Pipeline with pump
- 1 Learning objectives
- 2 Energy equation with a pump
- 3 Static head vs. dynamic head
- 4 Head loss model
- 5 Pump characteristic curve
- 6 Operating point
- 7 Effect of system changes
- 8 Pump power
- 9 Efficiency considerations
- 10 Cavitation introduction
- 11 Flow regime check
- 12 Conceptual questions
- 13 Analytical problems
- 14 Computational problems
- 15 Design problems
- 16 Challenge: Series and parallel pumps
1 Learning objectives
- Apply the extended Bernoulli equation including pump head
- Distinguish pump head from pressure rise
- Derive the system head curve
- Interpret pump curves physically
- Determine operating point analytically and graphically
- Compute pump power and efficiency
- Assess physical realism of solutions
2 Energy equation with a pump
Between sections 1 and 2:
\[ \frac{p_1}{\gamma} + z_1 + \frac{V_1^2}{2g} - h_L + h_p = \frac{p_2}{\gamma} + z_2 + \frac{V_2^2}{2g} \]where
- $h_L$ = total head loss (major + minor)
- $h_p$ = pump head (energy added per unit weight)
Key points:
- Pump head is energy per unit weight
- Units are meters (or feet)
- Pump head is not pressure
- Pump head is not power
- A pump increases total mechanical energy of the fluid
Physical interpretation:
If no pump exists, total head decreases in the direction of flow because of losses. A pump reverses this trend by adding energy.
3 Static head vs. dynamic head
Static head:
\[ H_{static} = \Delta z \]Dynamic head (frictional losses):
\[ H_{dynamic} = h_L \]Total required head:
\[ H_s = H_{static} + H_{dynamic} \]Important:
Static head does not depend on discharge. Dynamic head increases with discharge.
4 Head loss model
\[ h_L = h_f + \sum h_m \]Major loss:
\[ h_f = f \frac{L}{D} \frac{V^2}{2g} \]Minor loss:
\[ h_m = K \frac{V^2}{2g} \]Since
\[ V = \frac{4Q}{\pi D^2} \]Substitute into head loss expression:
\[ h_L \propto Q^2 \]Thus system curve becomes:
\[ H_s = \Delta z + b Q^2 \]where
\[ b = \left( f \frac{L}{D} + \sum K \right) \frac{8}{g \pi^2 D^4} \]Key insight:
System curve is quadratic in discharge.
5 Pump characteristic curve
Real centrifugal pumps behave approximately as:
\[ H_p = H_0 - a Q^2 \]where
- $H_0$ = shutoff head ($Q = 0$)
- Head decreases as discharge increases
Physical explanation:
As discharge increases, internal losses inside the pump increase, reducing available head.
At $Q = 0$:
Maximum head Zero hydraulic power
At maximum discharge:
Head approaches zero
6 Operating point
Operating point occurs when:
\[ H_p = H_s \] \[ H_0 - a Q^2 = \Delta z + b Q^2 \]Solve for Q:
\[ Q = \sqrt{\frac{H_0 - \Delta z}{a + b}} \]Condition for real solution:
\[ H_0 > \Delta z \]If not:
No operating point exists. Pump cannot overcome elevation rise.
Graphical interpretation:
Intersection of pump curve and system curve.
7 Effect of system changes
If pipe roughness increases:
- b increases
- System curve becomes steeper
- Operating discharge decreases
If valve is partially closed:
- Additional K added
- b increases
- Operating point shifts left
If elevation increases:
- System curve shifts upward
- Discharge decreases
If a larger pump is installed:
- Pump curve shifts upward
- Discharge increases
8 Pump power
Hydraulic power delivered to fluid:
\[ P_{hyd} = \gamma Q H_p \]Input power:
\[ P_{in} = \frac{\gamma Q H_p}{\eta} \]Important:
At Q = 0:
\[ P_{hyd} = 0 \]Even though head is maximum.
Power depends on both head and discharge.
9 Efficiency considerations
Pump efficiency varies with discharge.
There is typically a best efficiency point (BEP).
Operating too far from BEP:
- Reduces efficiency
- Increases vibration
- Shortens pump life
10 Cavitation introduction
Net positive suction head measures how much pressure head is available at the pump inlet above vapor pressure.
Net positive suction head available:
\[ \text{NPSH}_a = \frac{p_{abs}}{\gamma} + z - \frac{p_v}{\gamma} - h_{loss} \]If
\[ \text{NPSH}_a < \text{NPSH}_r \]where $\text{NPSH}_r$ is net positive suction head required, cavitation occurs.
$\text{NPSH}_r$ is the minimum pressure safety margin the pump needs to avoid cavitation.
Physical meaning:
Local pressure drops below vapor pressure.
11 Flow regime check
\[ Re = \frac{V D}{\nu} \]Interpretation:
- Laminar if Re < 2000
- Transitional if 2000 < Re < 4000
- Turbulent if Re > 4000
Municipal pipelines are typically turbulent.
12 Conceptual questions
- Is pump head the same as pressure increase? Explain.
- Why is pump head expressed in meters instead of Pascals?
- Can a pump produce head at zero discharge?
- Why does pump head decrease with increasing discharge?
- Can the system curve slope downward?
- What happens if H_0 < Δz?
13 Analytical problems
13.1 Exercise 1: Deriving the system curve
Given:
- $L$
- $D$
- $f$
- $\Delta z$
Tasks:
- Starting from the extended Bernoulli equation, derive: \[ H_s = \Delta z + b Q^2 \]
- Derive expression for $b$.
13.2 Exercise 2: Operating point derivation
Pump:
\[ H_p = H_0 - a Q^2 \]System:
\[ H_s = \Delta z + b Q^2 \]Tasks:
- Derive formula for $Q$.
- State condition for no solution.
- Interpret physically.
14 Computational problems
14.1 Exercise 3: Basic pump system
Water at 20°C:
- L = 250 m
- D = 0.20 m
- f = 0.022
- Elevation rise = 18 m
Pump curve:
\[ H_p = 40 - 600 Q^2 \]Find:
- Operating discharge
- Pump head
- Velocity
- Reynolds number
- State whether Re is realistic for water systems
14.2 Exercise 4: Including minor losses
Add:
- Two elbows K = 0.9
- One gate valve K = 0.15
Find:
- New discharge
- Percent reduction
14.3 Exercise 5: Pump power
Using Exercise 3:
- Compute hydraulic power
- If efficiency is 78%, compute input power
- Estimate hourly electricity cost at 0.12 dollars per kWh
15 Design problems
15.1 Exercise 6: Pump selection
System:
- $\Delta z$ = 15 m
- $b$ = 350
Pump A:
\[ H_p = 30 - 300 Q^2 \]Pump B:
\[ H_p = 45 - 700 Q^2 \]Pump C:
\[ H_p = 60 - 1200 Q^2 \]Tasks:
- Compute discharge for each pump
- Which delivers largest discharge?
- Which is likely most efficient?
- Which would you select and why?
16 Challenge: Series and parallel pumps
- What happens to pump curve in series?
- What happens in parallel?
- Which configuration increases discharge?
- Which increases head?