What occurs when two similar centrifugal pumps are connected in parallel?

When two similar centrifugal pumps are connected in parallel, the primary outcome is that the flow rate increases while the pressure remains constant. This configuration allows both pumps to contribute to the total flow, effectively doubling the capacity if both pumps are operating at the same speed and efficiency.

Centrifugal pumps create a specific pressure head based on their design and operating conditions. When they are operated in parallel, they share the same discharge pressure because they are connected to the same pipeline. Therefore, the pressure produced by the pumps does not increase beyond what a single pump would generate. Instead, each pump adds its flow capacity to the system, leading to an overall increase in total flow.

This parallel setup is particularly useful in systems requiring increased flow rather than higher pressure, such as in water distribution systems or HVAC applications where maximizing flow is essential for efficiency and performance.