Centrifugal pumps are often used together to enhance either the flow rate or the delivery pressure
beyond that available from the single pump. For some piping system designs, it may be desirable to
consider a multiple pump system to meet the design requirements. Two typical options include
parallel and series configurations of pumps which require a specific performance criteria. In serial
operation the heads of the pumps are added and in parallel operation the flow rates (capacities) of
the pumps are added.
The experimental unit provides the determination of the characteristic behavior for single
operation and interaction of two pumps. The apparatus consists of a tank and pipework which
delivers water to and from two identical centrifugal pumps. The unit is fitted with electronic
sensors which measure the process variables. Signals from these sensors are sent to a computer via
an interface device, and the unit is supplied with data logging software as standard.