Jowesh Goundar - S11076586

What is the fundamental equation of centrifugal pumps? What are the terms involved and what is

the importance of this equation?

A centrifugal pump is a device or equipment which converts kinetic energy to pressure energy by

a rotating impeller. The simplest explanation is then can be written as a device which generates

an increase in pressure of the fluid by transferring mechanical energy of motor to the fluid by the

action of rotating impeller.

Figure 1: Working principle of a centrifugal pump

The fluid flows from the inlet to the suction eye or the impeller centre and out along the vanes.

The kinetic energy from the rotating impeller is transferred to the water in the form of its

pressure energy thus increases pressure Head.

The equations related to a centrifugal pump are:

The head of the pump can be calculated as:

Jowesh Goundar - S11076586

Here:

H=total head developed in metre

P2 = pressure at the outlet [Pa or N/m2]

P1 = pressure at the inlet [Pa or N/m2]

(

)

(

)

(

)

The overall efficiency of the pump is given by the equation:

Where,

[ ⁄ ]

[ ]

These equations are important since it indicates the maximum head of the pump and the shaft

power required to impart the fluid to that head. This therefore, indicates the overall efficiency of

the pump.