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Series vs. Parallel Pump Configurations

Pumps can operate either in series or in parallel. In a series configuration, the discharge from the first pump feeds into the inlet of the second pump, with each pump adding additional head. In a parallel configuration, multiple pumps draw from a common source and discharge into a single pipe, allowing for variable flow requirements to be met. Efficiency is an important consideration, and pumps with efficiencies over 70% should be selected.

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Mary Grace Almiranez
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271 views1 page

Series vs. Parallel Pump Configurations

Pumps can operate either in series or in parallel. In a series configuration, the discharge from the first pump feeds into the inlet of the second pump, with each pump adding additional head. In a parallel configuration, multiple pumps draw from a common source and discharge into a single pipe, allowing for variable flow requirements to be met. Efficiency is an important consideration, and pumps with efficiencies over 70% should be selected.

Uploaded by

Mary Grace Almiranez
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Pumps operating in series Pumps operating in parallel

To connect two pumps in series means that the Figure 15 presents a parallel configuration of
discharge from the first pump is piped into the inlet two pumps. A typical example of this arrangement
side of the second pump (Figure 13). In this type of is a situation where two or more pumps draw water
arrangement all the flow successively passes from from a single source and all the flows are dis-
charged into a single pipe. Another example is a
Pum A Pum B situation where several small wells are providing
the required discharge. Parallel arrangements are
Pump A

Figure 13. Two pumps connected In a series.

one pump to the next with each pump adding more


energy to the water. This is a typical arrangement
in multi-stage turbine or submersible pump where Common
the same discharge passes through all stages and Water Pump B
each builds additional head. Often, series configu- Sour
rations are used when head requirements of the
system exceed that which can be supplied by indi-
vidual pumps. They are also used in systems with
variable head requirements. A typical example is a
small centrifugal pump used as a booster pump for
corner irrigation on a center pivot system or, for
that matter, any booster pump, in any water sys-
tem, which works in addition to the main water
pump. Figure 14 shows head-discharge curves for Figure 15. Two pumps connected in parallel.
two pumps operating in series.
also common methods of meeting variable dis-
charge requirements of the system. Figure 16
Combined Curve for Pumps A and 8 shows a head-discharge characteristic curve for two
Operating In Series pumps operating in parallel.

Efficiency considerations
"e During the pump selection process, only pumps
Pump B having high efficiencies (above 70%) for the design
Pump A discharge should be considered for a system. It is
common practice to select a pump capable of pro-

Combined Curve for Pumps


SeA and B Operating In Parallel

CAPACITY (gpm, I/min) Pump B


W

Figure 14. Head versus discharge characteristic curves for two Pump
pumps operating in series.

CAPACITY (gpm, I/min)

Figure 16. Head versus discharge characteristic curves for two


pumps operating In parallel.

10

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