This experiment demonstrates the performance of a radial flow pump with water as the pumped fluid. Pertinent characteristics include head versus flow, similarity relations, and cavitation behavior. Most of the instruments and controls are mounted on three control panels. A short length of clear plastic located above the machine is fitted with quick-connect couplings that allow it to be readily removed, providing access to the machine for changing the rotor.
Several rotors are available including forward, backward, and radial bladed rotors.
In the picture above, the internal components of the pump are clearly visible. The water flows down the vertical inlet tube to the rotor which is red in the picture above. This particular rotor which will be used in the lab has backward blading at an angle of 60 degrees. The area outside the rotor is called the volute. As can be seen in the picture, the volute is an increasing area that converts the velocity imparted to the water by the pump to pressure.