CHAPTER 4

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS

Reference: Fundamentals of Turbomachinery

William W. Peng, 2008
Basic Construction and Classification 2

• Centrifugal pump is a common machine used in every industry, household,

and daily life for fluid transport or processing.
• Its construction is depicted below. Flow enters axially and discharges radially
by a rotor into a static collector system and then to discharge pipe. The vital
components are then:
1. Impeller (rotating solid disc with curved blades connected to shaft and bearings)
2. Volute casing
3. Diffuser ring (or blades → used optionally such as in large pumps)

End-section, overhung,
single stage, horizontal,
radial impeller pump
Basic Construction and Classification 3

• As impeller rotates, fluid is drawn into blade passages at inlet (eye), and
accelerated as it’s forced radially outwards. Static pressure then increases at
outer radius but also velocity. A divergent casing (optionally with diffuser
ring and blades) changes this kinetic energy into pressure.

• Centrifugal pumps can be classified

according to many categories such as:
a) Impeller type
b) Casing type
c) Suction entries (single, double)
d) Number of stages (single, multiple)
e) Axis orientation (horizontal, vertical)
f) Casing split direction (axial, radial)
Basic Construction and Classification 4

• Impeller types with the corresponding specific speeds are given in below Figure:
Basic Construction and Classification 5

• Same data can be found in different references with small variations.

 Basic Construction and Classification 6

• Volute casing collects

fluid and conveys it to
pump outlet.

• Double volute reduces

radial thrust force due
to unbalanced pressure
distribution around
impeller.

• Concentric volute
maintains enough
space for solid particles
passage when pumping
solid-liquid mixtures.
Basic Construction and Classification 7

Examples of a compressor and Francis type impeller designs

Basic Working Principle 8

• The Centrifugal pump is a machine used to convert the mechanical energy

from a prime mover into hydraulic energy of a flowing fluid.
• The ideal energy transfer is given as: ∆𝑬𝒑 = 𝑷𝒔 Τ𝒎ሶ = 𝒈𝑯′𝒊 = 𝑼𝟐 𝑽𝒖𝟐 − 𝑼𝟏 𝑽𝒖𝟏

• At design flow rate conditions (around the best efficiency point – bep), swirl
velocity (𝑽𝒖𝟏 ) is neglected. Using velocity triangles, head rise becomes:

𝑼𝟐 𝑽𝒖𝟐 𝑼𝟐 𝑽𝒓𝟐
𝑯′𝒊 = = 𝑼𝟐 − 𝑽 𝑾
𝒈 𝒈 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜷𝒇𝟐 𝑽𝒓
𝜶 𝜷
𝑼𝟐 𝑸
= 𝑼𝟐 −
𝒈 𝑨𝟐 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜷𝒇𝟐
𝑽𝒖 𝑼 𝑾𝒖

where 𝜷𝒇𝟐 is the relative flow angle which is ideally considered to be the same as
the blade angle 𝜷𝒃𝟐 (or simply 𝜷𝟐 ) at impeller exit (not true in fact)

Note: 𝜷 is the angle between the relative flow and tangential direction
measured from the direction opposite to the impeller rotation.
Basic Working Principle – Blade Curvature 9

• Pump head equation reveals 3 possible cases encountered depending on the

blade curvature:

1) Backward-facing blades (𝜷𝒃𝟐 < 𝟗𝟎°)

→ 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜷𝒃𝟐 > 𝟎 → as Q increases, 𝑯′𝒊 decreases

2) Radial blades (𝜷𝒃𝟐 = 𝟗𝟎°)

→ 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜷𝒃𝟐 = 𝟎 → as Q increases, 𝑯′𝒊 remains constant

3) Forward-facing blades (𝜷𝒃𝟐 > 𝟗𝟎°)

→ 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜷𝒃𝟐 < 𝟎 → as Q increases, 𝑯′𝒊 increases
Basic Working Principle – Blade Curvature 10

• In practice, most impellers are designed with backward-facing blades (𝜷𝒃𝟐 <
𝟗𝟎°) in order to ensure stable operation of hydraulic system.

• In forward-facing blades, power requirements would largely increase with

higher capacity which might lead to prime mover burnout.
Basic Working Principle – Slip Factor 11

• In reality, flow through impeller is never ideal, and the relative flow always
deviate from the blade direction by a certain amount → 𝜷𝒇𝟐 < 𝜷𝒃𝟐
• Also, some head losses due to friction and secondary flow in the passage from
inlet to discharge is expected. Hence, the actual pump head rise is:
𝑼𝟐 𝑸
𝑯𝒂 = 𝜼𝒉 𝑯𝒊 = 𝜼𝒉 𝝁𝒔 𝑼𝟐 −
𝒈 𝑨𝟐 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜷𝒃𝟐

where 𝜼𝒉 is the hydraulic efficiency to account for friction and secondary flow
losses and 𝝁𝒔 is the slip factor defined as the ratio of actual tangential velocity to
the ideal one at impeller exit.

𝑽𝒖𝟐 ∆𝑽𝒔
→ 𝝁𝒔 = = 𝟏 −
𝑽′𝒖𝟐 𝑽′𝒖𝟐

Slip velocity
′
∆𝑉𝑠 = 𝑉𝑢2 − 𝑉𝑢2
′
= 𝑊𝑢2 − 𝑊𝑢2
Basic Working Principle – Slip Factor 12

• Hydraulic efficiency and Slip factor parameters are empirical in nature

→ they are determined by experiments or correlation
• In fact, they are not even constant with flow rate
→ head-flow rate curve is not linear

• An accepted correlation is that given

by Stodola as a function of pump
geometry and number of blades:
𝝅 𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝜷𝒃𝟐
𝝁𝒔 = 𝟏 −
𝒁𝒃

• Same reference provides a correlation

for the hydraulic efficiency as:
𝜼𝒉 = 𝟏 − 𝟎. 𝟖Τ𝑸𝟎.𝟐𝟓
Basic Working Principle – Efficiency 13

• The total shaft power required (brake horsepower) includes additional losses
due to:
o Pumping leakage flow (𝑸𝑳 )
o Friction in bearing and seals (mechanical friction power 𝑷𝒎 )
o Disk friction due to impeller shrouds (𝑷𝒅𝒇 )

• Such losses are accounted by the use of volumetric and mechanical efficiency:

𝑸 𝑷𝒊𝒎𝒑 𝑷𝒔 − 𝑷𝒎 − 𝑷𝒅𝒇
𝜼𝒗 = 𝜼𝒎 = =
𝑸 + 𝑸𝑳 𝑷𝒔 𝑷𝒔

• The overall efficiency of a centrifugal pump is then equal to:

𝑷𝒉 𝝆𝒈𝑸𝑯𝒂 𝝆𝒈𝑸𝑯𝒂 𝑸 + 𝑸𝑳 𝑯𝒊
𝜼𝒐/𝒂 = = = × ×
𝑷𝒔 𝑷𝒔 𝑷𝒔 𝑸 + 𝑸𝑳 𝑯𝒊
𝝆𝒈 𝑸 + 𝑸𝑳 𝑯𝒊 𝑸 𝑯𝒂
= × ×
𝑷𝒔 𝑸 + 𝑸𝑳 𝑯𝒊
= 𝜼𝒎 × 𝜼𝒗 × 𝜼𝒉
Basic Working Principle – Efficiency 14

Some important parameters concerning the efficiency of pumps are noted

𝑷𝒔 = 𝑷𝒉 + 𝑷𝒇 + 𝑷𝑳 + 𝑷𝒎 + 𝑷𝒅𝒇
𝑷𝒊𝒎𝒑 = 𝑷𝒔 − 𝑷𝒎 − 𝑷𝒅𝒇
𝑷𝒉 = 𝑷𝒊𝒎𝒑 − 𝑷𝒇 − 𝑷𝑳

𝑷𝒊𝒎𝒑 = 𝝆𝒈 𝑸 + 𝑸𝑳 𝑯𝒊 → Power delivered by the impeller

𝑷𝒉 = 𝝆𝒈𝑸𝑯𝒂 → Useful hydraulic output power

𝑷𝒇 = 𝝆𝒈𝑸 𝑯𝒊 − 𝑯𝒂 → Power loss due to flow friction

𝑷𝑳 = 𝝆𝒈𝑸𝑳 𝑯𝒊 → Power loss due to flow leakage

Basic Working Principle – Efficiency 15

• Pressure drop due to flow friction can also be expressed as: ∆𝑯𝒇 = 𝒌𝑸𝟐

𝑼𝟐 𝑸
𝑯𝒂 = 𝑯𝒊 − ∆𝑯𝒇 = 𝝁𝒔 𝑼𝟐 − − 𝒌𝑸𝟐
𝒈 𝑨𝟐 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜷𝒃𝟐
→ 𝝏𝑯𝒂 𝑼𝟐
= −𝝁𝒔 − 𝟐𝒌𝑸
𝝏𝑸 𝒈𝑨𝟐 𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜷𝒃𝟐

This is useful to determine 𝝁𝒔 & 𝒌 from test results on the pump, and the hydraulic
𝑯 𝑯𝒂
efficiency would subsequently be calculated using: 𝜼𝒉 = 𝑯𝒂 = 𝑯 +𝒌𝑸 𝟐
𝒊 𝒂

• Note: similarity laws are extensively used to predict pump performance from
one speed to another or between similar pumps, so recall that:

𝑸 ~ 𝑵𝑫𝟑
𝑯𝒂 ~ 𝑵𝟐 𝑫𝟐
𝑷𝒔 ~ 𝑵𝟑 𝑫𝟓
Basic Working Principle – Efficiency 16
Performance Characteristics 17

Performance curves usually include the variations of head, power, and efficiency
as a function of pump capacity. A typical curve is shown below:
Performance Characteristics 18

Composite performance charts could be provided for different sizes of certain

selected pump model as shown in Fig–4.7(b) below:
Performance Characteristics 19

Charts for different impeller trims could also be provided as shown in Fig–4.7(a):
Performance Characteristics 20
Performance Characteristics 21
Cavitation 22

• Cavitation is a phenomenon that occurs in all hydraulic

machines and systems, when local pressure reaches a low
value close to the vapor pressure relative to fluid temperature,
causing fluid vaporization and change in flow pattern. In
centrifugal pumps, this happens near the impeller inlet, and it
causes:
o Noise & Vibration
o Performance deterioration
o Damage of pump components at long run due to impinging
forces or shock waves of the vapor bubbles collapse (aka
cavitation erosion)

• In some high quality pumps, an inducer is installed upstream

the impeller to increase the static pressure and thus improve
cavitation performance.
Cavitation – NPSP 23

• To prevent cavitation, a minimum pressure must be imposed at pump inlet,

designated by 𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑷 (net positive suction pressure) and its corresponding head
𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑯 = 𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑷Τ𝝆𝒈, where:
𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑷 = 𝒑𝟎𝟏 − 𝒑𝒗
Total (stagnation) pressure Vapor pressure at pumped
at pump suction flange fluid temperature

• 𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑷 is usually given in performance data sheets such as that in Fig–4.7(a),

where it is called the required 𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑷 (or 𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑷𝑹).
• Other parameters are found in industry such as:
o Thomas number → 𝝈 = 𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑯Τ𝑯 (H: discharge head)

o Cavitation number → 𝝉 = 𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑷Τ𝝆𝑼𝟐𝟏

o Suction specific speed → 𝑺 = 𝑵 𝑸Τ𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑯𝟎.𝟕𝟓 (𝒓𝒑𝒎 𝒈𝒑𝒎Τ𝒇𝒕𝟎.𝟕𝟓 )

Typical range of suction specific speeds for some pump types to prevent cavitation
Cavitation – NPSP 24

• Upon pump system design, the available 𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑷 should always be greater than
that required, specified by manufacturer, that is:
𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑷𝑨 > 𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑷𝑹

where: 𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑷𝑨 = 𝒑𝟎𝟏 − 𝒑𝒗 = 𝒑𝒂 + 𝝆𝒈𝒁 − 𝒑𝒇 − 𝒑𝒗

Atmospheric pressure for open tanks Pressure loss due to

(becomes 𝒑𝒕 for closed tanks) friction in suction pipe

• Note: 𝒁 can be positive or negative depending on the position of tank with

respect to pump.
Cavitation – NPSP 25
Performance Modifications 26

• Most performance sheets are usually for water at room temperature. So, with
different fluids (different viscosity, two-phase mixtures with solid particles or
gaseous bubbles), the performance is changed normally to reduced efficiency,
head, and capacity.

• Effects of Viscosity
o If the fluid is highly viscous,
special type of impellers is used
with set of disks instead of blades,
where dynamic interaction between
impeller and fluid is through
viscous force.
→ Reduced efficiency
→ Less expensive
Performance Modifications 27

• Effects of Solid Particles

→ Slurry pumps are used to pump fluids with solid particles, due to their
excessive flow passage areas which prevents clogging, and minimizes erosion
and performance degradation. Typical examples are the 4-vane or vortex
pump where fluid is sucked while mostly not passing through the impeller.
→ Slurry parameters affecting performance are:
o Particle concentration
o Particle specific gravity
o Particle size and size distribution
o Particle geometry

For instance, as particle

concentration increases,
head and efficiency
decrease while power
requirement increases
Performance Modifications 28

• Effects of Gaseous Bubbles

→ Those have similar effects to solid particles, but also have:
o Variable density
o Possible mass transfer
o Phase change between gas/vapor with liquid
o More different flow regimes

→ A qualitative typical performance is shown. Head and capacity decrease as

the void fraction of gaseous phase increases, due to decrease in fluid density
and extra pressure loss of two-phase interaction.
Performance Modifications 29

• Effects of Fluid
Properties on
Cavitation
Experience indicates that the
𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑷 required to pump
hydrocarbons or warmer
water is less than that needed
to pump cold water due to an
effect known as thermal
cavitation. This is expressed
in terms of 𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑷 reduction
(or ∆𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑷 shown adjacently
in Fig–4.18), thus:

𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑷𝑹𝒎𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒇𝒊𝒆𝒅
= 𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑷𝑹 − ∆𝑵𝑷𝑺𝑷

Note: if the reduction is

more than 50% of the
original, it must be
limited to 50%
Performance Modifications 30
Performance Modifications 31
Pumping Systems 32

Some systems use multiple pumps for cost or load variation convenience. When
large heads are required, pumps are connected in series, and the combined pump
head would be the sum of each individual pump’s head. For large capacities,
parallel connection is most suitable, where pumps flow rates are summed.
Problems 33
Problems 34
Problems 35