PUMPS: CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

G 2006/UNIT 2/1

UNIT 2

PUMPS:
CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

OBJECTIVES

General Objective
To know the basic operational principles, characteristics, main parts and functions of
centrifugal pumps.

Specific Objectives
At the end of this unit, you should be able to describe:
the basic operational principle of centrifugal pumps
the characteristics of centrifugal pumps
the main parts of centrifugal pumps and their functions

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INPUT
2.0

INTRODUCTION
Centrifugal pumps employ centrifugal force and velocity to create pressure. The
mechanical element is an impeller, which is a rotating disc with vanes. The inlet
flow to the pump is directed into the centre of the spinning impeller and the
centrifugal force throws the liquid at high velocity into the surrounding casing.

2.1

BASIC OPERATIONAL PRINCIPLE OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

The energy of a liquid may be increased by pumping it. Centrifugal force is the
force of spinning. When an object is spun around in a circle, it pushes outward
from the centre of the circle. This outward force is called the centrifugal force.
This is how a centrifugal pump works. Centrifugal pumps are machines which
move liquids by means of centrifugal forces. Centrifugal force is the force in a
rotating body which makes particles move away from it centre.

Figure 2.1 Velocity in centrifugal pump

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Figure 2.1 shows the velocity in a centrifugal pump. In a centrifugal pump, the
particles of liquids move outward from the eye or the centre or the impeller
toward the rim of the impeller. These particles of liquid, A has two velocities; that
is V1; perpendicular to the radius and V2; in the direction of the radius. The
resulting velocity is V, in the direction of the particles of the liquid leaving the rim
of the impeller.
The resulting V or velocity known as tangential velocity enters the casing of the
pumps where its velocity decreases and where a large part of the velocity energy
is converted to pressure energy to have greater pressure on the pump outlet.

2.2

CHARACTERISTICS OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

Pumps are rated according to their pumping characteristics and according to
things you need to know to operate the pump efficiently. Rating helps you to
select the right pump for your operations.
For example, a certain pump delivers 100 gallons per minute (GPM). The pump
has a rated velocity of 100 GPM. Capacity is usually a factor in rating a pump.
Suction and discharge pressure also affect the rating of pump. For example, a
pump produces a discharge pressure of 30 PSIG. It has a rated discharge pressure
of 30 PSIG.

2.2.1

Capacity
The capacity of a pump is the amount of liquid that the pump moves in a
given length of time. Capacity is usually measured in gallons per minute,
abbreviated as GPM. Pump capacity can be changed by changing the
speed of impeller. Therefore, increasing pump speed also increases pump
velocity. The pump and its prime mover usually run best within a range of

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specific speeds. Increasing pump capacity by increasing its RPM is not

always practical.
2.2.2

Pressure and Head

Pressure is the force acting on a unit of area. Head is the height of a liquid.
Suction head is the sum of pressure changed to head, plus the velocity of
head at the inlet to the pump while discharge head is the sum of the
pressure changed to head at the outlet of the pump.
Velocity head is normally small and is not used in pumping calculations.
The total head is the discharge head plus or minus the suction head. Or,
total head can be calculated by reading the pressure at the pump suction
and discharge and converting this pressure measurement to head
measurements.
Figure 2.2 shows suction head, discharge head and total head of the two
different systems. Figure 2.2 (A) shows the static suction head and Figure
2.2 (B) shows the suction lift system.

Figure 2.2 Suction head, Discharge head and Total head

2.2.3

Vapour Pressure

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Sometimes when the absolute suction pressure is not high enough, liquids
vaporize or evaporate at the pump suction. Vapour pressure causes the
liquid to vaporize or evaporate. To keep the liquid at the pump from
vaporizing, the absolute suction pressure must be higher than the vapour
pressure of the liquid at that temperature.

2.2.4

Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH)

Net positive suction head (NPSH) is the absolute suction head minus the
vapour pressure head. If suction head is 50 feet and vapour pressure is 35
feet, NPSH is 15 feet.
NPSH available is the absolute pressure at pump suction, changed to head,
minus the vapour pressure of the liquid being pumped and changed to
head. NPSH required is the minimum head needed at the suction to get the
liquid into the impeller without vaporizing.
If NPSH available is equal to NPSH required, the pump may lose suction
due to slight variations in pump design. Therefore NPSH available must
be then NPSH required.

2.2.5

Friction
During flow, pressure is converted to velocity. As velocity increases
during flow, pressure increases. Pressure between two points in fluids flow
is called the pressure drop. For fluid to flow, the driving force must be
greater than the resisting force. Thus, the pressure drop must be greater
than the amount of friction.

2.2.6

Horsepower

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Horsepower is a unit used for measuring rate of work. It is necessary to

overcome friction and other losses and to move the liquid provided by the
prime mover or driver. The amount of useful work that a pump delivers is
the difference between the pressure the liquid has as it enters the pump and
the pressure it has as it leaves the pump.
The horsepower input is always more than the fluid horsepower or
horsepower output. Overall efficiency of a pump is the percentage of the
HP input that is transferred to the liquid leaving the pump or is found by
dividing the HP output by the HP input.

2.3

PERFORMANCES CURVE
All centrifugal pumps come with a set of performance curves. These curves can
be used to find the NPSH, total head, efficiency, and HP for each pump at
different capacities. The performance curves can also show some general
principles of centrifugal pump performance. Figure 2.3 shows performance curves
of centrifugal pumps.
According to Figure 2.3, as the pumping rate increases, the NPSH required
increases. The efficiency of a pump is relatively low at high and low flow rates.
As the flow rate increases, the horsepower required increases.

KEY FACTS:
Centrifugal pumps employ centrifugal force and velocity to create pressure.
Pumps are rated according to their pumping characteristics.
The performance curve shows some general principles of centrifugal pump
performance.

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Figure 2.3: Performance curves

PUMPS: CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

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Activity 2A
Lets test your understanding by answering these questions.
2.1 Fill in the blanks with appropriate answers.
Centrifugal pumps employ
The mechanical element is an

(A)
(B)

and velocity to create pressure.

, which is a rotating disc with

vane. Centrifugal pumps are machines which move

of centrifugal forces. Centrifugal force is the force in a
makes particles move away from it centre.
2.2 The particles of liquid have two velocities. They are
i. _____________________________
ii. _____________________________
2.3 List four characteristics of pumps
i. __________________________________
ii.

__________________________________

iii.

__________________________________

iv.

__________________________________

2.4 What is the purpose of performances curve?

Check your answer on the next page

(C)

by means
(D)

which

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Feedback to Activity 2A

Here are the answers.

2.1

(A) centrifugal force

(B) impeller
(C) liquids
(D) rotating body

2.2

i. tangential velocity
ii. perpendicular velocity

2.3

2.4

Any four of the following

i.

Capacity and/or

iv.

(HPSH) and/or

ii.

Pressure head and/or

v.

Friction and/or

iii.

Vapour pressure and/or

vi.

Horsepower

The performances curve can be used to find the NPSH, total head, efficiency, and
HP for each pump at different capacities.

Centrifugal pumps are machines

which move liquids by means of
centrifugal forces. An impeller is one
of the important parts in centrifugal
pumps. How about the other
components?

The next input will focus on main parts of centrifugal pumps

INPUT

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2.4

G 2006/UNIT 2/10

MAIN PARTS OF CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

In the previous section we have already introduced the characteristics of
centrifugal pumps that are important to determine the appropriate selection of a
pump for a certain pumping process. In this section we are going to study the
construction and the component of the pumps itself. Figure 2.4 show a cross
sectional view of a centrifugal pump.
DISCHARGE NOZZLE

CASING
WEAR RING
IMPELLER
WEAR RING
EYE OF
IMPELLER

PACKING RING
PACKING BOX

SHAFT

SHAFT SLEEVE
IMPELLER

VANE

CASING

Figure 2.4: A cross sectional view of a centrifugal pump

Generally, the parts in centrifugal pumps fall into two main groups; the main
component parts and the latter component parts. The main component consists of

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basic component that verifies the construction of pumps itself while the latter
component is supporting component that helps the pumps run efficiently.
2.4.1

Main Component parts of Centrifugal Pump

There are three main component parts of centrifugal pump:
i.

Pump casing

ii.

Impeller

iii.

Stuff or seal box

Pump Casing
The pump casing is the place where an impeller throws the water particles in the
casing and increases the head, causing the liquid to flow out the discharge flange.
The casings determine the rotation. There are two different types of casings. There
are circular casing and volute casing. Figure 2.5 shows circular and volute casing.

Figure 2.5 Circular casing and Volute casing

i. Circular Casing
Circular casings have a uniform space outside the impeller. The distance
between the edge of the impeller and casing is uniform and the size of the
space is equal. The pressure is constant at the beginning as it is transferred by
the vane to the end at the discharge nozzle.
ii. Volute casing

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The volute casing has an increasing space or a spiral wall outside the impeller.
The spiral is called a volute. Liquid pressure increases because the shape of
casing gets larger at the end of discharge nozzle but the velocity of the liquid
gets slower and flow uniformly.
Impeller
The impeller is one of the most important parts of the centrifugal pump. This
impeller is a disc with large vanes. The valves are curved to the rear to help push
liquid out, so this impeller turns clockwise if viewed from the motor side. Figure
2.5 shows an impeller.

Figure 2.6: An impeller

Never run it backwards. The screw on impeller may come off and it has less than
half of the capacity when turning wrong way. The liquid has a certain speed on
entering the volute.
This speed is converted to become pressure by a gradual increase of the bore of
the volute. The shape of the impeller depends not only on the relations between
the capacity and pressure at a certain speed of revolution, but also the nature of
the liquid to be pumped.

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Types of Impellers
i.

Shrouded impellers
This is the most frequently used type of impeller. The vanes in this case are
enclosed between two walls, together with which they form a whole. This
kind of impeller is used exclusively in pumps which is used to transport
clean or only slightly contaminated liquids.

Figure 2.7 Shrouded impeller

ii. Semi-open impeller
The construction of semi-open impeller is the same as that of shrouded
impellers except one the side wall at the inlet side which is omitted.

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Figure 2.7 Semi open impeller

iii.

Open Impeller
Both the inlet and the rear walls are omitted. These impellers are generally
used in pumps suitable for liquids containing a high concentration of
solids. The permissible concentration obviously depends on the minimum
passage in the impeller.

Figure 2.8 Open impeller

iv.

Channel impeller
This consists of two or three curved channels located in one plane at right
angles to the central axis of the shaft and meeting at a common liquid
inlet. Because of their wide passages these impellers are used in pumps
which have to transport more liquids with high concentration of solids
such as sewage.

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Figure 2.9 Channel impeller

Stuffing or Seal Box
There are two types of seals in pumps:
i.

Packing Ring

ii.

Mechanical Seal

Packing Ring
The packing rings are formed around the shaft to minimize leakage of liquids
from the pump. A drop of liquid between the packing ring and the shaft is
necessary for lubrication. It is done by adjusting the packing nuts.

Figure 2.10 Packing ring and lantern ring

Lantern rings are used in refinery hazards like acid or corrosive liquids where
lubrication liquid is from out side the pump.
Mechanical Seal
Mechanical seals are used to help keep corrosive or erosive materials out of the
seal. It is made of two antifriction surfaces, stationary seal (carbon) and a rotating
seal of a special metal where it comes in contact with stationary seal ring.
The spring pushes against the compression ring and compresses the flexible Oring, the shaft and rotating seal members, to prevent leakage at this point.

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Figure 2.11 Mechanical Seals

Seal becomes one of the most

important parts in centrifugal pumps.
Its function is to prevent leakage from
pumps. Between these two seals,
which type do you think you would
prefer to used?

Mechanical seal is an option to

packing ring. Its very rarely used
because of its cost and the difficulties
of maintenance compare to packing
ring. But practically, in operation it
prevents leakage better than packing
ring.

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2.4.2

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Latter components of centrifugal pumps

There are three latter components of the centrifugal pump. They are:
i.

Shaft

ii.

Bearing

iii.

Wear plate or Wear Ring

Shafts
The shaft is a smooth and straight solid material where it fits into bearings to
transmit power to the impeller.
Bearing
Bearings are use to support the shaft and allow it to rotate freely without
dragging. It also controls radial and axial movements of the shaft that may reduce
the time of failure of the packing or mechanical seal. Bearings are set nearest the
couplings and impeller with locking collars.

Figure 2.12 Radial and thrust bearing

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Figure 2.13 Shaft movement

Wear ring or Wear Plate
Both sides of the impeller maintains close clearance with the casing. As a result,
wear at the eye minimizes leakage from the discharge back to the suction and the
wear ring between the collar and the casing minimize leakage into the collar.

Wear ring is installed at both of

the pumps. It minimizes leakage of
liquids to discharge back to the
suction.
Beside
Figure 2.14
Wear the
ring above reason is
there any other functions wear
rings are
A wear plate is installed to protect
fromplaced
mud andthere?
sand abrasion and to balance

against the wearing on the impeller.

Yes, there is. Beside as minimizes
leakage, wear rings hold impeller thus
it can rotate without touching other
parts of the pumps. They are fixed to
the guide pins so they could not
rotate together with the impeller
during the operation!

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KEY FACTS:
The parts in centrifugal pumps fall into two main groups; the main
component parts and the latter component parts.
There are three main component parts of centrifugal pump:
Pump casing
Impeller
Stuff or seal box
There are three latter components of the centrifugal pump. They are:
Shaft
Bearing
Wear plate or Wear Ring

To the next activity

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Activity 2B
Once again, stop for a while and test your performance here. Answer all the questions in
this activity without referring to the notes.
2.5

Complete the table below

i.
ii.
iii.
2.6

Main Parts of Centrifugal Pumps

Main Component
Latter Component
i.
ii.
iii.

There are two different types of casings i.e...

i. _______________________________
ii. _______________________________

2.7

Names the four (4) types of impellers.

A.

B.

Types of impellers

C.

2.8

D.

List two types of seals used in pumps.

i.

_____________________________

ii.

_____________________________

2.9

Define what is shaft?

2.10

Name the two types of bearing used in centrifugal pumps:

2.11

i.

_____________________________

ii.

_____________________________
What is the difference between wear rings and wear plate?

Are you centrifuging enough right now? Then well see next page

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Feedback to Activity 2B
Let count how well youve score
2.5

The answers are:

Main Parts of Centrifugal Pumps
Main Component
Latter Component
i. Casing
i. Shaft
ii. Impeller
ii. Bearing
iii. Stuffing or Seal Box
iii. Wear plate or wear rings

2.6

The casings are:

i.
Circular casing
ii.
Volute casing

2.7

Types of impellers
A. Shrouded

B. Semi-Open

Types of impellers

C. Open

D. Channel

2.8

Two types of seals are:

i.
Packing rings
ii.
Mechanical seal

2.9

The shaft is a smooth and straight solid material where it fits into bearings to
transmit power to the impeller.

2.10

Name the two types of bearing used in centrifugal pumps:

i.
ii.

2.11

Radial ball bearing

Thrust ball bearing

Wear rings are located both at the end of the impeller to minimize leakage from
discharge back to the suction while wear plate is installed to protect from mud and
sand abrasion and to balance against the wear rings on the impeller.

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SELF-ASSESSMENT UNIT 2

The previous activities are so simple. Now try the more challenging questions in this self
assessment. Answer all the questions. If you need extra revision, you are encouraged to
do so.
1.

What is a centrifugal pump?

2.

Describe how are centrifugal force and velocity applied in centrifugal

pumps. Draw a figure to assist your answer.

3.

Look at figure 1.

Figure 1
a.

b.

Define
i.

Suction head

ii.

Suction lift head

iii.

Discharge head

iv.

Total head
Find the value of the following :

i. Figure A : Suction head, discharge head, total head

ii. Figure B: Suction lift, discharge head, total head

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4.

G 2006/UNIT 2/23

Look at the performances curves in page 7 in unit 2.

At the capacity of 500 GPM, find these values.

5.

i. Total head

iii. Horsepower

ii. NPSH

iv. Efficiency

Label the components A-G in the cross sectional view of a centrifugal pumps in
Figure 2.
C

B
IMPELLER
WEAR RING

D
PACKING BOX

F
VANE

H
G

Figure 2
6.

What are the differences between circular casing and volute casing?

7.

Explain impellers in the perspective of:

8.

i.

Design

ii.

Assembly

iii.

Principles of operation

iv.

Types of impeller

Differentiate between packing ring and mechanical seal

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9.

G 2006/UNIT 2/24

Figure 3 show typical type of bearing used in a centrifugal pump. Explain the
functions of each type of them.

Figure 3: Radial and thrust bearings

Tired..??? Rest for a few minutes and check your score in the next page

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Feedback to Self-Assessment Unit 2

Let check your answer now.
1.

Centrifugal pumps are machines which move liquids by means of centrifugal

forces. Centrifugal pumps employ centrifugal force and velocity to create
pressure. The mechanical element is an impeller, which is a rotating disc with
vanes. The inlet flow to the pump is directed into the centre of the spinning
impeller and the centrifugal force throws the liquid at high velocity into the
surrounding casing.

2.

Centrifugal force is the force in a rotating body which makes particles move away
from it centre.

Velocity in centrifugal pump

The figure above shows the velocity in a centrifugal pump. In a centrifugal pump,
the particles of liquids move outward from the eye or the centre or the impeller
toward the rim of the impeller. These particles of liquids, A has two velocities;
that is V1; perpendicular to the radius and V2; in the direction of the radius. The
resulting velocity is V, in the direction of the particles of the liquid leaving the rim
of the impeller.

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The resulting V or velocity known as tangential velocity enters the casing of the
pumps where its velocity decreases and where a large part of the velocity energy
is converted to pressure energy to have greater pressure on the pump outlet
3.
a.

According to Figure 1 (A) and (B)

i. Suction head is the water height measured from the suction tank A that
located relatively above the pumps centre.
ii. Suction lift is the water height measured from the suction tank A that
located relative below the pumps centre.
iii. Discharge head is water height measured relatively from the pumps centre
to the higher level in discharge tank B.
iv. Total head is the addition of subtraction between suction head or suction
lift and discharge head.

b.
i.

Figure A : Suction head : 50 m, Discharge head : 75 m, Total head : 25 m

ii. Figure B : Suction lift : 75 m, Discharge head : 20 m, Total head : 55 m

4.

5.

6.

The values are:

i.

40 feet

iii.

6.4 BHP

ii.

5 feet

iv.

80 % (percent)

The components name are:

A. Eye of impeller

E.

Shaft

B. Casing wear ring

F.

Shaft sleeve

C. Discharge nozzle

G.

Casing

D. Packing ring

H.

Impeller

Circular casing:
Circular casings have a uniform space outside the impeller. The distance between
the edge of the impeller and casing is uniform and the size of the space is equal.
The pressure is constant at the beginning as it is transferred by the vane to the end
at the discharge nozzle.
Volute casing:

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The volute casing has an increasing space or a spiral wall outside the impeller.
The spiral is called a volute. Liquid pressure increases because the shape of the
casing gets larger at the end of discharge nozzle but the velocity of the liquid gets
slower and flow uniformly.
7.

The impellers in the perspective of:

i. Design
The impeller is a disc with large vanes that curved to the rear to help push liquid
out of the impeller. It has an eye of suction where the liquid enter into the pumps.
Some of the impeller had wall or shrouded and some of them does not.
ii. Assembly
An impeller turns clockwise if viewed from the motor side. Never run it back
wards. The screw on impeller may come off and it has less than half of the
capacity when turning wrong way.
iii. Principles of operation
The liquid forced into the pumps through the eyes of suction and transfers outside
from the pumps by the blades. The liquid has a certain speed on entering the
volute. This speed is converted to become pressure by a gradual increase of the
bore of the casing or volute.
iv. Types of impeller
There are four type of impeller i.e. shrouded impeller, semi-open impeller, open
impeller and channel impeller. Each of this impeller has their own purpose and
character in the perspective of construction and capacity of liquid pumped.

8.

Packing Ring
The packing rings are formed around the shaft to minimize the leakage of liquid
from the pump. A drop of liquid between the packing ring and the shaft is
necessary for lubrication and it is done by adjusting the packing nuts. Lantern ring

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is used in a refinery hazard like acid or corrosive liquid where lubrication liquid is
from out side the pump.
Mechanical Seal
Mechanical seals are used to help keep corrosive or erosive materials out of the
seal. It is made of two antifriction surfaces, stationary seal (carbon) and a rotating
seal of a special metal where it comes in contact with the stationary seal ring.
The spring pushes against the compression ring and compresses the flexible Oring, the shaft, and rotating seal members to prevent leakage at this point
9.

Radial bearings are use to support the shaft and allow them to rotate freely
without dragging. Thrust bearing controls radial and axial movements of the shaft
that may reduce the time of failure of the packing or mechanical seal. Bearings
are set nearest the couplings and impeller with locking collars.

The destination is still far

away. I need to complete this
journey...6 units to go...I need
to take a restshould I
proceed to the next unit
afterwards.????

Step to the next unit if you are willing to do so