Suppression of Cavitation in Inducers by J-Grooves

2006 ◽  
Vol 129 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young-Do Choi ◽  
Junichi Kurokawa ◽  
Hiroshi Imamura
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Design Flow ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Axial Pressure ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
New Device ◽  
Axial Pressure Gradient ◽  
Blade Tip ◽  
Suction Performance

Cavitation is a serious problem in the development of high-speed turbopumps, and an inducer is often used to avoid cavitation in the main impeller. Thus, the inducer often operates under the worst conditions of cavitation. If it could be possible to control and suppress cavitation in the inducer by some new device, it would also be possible to suppress cavitation occurring in all types of pumps. The purpose of our present study is to develop a new, effective method of controlling and suppressing cavitation in an inducer using shallow grooves, called “J-Grooves.” J-Grooves are installed on the casing wall near the blade tip to use the high axial pressure gradient that exists between the region just downstream of the inducer leading edge and the region immediately upstream of the inducer. The results show that the proper combination of backward-swept inducer with J-Grooves improves the suction performance of the turbopump remarkably, at both partial flow rates and the design flow rate. The rotating backflow cavitation occurring at low flow rates and the cavitation surge which occurs near the best efficiency point can be almost fully suppressed by installing J-Grooves.

Increasing Inducer Stability and Suction Performance With a Stability Control Device

2018 ◽  
Vol 141 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Lundgreen ◽  
D. Maynes ◽  
S. Gorrell ◽  
K. Oliphant
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Dynamic ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Stability Control ◽  
Control Device ◽  
Design Flow ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Blade Tip ◽  
Rotordynamic Forces ◽  
Suction Performance

An inducer is used as the first stage of high suction performance pump. It pressurizes the fluid to delay the onset of cavitation, which can adversely affect performance in a centrifugal pump. In this paper, the performance of a water pump inducer has been explored with and without the implementation of a stability control device (SCD). This device is an inlet cover bleed system that removes high-energy fluid near the blade leading edge and reinjects it back upstream. The research was conducted by running multiphase, time-accurate computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations at the design flow coefficient and at low, off-design flow coefficients. The suction performance and stability for the same inducer with and without the implementation of the SCD has been explored. An improvement in stability and suction performance was observed when the SCD was implemented. Without the SCD, the inducer developed backflow at the blade tip, which led to rotating cavitation and larger rotordynamic forces. With the SCD, no significant cavitation instabilities developed, and the rotordynamic forces remained small. The lack of cavitation instabilities also allowed the inducer to operate at lower inlet pressures, increasing the suction performance of the inducer.

Compressible Simulation of Flow and Sound Around a Small Axial-Flow Fan With Flow Through Casing Slits

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Yokoyama ◽  
Katsutake Minowa ◽  
Kohei Orito ◽  
Masahito Nishikawara ◽  
Hideki Yanada
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Design Flow ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Axial Fan ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Blade Tip ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Design Flow Rate

Abstract Small axial fans are used for cooling electronic equipment and are often installed in a casing with various slits. Direct aeroacoustic simulations and experiments were performed with different casing opening ratios to clarify the effects of the flow through the casing slits on the flow field and acoustic radiation around a small axial fan. Both the predicted and measured results show that aerodynamic performance deteriorates at and near the design flow rate and is higher at low flow rates by completely closing the casing slits compared with the fan in the casing with slits. The predicted flow field shows that the vortical structures in the tip vortices are spread by the suppression of flow through the slits at the design flow rate, leading to the intensification of turbulence in the blade wake. Moreover, the pressure fluctuations on the blade surface are intensified, which increases the aerodynamic sound pressure level. The suppression of the outflow of pressurized air through the downstream part of the slits enhances the aerodynamic performance at low flow rates. Also, the predicted surface streamline at the design flow rate shows that air flows along the blade tip for the fan with slits, whereas the flow toward the blade tip appears for the fan without slits. As a result, the pressure distributions on the blade and the torque exerted on the fan blade are affected by the opening ratio of slits.

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.

Turbulence Measurements in a Centrifugal Pump With a Synchronously Orbiting Impeller

1991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald D. Flack ◽  
Steven M. Miner ◽  
Ronald J. Beaudoin
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Reynolds Stress ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Cross Product ◽  
Design Flow ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Rate Variation ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Design Flow Rate

Turbulence profiles were measured in a centrifugal pump with an impeller with backswept blades using a two directional laser velocimeter. Data presented includes radial, tangential, and cross product Reynolds stresses. Blade to blade profiles were measured at four circumferential positions and four radii within and one radius outside the four bladed impeller. The pump was tested in two configurations; with the impeller running centered within the volute, and with the impeller orbiting with a synchronous motion (ε/r2 = 0.016). Flow rates ranged from 40% to 106% of the design flow rate. Variation in profiles among the individual passages in the orbiting impeller were found. For several regions the turbulence was isotropic so that the cross product Reynolds stress was low. At low flow rates the highest cross product Reynolds stress was near the exit. At near design conditions the lowest cross product stress was near the exit, where uniform flow was also observed. Also, near the exit of the impeller the highest turbulence levels were seen near the tongue. For the design flow rate, inlet turbulence intensities were typically 9% and exit turbulence intensities were 6%. For 40% flow capacity the values increased to 18% and 19%, respectively. Large local turbulence intensities correlated with separated regions. The synchronous orbit did not increase the random turbulence, but did affect the turbulence in the individual channels in a systematic pattern.

Turbulence Measurements in a Centrifugal Pump With a Synchronously Orbiting Impeller

1992 ◽  
Vol 114 (2) ◽  
pp. 350-358 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Flack ◽  
S. M. Miner ◽  
R. J. Beaudoin
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Reynolds Stress ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Cross Product ◽  
Design Flow ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Rate Variation ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Design Flow Rate

Turbulence profiles were measured in a centrifugal pump with an impeller with backswept blades using a two-directional laser velocimeter. Data presented include radial, tangential, and cross product Reynolds stresses. Blade-to-blade profiles were measured at four circumferential positions and four radii within and one radius outside the four-bladed impeller. The pump was tested in two configurations: with the impeller running centered within the volute, and with the impeller orbiting with a synchronous motion (ε/r2 = 0.016). Flow rates ranged from 40 to 106 percent of the design flow rate. Variation in profiles among the individual passages in the oribiting impeller were found. For several regions the turbulence was isotropic so that the cross product Reynolds stress was low. At low flow rates the highest cross product Reynolds stress was near the exit. At near-design conditions the lowest cross product stress was near the exit, where uniform flow was also observed. Also, near the exit of the impeller the highest turbulence levels were seen near the tongue. For the design flow rate, inlet turbulence intensities were typically 9 percent and exit turbulence intensities were 6 percent. For 40 percent flow capacity the values increased to 18 and 19 percent, respectively. Large local turbulence intensities correlated with separated regions. The synchronous orbit did not increase the random turbulence, but did affect the turbulence in the individual channels in a systematic pattern.

scholarly journals Controlled-Endwall-Flow Blading for Multistage Axial Compressor Rotor

1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Inoue ◽  
M. Kuroumaru ◽  
M. Furukawa ◽  
Y. Kinoue ◽  
T. Tanino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Surge Margin ◽  
Highly Loaded

This research aims to develop an advanced technology of highly loaded axial compressor stages with high efficiency and sufficient surge margin. To improve endwall boundary layer flows which lead to energy loss and instability at an operation of low flow rate, the Controlled-Endwall-Flow (CEF) rotor blades were designed and tested in the low speed rotating cascade facility of Kyushu University. The CEF rotor blades have three distinctive features: the leading-edge sweep near hub and casing wall, the leading-edge bend near the casing, and the same exit metal angle of blade evaluated by a conventional design method. Mechanical strength of the blade was verified by a numerical simulation at a high speed condition. The baseline rotor blades were designed under the same design condition and tested to compare with the CEF rotor. The results showed that the maximum stage efficiency of the CEF rotor was higher by 0.7 percent and the increase in surge margin was more than 20 percent in comparison with the baseline rotor. The results of both internal flow survey and 3D Navier-Stokes analysis showed that improvement of the overall stage performance resulted from activation of the endwall boundary layers, and suggested that further improvement might be expected by combination of end-bend stator blades and a highly loaded axial compressor stage could be developed by use of the CEF rotor.

scholarly journals Investigation of the Flow Field in the Vicinity of an Axial Flow Fan During Low Flow Rates

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francois G. Louw ◽  
Theodor W. von Backström ◽  
Sybrand J. van der Spuy
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Design Flow ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Axial Flow Fan ◽  
Free Vortex ◽  
Flow Rates

Large axial flow fans are used in forced draft air cooled heat exchangers (ACHEs). Previous studies have shown that adverse operating conditions cause certain sectors of the fan, or the fan as a whole to operate at very low flow rates, thereby reducing the cooling effectiveness of the ACHE. The present study is directed towards the experimental and numerical analyses of the flow in the vicinity of an axial flow fan during low flow rates. This is done to obtain the global flow structure up and downstream of the fan. A near-free-vortex fan, designed for specific application in ACHEs, is used for the investigation. Experimental fan testing was conducted in a British Standard 848, type A fan test facility, to obtain the fan characteristic. Both steady-state and time-dependent numerical simulations were performed, depending on the operating condition of the fan, using the Realizable k-ε turbulence model. Good agreement is found between the numerically and experimentally obtained fan characteristic data. Using data from the numerical simulations, the time and circumferentially averaged flow field is presented. At the design flow rate the downstream fan jet mainly moves in the axial and tangential direction, as expected for a free-vortex design criteria, with a small amount of radial flow that can be observed. As the flow rate through the fan is decreased, it is evident that the down-stream fan jet gradually shifts more diagonally outwards, and the region where reverse flow occur between the fan jet and the fan rotational axis increases. At very low flow rates the flow close to the tip reverses through the fan, producing a small recirculation zone as well as swirl at certain locations upstream of the fan.

Clarification of Performance Curve Instability Mechanism Using Large Eddy Simulation of Internal Flow of a Mixed-Flow Pump

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isao Hagiya ◽  
Chisachi Kato ◽  
Yoshinobu Yamade ◽  
Takahide Nagahara ◽  
Masashi Fukaya
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Performance Curve ◽  
Instability Mechanism ◽  
Positive Slope ◽  
Mixed Flow ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Direction Opposite ◽  
Flow Pump

We analyzed the internal flows of a test mixed-flow pump exhibiting performance curve instability at low flow rates by using LES to clarify the performance curve instability mechanism. The LES was conducted using the open source software FrontFlow/blue [1]. In particular, we investigated in detail the flows at the flow rates, where the head curve had a positive slope under low flow rate condition. We clarified that Euler’s head drop caused by a stall near the tip of the rotor-blades is a dominant factor at the instability of the test pump. At the bottom point of the positive slope of the head curve, stall regions covered all the rotor-blade passages on the tip side. The drop of the angular momentum in the impeller caused by the stall on the leading edge side exceeds the increment caused by the decrease in the flow rate on the trailing edge at the bottom point of the positive slope. At the middle point of the positive slope of the head curve we also found regions with low-velocities in some blade passages. Such regions, namely stall cells, rotated around the impeller for one revolution while the impeller rotated almost about 20 revolutions in the direction opposite to the impeller’s rotation. The region with low-velocity first appears at the trailing edge and expands toward the leading edge. The angle of attack of the neighbouring blade in the direction opposite to the rotation of the blade increases and that blade pitch begins to stall. When that blade pitch is fully stalled, it is no longer loaded and the positive pressure gradient in that blade pitch decreases. The blade pitch is most likely to accept the excess flow. It recovers from the stalled state.

Effect of Leading Edge Sweep on Cavitation Performance of Two-Bladed Flat Plate Inducer

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takaki Igoshi ◽  
Yuki Uchinono ◽  
Emosi Koroitamana ◽  
Koichi Ishizaka ◽  
Satoshi Watanabe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Pressure Measurements ◽  
Flow Measurements ◽  
Cavitation Performance ◽  
Video Observations ◽  
Flow Rate Range ◽  
Suction Performance

The installation of inducer upstream of main impeller is an effective method to improve the suction performance of turbopump. However, various types of cavitation instabilities are known to occur even at the designed flow rate as well as in the partial flow rate range. In the present study, we focus on the leading edge sweep of inducer and investigate its effect on the suction performance as well as on the onset of cavitation surge phenomenon. Flow measurements including casing wall pressure measurements, high-speed video observations, and limiting streamline observations are carried out, and discussions will be made based on those results about the influence of backward leading edge sweep on the internal flow of the inducer as well as its relation to the cavitation performance.

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