Experimental performance comparison of triangle and spur gear hydraulic pumps energy consumption efficiency standpoint

This study aimed to experimentally compare the energy consumption performances of widely used hydraulic spur gear pumps and lesser-known triangular gear pumps. Flow rate, pressure, temperature, and energy consumption are key performance indicators for evaluating the operational efficiency of gear pumps. The effect of pump drive shaft speed and pump type (spur and triangular) on these output variables and energy consumption performance was examined, and regression analysis was performed. For this purpose, both pumps were tested under identical conditions using hydraulic oil (SAE 10W) as the working fluid, with drive shaft speeds ranging from 100 to 1600 rpm. Measurements were taken at 100 rpm intervals for fifteen minutes and repeated four times. The system included an energy analyser, pressure sensors, flow meters, and temperature sensors to record real-time data during pump operation. The findings show that the triangle gear pump consumes an average of 1.86% less energy at all speeds, provides 7.11% higher flow rate, produces 161.39% higher pressure, and has 18.17% less temperature rise compared to the spur gear pump. In addition, it has been experimentally proven that the triangle pump consumes an average of 47% less energy when unit flow rate and unit pressure production are taken into consideration. Moreover, it was observed that the triangle gear pump exhibits 12.94% and 51.20% less temperature change during operation, depending on the unit flow rate and unit pressure, respectively. These experimental results, obtained under controlled laboratory conditions, suggest that triangular hydraulic gear pumps are a viable alternative to conventional spur gear pumps in industrial applications due to their lower energy consumption and improved flow and pressure characteristics.