Multi Objective Shape Optimization of a Low Specific Speed Impeller for a Rocket Engine Turbopump

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoki Tani ◽  
Noriyuki Shimiya ◽  
Yoshiki Yoshida ◽  
Nobuhiro Yamanishi
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Rocket Engine ◽  
Blade Angle ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Blade Loading ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Low Specific Speed ◽  
Specific Speed

A rocket engine should be small and low weight, a turbopump for a rocket engine must be smaller and have higher rotation speed than the conventional pumps. However, to achieve high thrust, pump discharge pressure must be high enough. As a result, a low specific speed impeller is often chosen for a rocket engine impeller. Generally speaking, efficiency of such a low specific speed impeller is lower since blade loading becomes high and large scale secondary flow will likely occur especially around the trailing edge. Therefore, to clarify the high efficiency shape, multi objective optimization of low specific speed impeller was carried out in the present study. The optimized result showed that there is a strong tradeoff between head and efficiency, and this tendency is not influenced by the flow rate. This means that performance dependency by a flow rate may be small by such a low specific speed impeller. Shape comparison between efficiency and head optimum results showed that not only outlet blade angle but also inlet blade angle are important for high efficiency impeller. By modifying these two blade angles, blade loading distribution is changed and blockage by secondary flow region is changed. As a result, for the high head impeller, large scales blockage occurs at the trailing edge, however, for the efficiency optimum result, blockage near the trailing edge becomes smaller.

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.

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.

scholarly journals Multi-Objective Optimization of a High Specific Speed Centrifugal Volute Pump Using 3D Inverse Design Coupled With CFD Simulations

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luying Zhang ◽  
Gabriel Davila ◽  
Mehrdad Zangeneh
Keyword(s):  
Surrogate Model ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Inverse Design ◽  
Multi Objective Optimization ◽  
Blade Angle ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Specific Speed ◽  
Meridional Shape ◽  
Inverse Design Method ◽  
Conventional Optimization

Abstract This paper presents three different multi-objective optimization strategies for a high specific speed centrifugal volute pump design. The objectives of the optimization consist of maximizing the efficiency and minimizing the cavitation while maintaining the Euler head. The first two optimization strategies use a 3D inverse design method to parametrize the blade geometry. Both meridional shape and 3D blade geometry is changed during the optimization. In the first approach Design of Experiment method is used and the efficiency computed from CFD computations, while cavitation is evaluated by using minimum pressure on blade surface predicted by 3D inverse design method. The design matrix is then used to create a surrogate model where optimization is run to find the best tradeoff between cavitation and efficiency. This optimized geometry is manufactured and tested and is found to be 3.9% more efficient than the baseline with little cavitation at high flow. In the second approach the 3D inverse design method output is used to compute the efficiency and cavitation parameters and this leads to considerable reduction to the computational time. The resulting optimized geometry is found to be similar to the more computationally expensive solution based on 3D CFD results. In order to compare the inverse design based optimization to the conventional optimization an equivalent optimization is carried out by parametrizing the blade angle and meridional shape. Two different approaches are used for conventional optimization one in which the blade angle at TE is not constrained and one in which blade angles are constrained. In both cases larger variation in head is obtained when compared with the inverse design approach. This makes it impossible to create an accurate surrogate model. Furthermore, the efficiency levels in the conventional optimization is generally lower than the inverse design based optimization.

Multi-objective optimization design for the blade angles of hydraulic torque converter with adjustable pump

2020 ◽  
Vol 234 (13) ◽  
pp. 2523-2536
Author(s):  
Zhi-Ying Zheng ◽  
Quan-Zhong Liu ◽  
Yong-Kang Deng ◽  
Biao Li
Keyword(s):  
Performance Optimization ◽  
Optimization Design ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Influencing Factor ◽  
Torque Converter ◽  
Multi Objective Optimization ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Second Stage ◽  
Hydraulic Torque Converter

To improve the efficiency of a hydraulic torque converter with adjustable pump at low load and thus increase the operation scope of high efficiency, multi-objective optimization design is carried out for the blade angles by incorporating three-dimensional steady computational fluid dynamics numerical simulation, design of experiments, Kriging surrogate model and multi-objective genetic algorithm. The results show that the angle of blade trailing edge in first-stage stator is the main influencing factor of the efficiency of hydraulic torque converter with adjustable pump. All the peak efficiencies of hydraulic torque converter with adjustable pump at three openings of the pump are improved after optimization, and the increased extent increases with decreasing opening of the pump. The operation scope of high efficiency consequently increases from 2.46 to 2.67. Besides, the improvement for the efficiency of hydraulic torque converter with adjustable pump is achieved by increasing the efficiency of the pump. The increase of angle of blade trailing edge in first-stage stator and the decrease of angle of blade leading edge in second-stage turbine after optimization induce the positive angle of attack at the inlet of second-stage turbine, thus realizing the performance optimization of hydraulic torque converter with adjustable pump. This also explains the increased proportion of the torque of second-stage turbine at larger speed ratios after optimization and the fact that the angle of blade trailing edge in first-stage stator is the main influencing factor of the efficiency of hydraulic torque converter with adjustable pump. The established multi-objective optimization method provides a reference solution for the optimization design of blade angles and for the improvement of integrated efficiency of hydraulic torque converter.

Behavior of Secondary Flow in a Low Solidity Tandem Cascade Diffuser

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisaku Sakaguchi ◽  
Hironobu Ueki ◽  
Masahiro Ishida ◽  
Hiroshi Hayami
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Flow Separation ◽  
Lift Coefficient ◽  
Pressure Recovery ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Blade Loading ◽  
Small Flow Rate ◽  
Small Flow

Low solidity circular cascade diffuser abbreviated by LSD was proposed by Senoo et al. showing a high blade loading or a high lift coefficient without stall even under small flow rate conditions. These high performances were achieved by that the flow separation on the suction surface of the LSD blade was successfully suppressed by the secondary flow formed along the side walls. The higher performance of the LSD was achieved in both pressure recovery and operating range by adopting the tandem cascade because the front blade of the tandem cascade was designed suitably for small flow rates while the rear blade of the tandem cascade was designed suitably for large flow rates. In order to clarify the reason why the tandem cascade could achieve a high pressure recovery in a wide range of flow rate, the flow in the LSD with the tandem cascade is analyzed numerically in the present study by using the commercial CFD code of ANSYS-CFX 13.0. The behavior of the secondary flow is compared between the cases with the single cascade and the tandem one. It is found that the high blade loading of the front blade is achieved at the small flow rate by formation of the favorable secondary flow which suppresses the flow separation on suction surface of the front blade, and the flow separation on pressure surface of the front blade appeared at the design flow rate can be suppressed by the accelerated flow in the gap between the trailing edge of the front blade and the leading edge of the rear blade, resulting in the positive lift coefficient in spite of a large negative angle of attack.

scholarly journals Pressure fluctuation–vortex interaction in an ultra-low specific-speed centrifugal pump

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 527-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cong Wang ◽  
Yongxue Zhang ◽  
Zhiwei Li ◽  
Ao Xu ◽  
Chang Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Pressure Fluctuation ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Vortex Interaction ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Pressure Surface ◽  
Baroclinic Torque ◽  
Low Specific Speed ◽  
Specific Speed

To provide a comprehensive understanding of the pressure fluctuation–vortex interaction in non-cavitation and cavitation flow, in this article, the unsteady flow in an ultra-low specific-speed centrifugal pump was investigated by numerical simulation. The uncertainty of the numerical framework with three sets of successively refined mesh was verified and validated by a level of 1% of the experimental results. Then, the unsteady results indicate that the features of the internal flow and the pressure fluctuation were accurately captured in accordance with the closed-loop experimental results. The detailed pressure fluctuation at 16 monitoring points and the monitoring of the vorticity suggest that some inconsistent transient phenomena in frequency spectrums show strong correlation with the evolution of vortex, such as abnormal increasing amplitudes at the monitoring points near to the leading edge on the suction surface and the trailing edge on the pressure surface in the case of lower pressurization capacity of impeller after cavitation. Further analysis applies the relative vortex transport equation to intuitionally illustrate the pressure fluctuation–vortex interaction by the contribution of baroclinic torque, viscous diffusion and vortex convection terms. It reveals that the effect of viscous diffusion is weak when the Reynolds number is much greater than 1. Pressure fluctuation amplitude enlarges on the suction side of blade near to the leading edge due to the baroclinic torque in cavitation regions, whereas the abnormal increase of pressure fluctuation after cavitation on the pressure surface of blade approaching the trailing edge results from the vortex convection during vortices moving downstream with the decrease of available net positive suction head at the same instance.

Pressure Fluctuation of the Low Specific Speed Centrifugal Pump

2012 ◽  
Vol 152-154 ◽  
pp. 935-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiang Fu ◽  
Shou Qi Yuan ◽  
Rong Sheng Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Pressure Fluctuation ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Radial Force ◽  
Design Flow ◽  
Rate Condition ◽  
Low Specific Speed ◽  
Specific Speed

In order to study the rules of pressure fluctuation and the radial force under different positions in a centrifugal pump with low specific speed, and to find the relationship between each other, the three-dimensional ,unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-stokes equations with shear stress transport turbulent models were solved. The pressure fluctuation was obtained. The results showed that the pressure fluctuations were visible. The pressure fluctuations in the volute were relatively low at the design flow rate condition. The blade passing frequency dominates the pressure fluctuations, high frequency contents were found on the outlet of impeller but no high frequency information occured in casing. The radial force on the impeller was unsteady especially at the small flow rate.

scholarly journals Automotive Research Compressor Experience

1989 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Pampreen
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Performance Characteristic ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Impeller Blade ◽  
Blade Loading ◽  
Aerodynamic Loading ◽  
Development Experience ◽  
Low Specific Speed ◽  
Specific Speed

The design features and development experience of an advanced automotive gas turbine centrifugal compressor are presented. The compressor was designed with moderately low specific speed, high blade aerodynamic loading and design point on the choke characteristic. A cascade diffuser was used; a new design approach brought about an unusual performance characteristic. The influence of impeller blade loading on performance is presented. Lessons learned are summarized.

scholarly journals On the Rotor Stator Interaction Effects of Low Specific Speed Francis Turbines

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Einar Agnalt ◽  
Igor Iliev ◽  
Bjørn W. Solemslie ◽  
Ole G. Dahlhaug
Keyword(s):  
Guide Vane ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Angular Position ◽  
Pressure Sensors ◽  
Pump Turbine ◽  
Blade Loading ◽  
Loading Case ◽  
Rotor Stator Interaction ◽  
Low Specific Speed ◽  
Specific Speed

The rotor stator interaction in a low specific speed Francis model turbine and a pump-turbine is analyzed utilizing pressure sensors in the vaneless space and in the guide vane cascade. The measurements are analyzed relative to the runner angular position by utilizing an absolute encoder mounted on the shaft end. From the literature, the pressure in the analyzed area is known to be a combination of two effects: the rotating runner pressure and the throttling of the guide vane channels. The measured pressure is fitted to a mathematical pressure model to separate the two effects for two different runners. One turbine with 15+15 splitter blades and full-length blades and one pump-turbine with six blades are investigated. The blade loading on the two runners is different, giving different input for the pressure model. The main findings show that the pressure fluctuations in the guide vane cascade are mainly controlled by throttling for the low blade loading case and the rotating runner pressure for the higher blade loading case.

Blade Thickness Redesign to Improve Efficiency and Decrease Unsteady Pressure Pulsation of a Low Specific Speed Centrifugal Pump

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chengshuo Wu ◽  
Peng Wu ◽  
Dazhuan Wu
Keyword(s):  
Energy Loss ◽  
Secondary Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Pressure Pulsation ◽  
Dynamic Performance ◽  
Entropy Generation Rate ◽  
Pressure Pulsations ◽  
Blade Thickness ◽  
Low Specific Speed ◽  
Specific Speed

Abstract The existence of secondary flow in the impeller brings extra energy loss and aggravates the pressure pulsation which will worsen the hydraulic and dynamic performance of the pump. In this paper, based on the forces balance in the direction perpendicular to the streamline, an optimal design method for the blade thickness of a low specific speed centrifugal pump is proposed to suppress the secondary flow in the impeller. The origin impellers with 5 and 7 cylinder blades are redesigned and the hydraulic and dynamic performance of the model pump are investigated by numerical simulation and experimental. Results show that the blade modification proposed in this paper can effectively improve the efficiency of the model pump and reduce the internal pressure pulsations. The internal flow analysis shows that the performance improvement attributes to the suppression of secondary flow in the impeller. And the entropy generation rate is introduced to measure and locate the loss in the pump. Results show that on the one hand, the suppression of secondary flow can reduce the energy loss in the pump and improve the efficiency; on the other hand, it can repress the jet wake structure at impeller outlet and alleviate the intensity of pressure pulsations.

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