Variable Speed Series and Parallel Pumps

Item Number: 
H53V - Experiment
 H53V - EXPERIMENT
TecQuipment | Fluid Mechanics

A compact, bench-top and fully self-contained centrifugal pump test set, that allows students to find the characteristics of centrifugal pumps, working alone or in series or parallel.

The apparatus comprises one variable speed centrifugal pump and one fixed speed centrifugal pump, together with two bearing-mounted motors driving each pump independently. The pumps draw water from the clear acrylic reservoir. The water travels through a series of valves to be delivered to a flow and temperature measurement device. The water then returns to the reservoir for re-use, keeping water use to a minimum.

There are pressure transducers fitted in the intake and delivery pipes for the direct measurement and visible display of the inlet and outlet pressures of the pumps on the control box. The adjustable inlet and delivery valves allow students to create different operating conditions.

H53V features VDAS® Onboard for data acquisition via USB cable (supplied) to a computer (not supplied).

Key FeaturesLearning Outcomes

Key Features

  • Includes TecQuipment’s Versatile Data Acquisition System VDAS® Onboard, featuring data acquisition via USB
  • VDAS® software allows students to visualise experiental parameters via pressure transducers around the apparatus
  • Self-contained, compact, bench-top, easyto-use test set for a range of experiments and demonstrations
  • Easily configurable system to enable pumps to be tested individually, in series and in parallel, with a manually adjustable water flow rate
  • Long-life, robust valves with large handles allow students to change the water circuit in seconds, ready for the next experiment
  • Includes four precise pressure transducers to measure intake and delivery pressures
  • Discharge flow measurement
  • Temperature measurement

Learning Outcomes

Comprehensive demonstration and investigation into a centrifugal pump including:

  • Centrifugal pump performance and characteristics, typically: head versus flow rate and efficiency versus flow rate
  • Operation of centrifugal pumps in series
  • Operation of centrifugal pumps in parallel
  • Pump efficiency at varying speeds
  • Energy balance in centrifugal pumps
  • Suction tests of a single pump
  • Demonstration of cavitation

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