Pumps in parallel vs series - Flow vs head
Pumps in parallel vs series - Flow vs head
(OP)
From this Link I get,
1. Pumps in series: Head is added, not the flow rate
2. Pumps in parallel: Flow rate is added, not the head
However, for parallel case, not sure what I'm missing but find it not so intuitive to visualise why heads are not added. How the energy is dissipated in this case, by overheating the pumps?
There could be two cases in parallel case,
I. Both pumps are identical
II. One pump is bigger (higher head and flow capacity)
Why heads are not added? Which law of physics is working here? Thanks in advance.
1. Pumps in series: Head is added, not the flow rate
2. Pumps in parallel: Flow rate is added, not the head
However, for parallel case, not sure what I'm missing but find it not so intuitive to visualise why heads are not added. How the energy is dissipated in this case, by overheating the pumps?
There could be two cases in parallel case,
I. Both pumps are identical
II. One pump is bigger (higher head and flow capacity)
Why heads are not added? Which law of physics is working here? Thanks in advance.





RE: Pumps in parallel vs series - Flow vs head
I used to count sand. Now I don't count at all.
RE: Pumps in parallel vs series - Flow vs head
Ted
RE: Pumps in parallel vs series - Flow vs head
RE: Pumps in parallel vs series - Flow vs head
RE: Pumps in parallel vs series - Flow vs head
RE: Pumps in parallel vs series - Flow vs head
If the pumps are identical then they might do, say, 1200 GPM @ 165ft, 600 GPM each. Hence they will use LESS power than if they were operating individually. So there is no "energy being dissipated", because it is not being used in the first place. However there will be an energy increase in frictional losses because you're flowing more fluid faster through the same size pipe. It all depends on the intersection with the system curve. If you added in my example a third 750 GPM pump, total flow might only go up by 200 GPM due to the system curve, hence <500 GPM each.
In general you tend to see series pumping when there is either a high static head or pressure to overcome and one pump can't supply that head or when the head requires changes but the flow doesn't.
Parallel pumps work well when the system curve is quite flat or where the static head portion is quite high compared to the frictional losses.
Remember - More details = better answers
Also: If you get a response it's polite to respond to it.
RE: Pumps in parallel vs series - Flow vs head
RE: Pumps in parallel vs series - Flow vs head
http://www.mcnallyinstitute.com/15-html/15-01.htm
RE: Pumps in parallel vs series - Flow vs head
I don't know what you meant by this, can you clarify?