Comparison of Inlet Curved Disk Arrangements for Suppression of Recirculation in Centrifugal Pump Impellers

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Munther Y. Hermez ◽  
Badih A. Jawad ◽  
Liping Liu ◽  
Vernon Fernandez ◽  
Kingman Yee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Unstable Flow ◽  
Pump Impeller ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Flow Recirculation ◽  
Flow Field Characteristics

The present work aims to numerically study the inlet flow recirculation and modified impeller interaction in a centrifugal pump. An optimization of modified shrouded impeller with curved disk arrangement to suppress the unsteady flow recirculation is pursued. This modification will enhance the impeller characteristics with a wider operation range at both low and high flow rates in a high speed centrifugal pump type. The unstable flow in the centrifugal pumps is a common problem that leads to damage in the pump’s internal parts, consequently increases the operating cost. At certain flow rates, generally below the Best Efficiency Point (BEP), all centrifugal pumps are subject to internal recirculation occurs at the suction and discharge areas of the impeller. For decades, experimental work has been done to investigate the complex three-dimensional flow within centrifugal pumps impellers, before computational work gains momentum due to advancement of computing power and improved numerical codes. In this study the impeller with a curved disk arrangement has been investigated by using a three-dimensional Navier-Stokes code with a standard k-ε turbulence model. The purpose is to evaluate and select the optimum impeller modification that would increase the pump suction flow rate range. Three-dimensional numerical Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools are used to simulate flow field characteristics inside the centrifugal pump and provide critical hydraulic design information. In the present work, ANSYS v.16.1 Fluent solver is used to analyze the pressure and velocity distributions inside impeller suction and discharge passages. The ultimate goal of this study is to manufacture and validate the most optimized and efficient centrifugal pump impeller with a curved disk. The best case curve identifies the highest increase of total pressure difference by 22.1%, and highest efficiency by 92.3% at low flowrates.

Improvement of Centrifugal Pump Performance by Using Different Impeller Diffuser Angles with and Without Vanes

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 577-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Khoeini ◽  
E. Shirani ◽  
M. Joghataei
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
High Flow ◽  
Divergence Angle ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Pump Impeller ◽  
Vaned Diffuser ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Operating Region ◽  
Overall Efficiency

ABSTRACTThis study aims at improving the performance of a centrifugal pump by using different angular diffusers on the downstream side of the centrifugal pump impeller. Numerical and experimental studies have been carried out on different vaned and non-vaned diffuser with three different wall divergence angle (α) of 0°, 5° and 10° to achieve that purpose. The data analyses show good agreement between the numerical and experimental results. They reveal profound effect of the divergence angle (α) of angular vaned diffuser on the head and overall efficiency of centrifugal pumps especially at high flow rates as they broaden operating region of the centrifugal pump. In fact it is found that the head and overall efficiency of impeller with vaned diffuser α = 10° enhance by 15.4 and 9 percent respectively compared to that of centrifugal pump with no vaned diffuser at high flow rates. Furthermore the head and overall efficiency of impeller with vaned diffuser α = 10° increase by 5.7 and 7 percent respectively in comparison with the impeller with vaned diffuser α = 0°.

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.

Optimization of Curved Spacer Prototype Design for Flow Improvement in Centrifugal Pump Impeller

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Munther Y. Hermez ◽  
Badih Jawad ◽  
Liping Liu ◽  
Sabah Abro
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Water Flow ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Stable Operation ◽  
Inlet Section ◽  
Computational Domain ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Flow Recirculation

An optimization of modified shrouded impeller with a curved spacer to suppress the unsteady flow recirculation was pursed. Centrifugal pumps are required to sustain a stable operation of the system they support under all operating conditions. Effect of minor geometrical modifications on the flow inside the three dimensional impeller passages are yet not fully understood, leading to costly trial and error approaches in the solution of instability problems. The idea of using a curved spacer to enhance the specified centrifugal impeller characteristics was validated. This modification with positioning the successful curved spacer prototype model at the impeller inlet section provided a wider pressure operation range at both low and high flow rates in a high-speed centrifugal pump type. Seven curved spacer models were numerically analyzed in combination with the same original closed type impeller. The research investigated the effects of each inlet curved spacer model on the impeller’s performance improvement. The flow field inside a centrifugal pump is known to be fully turbulent, three-dimensional, and unsteady associated with secondary flow recirculation and separation at the impeller’s inlet and exit section. The rotor-stator interaction mechanisms or other unsteady effects often influence the water flow. The present research addresses the problem of Net Positive Suction Head Required (NPSHR) increase due to flow recirculation at the impeller suction side. The three dimensional unsteady water flow inside different models were analyzed by using a 3-D Navier-Stokes code with a standard k-ε turbulence model. The computational domain consists of four main zones: inlet, impeller hub, vanes, and outlet. The measurements with test rig were conducted for the pump hydraulic performances and flow field in the impeller passages. The numerical simulation and experimental tests of prototype performance concluded: (1) Positioning a 3-D curved spacer at the impeller inlet section has a great impact on the centrifugal pump performance. (2) Favorite effects were achieved on impeller performance by separating the inlet flow region into two lanes. (3) The curved spacer resulted in improvement of closed impeller inlet static and total pressure values. (4) Q-ΔP-η data and flow structures in the impeller passages were analyzed.

Prediction of Sheet Cavitation in a Centrifugal Pump Impeller With the Three-Dimensional Potential-Flow Model

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. J. H. Dijkers ◽  
B. Fumex ◽  
J. G. H. Op de Woerd ◽  
N. P. Kruyt ◽  
H. W. M. Hoeijmakers
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Potential Flow ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Inviscid Flow ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Pump Impeller ◽  
Flow Equations ◽  
Sheet Cavitation ◽  
Centrifugal Pump Impeller

The occurrence of cavitation is one of the main limiting factors in the operation and design of centrifugal pumps. In this paper a model for the prediction of sheet cavitation is described. This model has been implemented in a three-dimensional finite-element package, employing the potential-flow approximation of the governing flow equations. At the interface between vapor and liquid, pressure equilibrium is required. The closure region of the cavity is modeled as the collapse of a bubble, whose motion is described by the Rayleigh-Plesset equation. The effect of displacement of the flow due to presence of the sheet cavity is incorporated by the transpiration technique. This is a linearised approach which is well-known from techniques for coupling inviscid-flow methods to boundary-layer methods. The model gives the location of the sheet cavity (if present); its length is thus also predicted. The model has been validated by comparing sheet cavitation at the blades of a centrifugal pump impeller, obtained from CFD-computations and from visual observations in a model test.

Investigation of Turbulence Modeling in a High Speed Centrifugal Pump With an Inducer

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Behrooz Jafarzadeh ◽  
Reza Mokhtarpoor ◽  
Mohammad Mehdi Alishahi ◽  
Mohammad Hadi Akbari
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Turbulence Modeling ◽  
Flow Direction ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Governing Equations ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Pressure Fields ◽  
Three Dimensional Simulations

In this paper, investigation of turbulence modeling for a centrifugal pump is presented in the form of characteristic curves. A commercial CFD code was used to solve the governing equations of the flow field. Turbulent flow is simulated by employing standard k-ε, RNG and RSM models. Existence of an inducer in the flow direction to prevent cavitation makes two-dimensional simulations of the present configuration impossible. Three-dimensional simulations were therefore performed to predict velocity and pressure fields at different flow rates. Considering the only one available experimental data, the optimum turbulence model for the problem was found. Additionally, effect of number of blades on the efficiency of pump was studied. The number of blades was changed from 6 to 5 and 7, then all calculations were performed afresh. Investigations of this kind may help reduce the required experimental work for the development and design of such devices.

scholarly journals Pressure Fluctuation Characteristics of High-Speed Centrifugal Pump with Enlarged Flow Design

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 2261
Author(s):  
Jianyi Zhang ◽  
Hao Yang ◽  
Haibing Liu ◽  
Liang Xu ◽  
Yuwei Lv
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Guide Vane ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Impeller Outlet ◽  
Low Specific Speed ◽  
Blade Frequency ◽  
Large Flow

The pressure fluctuations of high-speed centrifugal pumps are the hotspot in pump research. Pressure fluctuations is differ for different structural designs and flow structures. High-speed centrifugal pumps are usually designed to increase efficiency with an enlarged flow design at a low specific speed, which changes the structure of the pump. In order to analyze the pressure fluctuations of a high-speed centrifugal pump with an enlarged flow design, the pressure was measured, and the flow field of the pump was simulated with different flow rates. Through analysis, we found that pressure fluctuations varied periodically and was consistent with the blade frequency. The pressure fluctuations at the guide vane and the interference region were also closely related to the vortices at the impeller outlet, which changed differently at different flow rates. The results showed that the high-speed centrifugal pump with an enlarged design had better performance at a large flow rate. The results in this paper can provide reference for the design of a pump that should be designed with the enlarged flow method.

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.

scholarly journals Analysis and control of flow at suction connection in high-speed centrifugal pump

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 168781401668529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen-wu Song ◽  
Li-chao Wei ◽  
Jie Fu ◽  
Jian-wei Shi ◽  
Xiu-xin Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Orifice Plate ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Pressure Area ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
And Control ◽  
Experimental Data Analysis

The backflow vortexes at the suction connection in high-speed centrifugal pumps have negative effect on the flow field. Setting an orifice plate in front of the inducer is able to decrease the negative effect caused by backflow vortexes. The traditional plate is able to partially control the backflow vortexes, but a small part of the vortex is still in the inlet and the inducer. Four new types of orifice plates were created, and the control effects on backflow vortexes were analyzed. The ANSYS-CFX software was used to numerically simulate a high-speed centrifugal pump. The variations of streamline and velocity vectors at the suction connection were analyzed. Meanwhile, the effects of these plates on the impeller pressure and the internal flow field of the inducer were analyzed. Numerically, simulation and experimental data analysis methods were used to compare the head and efficiency of the high-speed pumps. The results show that the C-type orifice plate can improve the backflow vortex, reduce the low-pressure area, and improve the hydraulic performance of the high-speed pump.

Design Optimization of Splitter Blade Impeller in a Centrifugal Pump

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shunya Takao ◽  
Kentarou Hayashi ◽  
Masahiro Miyabe
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Design Method ◽  
General Purpose ◽  
Stable Operation ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Unstable Flow ◽  
Rate Range ◽  
Flow Rate Range ◽  
Suction Performance

Abstract In order to improve suction performance, centrifugal pumps with an inducer are used for rocket pumps, liquid gas transport such as LNG, and general-purpose pumps. Since a higher suction performance than conventional pump is required, a splitter blade that consists of a long blade and a short blade is sometimes adopted. However, the design becomes more difficult due to the increased number of parameters. The stable operation over a wide flow rate range are required in the general-purpose pumps. Therefore it is necessary to design them so that unstable flow phenomena such as surges do not occur. However, the design method to avoid them is not well understood yet. In this study, we focused on the splitter blade impeller in a general-purpose low-speed centrifugal pump with an inducer. Six parameters such as leading edge position and trailing edge position of the short blade for both hub-side and tip-side were set as design ones. A multi-objective optimization method using a commercial software was applied to improve suction performance while maintaining high efficiency. Then obtained optimal shape were analyzed by CFD calculation and extracted the feature. Furthermore, optimized impellers were manufactured and confirmed the performance over a wide flow rate range by experiments. In addition, a optimizing design method that improves pump performance at lower cost was studied.

scholarly journals Investigation on centrifugal pump performance degradation under air-water inlet two-phase flow conditions

2018 ◽  
pp. 41-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiaorui Si ◽  
Qianglei Cui ◽  
Keyu Zhang ◽  
Jianping Yuan ◽  
Gérard Bois
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Pressure Pulsation ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Performance Degradation ◽  
Inlet Pressure ◽  
Pulsation Frequency ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Pump Performance

In order to study the flow characteristics of centrifugal pumps when transporting the gas-liquid mixture, water and air were chosen as the working medium. Both numerical simulation and experimental tests were conducted on a centrifugal pump under different conditions of inlet air volume fraction (IAVF). The calculation used URANS k-epsilon turbulence model combined with the Euler-Euler inhomogeneous two-phase model. The air distribution and velocity streamline inside the impeller were obtained to discuss the flow characteristics of the pump. The results show that air concentration is high at the inlet pressure side of the blade, where the vortex will exist, indicating that the gas concentration have a great relationship with the vortex aggregation in the impeller passages. In the experimental works, pump performances were measured at different IAVF and compared with numerical results. Contributions to the centrifugal pump performance degradations were analyzed under different air-water inlet flow condition such as IAVF, bubble size, inlet pressure. Results show that pump performance degradation is more pronounced for low flow rates compared to high flow rates. Finally, pressure pulsation and vibration experiments of the pump model under different IAVF were also conducted. Inlet and outlet transient pressure signals under four IAVF were investigated and pressure pulsation frequency of the monitors is near the blade passing frequency at different IAVF, and when IAVF increased, the lower frequency signal is more and more obvious. Vibration signals at five measuring points were also obtained under different IAVF for various flow rates.

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