FM-II (CH342)
Fluid Machinery
Dr. Hammad Amjad
Faculty of Materials and Chemical Engineering
Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology
Machines for Doing Work on a Fluid 2
Power Absorbing
Incompressible Compressible
Pump Propeller Fan Blower Compressor
Rotodynamic +ve displacement
Low Medium High Reciprocating Rotary
Head Head Head
Very high pressure pump
Axial pump Centrifugal Centrifugal
(Propeller) pump pump Piston pump Gear pump
(Mixed flow (Radial flow
Plunger pump Screw Pump
type) type)
Diaphragm pump Vane pump
Progressive cavity
peristaltic pump
Machines for Doing Work on Incompressible Fluids 3
▪ The conversion of mechanical energy to fluid energy is accomplished by pumps for the case of incompressible
fluids (liquid/slurry), and by blower, fan, and compressors for the case of compressible fluids.
▪ Pumps are used to increase the pressure energy/potential energy of liquid by doing mechanical work
on the given fluid.
▪ For the pumping of liquids or gases from one vessel to another or
through long pipes, some form of mechanical pump is usually
employed. The energy required by the pump will depend on the
height through which the fluid is raised, the pressure required at
delivery point, the length and diameter of the pipe, the rate of flow,
together with the physical properties of the fluid, particularly its
viscosity and density.
• The pumping of liquids such as sulphuric acid or petroleum products from bulk store to process buildings, or the
pumping of fluids around reaction units and through heat exchangers, are typical illustrations of the use of pumps
in the process industries.
5
Classification of Pumps
The pumps are generally classified into positive displacement pumps and non-positive
displacement/rotodynamic/dynamic pump/ momentum change or kinetic pumps. There are several of each type in
use in the world today.
• Positive displacement pump (PDP) is a type of pump in which a moving fluid is captured in a cavity and then
discharges that fixed amount of fluid. The displacement of fluid takes place by some parts like plunger, piston,
diaphragm etc. some of these pumps have expanding cavity at the suction side and a decreasing cavity at the
discharge side. The liquid is sucked at the inlet side when the cavity expands and discharges it when the cavity
decreases. Types of Positive Displacement Pumps
• Positive displacement pumps deliver a pulsating or
periodic flow and a specific volume of fluid for each Rotary Reciprocating Linear
revolution of the pump shaft or each cycle of motion of
the active pumping elements as the cavity volume
opens, traps, and squeezes the fluid. PDPs force the
fluid along by volume changes.
Reciprocating pump: 6
Reciprocating pumps are a type of PD pump which use alternating force and suction
– using a piston or diaphragm – to create a steady, pulsing flow, with one or more
check valves to regulate and direct flow through the system. The pump chamber is
repeatedly expanded and contracted to draw the fluid through an intake valve and
force it out through the other end. They are able to generate high pressures.
▪ Single Acting Reciprocating pump: In this, suction takes place in one
direction motion of the piston and discharge in other direction.
▪ Double Acting Reciprocating pump: Suction and discharge takes
place in both directions. Double-Acting
Piston pumps:
▪ Piston pumps (service pumps, high pressure pumps or high viscosity pumps) use one or more reciprocating
pistons to move fluid through a cylindrical chamber which are usually driven by an electric motor, internal
combustion engine or other power source through a crankshaft or connecting rod. These pumps have
contracting and expanding cavities that move in a reciprocating motion rather than a circular (rotary) motion,
alternately drawing the fluid in and then pushing it out under pressure.
▪ The periphery of the piston usually has one or more o/T-rings to seal against the cylinder as the piston 7
moves, and check valves on either side of the pumping chamber stop fluid flowing in the wrong direction.
Diaphragm pumps:
Diaphragm pumps are a type of positive displacement pump that use a flexible
diaphragm to move fluids. The diaphragm flexes back and forth to create suction
and discharge pressure. This action draws fluid into the pump on the suction
stroke and pushes it out on the discharge stroke.
▪ They are often self-priming, meaning they can evacuate air from the suction line and start pumping without
external assistance. Some diaphragm pumps feature a seal-less design, which eliminates the need for
dynamic seals, reducing the risk of leakage and maintenance requirements.
▪ Diaphragm pumps typically produce pulsating flow, which can be dampened using pulsation dampeners or
accumulators if required for the application.
▪ Diaphragm pumps handle diverse fluids like solids, abrasives, and viscous liquids. Common applications of
diaphragm pumps include chemical processing, food and beverage production, pharmaceutical
manufacturing, wastewater treatment, and oil and gas production.
Rotary pump: 8
• Rotary pumps are a type of positive displacement pump where for each revolution, a fixed volume of fluid is
moved. These pumps are self-priming and provide near constant delivered capacity no matter the pressure.
• These pumps are designed with very small clearances between its rotating and stationary parts in order to
minimise leakage from the discharge side to the suction side. As they are designed to operate at relatively
slow speeds to maintain these clearances, when operated at higher speeds they are susceptible to erosion
and excessive wear which result in larger clearances and decreased pumping capacity.
• Commonly used for pumping high viscosity liquids such as handling lube oil and fuel oil in engine rooms.
Peristaltic pumps:
Peristaltic pumps (also known as hose or tube pumps) use positive
displacement to force fluid through a hose or tube by squeezing it.
The hose is located in the tubing bed between the rotor and housing,
and the rotor has a number of “rollers” or “shoes” attached to the
external circumference.
• During operation, the liquid is trapped between these shoes or rollers, and as these move across the hose, 9
the hose is occluded, pushing the liquid along. The hose behind the shoe or roller recovers its shape,
creating a vacuum and drawing more fluid in. As the fluid is completely contained within the tube or hose
and connectors, process validation is simplified.
2. Gear pumps: In this pump, the fluid is moved in between two
rotating gears. The liquid is pushed between these two gears
as it rotates.
3. Screw pumps: These pumps consist of two screw type rotor
turning against each other. When the two screw rotates it
sucks the water from the inlet and pump it to the outlet.
4. Rotary vane pumps: It is similar to scroll compressors. It
consist of cylindrical rotor having vanes on it which is encased Screw pumps
in a similar (i.e. cylindrical type) shaped housing. When it
rotates the vanes on the rotor traps the fluid in between the
Lobe pumps
rotor and casing and discharges it through outlet.
Vane pumps
▪ Suitable for High-Viscosity Liquids and Precise Flow Control: Positive displacement pumps can efficiently handle
viscous fluids that centrifugal pumps might struggle with. Moreover, they provide accurate and consistent flow rates,
making them ideal for applications where precise fluid delivery is crucial.
▪ Handles Variable Pressure: They are less affected by changes in discharge pressure compared to centrifugal pumps,
making them suitable for systems with varying pressure requirements.
Significance of PDPs
▪ Ability to Pump Shear-Sensitive Fluids: PD pumps can transport shear-sensitive
liquids without damage and with minimal wear. Blood, being shear-sensitive, is why
PD pumps are used in artificial hearts.
▪ Efficient at Low Speeds: They can operate effectively at low speeds, reducing energy
consumption and wear on components compared to high-speed centrifugal pumps.
▪ Can Operate at High Pressures: Some types of PD pumps, like piston/diaphragm,
can generate high pressures, making them suitable for high-pressure applications.
▪ Self-Priming Capability: Many positive displacement pumps can self-prime, meaning
they can evacuate air from suction line & start pumping without external assistance.
▪ Reversible Operation: Depending on the design, some PD pumps can operate in
both directions (either pumping fluid into a system or withdrawing fluid from it),
offering versatility in certain applications.
Limitations of PDPs: 11
▪ Since PDPs compress mechanically against a cavity filled with liquid, a
common feature is that they develop immense pressures at the outlet side and
if the outlet is shut down or blocked for any reason, ruptures may occur, or
electric motors may overheat. Sturdy (durable) construction is required, and
complete shutoff would cause damage if pressure relief valves were not used.
▪ Their volume flow rate cannot be changed unless the
rotation rate is changed. (This is not as simple as it
sounds, since most AC electric motors are designed
to operate at one or more fixed rotational speeds.)
▪ Because of their design, PD pumps sometimes deliver
a pulsating flow OR periodic flow, as the cavity volume
opens, traps, and squeezes the fluid which may be
unacceptable for some applications.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKNuC7nrkNY
Rotodynamic Pumps 12
Kinetic/ Rotodynamic pumps simply add momentum to the fluid by means of fast-
moving blades or vanes or certain special designs and operate by transferring kinetic
energy from a rotating element, called an impeller, to the fluid as it moves into and
through the pump. Some of this energy is then converted to pressure energy at the
pump outlet. The fluid increases momentum while moving through open passages and
then converts its high velocity to a pressure increase by exiting into a diffuser section.
• There is no closed volume.
• Centrifugal pumps are the most common rotodynamic pump. There are also
some non-rotary dynamic pumps, such as jet pumps and electromagnetic pumps
• Rotary pumps are classified by manner
in which flow exits the pump: axial flow,
centrifugal flow, & mixed flow .
Peripheral Pumps, Jet Pumps:
13
✓ High and steady Flow Rates: Dynamic pumps are capable of generating high flow rates, making them
suitable for applications requiring rapid fluid transfer or circulation. The flow from most positive-
displacement machines is unsteady whereas, for normal conditions of operation, that from a rotodynamic
Significance of dynamic pumps
machine is essentially steady.
✓ Simple Design: Dynamic pumps have fewer moving parts compared to positive displacement pumps,
reducing maintenance and failure risks.
✓ Versatility: Dynamic pumps can handle a wide range of fluids, including liquids with low to moderate
viscosity, making them suitable for various industrial, commercial, and residential applications.
✓ Continuous Operation: Dynamic pumps run continuously without the need for periodic stopping or cycling,
allowing for uninterrupted fluid transfer in continuous processes or systems.
✓ Scalability: Dynamic pumps can be easily scaled up or down to accommodate different flow rates and
system requirements, making them adaptable to a wide range of applications.
✓ Handling fluids with solid particles: Unlike positive-displacement machines, dynamic pumps aren't limited by
small clearances and can handle fluids with solid particles.
✓ Energy Dissipation: When the discharge valve closes, dynamic pumps dissipate energy as heat by churning
the fluid, preventing damage.
▪ Limited Pressure Head and Suction Lift: Dynamic pumps may face limitations in achieving high pressure
heads, making them less suitable for high-pressure applications like certain industrial processes/high-rise
building water systems. They also have limited suction lift capabilities, requiring the fluid source to be close or
Limitations of dynamic pumps
using priming systems.
▪ Sensitive to System Changes: Changes in system conditions, such as variations in discharge pressure or fluid
viscosity, can affect performance of dynamic pumps, leading to fluctuations in flow rate and efficiency.
▪ Prone to Cavitation: Dynamic pumps are prone to cavitation, especially under high suction lift or low inlet
pressure, leading to reduced efficiency and pump damage.
▪ Less Suitable for Viscous Fluids: They are also less effective with highly viscous fluids, experiencing reduced
efficiency and flow rates. The relative performance curve is quite different for the two types of pump.
▪ Dynamic pumps generally
need priming. They are
not self primed.
▪ Not suitable to handle
shear sensitive liquids
PDPs vs Rotodynamic Pumps 15
Criteria PDPs Rotodynamic Pumps
Positive displacement pumps draw fluid into aCentrifugal, or aerodynamic, pumps have a spinning
Working cavity, or displace the fluid, and then forceimpeller that draws the fluid into the pump and
the fluid out of the cavity through suction. forces it out of outlet point at an increased velocity.
Flow rate Low, typically 100 gpm As high as 300,000 gpm
Pressure As high as 300 atm Moderate, few atm
Priming Very rarely Always
Flow Type Pulsating Steady
Constant flow rate for virtually any pressure
Head varies with flowrate OR Flow rate changes
Constant RPM OR Flow rate cannot be changed without
with head for same RPM
changing RPM
Hence used for metering
Viscosity Virtually no effect Strong effect
Shear
sensitive Suitable Not suitable
fluids
Centrifugal Pump 16
▪ Centrifugal pumps and blowers can be easily identified by their snail-shaped
casing, called the scroll (volute). It derives its name from the fact that the
pressure head created is largely due to centrifugal action.
▪ Centrifugal pumps are global in industry as they are used in building ventilation
systems, washing operations, cooling ponds and cooling towers, and in
numerous other industrial operations in which fluids are pumped.
▪ In the centrifugal type, a high kinetic energy is imparted to the liquid, which
is then converted as efficiently as possible into pressure energy.
▪ The performance of a centrifugal pump is strongly influenced by the
viscosity, density, and vapour pressure of the liquid as well as by the
type of liquid, and the size, type, and concentration of solids
(stones, gravel, mill scale, fine sand, rags, paper sock, etc.) in the
slurry. These characteristics not only have an adverse impact on the
pump performance but generally also cause significant wear and
tear, erosion, and may even lead to operational problems.
Schematics:
Impeller: A rotating component of a centrifugal pump which transfers energy
from the motor that drives the pump to the fluid being pumped by
accelerating the fluid outwards from center of rotation. The impeller consists
of several blades (vanes), arranged in a regular pattern around the shaft.
Casing/housing: The purpose of the casing of a centrifugal pump is to prevent leakage and maintain pressure by
sealing the inside of the pump to the atmosphere. It is an air-tight passage placed surrounding the impeller,
designed in such a way that the K.E of any fluid discharge at the outlet of the impeller is converted into P.E before
the fluid leaves the casing and enters the delivery pipe.
Volute casing Vortex casing Diffuser ring casing
Volute casing: Spiral type casing surrounding the impeller with gradual increasing area resulting reduction in 18
the velocity and corresponding rise in pressure of the water flowing through the casing.
Volute casing increases the efficiency of pump, but a large amount of energy is lost due to formation of eddies.
Vortex casing: It is a circular chamber based on the principle of creating a vortex
flow with a recessed impeller that is positioned away from the path of the liquid.
Formation of eddies is reduced for the circular chamber and the loss of energy is
reduced to a considerable amount.
Casing with guide blades: This type of casing, the impeller is surrounded
by a series of guide blades mounted on a ring which is known as diffuser.
The guide vanes are designed in such a way that the water from the
Impeller enters the guide vanes without stock. Increase the area of guide
vanes reducing the velocity of flow through guide vanes and also increasing
the pressure of water. Now the water from the guide vanes passes through
the surrounding casing which is connected with the Impeller.
▪ Suction pipe with a foot valve and Strainer: A pipe whose one end is connected to the inlet of the pump and 19
another end dips into the water in a sump is known as a suction pipe.
▪ A foot valve is found at the end of a pipeline in a
suction lift application. Foot valve is a one-way type
of valve that is fitted at the lower end of the suction
pipe. It opens only in the upward direction and
function as a check valve.
▪ Strainer is also fitted at the lower end of the suction
pipe, but they also have a strainer affixed to their
open end.
▪ Delivery pipe: A pipe whose one end is connected to
the outlet of the pump and other ends delivers the water at a
required height is known as a Delivery pipe.
▪ The priming valve is provided at the top of the casing to prime the pump. Priming is the process of filling the
casing of the pump with water before starting the pump. If the casing is not filled with water, it will have air inside.
Working Principle: 20
▪ Fluid enters axially through the hollow middle portion of the pump (the eye). As the impeller
rotates, it creates a negative pressure at the suction side causing the water to be sucked
from the sump through the eye of the casing and flows radially outward.
▪ Energy is added to the fluid by the rotating blades, and both pressure and absolute velocity
are increased as the fluid flows from the eye to the periphery of the blades. It acquires
tangential and radial velocity by momentum transfer with the impeller blades, and acquires
additional radial velocity by so-called centrifugal forces, which are actually a lack of
sufficient centripetal forces to sustain circular motion.
▪ The flow leaves the impeller after gaining both speed and pressure
as it is tossed radially outward into the scroll. At the moment, it then
has a considerable tangential (whirl) component of velocity, which is
normally much greater than that required in the discharge pipe.
▪ The kinetic energy of the fluid leaving the impeller is largely dissipated
unless arrangements are made to reduce the velocity gradually.
