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Parallel Operation of Centrifugal Pumps: Effects of Rotational Speed Differences due to Motor Slip
Author(s) -
Koegler Andreas F.,
Evert Amrei,
Alt Nicolas S. A.,
Schluecker Eberhard
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
chemical engineering and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.403
H-Index - 81
eISSN - 1521-4125
pISSN - 0930-7516
DOI - 10.1002/ceat.201400116
Subject(s) - rotational speed , centrifugal pump , slip (aerodynamics) , piping , control theory (sociology) , mechanics , operating point , mechanical engineering , physics , engineering , automotive engineering , computer science , electrical engineering , thermodynamics , control (management) , artificial intelligence , impeller
In industrial plants, centrifugal pumps are frequently operated in parallel configuration, not least for redundancy and operational reliability reasons. However, regarding the resulting pressure pulsations and energy consumption, this operation mode has so far not been in the focus of scientific studies. The object of the present article is to clarify the effect of parallel operation with respect to the observable pressure pulsations. Measurements were carried out with two identical centrifugal pumps operating in parallel mode in an industrial‐scale closed‐loop piping system. The results suggest that, regarding both the resulting pressure pulsations and the operating point of each pump, this operation mode is quite sensitive to smallest rotational speed deviations as they may occur due to different motor slip. The results indicate furthermore that, for minimum pressure pulsations, equal power consumptions of the two pumps are crucial, but not necessarily equal rotational speeds.