FM571 · Centrifugal Pump

Experimental Apparatus for the Study of Centrifugal Pump Characteristics

Experiments

Principle of operation of a centrifugal pump
Determination of pump head as a function of flow rate (H-Q characteristic)
Determination of absorbed electrical power as a function of flow rate (P-Q characteristic)
Determination of hydraulic power as a function of flow rate
Determination of overall pump-motor efficiency as a function of flow rate (η-Q characteristic)
Analysis of the effect of rotational speed on pump characteristic curves
Construction of the similarity parabola for different operating speeds
Determination of the pipe network characteristic for various operating conditions

Description

The apparatus is designed for the systematic investigation of the operating behaviour and characteristic curves of a centrifugal pump within a piping network. The single-stage pump is driven by a variable-speed motor controlled via a frequency converter, enabling the acquisition of complete characteristic families across a range of rotational speeds.

The unit operates as a closed water circuit with a transparent acrylic suction reservoir. Pressure sensors at the pump inlet and outlet, combined with flow rate, rotational speed and electrical power transducers, provide a complete set of measurements for the derivation of all relevant energetic parameters. All measured values are acquired in real time and transmitted to a PC, where they are displayed and analysed using the dedicated data acquisition software.

FM571 process & instrumentation diagram ( simplified )

Specifications

Centrifugal pump single-stage, stainless steel impeller, variable speed via frequency converter

Max. flow rate 1.5 m³/h

Max. head 15 m

Water tank transparent acrylic, 15 L

Pressure measurement −1…3 bar (inlet and outlet)

Additional sensors flow rate, rotational speed, absorbed electrical power

Valves ball valve, gate valve, pipe system

Data acquisition real-time system with dedicated software

220V

Human Machine Interface of the data acquisition software

Connectivity

The apparatus is equipped with Sangari Connect technology, which allows students to view live data and control the device both from computers in the lab and remotely.

Real Time Data Acquisition Software

Live readings of suction and discharge pressure, flow rate, water temperature, pump speed and electrical power input
Records a measurement point at each valve setting into a results table
Calculates pump head, hydraulic power and overall efficiency for every point
Plots efficiency, pump head and power input against flow rate as the points are recorded
Exports the results table to Excel for the lab report