Flow Rate Meter Research Articles

A new approach to predict pump transient phenomena in Molten salt reactor Experiment (MSRE) by missing data identification and regeneration

Molten Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) is being extensively used for validating the computational tools for Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs). The pump transient tests were performed during the operation of MSRE to obtain the reactivity response to flow perturbation. The transient flow rate during this set of tests is required as input to predict the reactivity response. Since the primary loop of MSRE was not equipped with a flow rate meter, the transient flow rate, which is the crucial factor for the reactivity change in MSRE, is missing. Achieving an accurate simulation of the reactivity response to the MSRE pump transient tests necessitates a precise estimation of the transient flow rate.This paper endeavors to reconstruct the missing flow rate with the aim of offering a valuable input for simulating reactivity responses in the pump transient test series. In order to obtain an accurate transient flow rate, we employed a centrifugal pump transient model based on the affinity laws and solved the model for the MSRE secondary pump to validate the underlying assumptions of the model. In addition, we constructed the homologous pump head curves based on the water test data for the same purpose. The affinity law approximation is proved to be adequate in predicting the MSRE pump startup transient with the root-mean-square error (RMSE) in the normalized flow rate to be 0.03. On the other hand, for the MSRE pump coastdown transient, the preliminary results indicate that neither the affinity law approximation nor the homologous head curve is sufficient to provide acceptable predictions. To overcome this noticeable modeling deficit, we propose an innovative approach based on a straightforward data mining technique to regenerate the MSRE pump coastdown homologous relations using the measured data of the secondary pump. These relations are transferred to the primary pump and used to simultaneously solve for the impeller speed and the flow rate of the pump in the primary pump coastdown. With the new approach, the estimated RMSE in the normalized pump speed for the primary pump coastdown is reduced 0.0052. This excellent agreement validates the accurate calculations for the flow rate during the pump coastdown transient. We also performed an uncertainty analysis to quantify the confidence interval of the predicted quantities, which further justifies the robustness of the proposed approach.

Flexible polydimethylsiloxane pressure sensor with micro-pyramid structures and embedded silver nanowires: A novel application in urinary flow measurement

Flexible pressure sensors are lightweight and highly sensitive, making them suitable for use in small portable devices to achieve precise measurements of tiny forces. This article introduces a low-cost and easy-fabrication strategy for piezoresistive flexible pressure sensors. By embedding silver nanowires into a polydimethylsiloxane layer with micro-pyramids on its surface, a flexible pressure sensor is created that can detect low pressure (17.3 Pa) with fast response (<20 ms) and high sensitivity (69.6 mA kPa−1). Furthermore, the pressure sensor exhibits a sensitive and stable response to a small amount of water flowing on its surface. On this basis, the flexible pressure sensor is innovatively combined with a micro-rotor to fabricate a novel urinary flow-rate meter (uroflowmeter), and results from a simulated human urination experiment show that the uroflowmeter accurately captured all the essential shape characteristics that were present in the pump-simulated urination curves. Looking ahead, this research provides a new reference for using flexible pressure sensors in urinary flow-rate monitoring.

Iot Based Flood Detection, Alarm and Monitoring System Using Multilayer Perceptron and Regression

Flooding is a common natural event caused by heavy rainfall and high tides in the Philippines. While this disaster cannot be prevented, people can prepare themselves to face it. The City of Ilagan in the province of Isabela is one of the highly prone areas to flooding caused by the welling of the Cagayan River. Many communities are living in low-lying areas which most likely experiencing floods. An analysis of the location is conducted including the people living in the area. The analysis resulted in the development of an IoT-based technology for detection and early warning signals to people using sms notifications that can help lessen the difficulty of evacuation. The system uses Arduino UNO as a microcontroller where sensors are attached. These sensors are Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) for flood level measurement in feet (ft), Rain Gauge to measure the precipitation rate (mm/hr), and Flow Rate Meter to measure the fluctuation flow of the river in (L/hr). Data gathered from these sensors are processed and sent immediately to people living nearby to monitor the flood level in real-time. The predictive models are developed using the Pinacanauan River dataset taken from the river stations. The multilayer perceptron is used to develop the predictive model with 99% accuracy. The data from sensors are used also and processed using linear regression and calculated as 88% accurate and significant for prediction.

Quantification of Flow Rates and Flow Volumes in Valve Regurgitation Using 3-D High Frame-Rate Ultrasound

Valve regurgitation is a cardiac condition caused by the incomplete closure of a cardiac valve. Untreated, this condition may result in cardiac failure. Regular monitoring of this condition is essential in guiding the decision process for surgical intervention. Current guidelines recommend a multiparametric assessment of valve regurgitation using echocardiography, which is both time consuming and heavily dependent on the experience of the examiner. Several methods have been proposed to provide quantitative markers to facilitate the assessment of valve regurgitation, most notably the Proximal Isovelocity Surface Area (PISA) method and methods based on the quantification of the total Regurgitant Volume (RVol) from the power of backscattered blood signal. In this work, we propose a framework based on trans-thoracic 3-D high frame-rate acquisitions for the simultaneous estimation of the jet cross-sectional area and jet velocity directly at the jet core, which are then combined to estimate the instantaneous flow rate and RVol patients with aortic or mitral insufficiency. We compare two methods for the segmentation of the jet cross-sectional area from the power Doppler signal. Validation on simulated data indicates good segmentation accuracy for the best method (β = 0.97, <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">R</i> <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> = 0.91). Validation on recordings from a flow phantom shows good agreement (β = 1.2, <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">R</i> <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> = 0.88) with an external flow rate meter. Clinical feasibility of the method is also shown in a patient with mitral regurgitation.

Preliminary validation of the 1D modeling of the DYNASTY natural circulation loop against results from water experimental campaign

In the continuous improvements of the safety of nuclear power plants, the study of natural circulation is of primary importance for developing passive safety systems and Generation-IV reactors, such as the Molten Salt Fast Reactor (MSFR). In particular, removing the decay heat during the shutdown of the MSFR involves dealing with a circulating fuel driven by natural circulation; as such, the development and validation of natural circulation models are of primary importance. To validate models and provide experimental data on natural circulation with a distributed heat source, the DYNASTY (DYnamics of NAtural circulation for molten SalT internallY heated) natural circulation loop has been built on the premises of Politecnico di Milano. This paper focuses on improving the 1D modeling of natural circulation phenomena in the DYNASTY facility and validating them against the results (also reported in this work) found in the first experimental campaign, carried out with water as the working fluid. The modeling of DYNASTY is based on a 1D approach using DYMOLA®, a modeling environment based on the MODELICA simulation language. The models used are improved versions of the ones available in the literature, which better model the experimental facility as they now include the mass flow rate meter, the heat loss between the facility and the environment, and a more realistic cooler. The improved model was then used to study the outcomes of the model simulations and verify the influence of the different numerical integration algorithms on the simulation results. The first DYNASTY experimental campaign provides in-depth testing of its behavior, with different cooling fan speeds and considering all possible heating configurations. The collected results for the heating and cooling transients are the mass flow rate and four fluid temperatures measured by thermocouples placed at the beginning and the end of the four DYNASTY legs. The experimental results were compared with the model simulations, showing the good predicting capabilities of the latter one following the tuning of the heat exchange model. In particular, the comparison showed an excellent match between the model and the experimental results for the heating transient while showing improving margins for the cooling transient.

Mass flow prediction in a refrigeration machine using artificial neural networks

Measuring mass flow rate in refrigeration systems with flow meters can be expensive when taking into account the cost of the equipment itself and the costs related to installation and maintenance. A mode based on Artificial Neural Networks can be used to predict the value of the mass flow, at a low cost, through easily observed and measured parameters, like temperatures. Additionally, well-known correlations to calculate parameters that directly influence the mass flow rate can be used as input data for the model to improve its accuracy. Within this context, the present study aims to develop a Multilayer Perceptrons model to predict the mass flow rate of a refrigeration systems. The model developed was optimized using one hidden layer with four neurons, Adam as the optimizer and softplus as the activation function. Later, it is presented an alternative mass flow rate meter, using an Artificial Neural Network model programmed in a microcontrolled circuit with only three temperatures as inputs. To develop the model, experimental data were collected in a refrigeration machine at several operating points. Step disturbances were introduced in the mass flow rate to produce transient data. Two different data sets were considered in the training process. The first data set contained only steady-state data and in the second data set, there were steady-state plus transient data. The mass flow rate estimated through the proposed model presented an average error of 0.79 % when considering steady-state and transient data in the training process, and 0.81 % when considering only steady-state data in the training procedure. The final embedded system developed predicted the mass flow rate with an average error of 1.22 %.

The new method for hydraulic calculations of a district heating (DH) network

How to estimate the exact value of pressure losses within a district heating (DH) network been in service for decades, which a pump at pumping station should compensate to achieve maximum benefits and the lowest costs relative to the scenario of the started process of transition to 4th generation district heating (4GDH)? Geographic Information System (GIS) software Zulu© was used to model a DH network and evaluate how specific location will affect hot water flow rates. Pressure, roughness and hydraulic resistance profiles were plotted using hydraulic optimisation software ZuluThermo©– GIS Zulu© add-in. While the new arrangement does not reduce pressure losses themselves, the corrected arrangement provides economic advantage due to lower operation costs and more stable hydraulic profiles. That means that end sections of DH network between the transmission line and consumers become more effective. By calculating pressure loss and temperature degradation the method also allows to detect an optimum location to connect a new consumer where the minimum modernisation is needed. Working with data-driven network models makes it possible to obtain a lot of positive effects at the same time including the main - the DH utility sells more heat and becomes more profitable as the losses are lower. • To ensure low-temperature energy supply, its consumption for pumping is assessed. • Steady-state calculation method is used to evaluate pressure and flow distribution. • To verify, portable ultrasonic flow rate meter&traditional pressure sensors are used. • Electricity consumption is decreased by 394.74 kW, the saving effect is up to 6%. • Effect is achieved by lowering losses, clarifying friction factor&relative roughness.

Sustainable Irrigation for Enhancing the Water usability in Agriculture using IOT

India is land of agriculture and most of the people here depend on agriculture for their livelihood. India can be among top 5 exporters of agro-commodities by shifting its focus on the agriculture and effective hand holding of the farmers. These days, one of the big challenges countered by formers is the scarcity of water. Another major dispute encountered by Indian agriculture sector is the increase in rate of formers suicide because of informal debt. According to the survey conducted in India there are 768 farmers committed suicide in 2014 and 766 in 2020 this is because of lack of fresh water for irrigation purpose, and with industrialization farmers are selling their property and they are moving towards the urban areas the only reason for this is scarcity of fresh water, with effective watering and skilled agriculture can lead to the very good yield in the farm land. So, innovations and implementations in agriculture using the available and reliable technology would reduce the cost of farming and increase the yield from agriculture and thereby we can see the prosperity in agricultural field. Key Words: soil moisture sensor, Ph-sensor, solenoid valve, relay, flowrate meter, ESP32, ESP8266MOD, Power junction, Generic.

Test stand for pulsed jet actuator command and characterization

The paper presents a test stand for characterization of a new design of a Pulsed Jet Actuator. The aim of the work was to characterize the performance of the PJA in terms of air parameters in the air supply line and velocity at the PJA outlet. To perform a detailed characterization of the system performance, the test bench comprised: a pressure reductor, a mass flow rate controller, a mass flow rate meter, a pressure sensor, a fast pressure sensor, a flow temperature sensor and a Constant Temperature Anemometer. The PJA was commanded by a real time controller with Field Programmed Gate Array architecture. The experimental results show good agreement with the results of Computational Fluid Dynamics simulations performed at the design stage of the PJA. It has been found that the flow parameters at the PJA nozzle outlet match the design goals. The developed bench testing procedures will be used for silent conditions tests of the PJA system integrated into a leading edge of a wind tunnel model.

Model analysis for differential pressure two-phase flow rate meter in intermittent flow

Multiphase flow rate metering is a challenging problem, specially for flow patterns other than wet-gas. This paper brings forward a new comparative analysis of three differential pressure calibration models suited for liquid dominated two-phase flows, in a total of seven model configurations. First, the models are compared theoretically and classified in terms of the type of input data required. Then, experimental data of over 300 horizontal air–water experiments, for 1” and 2” pipe diameters, supports quantitative analyses of the prediction accuracies and sensitivity of the superficial velocities of gas and liquid to measurement errors in the model input variables. Finally, a method for assessing the decoupled measurement errors for the void fraction and gas velocity is shown, as these variables are typically subject to higher uncertainties. It results that, though the void fraction is shown to be systematically under evaluated in more than 10%, the total mass flow rate is estimated through the Paz et al. (2010) model with an overall root mean squared deviation (RMSD) of 5.75% for the 2” data. Also, the use of gas velocity measurements, even if subject to considerable errors, decreased the RMSD for the gas superficial velocity by more than half for the 1” data.

Preparation and Properties of Bio-Based Flame Retardant Polyvinyl Alcohol

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) has been widely used in the fields of medical, food and packaging due to its excellent biocompatibility, good fiber-forming and film-forming properties. However, the high flammability of PVA has greatly limited its wider applications. The flame-retardant PVA was prepared by melt blending of a bio-based flame retardant (prepared from lignin, phosphoric acid and carbamide) with thermoplastic PVA (TPVA). The chemical structure, morphology, thermal properties, mechanical properties, fire property and fluidity of this flame retardant PVA were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer(FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscope(SEM), thermogravimetric analyzer(TGA), impact tester, universal testing machine, horizontal-vertical burning tester, limiting oxygen indexer(LOI) and melt flow rate meter(MFR). The results showed that the prepared flame retardant had good compatibility with the PVA substrate; The impact strength, melt flow rate, fire property and char residue of this PVA material increased with the content of bio-based flame retardant. When the content of flame retardant was of 20%, the five indices including impact strength, melt flow rate, UL-94 level, LOI and char residual were 11.3 KJ/m2, 21.2 g/10 min, V-0 UL-94 level, 33.1%, and 19.2%, respectively. This research can promote the high-value utilization of lignin and the application of PVA in the fields of fire protection.

Impact of Virtual Flow Rate Meter on Brushless DC Motor Based PV-Water Pumping System (Dept.E)

Photovoltaic (PV) water-pumping systems have considerable cost-effective value in rural zones. Virtual flow rate (VFR) meter is a technique to measure the water flow rate through a water pump using a numerical method as a function of the pump head, motor power, and overall efficiency of the pump. VFR meter eliminates the need for rotor speed sensors in PV water pumping systems. In this paper, the virtual flow meter is proposed as a novel reference for improving maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms for PV water-pumping systems. VFR meter removes the expensive flow meter sensors, hence, reducing the overall costs of the system. The VFR will be represented as a new variable in the MPPT algorithm. By replacing the voltage with the instantaneous VFR, the system will operate based on the variation of the VFR meter measurements. Using the physical parameters of a submersible Brushless DC motor pump-based PV water-pumping system, a mathematical model is derived to obtain the input voltage to MPPT algorithm as a function of the instantaneous flow rate. The model is implemented by Mat lab/Simulink software and the results reveal the applicability and efficiency of using the virtual flow meter in MPPT algorithms.

Experimental Study For The Effect Of Using Nano-Fluid On Heat Transfer Through The Flat Plate Solar Collector

The aim of this Paper is studying experimentally the effect of utilizing (Al2O3/water) Nano-fluids as the factor of heat transfer on performance of the flatplate solar collector. The project’s work focuses on the process of transferring energy from the solar collector to the fluid that passes through the tubes. This is done first by using water as a basic agent fluid and then by using Nano-fluids as a working fluid.This study was experimentally using manufactured solar collectors. Experimental tests consist of [a solar collector, unit control, a working fluid system, and measuring devices (thermometers, LM35 Temp. sensor, flow rate meter, Solenoid valve and solar meter)] Sensors and measuring devices were connected to the Arduino as a control system, linked to a personal computer, and using the Labview program to take the results and export them to Excel. Experiments were conducted in Iraq - Babilon Governorate, AL-Shomali City with the latitude of 32.4° by using (Al2O3-water and TiO2-water) Nano-fluid as a working fluids, used the volume fraction as (0.3 and 0.6) % and a particle size is 50 nm with working fluid flow rate (1.50) L/min. Experimental results shows that’s a maximum output and inlet temperature variance is obtained (0.6 vol. %) Nanofluid for Al2O3/water is (14.6 C) at flow rate: 1.5 L/m Whoever in the case of water, the maximum temperature difference was at the outlet (10.2 0 C) at flow rate :1.5 L/m. The Collector efficiency enhancement of 0.6% vol. for (Al2O3/water) Nano-fluids are (20.5 %. Also, the results show, the enhancement in a thermal conductivity with an addition small size from the (Al2O3) nanoparticle with 0.6% vol. to the water increasing by (8.34) %.All experimental results were showed that a degree of heat coming out of the solar system increases when water is used with Nano-particles, especially when concentrated 0.6% vol. Also, Al2O3 shows high heat transfer compared to pure water, this lead to improve the performance of the solar fat-plate collector. Where its value exceeded the value of energy using water by a percentage 10.15%

Assessment of Screening for Nasal Obstruction among Sleep Dentistry Outpatients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

Oral appliances (OA), a common treatment modality for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), are not suitable for patients with nasal obstruction. Rhinomanometry, the gold standard technique to assess nasal airway resistance, is not readily available in sleep dentistry clinics. We demonstrate the use of a portable lightweight peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) rate meter to objectively assess nasal airflow and utilized the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale to subjectively assess nasal obstruction in 97 patients with OSA and 105 healthy controls. We examined the correlations between the following variables between the groups: demographics, body mass index, PNIF, NOSE scale scores, apnea–hypopnea index (AHI), minimum SpO2 (SpO2min), Mallampati classification, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores. Patients with OSA had significantly lower PNIF values and higher NOSE scores than controls. In the patient group, PNIF was not significantly correlated with AHI, SpO2min, Mallampati classification, or NOSE or ESS scores. Lower PNIF values and higher NOSE scores suggested impaired nasal airflow in the OSA group. As daytime PNIF measurement bears no relationship to AHI, this cannot be used alone in predicting the suitability of treatment for OSA with OA but can be used as an adjunct for making clinical decisions.

US public health resources for coronavirus disease 2019 that are relevant to allergy-immunology

US public health resources for coronavirus disease 2019 that are relevant to allergy-immunology

Seismic Design of the Box for the Gas Flow-Rate Metering Unit

To study seismic resistance of the box for the metering unit of gas flow-rate required to ignite the flare system we used the calculation methods developed on the basis of the method of finite elements and the software designed to define the mode of deformation and the dynamics of structures for the three-dimensional statement. To construct the simulation model, we took into account all the elements that affect the strength and the efficiency of the real structure during possible earthquakes. Structure elements were simulated using the sets of arbitrary oriented rods and lumped masses with inertia moments and those rods were connected absolutely rigidly with each other and using also elastically damped elements. The rod elements with distributed parameters took into consideration all the types of deformations that occur during the vibrations. The plate components of the structure were simulated using the grids made of the rods taking into consideration the ductility and inertia properties of its elements. Lumped masses in the rod connections were used to take into account the masses of installed equipment, pipelines, etc. The seismic loading was simulated using alternating inertia forces transferred from the ground. The soil ductility was taken into account by the Winkler model. Computations were done for the sand and rock stone ground and for the fine-grained sand. Consideration was given to the seismic forces of a different intensity that are represented by three-component accelerograms. Synthesized and real accelerograms were analyzed. The obtained computation data showed that the structure of the box of the metering unit of gas flow rate is quakeproof and it won’t be destroyed during its operation.

Framework for innovative determination of natural gas content in coal seams

The article discusses the development framework of the method and device for high-accuracy measurement of coal seam gas content. It is proposed to design a device ensuring full measurement of gas content of coal core from the moment of coring (drilling at a distance of 4 – 6 m from coal boundary in the gateway face) to sealing of a core in the thermobaric flask (chips reception container). The results obtained using thermobaric flasks are essential. For another thing, the authors consider the requirements imposed on a portable flow rate meter and on the device for gas measurement and recording during drilling in coal seam. The anticipated difficulties in determination of volume of gas release from borehole walls in the total volume of gas measured during drilling are described. Alongside with the production benefits, the device being developed will provide determination of up to 20 gas-kinetic and gas-dynamic characteristics of coal, which can offer new knowledge on the nature of coal-and-methane substance.

Macrobending SMS fiber-optic anemometer and flow sensor

Abstract We report a simple, high sensitivity, good resolution and low-cost fiber-optic anemometer and flow sensor based on reflective single mode-multimode-single mode structure bent by air flow. The dragging force on the multimode section causes it to bend resulting in multimodal interference (MMI) effects which are related to the fluid velocity and flow rate. Bending effects on the output power profile are investigated and numerical simulation combined with experimental data demonstrate that the output power intensity may increase or decrease with the rise of curvature, depending on MMI conditions and field deformation. The sensor behavior with air flow velocity is evaluated by spectral analysis using a variety of methods as wavelength shifting of a selected peak and output power intensity of selected wavelength and output power intensity of selected points. Experimental tests using air stream inside a wind tunnel provided a reliable dynamic range from 4 to 10 m/s. Peak sensitivities of 435.13 pm/(m/s) with resolution of 17.4 × 10−3 m/s for wavelength shifting and 2.62 dB/(m/s) for output power intensity are obtained. These results assure that the sensor can be effectively used in a wide variety of applications, such as anemometer and flow rate meter.

Peak expiratory flow rate and thoracic mobility in people with fibromyalgia. A cross sectional study.

Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by chronic widespread pain and affects approximately 1-3% of the general population. Respiratory function has not been given much consideration in people with FM. Few studies have been published concerning FM and respiratory function and conflicting data still exist. The aim of this study was to compare differences in forced expiration, but also to investigate chest expansion, spinal mobility and segmental pain intensity between a group with fibromyalgia and healthy controls. Forty-one women with diagnosed FM based on American College of Rheumatology 1990 criteria and forty-one controls without pain matched for age and gender participated in this cross-sectional study. For evaluation of forced expiration, a Wright peak expiratory flow rate meter was used. A tape measure was used to measure the mobility of the thorax at maximum inhalation and exhalation known as chest expansion. Spinal mobility was measured with the Cervico-thoracic ratio method. The spinal mobility was measured as range of motion from C7 to 15 cm below in flexion and manual palpation was conducted between C7-T5. For differences in pain intensity a palpation-index was defined for each level, respectively; C7-T1, T1-2, T2-3, T3-4 and T4-5 by calculating the mean value for the four different palpation points for each motion segment. A combined measure of expiration and thoracic mobility (expiratory/inspiratory ratio) was calculated by dividing peak expiratory flow rate (L/min) with chest expansion (cm). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics to describe subjects and controls, means and standard deviation to compare differences between groups and student-t and Chi-square (χ2) tests, using SPSS 22 software. Confidence interval was set to 95%. In the FM group 17 had the diagnosis for more than 5 years and 24 less than 5 years. The FM group demonstrated significantly lower forced expiration (p < 0.018), less thoracic expansion (p < 0.001), reduced spinal mobility (p < 0.029), higher expiratory-inspiratory ratio value (p < 0.001) and increased palpation pain over C7-T5 (p < 0.001) compared to healthy controls. There were more smokers in the FM group (n = 9) compared to the controls (n = 5) though this difference was not statistically significant (p < 0.24) and excluding the few smokers yielded similar result. No significant correlations for manual palpation, chest expansion, peak expiratory flow rate and spinal mobility were found in the FM group. Women with FM demonstrated significantly lower forced expiration and thoracic mobility compared to healthy controls. The results of this study point to a plausible restriction of respiratory function which in turn may have effect on physical endurance and work capacity in people with FM.

Experimental investigation of a pumping station from CET power plant Timisoara

In this paper the results of experimental investigations carried out on four high power centrifugal pumps from CET-Centre power plant Timisoara are presented. The aim of this investigation is to determine the operating curves of the pumps after more than 10 years of operation and to identify the optimum configuration of pumps to operate in parallel. Because of the differences between the pumps, problems occur in exploitation when try to make them operate in parallel configuration. One problem consists in not being able to operate the pumps in parallel in any configuration because of different pumping heads, and another problem is the high consumption of electric power because the pumps are not operated at best efficiency point. Using a measuring equipment based on thermodynamic method and a portable ultrasonic flow rate meter, experimental measurements were performed on each centrifugal pump to obtain the operating characteristics curves (pumping head vs. flow rate and efficiency vs. flow rate). Then analysis was performed to determine the best arrangement of pumps operating in parallel so that the necessary flow rate to be obtained and the parallel operation of the pumps to be without problems and with a minimum electric power consumption.