ηmax
Hn
Leaving out g,
⁄
η =
Hn*
at the maximum efficiency,
Pn
which has dimensions, is
Pn*
called the specific speed of
Kn
the pump.
K
 Specific speed and selection of pump

Manufacturers provide SS for their models. One value for a

model/ one homologous series of pumps.
⁄ 1/ 2
= k NQ
( gH )3/ 4

This SS is used for comparison of various pump types and

models and for the selection of suitable pump for the given
application .
 Specific speed and selection of pumps

Qopt in m3/s Flow rate at ηmax

Hopt in m Head at ηmax ⁄
n in rpm Pump speed =
ns in rpm Specific speed
https://www.ksb.com/
1/ 2
NQ
k 3/ 4 = Ns /333 , N in rev/s
( gH )
 Specific speed and selection of pumps

Using our Q, H requirement and an available pump

speed (N), specific speed (Ns ) can be calculated.

This Ns is used to select the optimum impeller type

 Specific speed and selection of pumps
Kn

Kn Pump type Suitable applications

0.03<Kn<0.23 Centrifugal High head, low-moderate
pumps discharge
0.23<Kn<0.58 Mixed flow Moderate head, moderate
pumps discharge
0.583<Kn<0.87 or Axial flow Low head, high discharge
high pumps
 Specific speed and selection of pumps
Once, the optimum impeller type/model
which provide highest efficiency is
H N
selected, and
the corresponding non-dimensional
performance curves of the selected
pump model are available,
dimensional performance
characteristics pumps of different D ,
under available N can be derived. Q
N
η
Then, the impeller size of the pump can
be derived for the required H-Q
combination to select the pump to
operate at maximum efficiency under N
Q
 Classification of rotodynamic turbines
For turbines, a parameter to characterize the type (shape) of
the turbine is derived from the Power No. and the Head No. as
1/ 2
k  NP
 1/ 2 ( gH )5/ 4
The value of k at the maximum efficiency is a unique value for
a series of geometrically similar turbines and is called the non-
dimensional specific speed of the turbine Kn.
Kn Turbine type Suitable applications

0.004<Kn<0.36 Pelton turbine High head, low discharge

0.36<Kn<0.4 Francis turbine Moderate head, moderate

discharge
0.4<Kn<0.91 Propeller/Kaplan Low head, high discharge
turbine
Pumps in water supply systems
Pipe system characteristics
 Pipe system characteristics
Total head = Static head
+ dynamic head/friction head
 System head-capacity curve
When the system head-discharge and the pump head-
discharge curves are plotted on the same graph, the
intersection point shows the pump operating point.
System curves at different pipe resistance

K1

K2 > K1 K2

K3 < K1
K3
 Multiple-pump operation
To install a pumping station that can be
effectively operated over a large range of
fluctuations in both discharge and pressure
head, it may be advantageous to install several
identical pumps at the station

Pumps in Parallel Pumps in Series

 Pumps in parallel
• Increases the discharge
 Pumps in parallel

P P
Double suction pumps
 Pumps in series
• Increases the pump head
 Pumps in series

F1 F1 F1
Multi-stage pumps
 Surge pressures

Pressure surges in pipelines (water hammer)

appear due to sudden changes in flows
E.g. Valve opening /closing
Pump stoppage due to power-trip off

Hydraulic transient conditions lead to

pressure oscillation along the pipeline
 Surge Pressures

High and low pressures cause :

Pipe bursts
Cavitation in pipes and pumps
Column separation
Foreign matter intrusion through leaks
(contamination)
 Water hammer in pumping mains

• A pumping pipeline is one that is used to

convey water from points at lower elevations
than others, located at higher elevations
• when speaking of Water Hammer in pumping
pipeline systems, we are referring to an
unsteady flow phenomenon (hydraulic
transients)
 Cavitation in pumps

Cavitation:
It is a phenomena of formation of vapour
bubble where the pressure falls below the
vapour pressure of liquid .
Collapsing of vapour bubble causes high
pressure results in pitting action on metallic
surface.
Erosion, noise & vibration are produced.
Cavitation in pumps
Cavitation in pumps
Cavitation in pumps
 Cavitation

Potential Cavitation Areas

42
 Cavitation in pumps

Causes for cavitation in pumps:

Low NPSH at the inlet of the pump

Pressure surges
Excessive discharge
Sudden flow expansions creates low
pressure zones
 Cavitation

Implosion of bubbles
44
 Cavitation

Symptoms
Reduction of volumetric flow rate
Decrease in efficiency of the pump
Vibration
A special discontinuous noise: similar to sound
of some bullets hitting a metal surface!
If impeller is observed, trailing face erosion
appears

45
 NPSH
The margin of pressure over vapor pressure, at the
pump suction eye, is Net Positive Suction Head
(NPSH).
it is the absolute pressure head at the suction side
minus the vapour pressure of the liquid
NPSH = Ps - Pvap

To avoid cavitation
NPSHA > NPSHR
NPSH in Pumps

A=
 NPSH in pumps
Net Positive Suction Head

NPSH A = NPSH R
?

18°C
patm - pv pv  2000 Pa
Dz = - hl - NPSH R
g
patm = 101300 Pa
101300 Pa   2000 Pa    9789 N / m3
z   0.5m  2.5m
9789 N / m 3

z  7.14m
 NPSH
• Ways to increase NPSHA:

maintaining low suction lift /suction source

under pressure

maintaining the temperature of the fluid at a

lower value (- a low saturation vapour
Pressure)

maintaining a low fluid velocity

reducing the losses in suction pipe 49

 Surge pressure control

Surge pressure controlling techniques:

Surge tanks
Air vessels
Pump bypasses
Increase inertia of the pump (adding fly
wheel)
Surge control valves, e.g. pressure relief
valves