DEVELOPMENT AND EXPERIMENTAL TESTING OF A HYDRAULIC STAND WITH PUMPS INTENDED FOR A CENTRAL HEATING SYSTEM

Contemporary engineering education increasingly relies on integrating theoretical knowledge with practical activities; laboratory stands play a key role in the experimental verification of models, the visualization of phenomena, and the development of relevant professional skills. In the fields of thermotechnics and hydraulics, experimental teaching plays a crucial role as it enables students to connect theoretical foundations with practical experience and real technical systems. For example, when testing pumps, measurements of flow rate, head, and power are conducted, allowing the determination of characteristic curves and comparison with nominal data. In the analysis of hydraulic systems, the pressure drop in pipelines and fittings is observed as a function of geometrical and hydraulic parameters. Regarding thermotechnical systems, the analysis is based on measuring temperature differences between the supply and return lines, as well as the flow rate in the system, which makes it possible to calculate the actual heat output, identify losses, and evaluate the energy efficiency of the heating system. In this way, students gain a comprehensive understanding of the functioning and optimization potential of complex energy systems. This paper aims to demonstrate the process of developing a hydraulic stand with pumps used in central heating systems and experimental testing. The emphasis is placed on the educational role of such a stand and preparing students for future professional challenges.