When two identical pumps are arranged either in series or in parallel, what is true about the flow rate?

In the context of two identical pumps arranged in parallel, it is indeed true that the volume flow rate through the pumps is equal to the sum of the flow rates through each individual pump. When pumps are placed in parallel, they operate at the same pressure head, allowing each pump to contribute its maximum flow rate simultaneously. This configuration effectively doubles the total flow rate, assuming both pumps are operating under identical conditions and are capable of delivering their rated capacities.

This characteristic of parallel pump arrangement is pivotal in fluid dynamics and pump systems design, as it allows for increased flow capacity without significantly increasing the pressure. This is distinct from the configuration in series, where, although the pressure is increased, the flow rate remains the same as that of a single pump because the same volume of fluid must pass through each pump sequentially.