Dimensionless curves of centrifugal pumps for water supply systems: development and case study

Curvas adimensionais de bombas centrífugas para sistemas de abastecimento de água: desenvolvimento e estudo de caso

ABSTRACT

Centrifugal pumps are widely used in water supply systems and account for more than 90% of the electricity consumption of water pumping stations. Studies that seek to generalize the characterization of performance curves of centrifugal pumps are extremely useful. A study was carried out on the dimensionless characteristics of the operating conditions of centrifugal pumps for preliminary design estimations of water supply systems aiming at energy efficiency. The research consisted of the analysis of performance curves of centrifugal pumps from which data was collected regarding the point of maximum yield (PMY). The curves and the equations obtained were made dimensionless so that the information could be extrapolated to other situations. A case study was conducted in the Water Supply System of Vale Campus of the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) to demonstrate the application of those equations and curves developed. The dimensionless equations were useful to determine which discharge should be adopted so that the system would be more efficient hydro and energetically and, also, to determine how much more energy would be consumed in the case of alteration of the point of operation of the pump by a throttling valve.

Keywords:
Centrifugal pumps; Energy efficiency; Maximum yield; Dimensionless curves