Protecting centrifugal pumps at low flow rates

2004 ◽  
pp. 151-155
Author(s):  
Stan Shiels
Keyword(s):  
Low Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Flow Rates

Experimental Investigation of Pressure Fluctuations on Inner Wall of a Centrifugal Pump

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
pp. 401-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Qi Jia ◽  
Bao-Ling Cui ◽  
Zu-Chao Zhu ◽  
Yu-Liang Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Pressure Fluctuation ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
High Flow ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Pressure Distributions ◽  
Blade Passing Frequency

Abstract Affected by rotor–stator interaction and unstable inner flow, asymmetric pressure distributions and pressure fluctuations cannot be avoided in centrifugal pumps. To study the pressure distributions on volute and front casing walls, dynamic pressure tests are carried out on a centrifugal pump. Frequency spectrum analysis of pressure fluctuation is presented based on Fast Fourier transform and steady pressure distribution is obtained based on time-average method. The results show that amplitudes of pressure fluctuation and blade-passing frequency are sensitive to the flow rate. At low flow rates, high-pressure region and large pressure gradients near the volute tongue are observed, and the main factors contributing to the pressure fluctuation are fluctuations in blade-passing frequency and high-frequency fluctuations. By contrast, at high flow rates, fluctuations of rotating-frequency and low frequencies are the main contributors to pressure fluctuation. Moreover, at low flow rates, pressure near volute tongue increases rapidly at first and thereafter increases slowly, whereas at high flow rates, pressure decreases sharply. Asymmetries are observed in the pressure distributions on both volute and front casing walls. With increasing of flow rate, both asymmetries in the pressure distributions and magnitude of the pressure decrease.

Experimental Tests With Centrifugal Pumps: Degradation of Performance, Instability and Dynamic Phenomena With Non-Newtonian Suspensions of Kaolin in Water

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matteo Occari ◽  
Enrico Munari ◽  
Valentina Mazzanti ◽  
Michele Pinelli ◽  
Francesco Mollica ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Newtonian Fluids ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Time Varying ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Strong Reduction ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Specific Speed ◽  
Dynamic Phenomena ◽  
Newtonian Behavior

Abstract The performance of pumps when working with non-Newtonian fluids significantly change with respect to water. In several experimental tests with non-Newtonian fluids, significant deration of head and the presence of head instability were observed. The present work aims to better understand this phenomenon since the reasons that originate it are not clear. Two small size centrifugal pumps were experimentally tested with different mixtures of kaolin-in-water, which showed a verified non-Newtonian behavior. The rheology of the mixtures and the particle size distribution of kaolin powder were measured to characterize the fluids. Similar to previous tests, a strong reduction of head and the appearance of instability were observed at low flow rates and, in some cases, also at higher flow rates. This behavior was related to the presence of air trapped into the fluid that, within the pump, generated a phenomenon known as gas-locking, which in literature it has been studied in detail with water but not with non-Newtonian fluids. Moreover, in some working conditions, non-stable time-varying phenomena are observed and their consequence on performance commented. Comparing the two pumps, characterized by a similar specific speed but by a different geometry, the head drop manifested itself with different intensity.

A CFD Study on Cavitating Flow in High-Speed Centrifugal Pumps under Low Flow Rates

2014 ◽  
Vol 945-949 ◽  
pp. 914-923 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Ping Yuan ◽  
Yu Wen Zhu ◽  
Ai Xiang Ge
Keyword(s):  
Total Pressure ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Experimental Methods ◽  
Cavitation Number ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Blade Passage ◽  
Critical Cavitation

Cavitation is one of the most important aspects that need to be considered while designing centrifugal pumps, since it is a major contributor to failure and inefficiency. In order to study the cavitating performance in high-speed centrifugal pumps under low flow rates, the pump named IN-32-32-100 with two different impellers was investigated based on numerical and experimental methods. The impeller case 1 is the impeller with six blades. The impeller case 2 is the impeller with four long and four splitter blades. The research results show that the cavities of two impellers occur at the impeller inlet. The region of developed cavities extends and the volume fraction in the blade passages gradually increases with the decrease of inlet total pressure at the flow rate of 0.5Qd. The cavities distribute asymmetrically in each blade passage and the vapor fraction of one blade passage is significantly larger compared with them of blade passages. The inner flow of the pump can be effectively improved with more uniform pressure distribution by applying splitter blades. The critical cavitation number of the impeller case 1 and impeller case 2 corresponding to the sudden head-drop point are 3.2m and 3.55m, respectively. Compared with impeller case 2, cavitating performance of the pump with impeller case 1 is better. The numerical results agree well with the experimental data, which shows that the numerical method in the present study can to some extent accurately predict the cavitating development inside the high-speed centrifugal pump.

Study of the Hydraulic Performances of Two Inducers in Water - CO2 Mixture - Toward Performance Improvement with Suppression of Pre-Rotation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petar Tomov ◽  
Loic Pora ◽  
Richard Paridaens ◽  
Magne Théodore ◽  
Mohamed Kebdani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Flow Instability ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Rotating Flow ◽  
Geometrical Parameters ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Co2 Gas ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Working Liquid

Abstract The inducers increase the pressure available at the inlet of the impellers of centrifugal pumps. This technological solution may induce instabilities, such as pre-rotating flow at partial flow rates. The scientific literature offers studies on the cavitation in the inducers, as well as on the associated instabilities. However, studies describing devices that improve the behavior in these unstable regimes are rare. This is particularly true for fluids like aviation fuels or liquids with dissolved gases. In the present work we expose, an experimental study for two axial inducers carried out at low flow rates in cavitating and non-cavitating regimes in a closed loop equipped with a transparent test pipe. The working liquid is water with and without dissolved CO2. We employ a camera and a high-speed camera to take the photographs of the dynamics of the cavitation structures. The experimental campaign provided results of head breakdown comparison. The added dissolved CO2 gas at a concentration of 300 mg/L does not change the overall inducers' performance in non-cavitating regime. The paper presents also the impact of some of inducers' geometrical parameters on their cavitating performance. The authors observed pre-rotating flow instability, which they tried to decrease by incorporating a grooved ring into the inlet side of the inducers. It is found that pre-rotating structures are much less developed in the upstream when a grooved ring is employed.

Study of the Flow Field and Performances of a Centrifugal Pump During Unstable Operating Conditions by CFD

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Romain Prunières ◽  
Neo Imai ◽  
Yasuhiro Inoue ◽  
Takashi Okihara ◽  
Takahide Nagahara
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Performance Curve ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd ◽  
Local Dent

Centrifugal pumps curve instability, characterized by a local dent and uprising head curve, often causes severe problems such as vibrations and noises. At low flow rates, stability of performance curve is necessary for reliable operation of the pump. Most of the studies regarding centrifugal pumps curves instability focus on flow rate around 60 % of the best efficiency flow rate. The purpose of present investigation is to analyse the causes of the occurrence of performance curve instability by means of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and to understand the mechanism of such instability at flow rates around 30 % of best efficiency flow rate. In order to understand the causes of the performance curve instability, two impellers with different outlet shape are analysed. During experimental tests, performance curve instability appeared around 30 % of the best efficiency flow rate on the first impeller while the second impeller remains stable. CFD analysis also shows unstable performance curve for the first impeller, and stable for the second one. Hence, a detailed analysis of the flow field of the two impellers and a quantitative comparison are performed in order to characterize the instability phenomenon.

Enhancing the Performance of Centrifugal Pump by Adding Cylindrical Disks at Inlet Suction

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Sadik ◽  
Badih Jawad ◽  
Munther Y. Hermez ◽  
Liping Liu
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Secondary Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Pump Efficiency ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Pump Performance ◽  
Suction Performance

Abstract Optimizing the high efficiency design of centrifugal pumps requires a detailed understanding of the internal flow. The prediction of the flow inside the pump can be acquired by understanding the rotatory motion and the three-dimensional shape of the impellers, as well as its fundamental unsteady behavior. The flow inside a centrifugal pump is three-dimensional, unsettled and always associated with secondary flow structures. When a centrifugal pump operates under low flow rates, a secondary flow, known as recirculation, starts to begin. Inside this, the separation of flow increases, which creates vortices and cause local pressure to decrease, which induces cavitation. This phenomenon of recirculation will increase the Net Positive Suction Head Required (NPSHR). Improving the suction performance continues to remain a vital and continuous topic in the development and application of centrifugal pumps. In this research, the focal point is to enhance the pump suction performance under low flow rates by modifying the impeller design. This research entails a numerical simulation investigation on the addition of three different designs, each consisting of two cylindrical disks at the impeller inlet suction. It is hypothesized that these modifications will assist suppressing the recirculation phenomenon. The turbulent flow within the centrifugal pump was analyzed by applying the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes equations and the k–ϵ equations for turbulence modelling. The computational domain consists of the inlet, impeller, diffuser and outlet. Analysis of ΔP, torque data and pump efficiency was conducted. The application of CFD solvers to predict pump performance resulted in reduced prices for testing as well as pump development time. The numerical simulation concluded that placing 3-D multi-cylindrical disks at the impeller inlet section improved the centrifugal pump performance under low flow rates. The model design 1 resulted in a pump efficiency improvement of about 5% at low flow rates by lowering the amount of flow leaking back (re-circulation) through the internal suction.

Assessment of the Use of Humidified Nasal Cannulas for Oxygen Therapy in Patients with Epistaxis

ORL ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Jingjing Liu ◽  
Tengfang Chen ◽  
Zhenggang Lv ◽  
Dezhong Wu
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Oxygen Therapy ◽  
Preliminary Investigation ◽  
Nasal Cannula ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Antiplatelet Drugs ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
The Past ◽  
Oxygen Inhalation ◽  
Significant Difference

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> In China, nasal cannula oxygen therapy is typically humidified. However, it is difficult to decide whether to suspend nasal cannula oxygen inhalation after the nosebleed has temporarily stopped. Therefore, we conducted a preliminary investigation on whether the use of humidified nasal cannulas in our hospital increases the incidence of epistaxis. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We conducted a survey of 176,058 inpatients in our hospital and other city branches of our hospital over the past 3 years and obtained information concerning their use of humidified nasal cannulas for oxygen inhalation, nonhumidified nasal cannulas, anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs, and oxygen inhalation flow rates. This information was compared with the data collected at consultation for epistaxis during these 3 years. <b><i>Results:</i></b> No significant difference was found between inpatients with humidified nasal cannulas and those without nasal cannula oxygen therapy in the incidence of consultations due to epistaxis (χ<sup>2</sup> = 1.007, <i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). The same trend was observed among hospitalized patients using anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs (χ<sup>2</sup> = 2.082, <i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). Among the patients with an inhaled oxygen flow rate ≥5 L/min, the incidence of ear-nose-throat (ENT) consultations due to epistaxis was 0. No statistically significant difference was found between inpatients with a humidified oxygen inhalation flow rate &#x3c;5 L/min and those without nasal cannula oxygen therapy in the incidence of ENT consultations due to epistaxis (χ<sup>2</sup> = 0.838, <i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). A statistically significant difference was observed in the incidence of ENT consultations due to epistaxis between the low-flow nonhumidified nasal cannula and nonnasal cannula oxygen inhalation groups (χ<sup>2</sup> = 18.428, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). The same trend was observed between the 2 groups of low-flow humidified and low-flow nonhumidified nasal cannula oxygen inhalation (χ<sup>2</sup> = 26.194, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> Neither high-flow humidified nasal cannula oxygen inhalation nor low-flow humidified nasal cannula oxygen inhalation will increase the incidence of recurrent or serious epistaxis complications; the same trend was observed for patients who use anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs. Humidification during low-flow nasal cannula oxygen inhalation can prevent severe and repeated epistaxis to a certain extent.

Effect of Tip Clearance on Suction Performance at Different Flow Rates in a Mixed Flow Pump

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yo Han Jung ◽  
Young Uk Min ◽  
Jin Young Kim
Keyword(s):  
Performance Test ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Tip Leakage Flow ◽  
Mixed Flow ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Suction Performance ◽  
Flow Pump

This paper presents a numerical investigation of the effect of tip clearance on the suction performance and flow characteristics at different flow rates in a vertical mixed-flow pump. Numerical analyses were carried out by solving three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations. Steady computations were performed for three different tip clearances under noncavitating and cavitating conditions at design and off-design conditions. The pump performance test was performed for the mixed-flow pump and numerical results were validated by comparing the experimental data for a system characterized by the original tip clearance. It was shown that for large tip clearance, the head breakdown occurred earlier at the design and high flow rates. However, the head breakdown was quite delayed at low flow rate. This resulted from the cavitation structure caused by the tip leakage flow at different flow rates.

EFFECT OF AXIAL CASING GROOVE GEOMETRY ON ROTOR-GROOVE INTERACTIONS IN THE TIP REGION OF A COMPRESSOR

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-54
Author(s):  
Subhra Shankha Koley ◽  
Huang Chen ◽  
Ayush Saraswat ◽  
Joseph Katz
Keyword(s):  
Rotor Blade ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Piv Measurements ◽  
Tip Leakage ◽  
Large Vortex ◽  
Blade Leading Edge

Abstract This experimental study characterizes the interactions of axial casing grooves with the flow in the tip region of an axial turbomachine. The tests involve grooves with the same inlet overlapping with the rotor blade leading edge, but with different exit directions located upstream. Among them, U grooves, whose circumferential outflow opposes the blade motion, achieve a 60% reduction in stall flowrate, but degrade the efficiency around the best efficiency point (BEP) by 2%. The S grooves, whose outlets are parallel to the blade rotation, improve the stall flowrate by only 36%, but do not degrade the BEP performance. To elucidate the mechanisms involved, stereo-PIV measurements covering the tip region and interior of grooves are performed in a refractive index matched facility. At low flow rates, the inflow into both grooves, which peaks when they are aligned with the blade pressure side, rolls up into a large vortex that lingers within the groove. By design, the outflow from S grooves is circumferentially positive. For the U grooves, fast circumferentially negative outflow peaks at the base of each groove, causing substantial periodic variations in the flow angle near the blade leading edge. At BEP, interactions with both grooves become milder, and most of the tip leakage vortex remains in the passage. Interactions with the S grooves are limited hence they do not degrade the efficiency. In contrast, the inflow into and outflow from the U grooves reverses direction, causing entrainment of secondary flows, which likely contribute to the reduced BEP efficiency.

Hydrogen Generation in an Annular Micro-Reactor: an Experimental Investigation of Water Splitting Reaction Using Aluminum in Presence of Potassium Hydroxide

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shyam P. Tekade ◽  
Diwakar Z. Shende ◽  
Kailas L. Wasewar
Keyword(s):  
Water Splitting ◽  
Potassium Hydroxide ◽  
Hydrogen Generation ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Average Rate ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Metal Aluminum ◽  
Micro Reactor

Abstract Hydrogen is one of the important non-conventional energy sources because of its high energy content and non-polluting nature of combustions. The water splitting reaction is one of the significant methods for hydrogen generation from non-fossil feeds. In the present paper, the hydrogen generation has been experimentally investigated with water splitting reaction using metal aluminum in presence of potassium hydroxide as an activator under flow conditions. The rate of hydrogen generation was reported in the annular micro- reactor of 1 mm annulus using various flow rates of aqueous 0.5 N KOH ranging from 1 ml/min to 10 ml/min. The complete conversion of aluminum was observed at all the flow rates of aqueous KOH. The hydrogen generation rate was observed to depend on the flow rate of liquid reactant flowing through the reactor. At 1 ml/min of 0.5 N KOH, hydrogen generates at an average rate of 3.36 ml/min which increases to 10.70 ml/min at 10 ml/min of aqueous KOH. The Shrinking Core Model was modified for predicting the controlling mechanism. The rate of hydrogen generation was observed to follow different controlling mechanisms on various time intervals at low flow rates of aqueous KOH. It was observed that chemical reaction controls the overall rate of hydrogen generation at higher flow rates of aqueous KOH.

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