Tests of drainage pumping plants in the southern states

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
| BULLETIN No. 1067

Contribution from the Bureau of Public Reads
THOMAS H. MacDONALD, Chief

Washington, D. C. PROFESSIONAL PAPER June, 1922

‘TESTS OF
DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS IN
THE SOUTHERN STATES

By

W. B. GREGORY, Irrigation Engineer

” pe at ar ~

CONTENTS

Introduction . ies
Types of Pumps. . . .
Suction and Discharge Pipes Z
Sources of Power for Pumping Planis .-
Tests of Pumping Plants -

Cost of Operation of Plants .

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WASHINGTON
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
1922

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BULLETIN No. 1067 ,

Contribution ‘rom the Bureau of Public Roads q
THOMAS BH. MacDONALD, Chief

Washington, D. C. PROFESSIONAL PAPER. ; June, 1922

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS IN THE
SOUTHERN STATES.

By W. B. Grecory, Irrigation Engineer.

——————

CONTENTS.

. Page. | Page.
NEROCUIGLIOM = sew ae ene Se a 1 | Sources of power for pumping plants-_.....__- 5
Ty PeSOmpUIM PSs. aes = poe Ne Re) 2 | Tests of pumping plants.......-- eee Py aha ee
Suction and discharge pipes-...............- 3 Cost of operation of plantse +25 5-55-42 = 44

INTRODUCTION.

Agriculture in the southern portions of Louisiana was first prac-
ticed along the rivers and bayous. Since the alluvial soil was de-
posited by the rivers the highest land is found near the banks, and
there is a gradual slope from the rivers and bayous back to the
swamp. Previous to the last decade the only reclaimed agricul-
tural lands in southern Louisiana were in the rear of the sugar plan-
tations. The early planters cultivated the narrow strip of land
along the streams which could be drained by gravity. The width
of these strips varied greatly, but usually the distance from the
levees back to the swamp was from one-half mile to 2 miles. The
cultivation of sugar cane created a demand for more land, and this
demand was met by extending the plantations toward the swamps,
removing the water by means of pumps from lands too low to drain
by gravity.

About 150,000 acres of agricultural lands in the State of Louisiana
have been reclaimed or are at present in process of reclamation.
The drainage of these agricultural lands and the drainage of the city
of New Orleans, which was largely built in a swamp, have given a
notable impetus to the development of pumps and pumping plants
in this State. This development has been so rapid that it is now pos-
sible to find all types of drainage pumping plants in operation, from
the old drainage wheel to the latest design of screw pump. Both

89782—22Bull. 1067 —1 ]

2 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

in capacity and in excellence of design the pumping plants of this
section are unique, although among the many plants erected there
are some that are conspicuously superior to others. Department
Bulletin No. 652, ‘“The Wet Lands of Louisiana and their Drain-
age,” and Volume XI, No. 6, of the Journal of Agricultural Re-
search, contain much interesting information relating to the recla-
mation of these lands.

This bulletin contains a short description of the various types
of drainage pumping plants found in the southern coast country, and
gives the results of tests that have been made since 1909 by the
Division of Agricultural Engineering, Bureau of Public Roads.

TYPES OF PUMPS.
DRAINAGE WHEEL.

The first pumps used in the Gulf Coast country for artificial drain-
age were of the drainage wheel or scoop wheel type. Many of the
_steam-driven drainage wheels are still in use in Louisiana. Large
wheels of this type range from 28 to 32 feet in diameter, with a width
of from 4 to 7 feet. In most localities, however, the cost of founda-
tions stable enough to hold the wheels rigidly in place has increased
the cost of the drainage wheels to such an extent that they have
been practically eliminated from competition with other cheaper
forms of pumping plant. Another point against the drainage
wheel is the difficulty involved in adjusting tts height. Once set,
the depth to which the water may be lowered is definitely fixed.
As a rule these wheels are expected to pump against a maximum
head equal to one-fourth the diameter. The humus of the drained
land in time disappears as the land is cultivated, and the level of
the land falls, the amount of shrinkage varying with the depth of
humus. As a result of this shrinkage it has been found desirable
after a few years to pump to a lower level. With a drainage wheel
this requires either lengthening the paddles or lowering the founda-
tions and power plant.

CHAMBER-WHEEL PUMP.

The chamber-wheel pump, certain types of which have been used
for drainage, is practically a meter, the discharge being propor-
tional to the speed. Because of the pulsations set up, due to the
alternate accelerating and retarding of the water that is being
pumped, there are well-defined limits of speed that may not be ex-
ceeded without injury to the pump. While the centrifugal pump
may be forced to an extent that is limited only by the power of the
engine or motor driving it, the limitations of capacity for the cham-
ber-wheel type are found in the pump itself.

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. 3

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS.

~

The centrifugal pump in some of its various forms has proved to
be a favorite for drainage work, where large volumes of water must
be elevated only a few feet. There are many reasons for the popu-
larity of the centrifugal pump, among which might be mentioned
first cost, reliability of operation, simplicity of construction, and its
ability, when forced, to develop a capacity much greater than the
rated capacity. It is efficient if properly designed for the condi-
tions under which it is operated.

A cheap but fairly efficient form of centrifugal pump that was much
used a few years ago is the vertical-shaft, wooden-box pump. Many
are still in use, but of late they have given way to more substantial
pumps made entirely of metal. The older pumps usually were
driven by belt or rope drive, while the modern plants often have
pumps and engines direct connected.

HORIZONTAL CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS.

Centrifugal drainage pumps with horizontal shafts ususally have
double suction pipes. The suction and discharge pipes withthe
pump form a siphon, with the pump at the top at a convenient
height for examination and for repair. Variations in level of the
suction and discharge sides do not affect the pump, and the lift is
always equal to the actual difference of level while the head the
pump must develop is the lift plus the various friction losses in the
pump and piping. These pumps are made by many firms and differ
considerably in minor details. Their popularity is shown by the
fact that a large majority of all the drainage plants installed during
the last 10 years are of this type.

SCREW PUMPS.

Screw pumps range from 3 to 12 feet in diameter, the largest hav-
ing a capacity of 700 cubic feet per second. The lift ranges up to
10 feet or more.

A combination centrifugal screw pump has been developed that is
especially suited to electric motor drive or internal-combustion
engines. The blades of this type of pump are so designed that the
load is practically constant from a minimum to a maximum lift
when running at a constant speed.

SUCTION AND DISCHARGE PIPES.

In drainage installations, where the lift is usually between 4 and
10 feet, the losses at the entrance of suction pipes and the kinetic
energy thrown away at the end of the discharge pipe together make
up a large percentage of the energy used. These losses increase with
the square of the velocity of the water at entrance and discharge,

4 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

and the velocity in turn depends upon the diameter or area of the
pipe at the two ends. The larger the area at these ends the less will
be the velocity and energy loss, and vice versa. For this reason the
practice, formerly common, of designing the suction and discharge
pipes to have the same diameter throughout is now being very
generally abandoned, though occasionally descriptions of such plants,
in which the fundamental laws of hydraulics are disregarded, find
their way into the technical press.

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Diam of Ope ne Suction and Discharge

Fig. 1.—Gain in - ficiency due to expanding suction and discharge pipes.

Until lately the entrance loss has usually been estimated at 0.93
of the velocity head at the entrance. Bulletin 96 of the Engineering
Experiment Station, University of Hlinois, contains evidence that
this coefficient is too high and suggests a value of 0.62. The dis-
charge loss is equal to the velocity head at the end of the discharge
pipe. If the pipes are round and the diameter be doubled at the
suction and discharge ends, the areas will be multiplied by 4; and
with pumping at a constant rate there will be entrance and dis-

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. +)

charge velocities one-fourth as great as with pipe of uniform size.
Losses vary as the square of the velocity, so they will be reduced to
one-sixteenth of the loss in a pipe of uniform size, if the diameter
of the ends of suction and discharge pipes be gradually enlarged to
twice the diameter of the rest of the pipe, or, in case the pipe is not
round, if the end area be increased four times.

The importance of this matter of pipe expansion is illustrated by
figure 1. It is assumed that the pump flange is designed for a dis-
charge pipe 2 feet in diameter and that the mean velocity is 10 feet
per second. The length of straight pipe is taken as 15 feet.

SOURCES OF POWER FOR PUMPING PLANTS.

STEAM ENGINES.

Steam engines were used to furnish power for the earliest pumping
plants. The simpler and less efficient types first employed have
been replaced by more efficient types as improved pumps have
taken the place of the drainage wheel and less efficient pumps.
Plants now in use employ simple, noncondensing engines, compound
condensing engines with high-pressure water-tube boilers, Corliss
engines direct-connected to centrifugal pumps, and one plant in-
spected used superheated steam in a compound-condensing engine
of the poppet-valve type. Steam plants of all types are reliable in
operation, and when the pumps are of the centrifugal type the
capacity may be increased to a marked degree, at the expense of
efficiency, by merely increasing the speed. Steam plants are easily
run and if cared for by a competent operator will have a reasonable
length of life.

Unfortunately, however, they frequently do not receive the neces-
sary care. The principal cause of deterioration is the character of
water that is used in the boilers. Generally the only water available
is the drainage water from the wet prairies, containing acids and
organic compounds which corrode and cause trouble with feed pipes,
boiler accessories, and boilers.

Besides the boiler troubles to which they are liable steam plants
_are often wasteful of fuel, while the opposite is true of plants using
the internal-combustion engine. For these and other reasons the
most recent pumping plants erected in Louisiana have in many
instances used internal-combustion engines as a source of power.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

In the last few years the internal-combustion engine has been so
far improved and perfected that lack of reliability is no longer con-
sidered a hindrance to its use. For several years four-stroke cycle
engines were used almost exclusively, and the fuels employed varied
from heavy low-grade crude oils to kerosene. Recently, two-stroke

6 BULLETIN 1067, U.-S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

cycle oil engines of the semi-Diesel type have come into favor.
These engines employ comparatively low compression, usually from
125 to 250 pounds per square inch. The speed is relatively high,
the engines usually running 200 to 260 revolutions per minute for
‘sizes from 50 to 150 horsepower. They are generally of the horizontal
type, but some are of the vertical type. Ignition is by means of a
hot bulb or a hot plate partially cooled by water circulation. The
details of design differ considerably. In providing scavenging air
some compress into the crank case or on the front side of the power
piston, while others use a large piston in front of the power piston.
Some have governors that may be adjusted while the engine is
running, while others must be stopped when an adjustment of the
governor is to be made. Some have crossheads, others have trunk
pistons. Some inject water with the fuel or into the combustion |
chamber, others do not. Lubricating oil may be recovered from some
of these engines, while that employed in others is useless after being
used once. Some owners complain of the large amount of lubricat-
ing oil used.

A point worthy of note is that all engines of this type must be
operated well under their maximum load to avoid trouble, and this
is especially true of the crude-oil engines. The exhaust from engines
using crude oil, unless of the Diesel type, is always smoky and often
contains tarry matter that will foul the cylinders and eventually
cause trouble. Absence of valves tends to minimize this trouble,
but does not entirely remove it. Coke sometimes forms in the
exhaust pipe if a low grade of oil is used, and the pipe must occa-
sionally be removed and cleaned.

For the smaller plants, two-cycle crude-oil engines are being
installed to the exclusion of nearly every other type. The future
probably will see some of the present difficulties eliminated, and
further use will familiarize operators with such peculiarities as
require close attention and care. .

ELECTRIC POWER.

Electricity as a source of power for drainage pumping plants has
not come into extensive use in southern Louisiana and Texas. It has
the advantage of greater convenience than other sources of power,
and where adequate transmission lines are easily accessible this
advantage may make it desirable, notwithstanding its higher cost as
compared with power from steam or internal-combustion engines.

TESTS OF PUMPING PLANTS.
CONDITION OF TESTS.

Tests of pumping plants should be made during fair weather, after
allowing the reservoir canals to fill to the maximum depth. If the

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. 7

test is continued until the water is drawn down to a low level the
results may be divided into hourly periods in such a way as to show
the behavior of the plant throughout the range of lift. The reservoir
capacity per unit tested will determine the length of time required
for such a test. If it is desired to determine the behavior of a plant
under average lift, either the test must be comparatively short or
there must be a supply of water furnished by rain during the test,
though the water possibly may be siphoned back through a pump
that is not being operated. The latter plan is applicable only to
plants having more than one unit. In any case the test usually will
be more accurate if it extends over a considerable length of time.
Although many of the tests described covered only a comparatively
short period, the accuracy of fuel measurements is high because the
fuel has been oil. Tests made with this fuel used in internai-
combustion engines or burned in boiler furnaces are much more
accurate than those made for corresponding periods of time with
coal as a fuel. A boiler test with oil fuel can be made without dis-
turbing the normal operation of the plant. With coal as fuel there
are many irregularities introduced, due to the measurements neces-
sary to the test. Fortunately all the tests here recorded were made
with oil as fuel.

The showing made by a pumping plant depends in some measure
on conditions surrounding the test. If a guarantee of efficiency and
fuel consumption has been made by the parties erecting the plant
and the test is made to show whether the guarantee has been met,
the plant is likely to make its best showing. If, however, the same
plant has been turned over to a careless operator and has not been
kept in first-class condition a casual test made without particular
preparation may show results quite different from those of the
acceptance test. The amount of this difference will vary greatly
with different types of plant and with the conditions of operation.

Centrifugal pumps operate efficiently only at proper speeds.
There are, however, many instances where capacity and not efficiency
is the controlling element in a pumping plant. If an unusual rainfall
has occurred it is desirable to remove the water before damage
results to crops, regardless of fuel cost. Steam pumping plants have
in general more overload capacity than internal-combustion engine
plants. Steam engines usually are selected on a basis of size that
enables them to force the pumps beyond normal capacity, while an
increase of steam pressure in case of liberal boiler capacity always
will insure overloads. On the other hand, the internal-combustion
engine usually may not be forced to an output of power greatly in
excess of its normal rating. When in the best possible condition a
maximum of 10 to 15 per cent in excess of the rating may be expected.

8 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The showing made by a pumping plant will depend to some extent
on the amount of vegetation in the water and consequently on the
time of year the test is made. A screen in the suction canal to keep
weeds from reaching the pump is a necessity. Even where there is a
good screen, weeds of small size will pass through and be caught on
the blades of the impeller of the pump. The effect is to reduce both
capacity and efficiency. There is urgent need for some form of cutter
that may be operated while the pump is in use. Such a device has
been applied to one form of screw pump. It consists of a heavy cyl-
inder of metal that is forced in and out by a hydraulic piston and so’
placed that the blades of the impeller barely clear; any trash caught
by the blades is thus sheared off and passes on through the pump.
The patent involved also covers the application of the device to
centrifugal pumps, but so far as observation extends it has not been
applied to that type of pump.

Some pumping plants are operated at an improper number of
revolutions per minute because of lack of data regarding the proper
speeds for different lifts. Without a series of tests to determine
the best speed of rotation a plant may be operated at considerable
disadvantage. Because of the limited time ordinarily devoted to
such a series, and the manylimitations affecting the outcome of the
tests, it is quite probable that the results do not represent the best
performance of the class to which the plant belongs.

The tests described hereafter were run by W. B. Gregory and J. M.
Robert, of Tulane University, and C. W. Okey, Senior Drainage En-
gineer, United States Department of Agriculture, assisted by B. S.
Nelson, Charles Kirschner, and several members of the senior class
in mechanical engineering at Tulane University.

TEST OF DRAINAGE WHEEL ON THE SOUTH SIDE PLANTING CO.’S TRACT,
NEW ORLEANS, LA.

This test was made in 1905 on a drainage wheel used to drain
1,700 acres. The wheel was typical of its class, but had distinct
features in the double gearing and in the number of paddles. Care
was exercised so to design the wheel that the water would not be
lifted unnecessarily. Its diameter was 28 feet and its width 6 feet.
It was driven by a simple noncondensing engine of the slide-valve
type, with a cylinder 16 inches in diameter and a stroke of 24 inches.

The method of testing consisted in traversing the discharge flume
with a current meter and taking indicator cards and other observa-
tions as quickly as possible after the traverse was finished. By. this
means the indicated horsepower was a little less than the mean cor-
responding to the water measurement, but as the latter required only
about 10 minutes the error was not great.

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. 9

The results given in Table 1 are very satisfactory, as they show an
efficiency of engine, transmission gears, and pump in every case
exceeding 38 per cent and in two cases considerably above that figure,
while the actual lift of the pump varied from 2.4 feet to 2.86 feet.
During the last observation the paddles dipped into the water to a
depth of approximately 1 foot, and the slip or backward flow was
quite large. The clearance on the side of paddles was about three-
fourths inch.

TaBLE 1.—Engine and pump test, South Side Planting Co.’s drainage wheel.

|

(eee | |: Useful |
Boiler eacieued Speed of | Speed of | Actual | Diccharca | water | Effi-
pressure.| -~ Sai engine. | wheel. rites aie = Be. | horse- | ciency.
| power. | | power. _|
Lbs. per | | | : |
sq. in. | IRD TOs |) 1s ede |< INTAS SOS | Gaps | Per cent.
40 | 13.43 61 | DEO neers oe eee [Susie eet ae aces ME Sas ee
40 | 12. 61 66h + eeli(ias| Pah | 20.71 | 9 299 5. 59 | 44,3
38 | 10. 37 AOS | 2.24 | Dey | 17. 20 7,723 5, 41 Dee,
36 | 8. 80 67.5 | 222.) 2A 11. 23 | 5,042 3. 41 38.8
37 | 6.95 €8 | 2,24 | 2. 86 8. 21 3,686 2. 66 | 38.3
1 38, 2 19, 68 166, 1 | 1 op | 12.69 | 114.34 16,487 [M427 | U3 4

1 Mean.
Duration of test, 1 hour.

These results are confirmed by a test of a similar drainage wheel in
the old London Avenue pumping station in New Orleans, made in
August, 1900, by W. M. White. In this test between 50 and60
cubic feet per second were pumped through a height varying from 4
to 5 feet. The efficiency of engine, gearing, and pump ranged from
45 to 50 per cent. The duty per 100 pounds of coal was approxi-
mately 13,000,000 foot-pounds. The water rate of the engine was
50.5 pounds per indicated horsepower-hour. The engine was of the
type used in Mississippi River steamboats; diameter of cylinder 18
inches; length of stroke 54 inches. During the test the engine made
about 35 revolutions per minute.

TEST OF CHAMBER-WHEEL PUMP ON WILLSWOOD PLANTATION, WAGGAMAN, LA.

In a drainage pumping plant composed of large units such as are
required ordinarily in drainage work, the pumps lift the water higher
than is necessary, and while they are efficient if credited with the
higher lift, they lose their efficiency on low lifts when the actual
difference in level is considered.

This point is well illustrated by the test made at the drainage
pumping plant of Willswood plantation. At the time there were
three pumping units on this plantation, steam being furnished by two
water-tube boilers and. one horizontal return tubular boiler. The
fuel was crude oil and a feed-water heater was used. Following is a
description of the three units:

89782—22— Bull. 1067

2

10 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

1. A 16 by 24 inch automatic noncondensing engine connected by rope drive to a
rotary chamber-wheel pump. Maximum capacity of 40,000 gallons per minute.

2. A similar engine connected by rope drive and bevel gear ! to a 42 by 16 inch
Menge pump.

3. A double vertical engine direct-connected to a 36-inch centrifugal pump.

Pumps 1 and 2 discharge into open flumes at an average head on
the pump of 10 feet, which was 5 feet greater than necessary. The
bottom of the discharge flume was placed at the elevation of the top
of the back levee, which normally was about 5 feet higher than the
water of the swamp behind the levee.

In testing pump No. 1, the quantity of water was measured by
means of a weir without end contractions placed in the discharge
flume. Table 2 shows the results obtained by the test.

TaBLE 2.—Test! of pump No. 1, Willswood plantation, June 15, 1909.

q Water horse-
Speed. : power.

: Indi- ; Efficiency of
Bale cated Discharee Actual Bead engine, trans-
Pp horse- Be. lift. Based | mission, and
sure. ares é pump. | Based AiR TTOONE —

P - |Engine.| Pump. onactu-\"" on PUM E
al lift. pump.

Lbs. per Per Per
Sq. in R.p.m.|R. p.m.| Sec.-ft. |G.p.m.| Feet. Feet cent. cent.
89 | 153.5 | 108.5 89. 0 78.2 | 35, 200 5.2 10.0 46.0 88.4 | 29.9 57.5

89 | 163.0 | 115.0 94.5 83.0 | 37,300 5.3 10.3 49.6 96.5 | 30.4 59.1

89 | 155.8 | 112.5 92.0 80. 8 | 36, 300 5.4 10.3 49.3 94.0 | 31.6 60. 3

90 | 166.8 | 116.5 95. 5 83.9 | 37,700 TaD} 10.5 52.1 99.5 | 31.3 59. 8

92 | 166.8] 117.5 96. 0 84.3 | 37,900 5.5 10.5 52.3 | 100.0 | 31.4 60.0

87 | 152.2 109.0 89.5 78.7 | 35, 400 5.5 10. 5 48.8 93.3 | 32.1 61.3

86 | 145.6 | 106.07} 87.0 76.4 | 34, 400 5.6 10.5 48. 4 90.8 | 33.2 62.3
ENS ac peep lace ecco So Ny Pe ed Nall PS 231.41 | 260. 04

|

1 Duration of test, 1 hour and 30 minutes.
2 Average.

When the pump was credited with the head through which the water
was elevated at the pump the average efficiency of engine, trans-
mission, and pump was found to be 60 per cent. Based on the actual
lift it was only 31 per cent. Assuming the mechanical efficiency
of the engine as 90 per cent and the efficiency of transmission as
95 per cent, the efficiency of the pump, if credited with the whole
lift, is a little more than 70 per cent.

TEST OF MENGE PUMP, PARADIS, LA.

Several efficiency tests of Menge pump installations, both for
drainage and for irrigation, show that where the pumps were favor-
ably located and the plants in good condition the efficiencies were
excellent.

The results given in Table 3 were obtained from a test of a drainage
plant made at Paradis, La. The plant consisted of a 48 by 18 inch
Menge pump run by means of a rope drive from a steam engine;

1 This has since been changed to a quarter-twist rope drive, thus eliminating the bevel gears.

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. dite

diameter of cylinder 14 inches, stroke 20 inches. Various speeds of
rotation were employed for the purpose of finding the best efficiency.
The results were excellent and have been confirmed by tests of other
plants. If the mechanical efficiency of the engine be assumed as 90
per cent and the efficiency of transmission 95 per cent, the efficiency
of the pump would be approximately 55 per cent with a 5-foot lft.

TABLE 3.—Test! of Menge pump, Paradis, La., Sept. 16, 1909.

| |

| se Speed. porns
: ndi- | | - ofengine,
Boiler cated Actual : Water trans-
| pres- hore ie | Discharge. horse- mission, |
sure. | power. | Engine. | Pump. | POWEE- and |
pump.
| | l
Lbs. per
sq. in | R.p.m.|R.p.m.| Feet. Sec.-ft. |G. p.m Per cent.
76 11.4 67 78 | 2. 67 575 0. 39 3.4
77 39.6 | 92 98 | 3. 55 39.6 17, 800 15.9 40.2
80 49.1 | 92 99 3. 65 39. 6 17, 800 16.3 40.6
75 59.6 | 107 | 117 | 4, 24 54.5 | 24,500 26.1 43, 8
ae 9D, 11 | 80 87 | 3. 42 20.8 | 9, 360 8.0 36. 2
79 37.7 | 93 101 | 3.90 | 30.5. | 15,970 15.6 41.4
69 | 59.3 | 107 116 4.30 53.7 | 24,150 26.1 44.0 |
70 | 41.7 | 97 104 4,15 309) Nn 15050 17.8 42.7 |
68 | 65. 8 lll 121 4, 80 52.0 23, 400 28. 2 42.8 |
55 48.4 100 111 | 4.55 42.8 19, 300 22.0 45.5 |
55 | 71.0 | 114 123 | 5. 00 55. 5 25,000 31.4 44.2 |
50 | 65.3 | 110 122 | 5. 00 54. 5 24, 500 30.8 47.1 |
48 | 60.6 | 109 118 | 4.90 512) 4) = 235000 28. 4 46.8
70 76.5 116 128 | 5. 30 5663 1) 255350 33.7 44.1 |

1 Duration oftest, 3 hours 13 minutes.
TESTS OF PUMPING PLANT OF THE PHILLIPS LAND CO., PLAQUEMINES PARISH, LA.
DESCRIPTION OF PLANT.

This pumping plant is used to drain 2,500 acres of wet prairie
land in Plaquemines Parish, about 15 miles below New Orleans.
The plant consists of two units, a 36-inch double-suction centrifugal
pump driven by a 14 by 18 inch simple slide-valve engine, and a
24-inch double-suction centrifugal pump driven by a 10 by 14 inch
simple slide-valve engine. Both engines are noncondensing. The
suction pipes of the large pump are 26 inches in diameter, while those
of the smaller pump are 18 inches. The pumps are direct connected
to the engines through flexible couplings. The exhaust of the engines
is conducted through a common exhaust pipe to a closed heater
and then to an exhaust head. Steam is furnished by two horizontal
return tubular boilers rated at 80 horsepower each. Oil is used as
fuel. Steam is required to atomize the oil and to run the oil and
boiler feed pumps. The pumping plant is housed in a steel frame
building covered with galvanized iron.

METHOD OF CONDUCTING THE FIRST TEST.

The plant was operated under normal conditions for the first test.
Fuel was measured in a barrel. Feed water was measured by a
Worthington meter, which was calibrated after the test. No attempt

12 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

was made to measure the moisture injthe steam, the amount of which
at times was quite large. Observations were taken ‘at half-hour
intervals. The quantity of water pumped was measured by means
of Pitot tubes, one being placed in the discharge pipe of each pump.
Velocity was measured at 10 points in the pipe, so chosen that
the arithmetical mean of the separate velocities gave we mean
velocity of water in the pipe.

Gages set in still water in the suction and discharge canals were
read, and the difference of the readings used as head of actual lift in
computing the useful water horsepower. The heads on the pumps
were found by providing openings in the suction and discharge pipes
near the pumps and reading the negative heads by means of a mer-
cury column. ‘The suction head was taken in each case as the mean
of the two readings on the:suction pipes. The head on pump was
computed from the formula

H=ha—h,+th"+ Sau

ha=head in discharge pipe in feet of water shown by mercury
column; it may be positive or negative.

h,=head on suction pipe in feet of water shown by mercury column;
it is usually negative.

h’’ = difference of level of openings in suction and discharge pipes;
this term is + if opening in discharge pipe is above that in
suction and — when the opposite is true.

Vaz=mean velocity in discharge pipe.

V,=mean velocity in suction | pipe.

Table 4 shows the results obtained by the test and Table 5 gives
a summary of the results of the engine and pump test and the boiler
test.
TaBLE 4.—First test of Phillips Land Co. pumping plant, Oct. 19, 1912.
36-INCH UNIT.

Efficiency.
Boiler | H ; Actual | Head Veh Pump | Based } pasoq
Time. pres- |, pee Speed. | © itt. on Discharge. howe horse- on ; ou
sure. | ; : ump. : ower. | usefu
Pee power. ip ee pure
ae Ee ety

Lbs. per

sq. in. R.p.m.| Feet. Feet. | Sec.-ft.|G.p.m. PACE ween Cee
NO: O00 eee 118 | 94.0 176 3.85 6.93 62.2 | 27,910 | 27.20 | 48.90 28.9 52.1
L008 see. 118 92.2 176 4.01 6.61 63.0 | 28,280 | 28.70} 47.25 ol. 1 ol.3
TE OO Se pe sire 117 86.7 | 172 AUR ee oe sce (OLIVA A PAGES) |e PAG TAY NE oS acces Bon Lu lexteectee
ESO eee ee 120 90.9 | 174 4.21 6.63 61.0 | 27,390 | 29.15 | 45.80 32.1 50.5
NODS Ss eee 126 90.6 174 4.2) 6.63 60.6 | 27,2 0| 29.60} 45.70 32.7 50. 4
1 741 Boe See 120; 93.1 177 4. AQwics 22s G5 2527; 480" 193.0608) Seaes—- 32.07 seers
A OO barre 120 91.6 177 4.49 7.08 61.7 | 27,700 | 31.50] 49.60 34.4 54.1
al sen Seeee 117 88.4 | 177 4.59 ‘6.76 60.4 | 27,100 | 31.45; 46.30 35.6 52.3
AW Seashore 120 88. 6 | 176 4.67 6.92 59.5 | 26,700) 31.55 | 46.70 35.6 STi
Bios ee erates 125 87.8 | 177 4.77 6. 97 54.8 24) 600 | 2).60 |) 43.30 se tf 49.3
Be OO eet oom 1156 86.9) 177 4.85 7.26 53.9 24) 190 | 29.65 | 44.30 34.1 51.0
5) GS aeeanc | 118 86.3 | 176 4.94 7.10 54.2 24° 320} 30.35) 43.60 30-1 59.5
AIOE eaters 117 90.3 177 5.04 PR 59.5 22’ 670) 28.90 | 41.40 32.0 45.8

Mean..... 118.5] 89.8| 175.9] 4.48| 6.92| 58.7] 26,345| 29.75] 45.75) 33:2 50.9

Fuel oil used, both units, 2,256 pounds; feed water used, both units, 27,859 pounds.

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. 13

TaBLe 4.—First test of Phillips Land Co. pumping plant, Oct. 19, 1912—Continued.

24-INCH UNIT.

| |
Efficiency.
|
}
5 | Useful |
Boiler : | Head | : Pump
Time. pres- OUST Speed. MOTE Discharge. W EUG? horse- | Base€ | Based
. E power lift. | horse : on
sure pump. power. POWel-| useful on
pump
water | 7
alee E
Lbs. per | |
Sq. Mn. R.p.m.| Feet. | Feet. | Sec.-ft.\G.p.m. | IER Gis | IEAGE
1005-2 118 34.6 210 3.85 6.14 29.5 | 13,240 | 12.90} 20.60 37.3 BWR ES
1LO:302= = 2s=- 118 35.0 210 4.01 6.20} 29.3 | 13,150 | 13.33 | 20.60 38. 1 58.8
09S. 117 26.0 | 202 ASH So ees Nets DEH! P25 300) | eka: Sone eae A955. |e eee
bESOL 222 120 23.0 | 182 4.21 5.65 22.6 | 10,000} 10.80) 14.50 47.0 63.0
12:005222 5-45 126 23.8 | 182 4.29 5.72 APN A TETAS) | OSTA) AA) 53.4 | 1125
1D AS t Caen 120 3421 | 7208 4 AQNE ee es 28:9) 1229700 142430 eee 4D St ase
AOD Soe 120 34.9 | 209 4.49 6.44 28.7 |.12,880} 14.60! 20.90 41.8 59.9
W305 = 117 33-0 | 208 4.59 6.57 27.6 | 12,390 | 14.40 20.60 42.8 61.1
744 oe ee 120 34-1 | 208 4.67 6. 40 27.6 | 12,390] 14.65 20.05 43.0 58.8
DedQnacs oss 125 33. 5 | 208 4.77 6.63 | 26.5 | 11,890 | 14.38 | 19.95 42.9 AS
Br00= Fea ee 115 33.8 208 4.86 | 6.33 25.9 | 11,640} 14.25 | 18.57 42.2 54.9
Se Se Cee 118 33.4 208 4.94} 6.56] 26.5 | 11,890 14. 85 19.71 44.4 59.0
AOR oes 117 33.9 | 209 5.04 6.63 23.6 | 10,590 | 13.50) 17.78 39. 8 | 52.5
Meami.=._- 118.5 31.8 204 4.48 | 6.30 26.9 | 12,073 13.67 | 19.10 43.4 | 59.9
} |

Fuel oil used, both units 2,256 pounds; feed water used, both units 27,850 pounds.

TABLE 5.—Summiary of first test of Phillips Land Co. plant.

| 36-inch | 24irch

| unit. unit.
ENGINE AND PUMP TEST.

DAIEAONIOREESt sNOURG Sanh es a ee ee a. we ee el eee 6 oan 6
EU CNMOLUUL OMS 1) CEs ATE Ome atest ee ee ents ne ens ee ee ee See ayes oa 175.9 204. 0
era CG HORSE POW geet aaa ea ee = Se ee ee ae ee Pom eae a Manet 89. 8 31.8
Steam used, pounds per indicated horsepower per hour, average (uncorrected for |

FEVOESE SRC) peepee ia ee ee SE Ne re Sy tee Sn oe ee, ri Blea? ran aba e Base aoe
Discharge in cubic feet per second....... Be ee a a, AS Les Se Re ee ae ae 2 58.7 Da
Wischarrein gallons per mMimute-. =~ 2522-02-22 -- ee Bo on ae Go REC Race 25, 350 12, 350
PRG llth alah hCG paseo ea ee oe eke os ENS Sts eae ee Se See 4,48 4,48
iB UGE E! OTB PONTO CTG Oy YeVe) re Sie Re eR re i eee i = Se 6.92 6. 30
HexzdrosinimtcHerion and: discharge pipes, deet-- -- . 2222-255 8 eee ee eee 2.44 1 82
IS Che a KC OESC DO Wie leer oe crate oicie eisai cia ae ae a be ence se sacias 29. 75 13. 67
EAPRAT RU OES GLOW Ch sae as ee ee aes ee SOR Ss eos acy des See 45.75 19. 10
Bincreney OL Pump, eCnoImMe ANG Pipinye, Per cent. ~=.- sof seis 8 le 33. 20 43. 40
PimMenicy OUpUMIp ang enone, per cGentis-: 2-2-2 5.):- 2. <2 Se N2e ek ee et beet 50. 90 | 59. 90
Efficiency of pump (engine efficiency assumed to be 90 per cent), per cent.....-- 56. 6 66.6

BOILER TEST.

EER BIG ERG PECSU LOUGH pete Da Eee hl ee al ge eters” he G5: eee pone ee
AVELAPe stCamupLressure, POUNLGS per Squareinch: -: 2.222222 5. 5322s es hee cee aE ie pes ae rae ee es Or
ROA AINOMMLONWaLeltuiced,-pOUNdS: S/T ee Se ee 21; 800 as ae| 222 sas Soe
Motakamountionmelonused; pounds. 5.247 = else eee sue a oe [ir eeeeeoO Rnalies <a PERCE
Ratio of water to fuel oil (uncorrected for moisture).............0....22--22----- 1 Ag an ee se ik
Average feed-water temperature, degrees F.............-- PE ie ayia ye Pg ge SS | as Ee
Bit chORG HEV AP OLALIOU = tes sy ne SS te a ee ee Se ee Sad ee hoe (OSs cee eee
Ratio of water evaporated to fuel oil (uncorrected for moisture)................-- 13034 4h ees be
Efficiency of boilers (assuming 18,500 B. t. u. per pound of fuel oil), per cent... ... | 69! fel see: eee

_ Two efficiencies are given in Table 5, the first based on the head
represented by the difference of level of the suction and discharge
basins and the second based on the head on the pump as defined
above. The difference between these two amounted to 2.44 feet in
the 36-inch unit and 1.82 feet in the 24-inch unit, showing extremely
bad design of suction and discharge pipes at the ends where they dip

14 BULLETIN 1067, 0. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

into the water. By way of comparison, in the test made at Gueydan,
La., at the pumping plant of Subdistrict No. 1, Gueydan drainage
district, the loss of head corresponding to those given above amounted
to 0.3 foot.

SECOND TEST.

A second test was made to determine the efficiency of engine,
pump, and piping. This test was of special interest, inasmuch as
changes had been made in the suction and discharge pipes of two
pumps since the previous test of October 19, 1912. The intake ends
of the suction pipes and the exit ends of the discharge pipes as origi-
nally constructed were very poorly designed. Since the first test
was made the pipes had been replaced by others with well-designed
ends. The side clearance of the open impeller of the 36-inch pump,
which had been nearly three-fourths inch, had been reduced to about
one-eighth inch, and the impeller blades in both pumps had been
lengthened.

The changes were beneficial to plant efficiency, although it is diffi-
cult to say how much each contributed to the improved conditions.
Lengthening the impeller blades and decreasing the clearance gave
more water for a given lift and number of revolutions, while the
elimination of entrance and discharge losses decreased the total head
on pump. The second test was run at a greater lift than was the
first, and this also contributed to the higher efficiency. The results
of the test are given in Table 6, and a comparison made with the
first test in Table 7.

TaBLe 6.—Second test of Phillips Land Co. pumping plant, Aug. 11, 1916.

36-INCH UNIT.

‘Efficiency
Indi- : Useful | of
. cated Actua st water | engine,
Time. | Speed. Horse ik Discharge. horse- | pump,
power. power. and
piping
|

| R.p.m. | Feet. Sec.ft. | G.p.m. | Per cent.
1H A Ge eee tet Air ome < Seemed mena ey 146 81.20 | 5.90 64.21 | 28,800 42.90 52.9
EE DOSS Se Sore eee ee Pe 146 81.25 5.95 63.00 | 28, 300 42.50 52.4
1S Re a ae Res Poe mee 146 78. 80 6.00 61.40 27,600 41.70 53.0
ESO ie oe ee 146 78.60 6.05 62.13 27,900 42.50 54.1
[Ns GR eee een be eee ra eee 146 80.30 6.10 62.75 28, 200 43.30 33.9
1B 11) Ras ead ae ents ria Se trol eee 138 67.20 6.12 48.53 21,800 33.65 50.2
1 TE, SR See ee eee ee Ne a Aree 137 65.72 6.14 47.18 21, 200 32.75 49.8
EHO se eat” Oe Ree 136 62.95 6.16 43.7 19, 650 30. 55 48.6
11 {GG Thee ean Me a = a HER 135 61.70 6.18 43.08 19,350 30. 20 48.8
1948 Ss Ree ae ag ORIN ier ra Ne 141 71.65 6.13 59. 20 26,600 | 41.10 ays.
er ee es a 154 93.15 6. 20 69. 06 31, 050 48. 50 52.0
Ronee tee oe cote 153 89.10 6. 23 69.03 31, 000 | 48.7 54.7
LOTS = Eee Sk RIN ey Se re CEN Ee 154 91.60 6.25 69.21 31, 100 49.00 53.5
UA Se a eee eee ee 153 91.35 6.29 68.62 30, 800 | 48.90 53.5
LITE Ses eee Renee. 160} 103.25 6.35 74.48 33, 400 | 53.60 51.8
SES pei ps en st SN ee 160 102. 50 6.38 74. 00 33, 250 | 53. 50 BZ. 2
Li Sea ee eee 160 | 101.90 6.42 74.08 33, 300 53. 80 52.9

t
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for)
iy
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“I
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-_
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1e™)
lor
1)
bo
he
i]

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. 15

TABLE 6.—Second test of Phillips Land Co. pumping plant, Aug. 11, 1916—Contd.
24-INCH UNIT.

|
| Efficiency
| Indi- Useful of
: cated Actual Ee Ree water | engine,
Time. | Speed. | horse- lift. Discharge. horse- pump,
| power. power. and
| piping.
| R.p.m. Feet. Sec.-ft. | G.p.m. , Per cent.
1s A oa re Se ee ee 207 | 33.93 6. 25 | 26. 20 11, 760 18.55 54.7
Ly ORS n ee atone a OUE oes Gana | 206 32.78 6.30 26.38 | 11,830 18. 81 57.4
TEA ene arene lor ee ae 206 | 32. 02 6. 34 | 25. 94 11, 640 18.62 58. 2
AES See ote = ce metas os ciee = Se 244 50.73 6.44 35. 27 15, 830 | 25. 72 50.7
PADS ag 9 ees eg a ea | 244 | 50.11 | 6.45 | 35. 93 16, 140 26. 23 52.4
TAG an Sis Bees SRS ere ee eee ed 198 | 26. 83 6.45 | . 21.40 9,610 15.62 58.3
Pop Veta Be eae See Se eae | 198 | 26.85 6.45 | 21.57 9, 680 15.72 58.5
Dees kB SERS OOS RE Beebe | 199 | 26. 87 6.45 | 20.72 9, 300 15.13 56.2
Gal eae sy ee es 203 35.01 6.39 | 26.68 | 11,974 19. 30 55.8
|

TABLE 7.—Comparison of the results of the two tests of the Phillips Land Co. plant.

see : | : . Efficiency of engine
| Lift. Rate of pumping. pump, and pipe. z
Unit. |
1912 1916 1912 1916 1912 1916
|
Feet. Feet. Sec.-ft. Sec.-ft. | Per cent.| Per cent.
SUING Ne eS et ee suse aa otee aaa eee ae 4. 48 6.17 | 58. 7 | 61.9 33. 2 52. 4
SDAAVIR CN) sersraene c/a Re Meen ene Se ee aaere 4. 48 6. 39 27.5 26. 7 43. 4 55. 8

During the test different speeds were tried. Some of the varia-
tions in efficiency are due to change of speed, but the superior effi-
ciencies obtained in the second test bear witness to the great improve-
ment of the pumping units resulting from the changes noted, for the
test was made in the same manner and with the same instruments
as the first test.

TESTS OF PUMPING PLANT IN SUBDISTRICT NO. 1, LAFOURCHE DRAINAGE DISTRICT
NO. 6, LAFOURCHE PARISH, LA.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT.

This plant is used to drain a tract of land containing about 1,880
acres. At the time of the first test the plant consisted of duplicate
units, each having a 24-inch double-suction centrifugal pump driven
by a 12 by 12 inch simple slide-valve engine. The suction openings
on the pumps are 18 inches in diameter. The intake and suction
pipes have been tapered and, enlarged so that the area of the intake
is 4.2 and the area of the discharge 2.7 times the area of the discharge
nozzle of the pump. The pumps were direct connected to the
engines by flexible couplings. The exhaust of the engines was con-
ducted through a common pipe to a water heater and then exhausted
into the air. Steam was generated by two horizontal marine-type
boilers 7 feet in diameter by 13 feet long. Neither boilers nor steam
line were covered during the test. The fuel used was Mexican crude
oil. Steam was used to atomize the oil in the furnaces and to run the

16° ~=BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

usual oil and boiler feed pumps. The machinery is housed in a
corrugated-iron building and is mounted on a concrete foundation
supported by piling.

The pumps take the water from the main canal of the district and
discharge it into Bayou Des Allemands through about 300 feet of
outlet canal. The bulk of the water from the average rain is lifted
about 3 feet, so the plant was tested at this lift. When the canals
are empty the lift is about 8 feet, but very little water is lifted more
than 5 feet. The water on the discharge side varies about 1 foot in
height, according to the stage of water in the bayou.

FIRST TEST.

For the first test the plant was operated under normal conditions,
using only one of the boilers. Observations were taken at intervals
of a half hour. The discharge from the pumps was measured by
means of a Pitot tube in each discharge pipe. Gages set in the still
water in the suction and discharge canals were read and the actual
lift obtained. This lift was used in computing the water horsepower.

The water used in the boiler during the test was measured in a
large storage tank. Water was then drawn from this tank and
pumped through the heater into the boiler. The oil used as fuel
during the test was measured with approximate accuracy in the
large storage tank. However, as the tank was about 19 feet in
diamater and the oil was lowered only 0.091 foot during the test,
it is evident that the oil measurement is only a close estimate, and
the error of observation might change the result materially.

The usual method of finding the total head on pump, or dynamic
head, was followed, but gave results so erratic that they were con-
sidered of no value. The results obtained are set forth in some
detail in Table 9. A summary of results is given in Table 8.

TABLE 8.—Engine and pump test.

Unit No. 1.| Unit No. 2.

Duration of test: hours =. 235. 2. Yeo ee ee a ee ee ee Q 4
Fevolutions per Minute? <= .2 20s een sae ee =e Se ee ee eee 172 162
indicated: horsepower 2.0 so ee ee ee ae eS 46.8 38. 7
Steam used per indicated horsepower, per hour, average poumds...--.-.---.----- 40.7 40.7
bischaree, cubic feet per SECONd- =~ soca none acne en en ee Boe fee ee eee eee | 38.7 37
Discharge, gallons per minute..-.....-.-- au bie aae Bee oe ee ea oo ee a ee Nee 16, 580
Stanenead: feet... 5.222. 5i2l 2 Re ee eee ee Shee ee ee 2. 97 2. 97
Wiscrl. water, horsepower... -. <2 Sacco ee ee eee ee 13. 01 11.34
Miiciency of pump, ensine) and piping. 222.8 soe -eee e ee no ee 28 29.3
Efficiency of pump and piping (as sumed engine efficiency, 90 per cent)--...----- 31.1 32.6
BOILER TEST.

BRMEAROR. OL, CESE: NOUDS 2. oe Scone 253s Sed See oe ee ee £2 Ae eee
Average steam pressure, pounds per square Inch= 235. 6525. oe oe See ee ee 89. OL (a Fae case
RoialewaLer used. pOUNdS. ~~. 2. - 2 nee ee et ee ee eee 14. GH *" Se fsa ss See
(Ratahinelormnsedspounds ss. 2.25 2.50. Se ce ee ee ee 15072 ee See a
PAaLioer Water LO (Mel Ol. 2.0. scene alee ee ee eee eee 9.69% (ene
mVCrarolecd-water semperatune, ORs. 3.55 slc<:) So ee ee ee eee 1S eee es ee Ree
FACTOEOROVADOLALION 2 a on aia < ccm am om oc nee So oan ee ee ee 10974 3252 ee
Ratio water ev aporated from and at 212° to-fiel 0ll.c. 2 cnc ee ee LO: 6302) 5 Se eee
Efficiency of boilers (assuming 18,500 B. t. u. per pound of oil), per cent........-- Sa Git. fanaa wae ee

wie Pode,

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. ney.

TABLE 9.—First test of pumping plant in subdistrict No. 1, Lafourche drainage district
No. 6, Nov. 28, 1912.

UNIT NO. 1.
Efficiency.
Indi- |
L Water
. Boiler cated | Actual :
Time. pressure. Speed. fomee | EGE Discharge. horse Pump, Pump
power. | engine,
power and and
aenate piping.!
| piping.
Lbs. per
sq.in. | R. p.m. Feet. Sec.-ft. | G. p.m. Per cent. | Per cent.
lily Gee ae 85 164 40.6 | 2. 60 36. 5 16, 380 10. 75 26.5 29.5
2S ease 92 168 46.4 | 2.65 40.5 18, 180 12.15 26.2 29.1
JOE, ar ore 92 172 46. 7 | Qed 38. 7 17, 370 11. 92 25.6 _ 28.4
Talli eee 87 174 48.0 | 2. 84 40.7 18, 260 13.10 27.3 30.3
1. ee 86 173 49.1 | 2.95 39.1 17, 550 13. 06 26.6 29. 5
del ae ee 94 184 55. 5 | 3.07 41.1 18, 450 14. 30 25.8 28.6
Fifa Sr 81 170 44, 3 | a y/ 37.5 16, 8380 13.45 30. 4 33. 8
ailitess ode 92 162 37. 6 | 3. 29 34.5 15, 490 12. 85 34. 2 38.0
Bh er seeae 90 179 53.0 3. 42 40. 0 17, 950 15. 50 29. 3 SPL
UNIT NO. 2.
1H Al socse 85 146 29.0 2. 60 30.9 13, 870 9.12 31.3 34.7
POMS ote 92 149 30.3 2. 65 3200 14, 500 9. 70 32.1 ayy /
EAS Sere 92 150 30. 5 gehen 31.8 14, 270 9. 80 32.1 35.7
11) isos Bae 87 172 44.4 2. 84 35.0 15,710 11. 25 25.3 28.1
VAD sae stars 86 171 44.6 2.95 35.6 15, 980 11. 90 26.7 29.7
Pr eee 94 175 48.0 3. 07 36. 2 16, 250 12. 60 25.0 27.8
DG eee 81 165 41.0 Sal 34. 6 15, 530 12. 40 30. 3 33.7
SUG Sobee 92 156 34. 4 3. 29 31.7 14, 230 11. 80 34.4 38. 2
Rey a oaeee 90 172 45.9 3. 42 34.9 15, 670 13. 50 29. 5 32.8

1 Engine assumed to be 90 per cent efficient.

It will be noted that the lift was less than 3 feet, which is much
too low for efficient operation of the pumps. The capacity of the
pumps was large and they were undoubtedly run too fast to get the
best efficiency. By examining Table 9 it will be seen that when the
discharge dropped to 30 cubic feet per second the efficiency of pump
and piping was about 38 per cent.

SECOND TEST.

At the time of the first test the static lift of the pumps was low,
between 2.6 and 3.4 feet, and the pumps were operated at about 30
per cent over their rated capacities. While this information was
valuable in showing overload capacity and the efficiency of the pumps
at low lift, it was desired to know what efficiency this type of pump
would give when operated at the rated capacity and at a static lift
of at least 4 feet. The second test made for this purpose included
only the engine and pump of unit No.1. The first reading was taken
while the pump was working at a 50 per cent overload and shows the
reduction in efficiency that may be expected to result from such an
overload. In computing the average efficiency for the test this first
reading is omitted. Table 10 gives the results of the test.

89782—22—Bull. 1067——3

18 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

TaBLeE 10.—Second test, pumping plant in subdistrict No. 1, Lafourche drainage district
No. 6, Oct. 23, 1913—Unit No. 1.

‘ } f 7 : 1
| ; Efficiency.
- Indicated i Water |
Time ee Speed. horse- sory Discharge. horse- |.Pump, |
Z | Dower ; power. | engine, | ~ sae
j and j iping3
piping. | PPIs
ee ees See eae eee a Beers eee Sg ee
Lbs. per |
sg. im R. p.m. | Fee. | Sec.jt. | G. p.m. Per cenit. \ Per cent.
ats : 188} 60.15 3.93] 45.09) 20,200) 20.15 33.5 37.2
1230....... 102 152| 33.44 4.01 | 3430 | 15,400 15.56 45.5 51.7
al Seen 95 144] 27.40 4.04 27.77 | 12,460 12.68 46.3 51.4
re eee 100 145 | 29.73 3.93 32.92| 14780| 14.71 49.5 55.0
200: =... 90 | 152 | ~ 31.76 3.841 31.08} 13,950 13. 36 42.7 | 47.4
2: | Ls 20 151} 30.30 3.84 30.74 | 13,300 13. 42 43.8 | 48.7
=i eae 6 154 | 33.05 3.88} 30.72| 13,790 13.55 41.0 | 45.5
+ ee 92 150 | 30.59 3.88} 3118! 13,990 13.75 45.0 | 30.0
a! | rer 83 1590 | 29.97 3.85 | 30.37] 13,630 13. 29 44.3 | 49.2
eye 20 148 30. 00 3.85} 30.06| 13,470 13.35 44.8 | 49.8

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oo
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o

1 Engine oan to be $0 per cont eficient.

The total feed water used in the boiler from 12.15 until 4.30 was 7,590 pounds, or 58.1 pounds per indi-
cated horsepower-hour.

THIRD TEST.

During the fall of 1919 changes were made in the equipment of the
pumping plant. A 4-cycle, 50-horsepower Ingeco distillate engine
was installed to drive one of the pumps, replacing one of the slide-
valve engines. Bevel gears of cast steel, having a ratio of 213 to
164, were used between the pump and engine. The smaller gear was
attached to the engine shaft. Both gears were hand-finished and
operated with very little noise. :

In the test of unit No. 1 of this plant after the above changes the
oil used by the engine was carefully weighed, while the output of the
pump was measured by means of a Pitot tube in the discharge pipe.
The lift was determined from gage readings on the suction and dis-
charge basins. Kerosene oil was used for fuel. Table 11 gives the
results of the test.

TaBLe 11.—Third test of subdistrict No. 1, Lafourche drainage district No. 6, Nov. 15,
1919— Unit No. 1.

Speed. ;
cH Actual Water ae aT ‘cil used
Time “litt Discharge. horse- ris | Per horse-
Enein power. ates wer
ngine Pump minutes ates

R.p.m. | R.p-m. Feet. Sect. | G.p.m.
UL Sa ee a 212 163 4,27 32. 52 14,600 15. 73 10. 69
ieee oo. = 202 156 4.27 29.95 13,450 14.51 10.00
Uh et ee eee 206 159 4.27 29.95 13,450 14. 51 10.50
pee 2. 209 161 4.27 31.98 14,330 15.0 10. 38
CO ee eee 209 161 4.27 31.78 14,20 15.38 10. 38
| a 208 160 4.27 31.70 14,230 15.36 10.12
| RD See 208 160 4.27 31.82 14,290 15.41 10.25 |$ 2.70
Ui) ee ee 209 161 4.27 32.32 14,520 15.63 10.44
ies seam ae acten = 208 160 4.27 32.14 14,430 15.57 10.06
i a eee 1 2153 166 4.27 31.86 | 14,300 15. 43 10.06 |
Wh igs eae 232 179 4.27 37.37 | 16,770 18.09 12.09
2 ee 227% 175 4.27 36. 48 16,370 17.68 12.08
72 ee ee ee 217 167 4.27 34. 62 15,550 16:78 [ssa j

1 Variation in speed of engine during this interval.

3
3
.

r
4
:
;
‘
|
;

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. 19

TEST OF PUMPING PLANT IN SUBDISTRICT NO. 3, LAFOURCHE DRAINAGE DISTRICT
NO. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT.

This plant consisted of duplicate units, each having a 30-inch
Lawrence double-suction centrifugal pump driven by a 14 by 16 inch
Lawrence vertical slide-valve engine. The suction openings on the
pumps are 24 inches in diameter. The intake and discharge pipes
have been tapered and enlarged so that the area of the intake is 2.9
and the area of the discharge 1.8 times the area of the discharge
nozzle of the pump. The pumps were direct connected to the engines
by flexible couplings. The exhaust of the engines was conducted
through a common pipe to a water heater and then discharged into
the air. Steam was generated by two return tubular boilers of
100 boiler horsepower each. The boilers were in a brick setting
covered with asbestos. The fuel used was Mexican crude oil. Steam
was used to atomize the oil in the furnaces and to run the usuai oil
and boiler feed pumps. The machinery was housed in a corrugated-
iron building. The average lift was probably less than 3 feet and
the maximum lift about 7 feet. The level of the water on the dis-
charge side varied about 2 feet. The area drained is 2,260 acres.

METHOD OF CONDUCTING THE TEST.

It was necessary to siphon considerable water into the district
the day before the test in order to have enough water to make a test
of both units. As a result the lift was low at first, but rapidly
increased to 4 feet at the time of the last reading. A five-hour test
was made on unit Ne. 2, but it was necessary to stop the test of
No. 1 after four hours to prevent the débris which had collected
around the suction screen from breaking the screen. At noon it -
was necessary also to shut down one boiler, as the parts of one of the
valves in the boiler feed line became detached from the valve stem
and jammed so that no water could be pumped into the boiler.
By forcing the remaining boiler both pumps were run until the
necessary adjustments could be made, although the steam pressure
dropped.

The pumps were operated at such speed that they slightly exceeded
their rated capacity during the earler readings. Toward the last,
especially after the steam pressure dropped, they were running
somewhat under their rated capacity. The discharge of the pumps
was measured by means of a Pitot tube in each discharge pipe at
distances of about 12 feet from the pump. The first reading taken
on unit No. 2 was inaccurate as to quantity pumped, as the velocity
of the water was too great to be measured with the Pitot tube.

Gages set in the still water in the suction and discharge canals
were read to obtain the actual lift. This lift was used in computing

20 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

the useful water horsepower. The indicated horsepower of the
engines and the total head on the pump were then obtained in the
usual manner. The loss of velocity head due to lack of proper
enlarging of the ends of the pipes is quite plainly shown. As this
loss varies with the square of the velocity of the water, it is greatest
when the pump is working at maximum capacity.

The water used during the boiler test was measured by means of a
Worthington piston-type water meter, afterwards calibrated. The
steam used for all purposes per horsepower per hour was 54.91
pounds. Table 12 shows the results of the test.

TaBLe 12.—Test of pumping plant in subdisirict No. 3, Lafourche drainage district
No. 12, Raceland, La., Nov. 14, 1913.

UNPENOSE
i= Efficiencies.
are, | Boiler cated | Actual) Hed | ne
Time. pres- Speed. Baoeau, PTA on Discharge. hase
Sate power HE power. 1 2 3

R.p.m Feet. Feet. Sec.-ft. 'G.p.m Per ct. Per ct. | Per ct.

9° 00-= 22-2 100 142 48.4 1.45 2.17 58.18 | 26,100 9.57 20.0 222, 33.2
O30. -s=> >. 104 143 48.4 1.70 2.67 | 58.28 | 26,160 | 11.25 aes 25.8 40.5
1S. = 101 140 46.2 1.95 2.68 54.89 | 24,630 12.14 26.3 29.2 | 40.1
10530-2222: 102 144 48.9 2.20; 2.76 54.84 | 24,610 13.69 28.0 31.1 39.0
THI | eee ee 103 144 465.8 2. 40 2.98 | 54.16 | 24,290 14.76 31.5 35.0 | 43.5
ib Be | BS 103 147 49.8 2.75 3.32 54.11 | 24,280 16.89 33.9 of 4 45.5
a0 S255. < 106 146 49.1 3. 00 3.74 | 51.60 | 23,150 | 17.57 35.8 39.8 49.5
1 OS 104 142 48.1 3.35 | 4.23 | 49.44 | 22,200 18. 80 39.1 43.4 55.0
f° 0052-34 84 134 39.8 3. 62 4.20 42.13 | 18,910) 17.31 43.6 48.4 56.2
Average 100.8 142.3 7.3 2.39 32891 535078 10232820; |. aoa eon ee dea lee eee

- |
UNIT NO. 2

B00. 100! 150| 884! 1.45] 3.24! 66.97/29,900| 11.01! 125/| 13.9] 31.0
92305 55-2 104 | 124 51.6 1.70 | 3.05! 61.08 | 27,290} 11.80) 23.0 25.6 46.0
10:00 2-=- 23 104 124 51.1 1.95! 3.30) 60.54 27,030 | 13.41 | 26.2 29.2 49.38
10:30: 102 | 128 53.4 2.20} 3.43 | 59.80 | 26,720! 14.92} 27.9 31.0 47.2
11° 0022-— =: 101 127 53.2 2.40 | 3.52 58.28 | 26,050) 15.86 | 29.8 33.1 48.5
it ES ae ee 103 127 53.0 2.75 3.77 | 56.66 | 25,310 17. 67 33.3 37.0 50. 7
12 OO. 104 126 52.8 3-00; 3.95 | 55.24 | 24,690 18.79 | 35.6 39.5 02.0
7 | eee es 104 124 48.3 3-39 | 4.24) 53.67 | 23,810 | 20.39 42.2 46.9 59. 4
OOS 25 = 84 120 41.7) 3.62) 4.32) 43.65 19,500) 17.92 43.0 47.8 57.0
i SOS 102 126 50.8 3.90 | 4.70) 41.54 | 18,570 | 18.37 36.2) 40.2 48.5
7G | eA seeps 108 128 52.1 4.00 4.97 | 47.14 | 21,060 | 21.38 41.1 45.7 56. 6
Average.-| 101.5 127.6 54.2 2.76 3: 80) 50..00"] 24-6805) 16250") 2. Soe = ea eee

1 Efficiencies:
1. Efficiency of engine, pump, and piping.
2. Efficiency of pump and piping, assuming mechanical efficiency of engine at 90 per cent.
3. Efficiency of pump, assuming mechanical efficiency of engine at 90 per cent.

As the lift of the pumps was so variable, no average efficiency V was
determined. A summary of the boiler test follows:

Boiler test.

aration of test, hours. |... [2S =e ee ee ee 5. 08
Total water-used, pounds. —: 22. . 22 eee eee eee 26, 760
Wotaltuel-o1l used, pounds. .-2 . 92:20 22st oe ee eee 2,095
Eafio ot water to fuelsoil. .. |... 2.22622: eee Oe ee eee 12.7
Average steam pressure, pounds per square inch.....................------. 101
averare. ieed-water temperature, ° F'.-. 2. ee ee eee 144
Harmar OL CVAporallon;-... ... 2. us. Sone so eee ee 1.11
Eatiot-water evaporated at 212° to fuel oil. .-- 2.2 Se ee eee 14.1
Efficiency of boiler (assuming 18,500 B. T. U. per pound of fuel oil), per cent- 74

a ee ee ee

oS ee

ee

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. ve

TEST OF PUMPING PLANT IN JEFFERSON DRAINAGE DISTRICT NO. 3, LAFITTE, LA.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT.

This pumping plant is used to drain a tract of about 5,000 acres.
The average lift of the pumps is about 4 feet, and at times the
maximum lift is 10 feet.

It consists of two 48-inch double-suction centrifugal drainage
pumps direct-connected to two 16 by 36 inch simple noncondensing
Corliss engines of the girder-frame type. The engines are fitted with
gravity release gear and a special governor for emergency use in case
the pumps lose their priming. The cut-off is adjustable by hand while
the engine is running. Steam is furnished to the engines by two
Brownwell horizontal return tubular boilers of 150 horsepower each.
The fuel used is Mexican crude oil. For starting the boilers with oil,
steam is supplied by a 10-horsepower boiler fired with wood or coal.

The suction and discharge pipes are respectively 25 feet and 20 feet
long and are enlarged so that the areas of the intake and discharge are
four times the area of the discharge nozzle of the pump. The
suction pipes are tapered uniformly from one end to the other, while
the discharge pipes are tapered and flattened so that the outer ends
have a rectangualr cross section with the sides rounded to a radius
of 24 inches. A steam ejector is installed on each pump for use in
_ expelling the air in priming.

While this plant was guaranteed to deliver at normal load 55,000
gallons per minute against a total head of 6 feet at a speed of 100
revolutions per minute, it was decided to test it at a much lower
total head and somewhat greater capacity and speed.

FIRST TEST.

The first test of this plant determined the capacity and efficiency
of the pumps for a rather wide range of heads and speeds. During
the test the head increased rapidly, making it necessary to take
observations on the pumps as frequently as possible. It was decided
that a boiler-test run under such varying conditions would be of
little value. ;

Tests were run on each unit separately. In making the tests indi-
cator cards were taken, the speeds of the engines and pumps were
recorded, a Pitot tube traverse was made in each suction pipe, the
suction and discharge canal gages were read, and the dynamic head
was obtained by means of mercury manometers connected to each
suction pipe near the pump flange and to the discharge pipe near the
discharge flange.

At the beginning of the test of unit No. 2 the difference in water
levels was 3.38 feet. This difference rapidly increased to 6 feet, at
which point the attempt was made to keep the speed of the pump as

22 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

nearly constant as possible, so as to obtain the efficiency under normal
conditions. Table 13 shows the results of the test. The indicated
horsepower given in the table is the mean of the two cards taken at
the beginning and end of each observation.
TABLE 13.—First test of pumping plant in Jefferson drainage district No. 3, Lafitte,
La., Feb. 22-23, 1913.
UNIT NO. 1, 48INCH PUMP.

Efficiency.
Indicated AGtaay (o Hed ee |
Speed. horse- Discharge. lift on ae Pump, Pant
power. ; pump. s engine, Pp
power el and
piping. engine
|
R. p.m Secft. | G.p.m.| Feet. Feet. Per cent.| Per cent
0 eee ae ee 134. 8 136.6 | 61,300 4.00 4.05 62.0 46.0 46.6
120. OS a ese 203.5 158.6 71,200 4. 40 4. 42 79.2 38.9 39.2
1015 2 See eee oe 121.3 129.8 58,300 4.80 5.48 70.8 58. 4 66.6
G5 maene Saas cee 90.9 103.8 46 , 600 4.85 5. 87 57.1 O258 1 Sen eee
Uae Sea eee 102. 2 94.6 42, 450 6.05 6. 58 65.1 63.8 | 69.3
NOSsAe nes cee 137.1 118.3 53, 100 5.35 6. 29 71.9 52.4 | 61.6
GOS aes = RezS: 142.6 119.7 | 538,750 5. 42 6. 23 13.5 51.6 | 59. 4
AL Ty ea ee ee ee 140.7 122.8 55, 100 5,43 6.03 75.9 54.0 | 59. 8
Ee NE
KS CS ee a ee | 1134.1 1123.0 | 155,200 15.41 16.18 169.4 152.7 160.3
| | |
UNIT NO. 2, 48-INCH PUMP.
l ! l
| 1A ee ee f° 21227 170.4 | 76,500 3.38 4.40 | 65.4 30.7 40.1
1A Ms ee eee a 216.9 176.7 | 79,300 3. 40 3.00 | 68. 2 31.4 35. 4
| AOQOLE Ses esos 153.4 147.7 | 66,300 Sa 4.03 | 55.5 36.2 | 44.1
|e G oes ee Ss 185.5 158.7 | 71,250 3.45 5.16 62.1 33.5 50. 1
SL 7 (eae eee ees er 125.5 133.1 | 59,700 | 3. 64 4.01 55.0 43.8 | 48.3
feetseh ie a 95.9 115.4 | 51,800 3.84 Bay A Se 50.3 Sy AE een as se
bee) eS ee ee 61.0 82.9 | 37,200 3. 70 4.08 | 34.8 57.1 62.9
1G FE eee er 163.8 122.1 | 54,800 6.25 6.84 | 86.5 52.8 57.8
HMO Sess 2b ses 174.9 120.1 | 53,900 6.85 Tet | 93.5 | 53.5 55.9
1108.6 SO esac Sets 1154.4 1136.3 161,170 16.55 17.00 163.5 | 153.2 | 156.9

1 Mean.

In testing unit No. 1 the actual head at the beginning of the test
was 4 feet and readings were taken up to 6 feet. It was then found
that the increase in head was too rapid to get proper readings, due
to the fact that the only water available for pumping was then in
the canal. It was therefore decided to siphon water back into the
canal with No. 2 unit while testing No. 1. This was done for the last
three observations, and as a result the actual head for those three
readings was 5.41 feet. The difference between the dynamic and
static head gives the friction losses in the pipes and at the entry and
discharge. Several inconsistencies appear in the friction losses
recorded which can only be accounted for by the fact that it is im-
possible to make very accurate readings on the suction and discharge
manometers of drainage units. Velocities were rather high, and the
suction and discharge pipes were so short that there seemed to be a
surging effect through the whole system at each revolution of the
engine corresponding to the variation in angular velocity at different
parts of the stroke.

ee eee ee ery ae ee ene

Oe. thee ee -ctattee Se

>. ne

ee ee ee See ea ee

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. a

SECOND TEST.

The results of the second test are given in Table 14. Although
they appear to be quite consistent, the quantity of water entering
the suction pipe on the engine side was about 50 per cent more than
the quantity entering the other suction pipe. This is probably to be
attributed to the fact that the end of the suction pipe which had the
low capacity was close to the bottom of the canal. The same con-
dition existed during the first test. The water used in the boiler test
was measured by a Worthington piston meter. The amount of steam
used per horsepower per hour for all purposes was 33.7 pounds. The
fuel oil burned during the test was measured in a calibrated barrel.

TABLE 14.—Second test of pumping plant in Jefferson drainage district No. 3, Lafitte,
La., Dec. 18, 1913—Unit No. 2, 48-inch pump.

| Efficiency.!
|
: Useful Horse-
Boiler
. Actual . water power
Time. pres- | Speed. lift. Discharge. Home ED: Pump TCE
PASC power. | P eee and ted.
; piping.
engine.
Lbs. per
sq.inm. | R. p.m. Feet. Sec.ft. | G. p.m. Per cent. | Per cent.

12.00... 100 115 2. 80 125. 8 55, 750 39.9 2355 2oa5 170. 0
125.3052 100 118 2. 90 130. 5 58, 600 42.8 22.3 24.1 192.9
Le Uotiaeee 100 111 2. 90 128.0 57, 450 42.1 26. 5 28.7 159. 0
liKaOaaase 100 113 3. 00 130. 8. 58, 720 44.5 25. 6 27.9 IBS ¢/
2300 Fines 100 115 3. 10 124.6 55, 910 43.8 24. 0 25.9 182.8
Ded ae eee 106 117 3. 30 127. 2 57, 100 47.5 28. 2 30. 4 168. 6
S100Fz cA 3. 100 110 3.45 125.7 56, 410 49.2 32.0 34.0 153.7
Ss SUE aoe. 100 108 3. 60 121.4 54, 480 49.6 33.9 36. 6 146.5
4.00... 100 109 3. 80 118.6 53, 250 51.1 33.9 36. 6 151.0
Mean.... 100.7 | 112 3. 20 125.8 56, 480 45.6 27.8 30. 0 166. 5

1 Mechanical efficiency of engine shown by friction cards to be 92.5 per cent.
THIRD TEST.

Nearly three years after the second test a third test was run, this
time on No. 1 unit. The useful lift, or actual head, varied from 6.04
to 6.5 feet. The results are given in Table 15.

TABLE 15.—Third test of pumping plant in Jefferson drainage district No. 3, Lafitte,
La., Aug. 14, 1916—Unit No. 1, 48-inch pump.

BGs eke Useful eee pe

P te ctua F r F

Time. Speed. Howe lift. Discharge. yee poeee Pane
power. power. | pump.

i R. p.m. Fed. Sec.-ft. | G. p.m. Per cent. | Per cent.
Ba nado cea sae 116 161.7 6. 04 110. 89 48, 900 75.9 46.9 gp 50.7
SEZ SS aos oes asjet <5 116 UGS SAS eet oe oe fete Sue, 8 oe | bee cae | fe a iat UR a a eb eS
PSD hea eiee cous « = 117 173.7 6. 10 117. 29 49, 000 81.2 46.7 50. 5
MARR pees 8 os. 5 116 URS oe r= Seer ESS AS | oe Meal aoe: a ey [aoa oe Re RRO bee eee
ie SoS sea ca aoe <5 4) 116 MGS FS | SR rss RCI CR TET eS PMS oP alee PR ee UN Pee eee
US eis a ee ne 118 171.8 6. 34 113. 86 52, 600 81.8 47.7 51.5
iC Tes etn eee 118 Tal eras ee are eas | ea ee UAL 2 Le oe ae ee
Nort | Se RSE ee ee 117 171.0 6. 40 109. 02 49, 000 79.2 | 46.3 50. 1
1D ISG See) oaee Seem oee 118 LE Chal Sees | Se ARIE a ea SEE ENE oS lee cl |S aE a ae EN Spees ae
W200 Set ee Soe se bss: 118 LOU ag Eee sah oelae setast se |Sae sere Seal anon ao occa mito Mellon steers
|S a eee 112 136. 9 6. 50 94. 59 42, 900 69.6 50. 8 55.0
DLT eae See ees 112 LIOLaa masta e asa setae aes | See eases le ooec ae ooul fess cece lee Be oceeee
LON 20 Sees Conca oie 114 IGYR6 Sok cake HellodaHS Bees] SSB GEe SSE Beier etre tee a Beets] es semen a A

1 Engine efficiency at 92.5 per cent.

24 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

TEST OF PUMPING PLANT IN SUBDISTRICT NO. 1, GUEYDAN DRAINAGE DISTRICT,
FLORENCE, LA.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT.

This pumping plant is a good example of a high-grade steam plant
with simple Corliss noncondensing engines and two 54-inch Worth-
ington double-svction pumps. The pumps are direct connected to
two 16 by 36 inch slow-speed Corliss engines, the pump shaft being
solid with the engine shaft, thus doing away with flanged couplings.
Part of the exhaust is utilized in a 400-horsepower open feed-water
heater which raises the temperature of the feed water to 210° F.

The steam-generating equipment consists of two 72-inch by 18-foot
return tubular boilers rated at 150 horsepower each and designed for a
125-pound working pressure. Oil is fed to the burners, of which
there is one under each boiler, by a pumping outfit which heats and
delivers it to the burners at a uniform pressure. The suction and
discharge pipes are tapering and well designed.

Kach pumping unit has a capacity of 65,000 gallons per minute
against a 5-foot difference in level between suction and discharge
canals. Hach unit has a 40 per cent overload capacity when pumping
against a 3-foot head and if necessary is capable of pumping against
a 10-foot head with a reduced discharge.

METHOD OF CONDUCTING TEST.

Unit No. 2 of the plant was tested to find the actual operating
efficiency. The simultaneous tests which were run on the pumping
unit and boiler lasted six hours. The quantity of discharge from the
pump was obtained with a Pitot tube. The total head and the
actual head on the pump were obtained in the usual way.

During the test 1t was impossible to utilize the heater, as there was
no way of delivering hot water to the weighing barrel. The tank
pump was therefore piped to take water from the canal and deliver
it into two barrels placed above a third barrel from which the feed
pump took suction. The amount of oil used during the test was
recorded by an oil meter installed in the oil line to the burners.
After breaking the vacuum and draining the pump the mechanical
efficiency of the engine was obtained by taking cards from the engine
when running at the speed maintained during the test. |

During the test the static head was less than 5 feet and the dis-
charge considerably more than 65,000 gallons per minute. These con-
ditions were not those for which the plant was built and undoubtedly
resulted in a pump efficiency that is less than it would be under proper
conditions. The results of the boiler test are given below and those
of the test on the pumping plant in Tables 16 and 17.

4
TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. 95

Bovuler test.

Driraonm.o best PUOUNSS S47 seo eee eisee gare a eGloe Sop os tea ase He's pes - 6. 07
VET ATES Tae Ke bem ETA IILe, 0a me eae we te ep eye a eee asin ee 498
Average steam pressure, pounds per square inch.........-......--------- 120
Ayerize furnace drait, inches of waters scot. 6-4-2. 2 Sao Se ee; 0. 28
iNceraoedieed: temperature: Mee hrs tet Se es icy <2 teieie ct 72
Waterevaporateds poundse oj. a ee e eae eral ae ek AER ei <A 31.555
Equivalent water evaporated at 212°, pounds.........----------.---- Sse ol DOO
PES 4 IELOICIES S528 COV 92 ATCC) Oot Sareea ae oa epi Sapa go cae ee race Ma a 1.19
borler serepower developed: 022822. 2 Pot Pe ea ht 179.3
Matalinreliou’ pounds: 2i.00 Qos 65 1S Se Rec Bie ee 2,975
Ratiowr actual water evaporated. to fuel oil-s.... osc 28 Jose ss- 52 2 10. 61
Ratio of equivalent water evaporated at 212°, to fuel oil...............-.-. 12. 63
Efficiency of boiler (basis 18,500 B. T. U. per pound), per cent .........-- 66. 1

TABLE 16.—Test of unit No. 2 of pumping plant of subdistrict No. 1, Gueydan drainage
district, Florence, La., Oct. 1, 1912.

Efficiency.
3 Useful
Indicated
Speed. | horse- |. Actual | Headon Discharge. TOM Pump,
aa lift. pump. horse Pump SS
power: power and ae
engine Aue
piping.
|
Rh. p.m Fee Feet. | Sec.-feet.| G.p.m. Per cent.| Per cent.
71 SOE Sia | Bere ees tec ae sso aera eee aicreyaslllsteysie' tattine elle eiiar ste cms see ce ances ces meme
81 122. 2 5.15 5. 81 137.9 61. 900 80. 5 74.3 65. 9
82 132.7 4.85 5.24 | 155.1 69, 600 85. 3 69. 5 64. 3
85 154. 5 4.95 5.08 || > 170.9 76, 700 96. 0 63. 8 62. 2
89 183. 4 4.95 5.08 | 180.8 81, 200 101.5 57.0 55. 3
98 225.9 4.95 5. 08 200. 4 90, 000 112.6 ol. 1 49.9
101 249.7 5. 10 5. 55 211.9 95, 100 122.6 53.3 49.1

TABLE 17.— Test of engine and pump of unit No. 2 of subdistrict No. 1, Gueydan drainage
district No. 1, Florence, La., Oct. 1, 1912.

Efficiency.!
Boil a A 1 | Head water
‘ oiler cate . ctua ead on
Time. pressure. Speed. | porse- | Discharge. lift. pump. horse- | Pump, Pump
i power. | engine,
power. al and
ss engine.
| piping.
Lbs. per | | |

Sq.im. | R. p.m. | | Sec.-feet.| G.p.m.| Feet. Feet. Per cent.) Per cent.

eS 118 | SON ial 185. 4 83, 200 4, 36 4, 83 sole ol. 7 o1.3
N24 eink 115. | 89 | 171.4 188. 3 84, 500 4. 50 79 96.2) - 56.2 59. 8
Pals oe 115 | 91 178.4 | 194.8 | 87,500 4. 55 4, 87 105. 0 58. 9 60. 3
Ie eeeeee 117 | 90} 181.6) 190.5] 85,500 4, 54 by rAl 98. 4 54. 2 62. 2
Ile eo 118 | SOF Piles | 195. 8 87, 900 4.60 5. 04 102. 4 59. 8 65. 4
eA Dre. 125 | 94 201.1 | 198.7} 89,200 4.70 4, 87 106. 0 52.8 54. 7
Deloss 125 | 94} 201.1} 199.4] 89,500 4.70 4. 87 106. 4 52.9 54.8
DA es 125 | 91; 196.6] 194.8) 87,500 4. 80 Hp als) 106. 2 54. 1 58. 0
S515 seer 123 | 92 | 195.4] 195.1) 87,600 4, 85 5. 06 107.5 55. 0 57.3
Seige ae ae 125 92 197.3°| 190.0 |-.85, 300 AsO Qe Seen ciate Steer th | aR Mole ce
2b Lae ge 120 91} 188.0} 192.0) 86,200 4.95 5. 09 107.6 57. 2 58. 9
WARS S22 120 91; 188.0) 184.9] 83,000 4.95 5. 23 103. 9 55.3 58. 4
Halas sees 112 90; 172.8} 181.9] 82,100 4.90 GREYS 101.6 58, 8 64.5
Mean 120 91.1; 186.2; 191.8] 86,077 4.72 5. 02 102.7 55,6 59.9

1 Pump efficiency was 65.7 per cent, based on 91.1 per cent mechanical efficiency of engine and pump
from friction cards.

89782—22—Bull. 10674

26 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

TEST OF PUMPING PLANT NO. 3, AVOCA DRAINAGE DISTRICT, ST. MARY PARISH, LA.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT.

This plant is of especial interest, inasmuch as it is the only steam
pumping plant in this section in which superheated steam is used.
The equipment consists of a cross-compound Lentz engine, a water-
tube boiler with 2,487 square feet of heating surface, a 72-inch centrif-
ugal dramage pump with two 48-inch suction pipes, a superheater
composed of 2-inch elements about 6 feet 2 inches long (amount of
surface unknown), a condenser, a duplex service pump which sup-
plies water to the open heater and to the water seal of the centrifugal
pump, and a duplex pump which takes the water from the heater and
forces it into the boiler.

The engine cylinder dimensions are 18} and 31 inches with a 21-
inch stroke; the rods are each 4 inches in diameter. The valves are
of the poppet type, op-
erated by eccentrics
and cams from a lay
shaft with axis parallel
to that of the cylinder.
The conditions for op-
erating theengine called
for a pressure of 175
pounds at the throttle,
200 degrees of super-
heat, and 26 inches of
vacuum. The super-
heater was not erected
in the direct path of
the hot gases, and there-
fore the superheat is
less than 200 degrees.

bios S42 S26; FS

Actud! ft in feet The condenser is of the
Fic. 2.—Efficiency of pumping plant No.3, Avoca drainage dis- jet type. The bouler
trict, as indicated by test of Sept. 13 and 14, 1914. walls are lagged with

cork, which is in turn covered with cement mortar. The suction and
discharge pipes of the pump are greatly increased in cross-section at
their outer ends.

The test was begun in the morning and continued through the day,
but as there was no provision for lighting the plant except by oil
lanterns it was discontinued when night came on and resumed the
next day.

The oil used during the test was Oklahoma crude oil with a specific
gravity of 0.885 at 92° F. The quantity used was weighed in a bucket
on a spring balance. The feed water was pumped through a hot-
water meter. At the close of the test an attempt was made to cali-

iad

;
=
7
:

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. Oi

brate the meter, but the results obtained varied about 25 per cent,
showing that the water quantities measured are unreliable. Indica-
tor cards were taken on the high-pressure cylinder with an outside-
spring Tabor indicator. The thermometer on this cylinder showed
an average of 74.5° F. of superheat. The indicator used on the low-
pressure cylinder was an inside-spring Thompson. The thermometer
on this cylinder indicated an average of 49.2° F. of superheat. <A
counter attached to the valve gear of the engine, read usually at
intervals of 10 minutes, gave the revolutions. The quantity of water
pumped was measured by two Pitot tubes inserted in the suction
pipes, traverses of the pipes being made at half-hour intervals.
Readings of the gages in the suction and discharge canals were taken
at half-hour intervals. Table 18 shows the results obtained durimg
the test, and figure 2 is a graph showing the efficiency of the plant
at various lifts.

With the exception of the feed-water measurements the test was
satisfactory. The only irregularity was due to the presence of air
in the pump. As there was nothing to act as a flywheel except the
impeller of the pump, there was a tendency for the engine to change
speed rapidly on account of pockets of air in the water. This caused
considerable variation in the indicator card from the high-pressure
cylinder. Because of this variation six cycles were taken for each
card, and in this way a very close mean was obtained.

TABLE 18.—Test of 72-inch unit of pumping plant No. 3, Avoca drainage district, Sept.

13-14, 1916.
| | Efficiency.
|
: | Useful
3 Indicated |

Time. Boiler. | speed. | horse- | “ctual. Discharge. Reevalels sl Pimp

pressure power. | lift. | horse- engine,
| power and’ | /ump-

| piping.

Lbs. per

sq.in. | R. p.m. Feet Sec.-ft. | G. p.m Per cent. Per cent.
10302 52. 522 146 105. 9 188. 83 2 278. 35 | 125, 000 70. 05 37.0 41.1
ONS eo: 152 106.1 190.68 | 2.19 276.85 | 124,100 | 68. 70 36. 02 40.4
BUSOS Eras 151 106.0 | 191.65 2. 36 278.08 | 124, 900 | 74. 40 38.80 43.2
IVAN eee 153 105.9 |- 187.15 2. 46 275.25 | 123,500 76.45 40. 84 45.3
LDA ee! 148 105.9 | 194.28 2. 60 273.20 | 122,600 80. 40 41.38 45.9
£00.22 25 = 149 105.9 | 197.48 | 2.73 272.05 | 122,100 84. 20 42. 63 47.3
123052524: 149 105.3 196. 75 2.86! 272.85 | 122,300 88. 40 44. 92 49.9
2200.2 roa 141 105.9 200. 70 2. 98 272.95 | 122,500 92. 20 45. 83 51.1
2SOE 5s S- 151 106. 1 PCS SO APRESS OCS SASS (Sere ee OS OES e eee ee es Sere aera
3-00. 225.4. 152 105. 4 208. 15 3.48 269.40 | 121,000 106-20 51. 03 56. 6
3. 30... 138 105. 8 202. 40 3.59 | 267.65} 120,100; 108.80 52. 43 58. 2
Ai eee 156 105. 8 214. 90 3.68 | 266.05 119,400; 110.90 51. 61 57.3
4.30....-.-- 145 105. 9 214. 85 3.96} 264.80) 118,800) 118.80 55. 37 61.4
DOOs. see 151 105. 6 216. 75 4.16 265.00 | 118,900} 124.90 57. 65 64.0
WS een 148 105.4 216. 85 4.23 | 262.65; 117,750 | 125. 80 58. 06 64.5
6,0025—5 134 105. 2 218.15 4.26 | 259.60 116,500, 125.30 57. 20 64.0
9.00... 95 103. 9 245. 00 7.03 | 228.00 | 102,300 | 181.60 74.18 82.3
7 | Ne, re 104. 7 256. 03 7.23 | 2147.25 97,700 | 178.00 69.78 77.4
G30°2 > 142 105. 2 ZOGABS| eho see loge susogcdlesost coe paepSaense Sneaaeasse 74.4
LOO Ase. 140 105. 4 277. 40 7.98 194. 60 87, 300 175. 90 63. 40 70. 3

28 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

TEST OF PUMPING PLANT NO. 2, OF AVOCA DRAINAGE DISTRICT, ST. MARY PARISH, LA.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT.

The equipment of this plant consists of a cross-drum boiler with
1,162 square feet of heating surface, and a Corliss compound. conden-
sing engine with cylinder diameters 10 inches and 20 inches and 30-
inch stroke with drop cut-off, direct connected to a double-suction
centrifugal dramage pump. The pump has a discharge pipe 48
inches in diameter and suction pipes 36 inches in diameter, all pipes
measured at the flange. Both the suction and discharge pipes are
enlarged at their outer ends.

The test was made with the plant in normal operation. The in-
struments and methods were the same as those used in the test of
pumping plant No. 3 of Avoca drainage district. The average tem-
peratures observed in degrees F. were as follows: Feed water 198°,
air 99°, oil 93°, water pumped 80°. The weight of fuel oil used in 24
hours was 934 pounds. The rate of use was quite regular, and the
best economy was shown near the end of the test. Friction cards
were taken at the end of the test with no water in the pump. The
results are given in Table 19.

TABLE 19.
Revolu- Indicated
| tions per horse- |
_ minute. power. |
84 8. 32
101 11.01
| 110 13. 64 |

Table 20 gives the results obtained during the test.

TABLE 20.—Test of pumping plant No. 2, Avoca drainage district.

{ |
| | |
| | | Effi-
| dag | | Useful qeney:
. Boiler cate Actual | eh Tees water ump,
Tune. | pressure. | Speed. | horse- | lift. | Discharge. horse- engine,
| power | | power and
| piping.
Lbs. per |
sq. in. | R. p.m. | Feet. | Sec.-ft. | G. p.m. Per cent.
gd | | Vk ens ae Soe ae 115 | 101. 6 | 123. 75 2.76 | 141. 30 63, 400 | 44.2 35. 70
26511) Aree pe een 130 | 113.8 | 125.35 2.81 138. 35 62, 100 44.0 35. 10
AA) Tee ee 135 | 118.8 170. 50 3.41 139. 25 62, 500 53.8 31. 54
Sp ee ae ee 127 | 111.3 | 149.63 4.45 133. 73 60, 000 67.4 | 45. 00
1 Se ee ae 127 | 111.6 | 150.78 } 4.93 | 127.63 57, 300 | ibs 47.30
CNS ee SO eee eee ae | 112.0} 118.95 5.84 | 110.72 49, 700 73. 2 61. 56
1) SE a Ses pe eae 142 | 108. 6 | 116. 69 | 6. 21 99. S81 44, 800. 70. 3 60. 21
>

SRO Bice se

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. 29

TEST OF PUMPING PLANT IN SUBDISTRICT NO. 4, JEFFERSON DRAINAGE DISTRICT
NO. 4, JEFFERSON PARISH, LA.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT.

In Plate I are shown interior and exterior views of this plant, and
figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the shape of the suc-
tion and discharge pipes and method of supporting the plant.
The pumping equipment consists of two duplicate units, each with
a capacity of 59 cubic feet per second at a 2-foot lift and capable of
pumping at any head between zero and 10 feet, the capacity decreas-
ing as the head increases. The pumps are 30-inch, double-suction,
slow-speed drainage centrifugals with special radial and axial flow
impellers having a nearly constant horsepower input at all heads.
They are direct-connected through friction-clutch couplings to
60-horsepower distillate engines designed to make 190 revolutions
per minute and operating on cheap distillate of 39° Baumé gravity.

A \7 Ss

Fic. 3.—Elevation of pumping, subdistrict No. 4, Jefferson drainage district No. 4.

The engines are started on gasoline, run for a few minutes until the
jackets warm up, and are then switched to distillate by throwing
the handle of a six-way cock. Batteries are unnecessary, as the
engines are fitted with oscillating magnetos suitable for starting as
well as running, a valuable feature for an isolated plant. Cooling
water is supplied by two rotary pumps belted off the hub of the
clutch coupling, one to each unit. Each of these pumps is of ample
size to supply water to both main engines and to the water-sealed
glands of the main pumps. To insure a supply of water for starting
and to provide against accidents to the circulating pumps, a 500-
gallon elevated tank was erected. This furnished an hour’s supply
for one engine and is so piped that should the pump stop working,
water would still flow: to the jackets. An added advantage of this
arrangement is that it gives a constant head of water on the jackat
at all times.

30 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The suction and discharge pipes on the main pumps are shown in
figure 3. These pipes are one-fourth inch riveted steel of such size
and design as to reduce the loss of head to about 0.5 foot.- This is
done by a design of the cross-section of the straight pipe which so
reduces the velocity that the friction loss is only 0.25 foot, and by
using long taper increasers and liberal bell mouths to reduce the loss
due to velocity head. These calculations were made for a normal
working head of 4 to 5 feet.

DESCRIPTION OF TEST.

In acceptance test made at this plant, the quantity of water was
measured by means of Pitot tubes in the suction pipes. The lft
was determined by reading gages in the suction and discharge basins.
The fuel was a distillate oil of 42.3° Baumé weighing 6.81 pounds
per gallon. The results of the test are given in Table 21. ,

TABLE 21.—Test of 30-inch drainage unit No. 2 of the pumping plant in subdistrict No. 4,
Jefferson drainage district No. 4, Jefferson Parish, La., Sept. 20, 1916.

} Oil! used Discharge
Time. Speed. ae Discharge. per 20 per gallon

; minutes.| of oil.
R. p.m. Feet. Sec.-ft. | G. p.m. | Pounds. | Cubic feet.
ADSL TQ re Ss Sis a yeCeVe tee 12S chet une ayaa teed 179.6 4.44 49, 1 21, 900 14.31 | 28, 000
ISOS eee Sees See ee eee oe soos c eee 171.9 4.58 42.8 19, 180 13.19 | 26, 500
WL BORIS oes rie io See re mr achapere teas eeeatns Hers ere 175. 4 4.61 48.7 21, 800 13.19 30, 200
1 AS iia es ahs eee as et a a On 174.9 4.69 46.9 21, 000 12. 31 31, 050
PASO) eg cs UR eee an Gh la Hee teen csttcale 174. 8 4.94 43.7 19, 600 12.75 28, 000
1D Ore See Mer Meet ei jhe eto ate ye | 177.0 S51 7/ 43.1 19, 300 12.3% 28, 450
DEO Sts cae oo eas ee eee | 177.1 5. 49 42.1 18, 830 IPT) 26, 950
ds 10 Fe 5 eee eer ite rere Ses Ss eae aa 178.6 5. 91 41.1 18, 400 12. 94 | 25, 900
Means: S85 cose tive ie. tes Seas ee 176.2 4.98 44.7 20, 060 12. 98 | 28, 130

| \

1 Distillate of 42.3° Baumé; 6.81 pounds per gallon.

TEST OF PUMPING PLANT IN SUBDISTRICT NO. 1, LAFOURCHE DRAINAGE DISTRICT
NO. 9, FAYPORT, LA.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT.

This pumping plant drains 2,000 acres. The equipment consists
of two 30-inch centrifugal drainage pumps, each driven by a kerosene
engine of 50-horsepower rating with pistons 16 inches in diameter
and the stroke 18 inches. The engines are supposed to run at about
190 revolutions per minute, but ordinarily run at a slower speed.
Water is injected with the kerosene. Air tanks are provided for
starting, and a small air compressor may be used in charging the
tanks. Circulating pumps are belted to the engines.

DESCRIPTION OF TEST.

The test on one unit of this plant was made with the plant operating
at from 169 to 182 revolutions per minute. The lift and the quantity
of water pumped were measured in the usual manner. The amount

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. ol

of the fuel oil used was obtained by measuring the change in elevation
of the oil in the storage tank. When the test was finished the pump
was opened and about a bushel of grass and weeds was taken out.
This débris, which must have been accumulated gradually, was
nearly equally distributed on the two sides. There were defects
in the screen, especially at the ends, but these were soon remedied
and it is probable that most of the vegetation came through the
screen itself in small pieces. It is certain that the filling up of the
pump decreased the capacity and efficiency of the pes Table 22
gives in detail the results of the test.

TABLE 22.—Test of pumping plant, subdistrict No. 1, Lafourche drainage district No. 13,
Fayport, La., Nov. 24, 1916.)

Useful

Time. | Speed. ae Discharge. pete

power.

183 (05 Mba) LEE Sec.ft. |G. p.m.

UN Se ee SS Oe ire a eee ae ee ee ee 169 _ 1.94 35. 66 16, 000 7. 86
UCT year ott eke te eee eee ye See 168 2.26 33. 84 15, 200 8.70
Os en a Sa oe ceed oes Ren eee 169 2.42 30. 40 13, 630 8.35
TEU Sean re Ny ens En ee eee ae See ss 170 2. 59 30. 26 13, 590 8. 90
OT IRS ae cee ae nee pe on RES A eo 170. | 2:73 28.60 | 12, 830 8. 87
TE 56 6 ae SAR OS aOR ONE RES Sai ee Daa Ae eee 182 | 2. 97 31.82 | 14,300 10. 72
eg ete arene ow ee Ca miek oh Sore es eneie dd ae te as asee a 181 | 3.10 29. 10 13, 060 10. 22
PAE eS a I So eee ei A a ee eae 182 | 3.25 29.30 | 13,140 10. 81
DA eM Mee tater swe Na Rete, team ne. Se es 182 | 3. 46 28.18 | 12,620 11.13
SA ee te i See nn eee Ser cel ee aera cn aa 181 | 3. 57 26. 98 12, 100 10. 93
SAD eT ye te ate cee STS SEES Seoaeed 181 | 3.77 24. 90 | 11, 170 10. 66
BSS eee fn re ee EE SS wi teee eee orale 183 3. 87 25. 34 11, 370 11.12
DNS ADD Re on ees Re eae ser 176.5 2. 99 29. 53 13, 250 10. 02

1 Oil used, 244 pounds.
TEST OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANT IN DALCOUR DRAINAGE DISTRICT, DALCOUR, LA.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT.

This pumping plant installed in 1913 at Dalcour, La., about 22
miles below New Orleans, drains 650 acres of land. A 35-horsepower
distillate engine is used to drive a 24-inch centrifugal drainage pump.
A friction clutch is used to connect engine and pump. A priming
pump is run from a jack shaft which in turn is belted to the engine.

The fuel used in the acceptance test was distillate of 45° Baumé at
86° F., which reduced to 60° F. was equivalent to 42° Baumé,
weighing 6.8 pounds per gallon. The manufacturer’s guarantee was
that the plant would consume not more than 3.56 gallons of kerosene
or No. 2 Solar oil per hour with pump operating at a capacity of
9,250 gallons per minute and a difference in water level of 5.5 feet.
It was impossible to continue the test long enough to pump the water
down to a 5.5-foot lift, but it was agreed that the results obtained at
the 5-foot lift would govern if satisfactory. Table 23 gives the
results obtained during the test.

32 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

TABLE 23.— Test of pumping plant, Dalcour drainage district, Dalcour, La., May 26, 1914.

Time. Speed. Actual Discharge. | Remarks.
| ~ Disch f
Rpm. |e feet. See tls |G pans bes eh igures should
MGS. os: 209 4.22} 240.0] 107,810 | ivi ion
Bice os 210 4.36 233.8 105, 000 | by
ea pei 209 4.57 | 230.9. 103, 700 | -
eS Spee re = Se 209 4.53 | 218.5 98, 2C0 || Fuel, distillate, 42° Baumé; total oil used from
DLS ae 212 4.62 225.0 101,000 || 11.10 a. m. to 2.07 p. m., 78 pounds=3.98
Tiss | ESS eee et 211 4.64 224.5 | 100, 8°0O | gallons per hour.
PAG es 211 4.75 | 223.5 | 100, 400 |
PAG eS ete 212 4.81 | 218.9 | 98,300 |
Mean....| 210.4 4.56 226.9 191,920 |
250... scans 211 4.90 215.4 95,800 |
a ae rae 210 5.00} 213.41 95,900 |], 4: : :
SS aS. 210 5.04 211.0, 94, 800 ger ee porate: ea ealibee
Ce es ae 210 5.07 215.1 | 96,600 |{ per hour. ’
Mean....| 210.2 5.00} 213.7! 95,020
-_. a

TEST OF PUMPING PLANT IN SUBDISTRICT NO. 1, LAFOURCHE DRAINAGE DISTRICT
NO. 20, CUTOFF, LA.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT.

This plant is made up of two pumping units, each consisting of a
36-inch centrifugal drainage pump driven by a 2-cylinder 4-cycle
engine of 120 horsepower at 190 revolutions per minute. The pumps
have overhead discharge and are really larger than 36 inches, as they
have an oval discharge flange. A flexible coupling is used between

engine and pump, but there is no friction clutch. The pumps are:

primed by means of vacuum pumps run by friction drive from the
flywheels of the main engines. The circulating pumps are of the
chamber-wheel type. Air tanks and a small compressor driven by
a gasoline engine furnish an easy and effective method of starting.

METHOD OF MAKING TEST.

The quantity of water was measured by means of Pitot tubes and
the lift was determined by means of gages set in the suction and dis-
charge canals. The fuel used, a distillate of 43.25° Baumé, was
weighed by means of a spring balance. The engines were started
by gasoline. The results of the test are shown in table 24.

TABLE 24.—Tests of pumping plant in subdistrict No. 1, Lafourche drainage district
No. 20, June 18-22, 1917.
TEST NO. 1, UNIT NO. 1.

|
Time. Speed. arial Discharge. Remarks.

R.p.m.| Feet. Sec.-(t. | G.p.m. |

1 ae aaa 190 4.3 102.8 46, 200 | =
BO she so otae eee it ie | ee ae 100. 0 44, 860 || Fuel, distillate of 43.25° Baumé; from 3:49 p. m.
BN eee dba Ss 188 4.4 99. 8 44,700 |f to 4:49 p. m., 95.25 pounds of fuel used.
prereset o bes (ee 98.2 | 44,100 |

Mean 187.2 4.35 100.1 44,965 |

cs, ch el RN iN i i te Nk ae gh

nt alle tly ttn 1h pee

ih dha ld

yy
ere

PLATE I.

iettbeateane

D879

D3520

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR VIEWS OF PUMPING PLANT, SUBDISTRICT No. 4,
JEFFERSON DRAINAGE DISTRICT No 4, JEFFERSON PARISH, LA.

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS.

No. 20, June 18-22, 1917—Continued.

TEST NO. 2, UNIT NO. 2.

33

TABLE 24.—Tests of pumping plant in subdistrict No. 1, Lafourche drainage district

greatest lift about 6 feet.

| |
Time. Speed | ace | Discharge. | Remarks.
z
| | | — —
|
IR 9OiOe i LAGE Sec.-ft. | G.p.m. |
DRA Qs Hae ee 184 | 5. 00 94.0 42, 200 |
BW Usseaqutte sate 185 | 5.15 94,1 42, 240 |
207k eee es 190 5.25 | 96.0 43,100 || From 3.164 p. m. to 4.16} p. m., 98.25 pounds of
cA) eres Atco” 191 | Spa 96. 2 43, 200 fuel used.
HO eee 190 | 5. 45 96.2 | 43, 200
AD) eae ES Fa 190 | 5. 55 es eee
Mean 188.3 | 29 95.3 | 42,788
TEST NO. 3, UNIT NO. 2.
en aaa ae | 190 | 5.54| 94.0] 42,220
oe RGU abe ry 5 a He 2 ee oo From 12:07:40 p. m. to 1:42 p. m., 153.7 pounds=
eae es et ek ae Ser 5.8 le OU Tel 40 A60el eaves POURS ner Hour of tush Used:
1S Dee eee ee 190 | 6. 07 96. 0 43, 100
Mean....| 199.4| 5.79| 944) 42,366
SUMMARY.
| Water Water
| Mean | c [aee Bue
| | Mean | : | Oil per per per
Test. | actual speed. | Mean discharge. noun pound gallon
| : | | of oil. of oil.!
f3 | | | : é ;
Feet. R.p.m. | Sec.-ft. | G.p.m. | Pounds. | Cubic feet.| Cubic fect.
1 es Ee ee eae ee S| 4,35 187.2 | 100.1 44, 965 95. 25 3, 790 26, 630
a eS SASS COCR Os SAE Ea ete 5. 29 188. 3 | 95.3 | 42,788 98. 25 3, 700 26, 000
Sie eee hey Se 5.79 189. 4 94.4 42, 366 97. 80 3, 480 24, 460

1 Based on 36° oil=7.03 pounds per gallon.

TEST OF PUMPING PLANT IN SUBDISTRICT NO. 1, LAFOURCHE DRAINAGE DISTRICT
NO. 12, RACELAND, LA.

DESCRIPTION OF PLANT.

This plant was designed to pump water from 835 acres. It consists
of duplicate pumping units, each having a 24-inch double-suction
centrifugal pump connected by means of a clutch to a 14.5 by 21
inch 4-cycle engine. The suction openings on the pumps are 18
inches in diameter. The intake and suction pipes have been tapered
and enlarged so that the area of the intake and the area of the dis-
charge are considerably greater than the area of the discharge nozzle
of the pump. Engine ignition is by means of a hot bulb at the end
of the cylinder. Oil is forced into the combustion chamber by means
of a pump, and an overflow is arranged so that if the supply is too
great the oil will flow back to a tank located in the foundation of the
building. —

The average lift of the pumps is approximately 3 feet and the
The usual variation of the water level on

34 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

the discharge side is 2 feet. The suction and discharge pipes are each
about 25 feet long, and the main shaft of the pump is about 3 feet
above average water level in the discharge canal.

METHOD OF CONDUCTING THE TEST.

Two tests were run on this plant. In the first the discharge of the
pumps was measured by Pitot tubes placed in the discharge pipes
at a distance of about 10 feet from the pumps. This proved to be so
close to the pump that eddy currents interfered with the proper
working of the tubes. The results for the quantity of water pumped
during the test were found to be too erratic to be of value. A week
later the test was run again on one unit with the Pitot tubes placed
in the suction pipes. The readings taken on the suction side were
very consistent. The lift used in computing the water horsepower
was obtained by reading gages set in the suction and discharge canals.
The fuel oil used in the engines, a distillate oil of specific gravity
0.875 at 72° F., was weighed in buckets by means of a spring balance.

In the first test the indicated horsepower of the engine was measured
by an indicator using a 250 spring. In the second an 80 spring was
used with entire success. , From 10 to 20 complete cycles were taken
on each card and the several areas were averaged. » While the results
of the first test of the pumps are of no value, the results of the test
of the engine compare very well with the results of the second test
and are considered of value. Table 25 is a summary of the first
engine test.

TABLE 25.

Unit Unit

No. 1. No. 2
Benethiokrun: NOULS sae e see ss eee ee ee ere enh ieee 4 | 4
Revolutions pPersmMiInube;AVeLas ee cae] ese ee ee ee a re ee eee 204. | 211
Average:indicated horsep Ow Cle fs- oan ssa ooo te See RE ee ae ee ee eee 32.6 41.6
Manundtma dicated: HorsepOWel<nn< em csc > eee te ere eee ee ee 26. 4 28. 4
Revolutions per minute at minimum indicated horsepower..-.........--..----------- 193 1
Maximum indicated Horse powels ne s-asit oe seme eee oe ee ee ee 37.7 50. 6
Revolutions per minute at maximum indicated horsepower...........--.----------- 213 221
Motalapounds;OfmTeEl Kove (OS se Lenny Che eee ea
Pounds of fuel oil per indicated horsepower-hour..............---------+------------ 74
Pounds per brake horsepower (assuming mechanical efficiency of 80 per cent)....... . 92

During the second test on unit No. 1 the speed of the engine was
somewhat less than in the previous test, and the engine seemed to be
working much more smoothly. The results of the test are given in
Table 26.

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. 35

TABLE 26.—Test of pumping plant in subdistrict No. 1 of Lafourche drainage district
No. 12, Raceland, La., Nov. 22, 1913.

|
Indi- Efficiency.! Fuel
| Water
| cated Actual . | used per
Time Speed. nome lift. Discharge. morse | one-half
power. JAAS 1 2. a4 hour:
| R. p.m. Feet. Sec.ft. | G. p.m. Per cent. | Per cent.| Pounds.
of ee 205 31.4 2.18 36. 44 16, 370 8.97 28.6 BY fs Beeeeeee
UB 206 34.0 2.25 35. 78 16, 060 9.14 26.9 33. 6 | 11. 00
Ie Se ae 201 32.2 2.47 34. 49 15, 445 9. 60 29.8 37. 2 | 10. 44
MOG eee 206 | 33.8 2.73 34. 36 15, 430 10. 45 31.6 39.5 20. 31
Vy Cae 204 34.1 3.05 33. 62 15, 100 11.70 | 34. 3 42.8 10. 56
1 he ea ee 205 34.5 3. 29 33.15 14, 885 12. 41 35.0 43.7 13515
Slee See 210 | 34.5 3. 54 33. 64 15, 110 13. 52 | 39. 2 49.0 13. 62
10-8) Baas 212 | 35. 4 3. 82 32. 82 14, 740 14, 22 | 40.3 50.5 | 13. 00
12.4552. osc 215 35.9 4.12 31. 46 14, 120 14, 65 | 40.8 51.0 12. 87
Mean.. 207 34.0 3. 05 33. 97 15, 245 11. 52 | 34.1 42.6 | 13.19

1 Efficiency: (1) Efficiency of pump, piping, and engine. (2) Efficiency of pump and piping, assuming
mechanical efficiency of engine to be 80 per cent.

TEST OF PUMPING PLANT IN SUBDISTRICT NO. 2 OF LAFOURCHE DRAINAGE
DISTRICT NO. 12, RACELAND, LA.

This pumping plant contains two units similar to those at Race-
land subdistrict No. 1 and similar methods of testing were used.
The pumps and accessories are practically the same, but the engines,
while of the same type and make as those in the previously described
plant, have a cylinder diameter of 15 inches with 24-inch stroke.
The pumps are 24-inch drainage pumps of the centrifugal type.
The behavior of the engine in this test was doubtless affected by the
presence of some Mexican crude oil which had been put in the tank
more than a year before.

The indicator cards, when taken for several cycles, showed two
different areas: One area was the regular card, while the other
showed a rise in the compression line earlier than in the large card
and no great increase of pressure at the end of compression, but a
gradual rise of pressure as expansion proceeded until at exhaust
opening the pressure was about the same as for the large card.
There was no accurate way to determine how often either of these
cards occurred. The evidence from a great many cards showed that
the numbers of large and small cards were about equal, but this
was too uncertain to make the indicated horsepower reliable enough
to compute pump efficiency. Owing to the behavior of the engine

the speed of pump was quite variable. Table 27 gives the results
obtained.

36 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

TABLE 27.—Test of pumping plant in subdistrict No. 2 of Lafourche drainage district
No. 12, Raceland, La., Apr. 19, 1915.1

{

| Water

Time. Speed. Penal | Discharge. —__—horse-

5 | power.

R. p.m. ECE | SCE fk | Goat

nr) Sethe Se ta I A ee 198 3. 67 | 29, 44 13, 210 | 12. 24
Eee nea ew ates w/e ma As Se et te 198 3. 81 | 26.08 | 11,720 | 11. 27
Bist P Seal | Sa Re pe a ee ee 200 a-98))) ok be 14, 000 | 14.05
A ee ens SS Ee SES LS Se eae cae ae 200 | 4.14 23.11} 10,420 | 10. 83
1) 2 a ede yO vaca SE ar EE on eee ee 198 4.34 | -29.42| 13,230} 14. 48
BP fp ee eS ee Ce Se ee ee 200 4.49 | 22.53} 10,110 | 11. 45
IA VCRRGG on 225 oe SS. eS ee eee eee 199 | 4.07 | 26. 96 12, 100 | 12. 46

1 Fuel-oil consumption, 23.4 pounds per hour.

TEST OF JAMISON RELIFT PLANT OF THE LOUISIANA IRRIGATION & MILL CO.,
CROWLEY, LA.

This pumping plant contains two units, each consisting of a
60-horsepower Muncie engine direct-connected to a 36-inch cen-
trifugal pump. The pumps are primed by small vacuum pump run
from the engines. A small compressor and a gasoline engine are
used to fill the air tanks for starting the engines. Although used
for irrigation, this pumping plant does not differ in any way from
plants used for drainage.

Tests were run on both units of the plant. The results are given
in Table 28. The quantity of water pumped was measured by a
current meter in a carefully constructed flume in the suction canal.
The lift was determined by means of gages set in suction and dis-
charge canals. Fuel oil was accurately weighed by a spring balance.

TABLE 28.—Tests of Jamison relift pumping plant of Louisiana Irrigation & Mill Co.,
Crowley, La., May 18-19, 1917.

| f
Time. | Speed. ree Discharge. Remarks.
|
R.p.m. Feet Sec.ft. | G. p.m.
5) | ieee ee ae 259 BENT 51.9 23, 300
3.15. .--.-22.- 261 3.54) 51.7 | 23,200 |Tn the first hour 31.44 pounds of oil were con-
So ee ae 392) 9] 22500 | sumed. The number of gallons pumped per
74 a Sp oaipnicoc | ae = ee aE i = a '{ pound of oil was 43,940; total oil consumption
BA Sere 256 3-51 | > S1y) e200 ee
(Ea ees etait 256 3.53 | 50.2 | 22,550 a
Average 257 | aces 50. 9 22, 855
AA eee ee 255 2. 04 52.3 23, 500 :
9.15. - 255 | 2. 03 53.5 24,000 |The total consumption of oil was 29.81 pounds
9.30. . 256 2.01 53, 2 23, 900 per hour; gallons pumped per pound, 47,750.
LS eas eee 25 | 1.99 | 52.3 | 23,000
Average 255. 2 2.03 52.8 | 23,725
E a CORSO AEE aS = rik re — i Consumption of oil, 32.87 pounds per hour;
Si ee aie 256 2.10 48.3} 21,700 || Salons pumped per pound, 40,200.
Average.. 257 2.14 49.0} 22,000

i a

it if

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. al

TESTS OF THE FERRE, HINE’S, AND RICHARD RELIFT PUMPING PLANTS OF THE LOUIS-
IANA IRRIGATION & MILL CO., CROWLEY, LA.

During the summer of 1919 the Louisiana [Irrigation & Mill Co.
installed several pumping units in relift plants. Tests were made to
determine the performance of these pumping units, with results as
shown in Tables 29, 30, and 31. The equipment in each plant
consisted of duplicate units made up of 60-horsepower internal-
combustion engines direct-connected to 24-inch centrifugal pumps.

TaBLE 29.—Test of Ferre relift pumping plant, Grand Canal, July 9, 1919.

[60-horsepower Ingeco engines direct-connected to 24-inch Worthington pumps.]

Minutes |
| required |
Time. eect of | cruel to use 12 | Discharge.
ISU ‘| pounds. |
| of oil
South unit: | R. p.m Feet. Sec.ft. | G.p.m
QEDO ee a neinas A eee wc Damien na Soe bone eee 238. 0 BHU laaeesaoacal| 45. 00 20, 200
OM Oise ke as Sate Fas tee ote ese eee eee 238. 5 4200 |2 ee eee 45.90 20, 600
OE SO spe tee eee ars soi ce tees oa aeie swe SUT hee eee tales 236.0 4. 04 21.0 | 45, 62 20, 480
1 ORDO Foie tas eee oe coe e mmm Sea oe snide Seceicc| 241.0 4.06 21.0 45.12 20, 250
LTE Oe ees are eae c eee ni i eee ie eee 240. 0 4.06 | 20. 5 | 45.12 20, 250
AO era ee eh aes SNe ae wea See et ew eS eset | 241.5 4.08 20. 5 41.98 18, 850
GEO eS Se Ee ap eS See apa poe ke, mee ere he ee 243.5 4.08 20.0 42. 40 19, 030
SAV CTALE ear hee ee iis Se aw oe eae ce eae wae 239.9 4,04 20.6 44. 60 20, 080
North unit:
Pid US ee a 2 aR Ge SRS, Se he My Ue eee eR ae Ee a 233.0 4,40 | 20. 5 | 44. 59 20, 000
aOR Oe sear ee ack iaemrn ne sae OR ee Ree oe 228. 0 4.39 22.5 45. 00 20, 200
DROS cee ee Rae Aas bos Seer ao he oe ce Se 231.5 4.38 22.5 41.65 18, 700
SOW aia sete rs Ca eee ts eee oe SRE ae a5 236.0 4.35 22.5 43. 22 19, 400
aN ee ney nme 2 ee ee ae Sa es Oe GaSe 231.0 4. 33 22.5 42.12 18, 900
AS OSE kaa Sie ny tome Moa es. Nas ey Oe OR OnE Sees 231.5 4,33 22.5 42.21 18, 950
A > Aas Soe eo oe See eae Sw oweieealon Sack eee 233. 5 4. 33 22.0 | 44.10 19, 800
SSE ey, seks DA nas Tae ar ee 232.1 4, 36 22.1) 43.28| 19,420
Oilicorrected fond rips --e.- 2 soso eae eee eee ee leo eB arise 4 See DIEGAlS see \Weseeaowee
: } |
TABLE 30.—Test of Hine’s relift pumping plant, Grand Canal, July 12, 1919.
[60-horsepower Bessemer engine belted to 24-inch Lawrence pump.]
|
Speed. | Minutes
required |
Time. es to Ee Discharge.
: | : pounds
Engine. | Pump. | of oil.
R.p.m.| R. p.m. | Feet. | Sec.ft. | G.p.m.
20 ee ec O Ce eee ES or ee eee 222.0 | 167.5 | 7.38 | 30 |
TEES rans Be oS Sa tp RRR eR ta 217.0 166. 0 TG eee
et a ee ges TIO. L6G, Ose Seas eee ee 18. 24 8, 190
MA eho siete Bae ee as I os apn Ps oneerntarns mie 217.0 | 167.0 1683: | 30 |
eee oo ee ee so a 220. 0 169. 0 Taher Spears (Sie aa
SA ee ad OOS aoe Os Seo ae eee ee eee 255. 0 193. 0 8.33 | 19
EDP ee Rete eS SE Saree oe cleo a eioee ee estes 256. 0 198.5 Bodies acca |
D5 Cts ie See ie See ey 255. 5 199. 0 8. 40 | 18 27.18 12, 200
GSO Ean ee eee ee eon. ee EE 256. 0 198.0 | SAN Pees e see |
Gaol Swcpete eS et See ee Soy eee 260. 0 198.5 8. 43 | 18

38 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

TABLE 31.—Test of Richard relift pumping plant, Grand Canal, July 11, 1919.

[60-horsepower Ingeco engine direct-connected to Worthington pumps.]

|

Speed. Minutes |
required |
Time. See to Te | Discharge.
“ pounds
No.1 No. 2. of oil.
R.p.m.| R.p.m.| Feet | Secft. | G.p.
tA =. oe 8 Sec Shs Stee eee eee eee 250.0 | yf FaaT (Ssh aes Os Se 39. 65 if.
DA en we acre Sa. Sa oa ese. s ee Meee eee See eee 250. 0 7.84 19.5 | 38. 65 17,
Pa. Sa Soe cS Sew sae = cos see ee ees ee eee eee 250.0 7. 87 20.5 38. 65 17, 350
AQ ae rn SS Seca sete ares oot cee oe ee See ees 249.0 7.85 21.0 36. 60 | 16, 450
Averagesss 5: fr eens iets bites i ASOT 7.83 20. 33 38.38 17, 237

The methods followed in testing the Ferre relift and the Richard
relift were the same as those already described in the test of the Jami-
sonrelift. In making the test of the Hine’s relift the quantity of water
was measured by means of a weir installed at the end of the flume.
As the flow was rather turbulent, the depth on the weir could not be
read with great accuracy, and the results may be in error by 5 per
cent. As the water was discharged vertically upward from the pump,
the discharge gage could not be read as accurately as in the other
test, but the readings are substantially correct and the final results
satisfactory.

Fuel oil used in these plants was Jennings crude, direct from the
wells. A sample from the Richard relift had specific gravity 0.8975
or 26.15° Baumé at 100° F.

DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANT AT PORT ARTHUR, TEX.

This plant was installed to drain the city of Port Arthur, an area
of approximately 2,175 acres. It is not an agricultural proposition
and the capacity is far in excess of that required for farm lands.
The pumping plant contains three units, each consisting of a vertical
2-cylinder 100-horsepower oil engine direct-connected to a 48-inch
screw pump. ‘Two of the pumps were sold under a guaranty to de-
liver 40,000 gallons per minute against a 5-foot lift and 26,000 gallons
per minute against an 11-foot lift. The other pump was to deliver
55,000 gallons per minute against a 5-foot lift. All operate at 257
revolutions per minute.

In the test of this plant, water measurements were made with a
Pitot tube. The lift was determined by means of gages set in suction
and discharge basins. Fuel oil was measured by means of a spring
balance. Readings of fuel were taken at 5-minute intervals. The oil
used was sold as 28° Baume, weight 7.38 pounds per gallon.

Tests were made on one high-lift and on the low-lift unit. In the
course of the work of adjusting and testing the plant it was found
that the blades were quite rough. When they were made smooth
and sharp a marked improvement in capacity and duty was observed.

mer we ae ei

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. 39

Table 32 gives the result of a test on high-lift unit No. 2 before the
blades of the pump were smoothed and sharpened. Table 33 gives
the results of a test after the improvements had been made. It was
believed that a considerably better showing would be obtained from
the low-lift pump by sharpening the impeller blades and trimming
out the casing, and this work was subsequently done. The results
of the test on low-lift unit No. 3 are given in Table 34.

TABLE 32.—Test of pump No. 2 of drainage pumping plant at Port Arthur, Tex., July
23-26, 1918.

Water

= Actual Fuel pumped
Time. Speed. Discharge. : per gallon

P lift. used. of fuel

used.

R.p.m.| Sec.ft. | G. p.m. Feet. G. p.m. | Gallons.
Pils PRE eS So nage es es i OL A 8 255 89.12 | 40,000 A157 Se ese eee | eae
SOO eae ee elas EES ee a eee anes 255 88. 68 39, 800 4.95 0. 139 286, 000
SEO5 Sere as cane eee once ee 255 88. 23 39, 600 5.15 166 238, 000
Si00 Se seal seteaeecee oes woek tos ae eee eee 254 87. 56 39, 300 5.38 164 239, 000
Sa ESRC Sra, ps Re ye Seema et 254 85.56 | 38,400 5. 60 156 | 246, 000
Sug Se Sees Cte ees Se ae eee 254 86. 01 38, 600 5.75 163 237, 000
BT est OG SE aa SCORE Se See CeCe na aati 252 85. 34 38, 300 6.05 175 219, 000
BIS 2a ae sees coe ainae oon Seca 2525 84. 00 37, 700 6. 68 159 237, 000
ST Sie Sota each ace Ree see as Seni soe 250 81.10 36, 400 7.18 180 202, 000
SAD Mae ee een an oscs ee oe anew ee cL Se eee ee 244 78. 65 35, 300 8. 64 210 168, 000
eA re nis Se aiaee a ctoeies SaaS) Soe ae see 239 71.30 32,000 | 10.10 213 150, 000
SOS ASS ASO aD SOS Se Sanice Stier aca ene peal 237 58. 87 26, 200 11.34 210 125, 000

1 This test was made W. P. Langworthy before pump blades were sharpened.

-TABLE 33.—Test of pump No. 2 of drainage pumping plant at Port Arthur, Tex., July

23-26, 19181

Ea ater
Average | | pumpe
Speed. | velocity | Discharge. actual = ue per gallon
of flow. | as see of fuel
| used.

R.p.m. | Ft.persec.| Sec.ft. | G.p.m. Feet. G.p.m.| Gallons.
254 | 6.04 89.12 | 40,000 | 3.60 0.153 262, 000
255 | 5. 87 86.45 38,800 3.75 - 156 249, 000
253 5. 89 86.67 38,900 | 3. 88 . 156 249, 000
254 | 6.09 | 89.57 | 40,200 3.97 -151 267, 000
253. | 5-91. | 87.12 | 39,100 4.35 154 254, 000
253 Settel 85.11 38,200 | 4.40 154 248, 000
253 5. 82 85.78 | 38,500 4.48 149 258, 000
254 5. 85 86.22 | 38,700 4.60 149 260, 000
253 5.81 | 86.56 38, 400 4.70 159 241, 000
252 5.85 | 86.22 | 38,700 5.00 164 | 236,000
252 5.70 84.00 | 37,700 5.18 164 230, 000
252 5. 64 83.33 37,400 | 5. 40 166 225, 000
252 5. 61 82.88 37,200 | 5. 60 173 215, 000
251 5. 44 80.21 | 36,000 | 5. 82 173 208, 000
249 5. 53 $1.55 36, 600 | 6.45 180 203, 000
247 5. 51 81.32 | 36, 500 6. 70 180 203,000
245 5.48 | 80.65 | 36,200 | 7.10 169 | 214,000
243 5.24 | 77.31 | 34/700 | 7-8 169 | 205/000

1 This test was made W. P. Langworthy after pump blades were sharpened.

40 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

TaBLE 34.—Test of pump No. 3 of drainage pumping plant at Port Arthur, Tex., made
by W. P. Langworthy July 23-26, 1918.

| Water

Average pumped
Time. Speed. velocity Discharge. Head. mae | per gallon

of flow. | Nees fey Ol tal

used.

R.p.m. | Ft. DOE Sec.-fi. G.p.m. Fest. G.p.m. | Gallons.
1 CSS eee eae eee a eee 250 7. 91 116. 75 52, 400 3. 00 0.160 | 327,000
TUS is oe eee ae he, See S 250 7. 84 115. 41 51, 800 3. 38 157 330, 000
7G [et a es eee ee oe eae 249 7. 79 114. 75 51, 500 3. 86 166 | 310,000
NIRS ee eee eee eee 246 7. 50 112. 07 50, 300 3. 96 173 | 291,000
MUSH Ose ae = S22 Se Rs Sea See eee 246 7. 51 110. 51 49,600 4. 06 174 | 285, 000
D 2IOS aie eae Fa ee ee 246 7. 29 107. 39 4§, 200 4.19 178 | 271,000
DA eee a oe eae eee 245 7. 36 108. 28 48, 600 4.36 | 194 | 250,000
OR renee ae ee eee ee eee 241 PEPA(A cme LFA Ie 48, 100 4.63 ; 174 | 276,000
B21 Pee ten ele ee 243 we 107.39 48, 200 4.76 .183 | 263,000
MBean ea ce eee Seas 244 7. 26 106. 95 48.000 4.90 -184 | 261,000
EG (pa ae eo, es ee ee aR 243 7.21 | 106.28 47,700 5. 00 .163 | 293,000

]

i

TEST OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANT IN SUB-DISTRICT NO. 4, LAFOURCHE DRAINAGE
DISTRICT NO. 12, RACELAND, LA.

This plant, which drains 4,466 acres of prairie land, was installed in
1915. The machinery consists of two units, duplicates in every way
except that the pumps are driven respectively by right-hand and
left-hand engines. The pumps are 48-inch centrifugal drainage
pumps designed for high speed and a flat power curve. The pump
impellers are a combination of the screw propeller and the ordinary
centrifugal pump impeller. Each pump has double-suction pipes
attached to 48-inch elbows, and both suction and discharge pipes are
enlarged at their outer ends. Wooden flap valves are used to cover
the discharge ends while the pumps are being primed.

The pumps are driven by 2-stroke cycle Diesel engines 144 by 24
inches, with variable speed governors. The plant is ordinarily oper-
ated between the limits of 190 to 200 revolutions, while for maximum
lift of about 9 feet the speed may be increased 220 revolutions per
minute.

A test of one of the units was made to determine the oil consump-
tion for a given output of work. Observations were taken every 20
minutes on the speed, lift, suction (with manometers), pounds of oil
consumed, and quantity of water pumped. The fuel used during the
test was crude oil, specific gravity 0.889, or 27.4° Baumé at 60° F.

The unit tested was situated on the left-hand side of the suction
canal looking upstream. The two suction pipes are labeled right and
left, as one stands facing the suction canal, and therefore the right-
hand suction pump is near the middle of the canal. During the test
an eddy was observed in the suction basin, so disposed that water was
brought to the right-hand pipe and away from the opening of the left-
hand suction pipe. The effect of the eddy was clearly shown in the
quantities of water measured in the two pipes, as the right-hand
pipe invariably carried more water. Without doubt this condition—

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. 4]

had some effect upon the efficiency of the pump, and consequently re-
duced the over-all efficiency. The eddy was caused by unequal
depths of water below the suction pipes and by the higher velocity
near the center line of the suction canal. ;

RESULTS OF TEST.

The test, which extended over a period of nearly six hours, was run
with a varying difference of levels in the canals, the lift increasing
from 3.55 feet at the beginning of the run to 4.96 feet at the close.
The speed of the pump was held uniform at 195 revolutions per
minute, but the total water pumped varied with the change in actual
lift, ranging from 60,050 gallons per minute at the lower lift (3.55
feet) to 54,700 gallons per minute at the higher lift (4.96 feet). The
results obtained are given in Table 35.

The economy of the plant can best be realized by a comparison
with the steam pumping plant in subdistrict No. 1, Gueydan drainage
district, where the equipment consists of high-grade simple noncon-
densing Corliss engines and volute pumps.. When pumping against a
head of approximately 5 feet the fuel consumption of the steam plant
was to that of the internal-combustion engine plant as 4.28 to 1 for
equal output of work.

TABLE 35.—Test of pumping plant in subdistrict No. 4 of Lafourche drainage district No.
12, Raceland, La., Feb. 21, 1916.

| Useful

Time. Speed. ne i Discharge. | h bata

| power.

= sbi pp Si aos 2! |
R.p.m Icet Sec-ft | G.p.m

QAO Ride Seg Seg 19 et ee eee eo eter cee elnneme iene
LUCE) A ess pats ae ae eae Fe De ee eet Oe | 196 3. 59 133. SO | 60.050 | 53. 80
OSA os Rea ae ee Seer a eee ee eee Seletee ee ym resets 195 3. 63 132. 79 59, 600 | 54. 70
OSes OR ape eeetan ee pee wba pee Ak a el 195 3. 69 131.57 | 59,050 55. 00
TOTES OW es Se SS SRS Ree eee heen ent ere es ee 195 3.795 131. 23 58, 900. | 55. 80
LS 2D ace ee a ea a Sn ED POP UE Tete ee | 195 3. 82 128. 23 57. 550 | 55. 50
1D ie See ese ie te ed. eek en eer oe ee dees mek ne | 195 | 3.90 128. &9 57, $50 56. 95
Lies (0) Se = ys eke oe okie 8 se ie eae se 195 3.98 129. 90 58, 300 58. 60
122 GAVE ey 9 Se OA te ape eee i aa get er se | 195 4.08 126.22 | 56,650 58. 40
Ol eee ee ee eee ge ea ee ee: Sa A ere eo 195 4.17 126. 78 | 56, 990 59. 90
WRECK) eee mame aetna? es ge 195 | 4. 27 128. 67 57, 750 62. 25
LOD ferret te eee a ee en Rion a Sy Se Pe 195 4, 34 125. 00 59, 100 61. 50
Ihe) oo a er Soe ne ne ate ON i ie a en ok Ue || 195 4. 43 124. 66 55, 950 62.55
22a () (pater MAR Brera eee La SS aT | 195 4. 52 126. 00 56, 550 64. 55
2a, OL) SP Seep 2 SPN SO eo ees he pee eae 195 4. 63 125. 55 56, 350 65. 90
RA a a ee Ai ay Pn APP es aie ages | 195 | 4. 74 123. 88 55, 600 66. 50
BOOS ee ar eee See okt Pe ye Me Bn il 195 4, 84 123. 32 | 55, 350 67. 60
Bh AUS Ste oa Ss Ce te ea Sine ea | Se ee | 195 4.96 | 121.88 | 54,700 68. 59

TEST OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANT OF LITTLE WOODS TRACT, NEW ORLEANS, LA.
DESCRIPTION OF PLANT.

The New Orleans Lake Shore Land Co. has reclaimed an area of
6,943 acres of prairie land, located on Lake Pontchartrain, inside the
city limits of New Orleans. The pumping plant was erected during
the latter part of 1913. (See Pl. Il.) It consists of two centrifugal
pumps, each with a discharge opening equivalent to a circle of 512
inches diameter, connected by means of herringbone gears to electric

42 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

motors. Electric energy was used in this case because of the
desirability of having the city current for use for other power and
in the suburban residences. The cost of electrical energy is greater
than that of steam power or that furnished by internal-combustion
engines, although the first cost of the electrical plant is less than
either of the other types. The plant is very economical when
interest on investment and depreciation are considered together with
the cost of operating.

The pumps are equipped with a apie ine tiem of screw and inclosed-
centrifugal impeller. They are primed by means of small exhaust
pumps of the chamber-wheel type driven by small motors. Greatest
capacity is had at the low lifts, where it is desirable. As the lift
increases the capacity decreases, but the need of large capacity also
decreases. The capacity of the plant when operating at a lift of 4.5
feet is 1.3 inches in depth removed from the area in 24 hours. The
motors which drive the pumps run at practically constant speed, and
therefore the revolutions of the pump remain constant regardless of
ae METHOD OF MAKING TEST.

The height through which the water was elevated was obtained by
reading gages in the suction and discharge basins. The quantity of
water was determined by using a Price current meter in the discharge
flume. The voltage and revolutions per minute were also observed.
The results of the test are given in Table 36. It is believed that the
two units under favorable conditions will show identical results.

TABLE 36.—Test of pumping plant in Little Woods Tract, New Orleans, La., Nov. 14,

LGA:
UNIT NO. 1.
Elec-
P : Water
a Actual : A Kilo- trical Effi-
Time. Speed. Volts. lift. Mee oa ae: Horces NOSE: ciency.
power ie :

R. p.m. Feet. Sec.-ft. | G. p.m. Per cent.
10!005s-eee- 119.8 2, 246 5. 76 173.7 77, 800 174.C 233. 0 113.5 48. 80
NOUS SESE ee 121.2 2, 288 5. 83 176.8 79, 200 174.9 234. 2 116.8 49.75
10:30522E 120.7 2, 300 5. 85 177.9 79. 700 174.8 234. 2 118.0 50. 35
1 OVa Se oe 120.7 2, 298 5. 85 175.5 78, 600 175.1 234.6 116. 2 49. 50
HEOO Se 121.2 2, 298 5. 87 173.7 77, 800 175. 0 234.5 115.5 49.25
1 Uy US ise ea 121.4 2, 304 5. 91 172.1 77, 100 178.0 238.5 115.3 48. 35

al ie Seni 120.8 2, 320 6. 29 171.0 76, 600 174.4 233. 7 121.8 52.10
Seo 0 sere 120.5 2, 320 6. 39 169. 2 75, 800 172.6 231.3 122.7 53. 10
SAO ee ie 120.7 2, 320 6. 41 170. 2 76, 200 171.6 230. 0 123.5 53. 70
A OO Nst ete 121.1 2, 320 6. 44 168. 1 75, 300 173. 4 232.3 122.6 52.75
7 Se 121.0 2,316 6. 46 166.3 74, 500 171.0 229. 1 121.6 53. 10
dL) 10) Gaia 120.7 2, 320 6. 54 167.4 75, 000 166. 4 223.0 124.1 55. 70
Mean.. 120.8 2, 304 6.13 171.4 76, 960 173.4 232. 4 117.6 51.37
UNIT NO. 2.1
1 eee 12). 4 2, 300 6. 10 170. 2 75, 200 176.5 235.5 117.5 49.7
18 1 eee 121.1 2, 398 6.14 171.5 76, 890 178. 0 238.5 119.3 50.0
i Oe ae 12). 8 2,310 6.15 171.2 76, 700 176.1 235.0 119. 2 50. 5
2300 eros «are 121.0 2,310 6. 2) 157.0 74, 890 174.0 233.0 117.3 50. 4
2HlO tee oak 120.8 2,32) 6. 25 169. 2 75, 800 173.0 231.8 120.0 50. 47
Mean.. 120.8 2,310 6.15 169.8 | 76,060 175.5 235. 2 118.7 50. 47

1 A mud lump was found in suction basin under one suction pipe.

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. 43

The test showed an average efficiency at 6-foot lift of 50.55 per
cent. At a lft of 6.32 feet and while pumping more than 76,000
gallons per minute the guaranteed efficiency of 524 per cent was
attained.

TESTS OF 12-FOOT WOOD SCREW PUMP, NEW ORLEANS DRAINAGE SYSTEM.

The drainage of New Orleans and the sanitary sewers are separate
systems. The area drained amounts to 25,000 acres, or a little more
than 39 square miles. The capacity of pumping plants for drainage
will eventually be equal to 7.33 inches of run-off removed in 24 hours.
The pumping units include eleven 12-foot screw pumps. (See fig. 4.)

Tests were made of one of the 12-foot Wood screw pumps at New
Orleans pumping plant No. 1, on November 17, 1916, and January

Fig. 4.—Section through 12-foot screw pump, New Orleans drainage pumping plant.

17, 1917. In the test of November 17 the flume was divided into 10
equal areas. As the bottom was V-shaped the width of these sections
was greatest at the sides of the flume and least near the middle.
Velocities were observed at 0.2, 0.6, and 0.8 depth in each area, and
the mean velocity for an area was taken to be the mean of the three
velocities observed. The sum of the 10 separate areas multiplied
each by its mean velocity gave the total discharge and this divided by
the total area gave the mean velocity.

In the test on January 17, 1917, observations were taken of velocity
at the same sections as in the previous test but at one-sixth, five-
tenths, and five-sixths depth. The mean of three readings was used
as the mean velocity of the vertical section, and the total discharge
was obtained by summing up the discharges of the separate sections.
Table 37 gives the results of the tests.

i4 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

TABLE 37.— Tests of 12-foot Wood screw drainage pump at New Orleans pumping station
No.1; Now. #7; 1917.

TEST OF NOV. 17, 1916.

Quantity pumped.

Meas-
Meas- ured
5 Ze ured E.H. P.
= = _ | Leak- , | Cerrec- Correc- = = Water elec- <0.94= Ei :
No.| Speed... Meas- | = nara Leak- es tionfor Cor- Lift. horse- trical | H. P. | CeBCY
ured Rr ae age Storage) rected tpower./ 7. -- | |} pump-
aa 2 storage ~ == E> = horse- input
in = _ through”. indis- guan- 2
flume. C sheet | station.|.. 1. Charge tity. Es to
< < +s D -— ~ n
anal. canal. } cin. pump
R.p.m.. Sec-ji. | Sec-ft.| Sec-ft.| Sec-fi-| Sec.-ii. Feed. P.ct.
ize 73.7 =457.84 ifct 3.26 | 21.18 | —0.90°} 482.92) 7.59 416.0 585.86 551.0 75. 45
yam TL.1 | 475.73 174 3.74 -11.45 —+70 487.°6 7.48 414.5 486.77 552.6 pent
i352 74.1 | 481.54 1.74 4.35 5.96 | —4.34£ | 490.25 | “2415 ) 41255158252) atia Ta. 3
Avy. 74.0 | 471.70 iBye! 3.75). 12.20 |-—3. 31 | 487.01 |--72495 4° 413-95 585.08 1 ok ta. 23
TEST OF JAN. 17, 1917.
1._.! 75.75 } 491.35 2-§2 ZAG) -86s25 T— 027 SE SEL fe 430.0 608.5 72.5 75.0
1A -}- 75.8 488. 80 2&2 2254 15.51 } —1.45 | 508. 22 7.41 428.0 610.0 ji3.9 74.6
2: —| 76.05.}-513. 10 2. $2 SIR 7.85 —3.49 524.13 7.59 448.5 617.0 580.5 77.3
Av) 75.9 _} 49%.75 2 82 228551 MIB Si 18 Sta a 44 434.6 611.8 BY 75. 51

Before each of these tests it was necessary to allow the water to
accumulate for about a week, and as the weather was dry the water
became rather foul; it carried trash and organic matter which
appeared to give off gas.

The lift, or difference of level on suction and discharge sides of
pump, was approximately 7.5 feet for all these tests, which is the
lift for which the pump was designed. The results obtained from
the tests show the efficiency of the pump to be about 75.5 per cent.
This is less than was shown by the official test of 1915, when for a
lift of 7.15 feet the efficiency of pump was approximately 79 per
cent. It is possible that the foulness of the water affected the results
to some extent. The efficiency obtained is good in any event.

COST OF OPERATION OF PLANTS.

Information regarding the various pumping plants tested, as well
as for some others for which data have been obtained from reliable
sources, has been arranged in tabular form (Table 38) and in graphic
form (in figs. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9). All but plants Nos. 19 and 21 have
centrifugal pumps. The impellers of the pumps in plants Nos. 8,
9, 10, 11, 12, 20, and 22 (see Table 38) are a combination of the
screw and centrifugal principles. Nos. 19 and 21 are screw pumps.

Plants Nos. 1, 2, and 3 are medium-grade steam plants having
slide valve noncondensing engines. Plants Nos. 4 and 5 have
Corliss noncondensing engines. The former was not tested under

the most favorable conditions, while the latter was; No. 5 has a

much more elaborate pump than No. 4. Plant No. 6 has_a cross-

PLATE II.

D3518

D3519

INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR VIEWS OF PUMPING PLANT, LITTLE WOODS TRACT,
NEW ORLEANS, LA.

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. 45

compound condensing Corliss engine. Plant No. 7 has a compound
condensing poppet-valve engine using superheated steam. Plants
Nos. 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are alike in having internal-combustion
engines. No. 9 uses kerosene as fuel, while the others may use
distillate or kerosene. They are all 4-cycle engines. Plants Nos. 13

NAME OF PLANT TYPE

24 ENGINE PUMP

Ceririt.
Skam shde-valve
non-condensing.

Sub Dist No! Latourche QO Noé.
SubDist No.3 Lafourche DD No/2
Jefferson D.D. No 3. Simple non-con-
Sub.DistNal Gueydon DD pee Cortiss.
Pumping Plant No.2 Avoca QD. comp.cond Corliss
Pumping Plant No.3 Avoca DD. vpn pay Pena
Jub.DistNod Jefferson DD. No.4. lot C omb, Distillate. *
Jub DisttNo.l Lofourche OD. No.9. " + Kerosene.
Daleour D.D ~ + Dishiate. +
Jub. Dist No| Lotourche OD No20. *

Combanee D.O. mi ye Syn ota
Sub, bist NolLatourche DD.Nol2. - = Hot Bulb,
Jwh List No.2 Lotourche DDNol2 ~ chp
Jamison Relitt ~~ fem-Diesel.
Ferre. ues ce
Richard.

Huns. -

Port Arthur :

Wb. List No4 Lafourche DD No.l -

Combiration of Nos. 12 and 19.

Phillips Lond Compan

22

Do
S
CmudnGHAWN~ WW

¢ogueborvanags6 © & SHYBO/

~
dy

&

we
&S

fe.)

Pounds of Oil per /oot-Acre-loot Pumped

0),

Lift in Feet

Fig. 5.— Pounds of oil required by different types of engines to pump against various lifts.

and 14 have hot-bulb ignition and operate on the 4-stroke cycle;
they use a fairly low grade of fuel oil. Plants Nos. 15, 16, 17, 18, and
19 have 2-cycle oil engines with hot-bulb ignition. Plant No. 20
has 2-cycle Diesel engines using a low grade of fuel oil. Plants Nos.
21 and 22 are electrically driven.

» U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

—
i

BULLETIN 106

46

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TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS.

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/

A8 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Plant capacity was rated on a velocity of 10 feet per second at the
discharge flange of pump. The capacities of the various plants as
shown by the test are also included. The capacity of plant in acres
drained was next computed on the basis of 1.25 inch removed in 24
hours.

In selecting engines a limit is set by the size of engines of certain
types. Slide-valve steam engines may be had in almost any size
or capacity, while Corliss engines are not made in small sizes. It
would therefore be impracticable to decide to use a Corliss engine
on a proposition so small as to demand special design. ;

Distillate and oil engines of medium grade are not made by some
firms in sizes above 100 to 125 horsepower. To use an internal-
combustion engine in a pumping plant of large capacity with cor-
respondingly large units would mean the selection of a Diesel or a
semi-Diesel engine, both high-grade engines, costing considerable
more per horsepower than the medium-grade engines using distillate.

The original costs of pumping plants and the years they were
purchased are shown in Table 39. In using the data contained in
this table, however, it must be borne in mind that prices of all ma-
terials and equipment of pumping plants have advanced materially.
The average plant would probably now (1920) cost as much as 75
to 100 per cent more than before the war. |

TABLE 39.—Costs of pumping plants.

|
Name of plant. Acres. Cost. eS | ee ae
ech e lie eR pe, |
BinllipsswandsCo. saa. Wasa s oh eee sree as nae enema St aie a 2,500 | $15,000 $6.00 1911
Subdistrict No. 1, Lafourche drainage district No. 6......-..... 1, 880 10, 000 5.32 1912
Subdistrict No. 3, Lafourche drainage district No. 12..-.... ....) 2,250 13, 500 6.00 1910
JetersonidrainagerdisunicteNOs diss see ee eee eee meee lao 7000 28, 000 5.60 1912
Subdistrict No. 1, Gueydan drainage district...........--- 2... | 7,500 40, 000 5.32 1912
Subdistrict No. 2, Avoca drainage district. ........-.--..--.... | 4, 350 34, 000 7.81 1911
Subdistrict No. 3, Avoca drainage district. ........---..-.-...- | 11,250 73, 000 6.48 1913
Subdistrict No. 4, Jefferson drainage district No. 4............. | 1, 800 18, 000 10.00 1915
Fayport subdistrict No. 1, Lafourche drainage district No. 9. -.| 2, 000 14, 000 (A008 eae
Dalcoundrainace districhee sheers een eee ee ene eee eee ee 650 10, 000 115.40 1913
Subdistrict No. 1 Lafourche drainage district No. 12........... 835 10, 500 12.57 1915
Subdistrict No. 2 Lafourche drainage district No. 12...........) 940 12, 500 13.30 1915
Subdistrict No. 4 Lafourche drainage district No. 12........... 4,240 31, 500 7.42 1913
IeittlesWoodsibracts sya es se ee heen ala oro teietere oer nape 6, 943 37, 500 5.39 1913
Port sAmbhtny soos sos os ene eee a cae Sree ener ee 5, 720 54, 290 29.50 1918
OCs es e’a)o ne) Hl edie coger ie a tap Da Se ie acne Pa CN oe Od Mehra ate aeons saree 20s000R ecseeee ee 1918
LSE Kool) eV a6 Bl 2) Uren ee ener tet ee et Gee eal, ob oe aay Seal aooaca cts 1550003 | Rareeseeee 1918
FAITIO?S POLE GS 2355 SBE, a ee aye eas Te re ag ater tee te ene ae S(Q00niSsnneese 1918

1 Acreage will be considerably increased later. ; : :
2 Plant costs more than it would for an agricultural proposition, as two units must lift water 11 feett

occasion demands it.
GRAPHIC SUMMARY.

Figure 5 shows the pounds of oil per foot-acre-foot of water
pumped, plotted against the lift in feet. The several curves repre-
sent different types of plant. While, in some instances the data
were sufficient to define the curve accurately, in others the exact
definition was a matter of judgment. The amount of fuel shown is

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. 49

for normal plant operations and does not include the 25 per cent
allowance for starting and lubricating oils. The accuracy of the
work is limited by the amount of data available.

It will be noted that curve II does not pass through the point
plotted for Jefferson drainage district No. 3 nor through point for
subdistrict No. 1, Gueydan drainage district, but is drawn between
them to give probable results for an average plant of this type. It
must be remembered that the test of the former plant showed greatly
unbalanced quantities passing through the two suction pipes. The
engines are rather large for the pumps, and this doubtless has a
material effect on economy. On the other hand, the Gueydan
pumps are volute pumps of much more elaborate design than the
drainage pumps of Jefferson drainage district No. 3. The pumps
were large and the velocities of water through them comparatively
slow; all these factors made for lower fuel rate.

Figure 6 shows the cost per year of pumping 29 acre-inches against
various lifts, as obtained from the curves of figure 5. For the
average drainage proposition discussed in this report the lft for
the first two or three years is approximately 3 feet; later, when a
part of the humus disappears and deeper drainage is desired, the
lift is increased to 5 feet or more. The general range of lift was
from 2 to 8 feet.

In all the tests recorded oil was used as fuel. In order to make a
comparison of cost it is necessary to consider the kind of oil used in
the different plants. The steam plants and the Diesel-engine plant
No. 20 (fig. 5), either used or could use Mexican crude or some low
grade of fuel oil. Prices of fuel oil have fluctuated considerably
during the last seven years. During 1919 and 1920 the price of oil
delivered at New Orleans has ranged from about 75 cents to $3.50
per barrel. The prices of distillates and kerosene have shown
variations that make it impossible to arrive at a probable cost for
the future because of the great instability of prices.

The average price of the lower grade of fuel oil delivered at the
pumping plant for the years 1912-1917 was about $1.10 per barrel
of 42 gallons. For hot-bulb engines of the semi-Diesel type a higher
grade of crude oil is required. The price for this oil delivered at
pumping plants for the same period ranged from $1.40 to $1.80,
with the average about $1.60.

Some internal-combustion engines, such as Fae: in plants No.
8 and No. 10, are supposed to use a distillate of low grade, costing
about the same as the fuel oil used in the semi-Diesel engines. In
some instances distillate has been mixed with kerosene to make a
more satisfactory fuel. Plants Nos. 8 and 10 may be operated in
this way. Plant No. 9 uses kerosene. The cost of distillate deliy-

50 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

ered at pumping plants in the period 1912-1917 has been about

4 cents per gallon or $1.68 per barrel, while kerosene has cost about
74 cents per gallon or $3.15 per barrel. Possibly kerosene in tank-
car lots was purchased at a lower figure, but many plants have

ea a ee
ee
el ns
MMGGmBMG oes
SO SEN Ge el STIS
i
Sammie Mma ore
a ray Meee 4
eee

Z| fj

Gallons of Oper loot-Acte-leot Pumped

~

vbrica tice oi ana Zi ves.)

oe ~
ov.
es

GNA
Lr"
5

Pounds of Oi per loorAcre-loot Pumped

Lift Ip eee

Fic, 6.—Cost of fuel oil to pump 29 acre-inches.

limited storage capacity and fuel is purchased in smaller quanti-
ties.
The cost of fuel has been assumed to be as shown in Table 40.

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. bal
TABLE 40.
| Per barrel
| Per gallon. | of 42

| gallons.
EO We STAG Opler Ce ODM ears teste y rea ra srw he ore Feet tae NN Tae mn tin RRS 2 $0. 035 $1.47
iBetterierade tueloils (distillate) = Ss sas se ee ee See ee anes eee aoi ae . 065 DPS
IKCLOSCN Ce aac lee eee .090 | 3.78

An allowance has been made for fuel used in starting, lubricating
oil, and supplies, amounting to 25 per cent of the assumed cost of fuel

oil.

2.00

ee Ea ae ee

= peers er ee

N Piel Re eee iin Baa Seeis

Sco S00000000000000000000000880

Sree ere (al heeel GE Pe ala ea Ss

xe ee DIAGRAM SHOWING LABOR COST PER ACRE

es se: ee [| IN PUMPING PLANTS USING O/L AS FUEL.

<b

5 LOO} —}—

e anes

Bares sHey

= ===

ny

at 0.50} 7 ——

aes ale al =s=== =

SC See eee meee =a
aoe eee eRceaeeenaess
So

2 3 4 5 6
THOUSANDS OF ACRES /N PROJECT

Fic. 7.—Labor cost per acre in pumping plants using oil as fuel.

are probably as good as any others.

While the prices of fuel oils are so unstable these assumed prices

Figure 6 has been arranged with

oil prices varying from 1 cent to 10 cents per gallon, so that corrections

may easily be made for changes in fuel costs.

plants.

Figure 7 shows the labor costs per acre per year for pumping
The basis on which they were computed is shown in Table 41.
TABLE 41.
Engineers, | Assistants,

Type of plant.

per month. | per month.

Total,

| per month.

Slnplesnoncondensing Steam: 3. . (22s 22 one sects 222 eee ee oe

$70. 00
ASHTTe Og LS CLO 0 ISS cas a ai a i ae oe ee Sate ee ES ee 85. 00 60. 00
Compoundicondensing Corliss: a2 26 ee ee ee eae ewe ee 110. 00 75. 00
FEEeLWAlCOntbDUSHOME 2 <2o= o.2acace ate eee ee te eee tioue ae 75. 00 50. 00
HGS IN Gc Ord na Soe EERE Bae eB ne Be ea Os eee ree SEE eee tee 75. 00 50. 00

$110. 00
145. 00
185.00
125. 00
125. 00

52 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF ‘AGRICULTURE.

The above wages are approximately 25 per cent greater than those
paid in 1917. In considering the above table, it must be remembered
that the plant operator is usually furnished a house and garden and is
able to engage in agriculture on a small scale. In some cases he is
able to do considerable repairing of farm machinery in addition to his
duties at the pumping plant. Wages therefore are considerably lower
than those paid in commercial plants, where full time is required. |

. DIAGRAM SHOWING COST OF PUMPING
- PLANT PER ACRE IN 19/7 AND 19/9

Cos7T OF PUMPING PLANT PER ACRE

re lslraleelr ghey | IS eg els

DIAGRAM SHOWING FIXED CHARGES |_\_|_|
PER ACRE PER YEAR FOR DRAINAGE fal
PUMPING PLANTS IN LOUISIANA,

| BASED ON [9/9 COST OF PLANT, —

FIXED CHARGES PER ACRE PER YEAR

THOUSANDS OF ACRES /N PROJECT

Fic. 8.—Cost of pumping plants and fixed charges per acre per year.

The actual costs of some of the plants tested are shown in figure 8.
The costs for 1919 were obtained by increasing the 1917 price by 88
per cent, which is the average increase in the cost of material and
labor. The two lines for each year represent approximately the
upper and lower limits of cost, depending upon the type of plant
constructed.

The upper limit of fixed charges per acre per year was obtained by
taking the interest on the upper limit of cost of pumping plant per
acre for 1919 computed at 6 per cent and adding an annuity on a basis
of 4 per cent that will replace the plant in 15 years; the lower limit was
obtained by taking the interest on the lower limit of cost per acre for

TESTS OF DRAINAGE PUMPING PLANTS. 583

1919 and adding an annuity on a basis of 4 per cent and that will re-
place the plant in 20 years, amounting to $33.58 per $1,000. The life
of a pumping plant depends largely on the grade of machinery used
and the care it receives. It is believed that the limits of 15 to 20 years

e per Year, Dollars
w b
3 8

8

Joral Cost per Acr

Steam shide-valve non-condensing.
Sunple non-condensing Corus.
Compound condensing Corliss.
----— Internal Combustion Engine, Oi/ af 9cents per gal.
Internal Combustion Engine, Oi/ at 3% cents per gal

8

I 2 ) 4 5 G ih
Thousands of Acres /n Proyec7

Fic. 9.—Total cost per acre per year, of drainage pumping plants of various types in Louisiana,
including fuel, supplies, labor, and fixed charges.

will cover most cases, although occasionally a pumping plant will not
last more than 10 years, while another under favorable circumstances
may last 25 years.

54 BULLETIN 1067, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Figure 9 indicates the total cost per acre per year, including fuel,
supplies, labor, and fixed charges, of pumping plants of various types
in the southern prairie region, where an average of 29 inches of depth
of water is pumped annually. The cost of the fuel, as assumed, is
given in Table 36; labor charges are shown in figure 8; the fixed
charges are assumed as the mean of the fixed charges for the year 1919,
as shown in figure 8.- It will be noted that the cost decreases as the
size of the project increases. The average cost per acre of operating a
pumping plant for a project of 3,000 acres is approximately $1 per
acre per year more than for a project of 7,000 acres. This is
an incentive toward reclaiming lands by pumping in fairly large units.

From figure 9 it will also be seen that with the assumptions made
the most expensive plants for projects with acreage 2,400 or more
is the steam plant with slide-valve engine. There is little choice
between the simple Corliss engine and the compound condensing
type, the former having a slight advantage for projects of more than
5,000 acres and the latter being a little cheaper for projects between
2,000 and 5,000 acres. The cheapest plant of all has internal-com-
bustion engines, and the difference in various plants will depend
quite largely on the price paid for fuel.

While the above analysis is for a set of conditions that are assumed
as typical, different conditions will modify the results, and correc-
tions in computations may be quickly made to fit special conditions.

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