The variables involved in the performance of a centrifugal pump include the fluid properties (and ), the impeller diameter (d), the casing diameter (D), the impeller rotational speed (N), the volumetric flow rate of the fluid (Q), the head (H) developed by the pump (P ¼ gH), and the power required to drive the pump (HP).
(a) Perform a dimensional analysis of this system to determine an appropriate set of dimensionless groups that would be appropriate to characterize the pump. Arrange the groups so that the fluid viscosity and the pump power each appear in only one group.
(b) You want to know what pressure a pump will develop with a liquid that has a specific gravity of 1.4 and a viscosity of 10 cP, at a flow rate of 300 gpm. The pump has an impeller with a diameter of 12 in., which is driven by a motor running at 1100 rpm. (It is known that the pump performance is independent of fluid viscosity unless the viscosity is greater than about 50 cP.) You want to run a lab test that simulates the operation of the larger field pump using a similar (scaled) pump with an impeller that has a diameter of 6 in. and a 3600 rpm motor,. Should you use the same liquid in the lab as in the field, or can you use a different liquid? Why?
(c) If you use the same liquid, what flow rate should be used in the lab to simulate the operating conditions of the field pump?
(d) If the lab pump develops a pressure of 150 psi at the proper flow rate, what pressure will the field pump develop with the field fluid?
(e) What pressure would the field pump develop with water at a flow rate of 300 gpm?