Armfield Engineering Education
APPLIED FLUID MECHANICS
C3 MKII Multi-Pump Test Rig - Issue 1
The Armfield Multi-Pump Test Rig has been designed to demonstrate
the operating characteristics
(head-flow curves and efficiency) of a series
of different types of pumps, each having a broadly similar input power.
The rig can accommodate both rotodynamic and positive displacement pumps,
and is supplied with the most common example of each type as standard (i.e.
a centrifugal pump and a gear pump).
A range of other pump types is available
as accessories, (including axial, turbine, flexible impellor, diaphragm
and plunger, plus a second centrifugal pump for series/parallel demonstrations).
Up to four pumps can be accommodated within the rig simultaneously
for use within a single laboratory period, and each can be run without
disconnecting
any pipework or connections. Further pumps can also be interchanged
straightforwardly by the customer, (but not recommended to be done by students).
This totally new system benefits from electronic instrumentation, optional data logging and the use of a state of the art sensorless vector drive to accurately determine the torque provided by the drive motors.
As an option the unit can be fitted with two identical centrifugal pumps to allow simple series/parallel pump configurations to be demonstrated.
ORDERING SPECIFICATION
• A self contained multi-pump test rig, containing all the
services and instrumentation for determining the characteristic curves
of different pumps at different speeds
• Contains five different pump positions (4 active)
• Centrifugal pump and gear pump supplied as standard.
• Axial pump, flexible impellor pump, turbine pump, diaphragm pump, piston
pump and a second centrifugal pump are all available as accessories
• Series/parallel pump demonstations can be performed with the second centrifugal
pump option
• Control valve incorporated upstream of each pump (except axial pump)
to demonstrate the effect of suction loss on performance
• Electronic torque measurement using a state of the art sensorless vector
drive
• Electronic measurement of flow, pressure head and suction
• Optional volumetric flow measurement system for reciprocating pumps
• Optional data logging and educational software.
Demonstration Capabilities
> Determining the performance of different types of pumps at constant
speed by producing a set of characteristic curves
For rotodynamic pumps:
• Pressure head v flow
• Power absorbed v flow
• Pump efficiency v flow
For positive displacement pumps:
• Flow v pressure head
• Power absorbed v pressure head
• Volumetric efficiency v pressure head
> Determining the effect of speed on the performance of pumps
> Understanding the difference between rotodynamic pumps and positive displacement
pumps
> Understanding the effect of system resistance
> Investigating the effect of suction losses on a centrifugal pump
> Demonstration of the effect of running two centrifugal pumps in series and
parallel (Requires C3-MkII-20SP)
> Understanding the characteristics of a reciprocating pump
(requires C3-MkII-25 or C3-MkII-26 and C3-MKII-40)
Description
The equipment comprises a water reservoir, and five pump positions,
(four
active). Each pump position uses pipework and sensors optimised to the
type of pumps it is intended for.
Positions 1, 2a and 2b are optimised for high flows at low heads, such as the rotodynamic pumps whereas positions (3) and (4) are suitable for lower flows but higher pressures, as obtained from the positive displacement pumps. Note: Position (2a) and Position (2b) are mutually exclusive in as much as they share the same motor drive and reconfiguration by a laboratory technician is necessary to change over.
| Position | Instrumented Flow Capability | Instrumented Pressure Capability | Pump Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 300 L/min | 20m | - Centrifugal (C3-MkII-20) (included as standard) |
| 2a | 300 L/min | 20m | - Flexible Impellor (C3-MkII-23) or - Second Centrifugal (C3-MkII-20SP) for series/parallel operation |
| 2b | 300 L/min | 2m | - Axial (C3-MkII-22) |
| 3 | 75 L/min | 100m | - Gear (C3-MkII-21) (included as standard) |
| 4 | 75 L/min | 100m | - Turbine (C3-MkII-24) or - Diaphragm (C3-MkII-25) or - Plunger (C3-MkII-26) |
To switch between any of the four installed active pumps, (or series/parallel configuration) is simple, requiring only isolating valve changes and control panel selection.
To change over an installed pump for one of the other options is still straightforward, but requires plumbing changes (easy release fastenings), topping up the tank with water (to replace any lost) and re-programming some inverter settings. Additional pumps and options can be purchased at any time, and fitted by the user.
A PLC control panel is used to allow the correct combination of suction, head, flow, pump speed and torque to be unambiguously displayed for the selected pump test.
Technical details - Pumps
C3-MkII-20 Centrifugal Pump
(included in standard Supply)
A brass bodied Centrifugal pump with plastic Impellor and Stainless steel shaft. Maximum flow 145 l/min and maximum head 11 m.
C3-MkII-20SP Second Centrifugal
Pump
(Optional)
A second Centrifugal pump, identical to C3-20, and including the additional valves required to perform a Series/Parallel pump demonstration
C3-MkII-21
Gear Pump
(included in standard Supply)
A corrosion resistant bronze bodied gear
pump, with stainless steel shafts and bronze helical gears for quiet
operation.
Maximum flow 16 l/min and
maximum head 70 m.
C3-MkII-22 Axial Flow Pump
(Optional)
A purpose designed axial flow pump, housed in a clear acrylic
casing.
Maximum flow 75 l/min and maximum head 1.2 m.
C3-MkII-23 Flexible
Impellor Pump
(Optional)
A bronze pump head with stainless steel shaft and flexible
impellor.
Maximum flow 80 l/min at 3m head.
C3-MkII-24 Turbine Pump
(Optional)
A straight bladed bronze turbine impellor with a bronze pump body and stainless steel shaft. Maximum flow 40 l/min and maximum head 25 m.
C3-MkII-25 Diaphragm Pump
(optional, also requires C3-MkII-40 volumetric measurement system)
A diaphragm pump with uPVC wetted parts, with a diaphragm150 mm (6 inch) diameter and a 25mm (1 inch) stroke. Maximum flow 5.8 l/min at a maximum head of 50 m.
C3-MkII-26 Plunger Pump
(option, also requires C3-MkII-40 volumetric measurement system)
A plunger
pump with stainless steel wetted parts, with a bore of 34mm (1 3/8
inch) and a stroke of 25 mm (1 in).
Maximum flow 5.3
l/min at
maximum
head of 80 m.
Each pump accessory comes on its own baseplate, assembled complete with all pipes, valves and fittings to allow it to be easily fitted to the C3-MkII. Different types of fitting are used for different positions in order to help prevent incorrect fitting.
Accessories
C3-MkII-20SP Second Centrifugal Pump
C3-MkII-22 Axial Flow Pump
C3-MkII-23 Flexible Impellor Pump
C3-MkII-24 Turbine Pump
C3-MkII-25 Diaphragm Pump
(also requires C3-MkII-40 volumetric measurement system)
C3-MkII-26 Plunger Pump
(also requires C3-MkII-40 volumetric measurement system)
C3-MkII-40 Volumetric Measurement System
The reciprocating pumps (C3-MkII-25 and C3-MkII-26) are not suitable for electronic flow measurement due to the pulsating nature of the flow. To accurately measure the flow rate from these pumps requires a Volumetric Measurement System, where the volume of water flowing over a period of time can be measured. The C3-MkII-40 is a water column of 8 litres capacity, with a vertical scale. The bottom of this column is connected to the input of the reciprocating pump, and the time taken for the water level to change between 2 points is measured.
C3-MkII-304IFD Data Logger and Educational Software
The data logger and education software option allows the results to be logged to a Windows PC (not supplied) via a USB port. A wide range of data logging, data display and graph plotting options are available.
Requirements
Electrical Supply:
C3-MKII-A 220-240V, 50Hz, 10 Amps
C3-MKII-B 110-120V, 60Hz. 20 Amps
C3-MKII-G 220-240V, 60Hz, 10 Amps
Water:
Clean water: 100 litres (initial fill only, no permanent connection required)
The optional C3-MkII-25 Diaphragm Pump and C3-MkII-26 Plunger Pump requires the C3-MkII-40 volumetric measurement system
Shipping specification
C3-MKII
Volume 3.4m3
Gross weight: 550kg
Overall dimensions
C3-MKII
Length: 2.10m
Height: 1.48m
Depth: 0.75m
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