Power Losses and Flow Topologies in Converging Manifold

Power losses and loss coefficients were determined from a hydraulic model study for a pumping plant discharge manifold which receives flow from seven equal-discharge pump units. A topologic index is used to characterize the combinations of pumps in operation and to represent trends in energy and power losses. For a given total plant discharge, certain combinations of pump units in operation give lower power losses than other combinations. The topologic indices associated with these pump combinations are used to define optimal or near optimal pumping plant operations. The topologic index also makes possible the simplification of testing programs for multiple branch manifolds because a few trials can be used to define the trend of the power transfer coefficient.