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.

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.

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.

Effects of short blades on performance and inner flow characteristics of a low-specific-speed centrifugal pump

2017 ◽  
Vol 231 (4) ◽  
pp. 290-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Can Kang ◽  
Ning Mao ◽  
Chen Pan ◽  
Yang Zhu ◽  
Bing Li
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Back Surface ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Pump Operation ◽  
Low Specific Speed ◽  
Specific Speed

A low-specific-speed centrifugal pump equipped with long and short blades is studied. Emphasis is placed on the pump performance and inner flow characteristics at low flow rates. Each short blade is intentionally shifted towards the back surface of the neighboring long blade, and the outlet parts of the short blades are uniformly shortened. Unsteady numerical simulation is conducted to disclose inner flow patterns associated with the modified design. Thereby, a comparison is enabled between the two schemes featured by different short blades. Both practical operation data and numerical results support that the deviation and cutting of the short blades can eliminate the positive slope of pump head curve at low flow rates. Therefore, the modification of short blades improves the pump operation stability. Due to the shortening of the outlet parts of the short blades, velocity distributions between impeller outlet and radial diffuser inlet exhibit explicitly altered circumferential flow periodicity. Pressure fluctuations in the radial diffuser are complex in terms of diversified periodicity and amplitudes. Flow rate influences pressure fluctuations in the radial diffuser considerably. As flow rate decreases, the regularity of the orbit of hydraulic loads exerted upon the impeller collapses while hydraulic loads exerted upon the short blades remain circumferentially periodic.

Prediction of the Effect of Impeller Trimming on the Hydraulic Performance of Low Specific-Speed Centrifugal Pumps

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. J. Detert Oude Weme ◽  
M. S. van der Schoot ◽  
N. P. Kruyt ◽  
E. J. J. van der Zijden
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Prediction Method ◽  
Hydraulic Performance ◽  
New Method ◽  
Prediction Methods ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Pump Head ◽  
Low Specific Speed ◽  
Specific Speed

The effect of trimming of radial impellers on the hydraulic performance of low specific-speed centrifugal pumps is studied. Prediction methods from literature, together with a new prediction method that is based on the simplified description of the flow field in the impeller, are used to quantify the effect of trimming on the hydraulic performance. The predictions by these methods are compared to measured effects of trimming on the hydraulic performance for an extensive set of pumps for flow rates in the range of 80% to 110% of the best efficiency point. Of the considered methods, the new prediction method is more accurate (even for a large impeller trim of 12%) than the considered methods from literature. The new method generally overestimates the reduction in the pump head after trimming, and hence results less often in impeller trims that are too large when the method is used to determine the amount of trimming that is necessary in order to attain a specified head.

Rheological Effects of Blood in a Nonplanar Distal End-to-Side Anastomosis

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian-Qian Wang ◽  
Bao-Hong Ping ◽  
Qing-Bo Xu ◽  
Wen Wang
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Bypass Graft ◽  
High Flow ◽  
Secondary Flows ◽  
Newtonian Fluids ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Flow Recirculation ◽  
Low Flow Rate

This study investigates rheological effects of blood on steady flows in a nonplanar distal end-to-side anastomosis. The shear-thinning behavior of blood is depicted by a Carreau–Yasuda model and a modified power-law model. To explore effects of nonplanarity in vessel geometry, a curved bypass graft is considered that connects to the host artery with a 90deg out-of-plane curvature. Navier–Stokes equations are solved using a finite volume method. Velocity and wall shear stress (WSS) are compared between Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids at different flow rates. At low flow rate, difference in axial velocity profiles between Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids is significant and secondary flows are weaker for non-Newtonian fluids. At high flow rate, non-Newtonian fluids have bigger peak WSS and WSS gradient. The size of the flow recirculation zone near the toe is smaller for non-Newtonian fluids and the difference is significant at low flow rate. The nonplanar bypass graft introduces helical flow in the host vessel. Results from the study reveal that near the bed, heel, and toe of the anastomotic junction where intimal hyperplasia occurs preferentially, WSS gradients are all very big. At high flow rates, WSS gradients are elevated by the non-Newtonian effect of blood but they are reduced at low flow rates. At these locations, blood rheology not only affects the WSS and its gradient but also secondary flow patterns and the size of flow recirculation near the toe. This study reemphasizes that the rheological property of blood is a key factor in studying hemodynamic effects on vascular diseases.

Effect of the Section Area of Volute in Low Specific Speed Centrifugal Pumps on Hydraulic Performance

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiang Zhang ◽  
Yang Wang ◽  
Jianhui Fu ◽  
Cui Dai ◽  
Caihong Wang
Keyword(s):  
Flow Rate ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Blade Angle ◽  
Rate Condition ◽  
Section Area ◽  
Impeller Outlet ◽  
Low Specific Speed ◽  
Specific Speed ◽  
Experimental Researches

The volute of low specific speed centrifugal pumps has a great impact on the performance of the pump in that the highest efficiency can only be achieved when the impeller is matched with a well-designed volute. At off-BEP conditions, the performance of pumps declines as a consequence of a mismatch between characteristics of the impeller and the volute. The section area is the most important factor of volute. Numerical simulations and experimental researches have been carried out on the routine-designed impeller and the non-overloading designed impeller (different impeller outlet blade angle between two types of impellers) in the hope of finding out the effect of the section area of volute on low specific speed centrifugal pumps. It has been found that the uneven flow rate on different volute sections caused by the backflow between volute and impeller is one of the reasons for the efficiency decline of pumps at off-BEP conditions, especially in the low flow rate condition. It has also been found that the routine-designed impeller is more easily affected by the section area of volute than non-overloading designed impeller.

Very Low Specific Speed Centrifugal Pump—Hydraulic Design and Physical Limitations

2018 ◽  
Vol 140 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Grunde Olimstad ◽  
Morten Osvoll ◽  
Pål Henrik Enger Finstad
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Hydraulic Design ◽  
New Findings ◽  
Gear Pumps ◽  
Disk Friction ◽  
Low Specific Speed ◽  
High Head ◽  
Specific Speed

For low-flow and high-head applications, pump types such as progressive cavity or gear pumps are often used. However, centrifugal pumps are much more robust and wear resistant, and are beneficial if they can handle the rated head and flows. By challenging the limitations of low specific speed (Nq), centrifugal pumps can be made to handle a combination of low flow and high head, which previously required other pump types. Conventional centrifugal pumps have specific speed down to 10, while in this paper a design with specific speed of 4.8 is presented. The paper describes several iterative steps in the design process of the low Nq pump. These iterations were done one physical pumps, which were successively tested in a test rig. Motivation for each step is explained theoretically and followed up by discussion of the measured results. Four different geometries of the pump were tested, all of them manufactured by rapid prototyping in nylon material. A substantial question is how low the specific speed of a centrifugal pump can be. Limitations of low Nq pumps are discussed and new findings are related to volute cavitation. In addition, limitations due to disk friction, volute losses, leakage flow, and pump stability are discussed and show to limit the design space for the pump designer.

scholarly journals Methods of Determining Pressure Drop in Internal Channels of a Hydraulic Motor

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (18) ◽  
pp. 5669
Author(s):  
Pawel Sliwinski ◽  
Piotr Patrosz
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
High Flow ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Hydraulic Motor ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Pressure Losses ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
New Methods

In this paper, new methods for determining the pressure drop in internal channels of a hydraulic motor are proposed and described. Mathematical models of pressure losses in internal channels have also been described. Experimental tests of the satellite motor were carried out according to one of the proposed methods. The tests were carried out for two liquids, i.e., water and mineral oil. Experimental studies have shown that at a high flow rate in the motor supplied with water the pressure losses are a dozen or so percent greater than in the motor supplied with oil. However, at low flow rates is the inverse, that is, the pressure losses in the motor supplied with water are about ten percent lower than in the motor supplied with oil. The CFD calculation of the pressure drop in the internal channel of the motor was also conducted. It was assumed that holes in the commutation unit plate are placed face to face and that the liquid did not cause changes in the working chambers’ volume. In this way, it has been proven that those simplified assumptions can have up to a 50% difference in relation to the experimental tests.

Influence of Gas-Liquid Multiphase-Flow on Acoustic Behavior and Performance of Side Channel Pumps

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Fleder ◽  
Frank Hassert ◽  
Martin Böhle ◽  
Beate Zientek-Strietz
Keyword(s):  
Multiphase Flow ◽  
Maximum Amount ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Side Channel ◽  
Phase Flow ◽  
Acoustic Behavior ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Specific Speed

Side-channel pumps (SCP) are a niche product, able to deliver relatively high heads at low flow rates, which corresponds in a low specific speed. They are closing the gap between classical radial centrifugal pumps and positive displacement pumps, combining the advantages of both without having all the negative effects. The hydraulic efficiency of SCP seems low at first sight. But classical centrifugal pumps are often working under part load conditions, when working at this volume flow and specific speed range, which means they are not able to perform at their BEP. This reduces the efficiency of centrifugal pumps and creates a major benefit of SCP, which are able to work in their BEP. The acoustic behavior and the characteristic pulsations and vibrations of a side channel pump are measured with various measurement methods, such as vibrometry, sound level measurement and sound cartography using an acoustic camera. The characteristic vibrations are shown and compared to the characteristic pressure-pulsations of the working fluid. The two-phase liquid-gas flow has, beside the effects on the characteristic curves such as head drop and efficiency reduction, many side effects on the behavior of the pump. This could be acoustical and vibrational effects. When gas is present in the working fluid, the emitted noise from the pump reduces significantly. This effect is shown by sound intensity measurements as well as measurements with an acoustic camera and laser vibrometry and compared to the results for single-phase flow. The maximum amount of gas for the test pump is measured at different rotational speeds. Some theories to improve the maximum amount of gas in the working fluid are presented and the modifications are tested on a test rig. These modifications consist of the idea that a pump without NPSH-impeller could process higher amounts of gas in multiphase-flow conditions. An additional gas outlet hole is added to the pump to allow a phase separation and therefore a better two-phase flow handling of the pump. The effect of these changes on the maximum amount of gas are presented and evaluated.

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