scholarly journals Numerical Investigation of Pressure Fluctuation Characteristics in a Centrifugal Pump with Variable Axial Clearance

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Cao ◽  
Zhengwei Wang ◽  
Yexiang Xiao ◽  
Yongyao Luo
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Pressure Fluctuation ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Maximum Pressure ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Pressure Surface ◽  
Clearance Flow ◽  
Rotor Stator Interaction ◽  
Entire Flow ◽  
Axial Clearance

Clearance flows in the sidewall gaps of centrifugal pumps are unsteady as well as main flows in the volute casing and impeller, which may cause vibration and noise, and the corresponding pressure fluctuations are related to the axial clearance size. In this paper, unsteady numerical simulations were conducted to predict the unsteady flows within the entire flow passage of a centrifugal pump operating in the design condition. Pressure fluctuation characteristics in the volute casing, impeller, and sidewall gaps were investigated with three axial clearance sizes. Results show that an axial clearance variation affects the pressure fluctuation characteristics in each flow domain by different degree. The greatest pressure fluctuation occurs at the blade pressure surface and is almost not influenced by the axial clearance variation which has a certainly effect on the pressure fluctuation characteristics around the tongue. The maximum pressure fluctuation amplitude in the sidewall gaps is larger than that in the volute casing, and different spectrum characteristics show up in the three models due to the interaction between the clearance flow and the main flow as well as the rotor-stator interaction. Therefore, clearance flow should be taken into consideration in the hydraulic design of centrifugal pumps.

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.

Influence of wall roughness on the static performance and pressure fluctuation characteristics of a double-suction centrifugal pump

2018 ◽  
Vol 232 (7) ◽  
pp. 826-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhifeng Yao ◽  
Min Yang ◽  
Ruofu Xiao ◽  
Fujun Wang
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Pressure Fluctuation ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Design Flow ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Wall Roughness ◽  
Detached Eddy Simulation ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Eddy Simulation ◽  
Static Performance

The unsteady flow field and pressure fluctuations in double-suction centrifugal pumps are greatly affected by the wall roughness of internal surfaces. To determine the wall roughness effect, numerical and experimental investigations were carried out. Three impeller schemes for different wall roughness were solved using detached eddy simulation, and the performance and pressure fluctuations resolved by detached eddy simulation were compared with the experimental data. The results show that the effects of wall roughness on the static performance of a pump are remarkable. The head and efficiency of the tested double-suction centrifugal pump are raised by 2.53% and 6.60% respectively as the wall roughness is reduced by means of sand blasting and coating treatments. The detached eddy simulation method has been proven to be accurate for the prediction of the head and efficiency of the double-suction centrifugal pump with roughness effects. The influence of the roughness on pressure fluctuation is greatly dependent on the location relative to the volute tongue region. For locations close to the volute tongue, the peak-to-peak value of the pressure fluctuations of a wall roughness of Ra = 0.10 mm may be 23.27% larger than the case where Ra = 0.02 mm at design flow rate.

scholarly journals Numerical Investigation of Periodically Unsteady Pressure Field in a High Power Centrifugal Diffuser Pump

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 159380 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji Pei ◽  
Wenjie Wang ◽  
Shouqi Yuan ◽  
Jieyun Mao
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Fluctuation ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Heat Removal ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Unsteady Pressure ◽  
Fluctuation Intensity ◽  
Rotor Stator Interaction ◽  
Operational Flow ◽  
Downstream Flow ◽  
Pressure Characteristics

Pressure fluctuations are the main factors that can give rise to reliability problems in centrifugal pumps. The periodically unsteady pressure characteristics caused by rotor-stator interaction have been investigated by CFD calculation in a residual heat removal pump. Side chamber flow effect is also considered for the simulation to accurately predict the flow in whole flow passage. The pressure fluctuation results in time and frequency domains were considered for several typical monitoring points in impeller and diffuser channels. In addition, the pressure fluctuation intensity coefficient (PFIC) based on standard deviation was defined on each grid node for entire space and impeller revolution period. The results show that strong pressure fluctuation intensity can be found in the gap between impeller and diffuser. As a source, the fluctuation can spread to the upstream and downstream flow channels as well as the side chamber channels. Meanwhile, strong pressure fluctuation intensity can be found in the discharge tube of the circular casing. In addition, the obvious influence of operational flow rate on the PFIC distribution can be found. The analysis indicates that the pressure fluctuations in the aspects of both frequency and intensity can be used to comprehensively evaluate the unsteady pressure characteristics in centrifugal pumps.

Effect of outlet impeller diameter on performance prediction of centrifugal pump under single-phase and cavitation flow conditions

2022 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Ramadhan Al-Obaidi ◽  
Ali Qubian
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Domain ◽  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Pressure Fluctuation ◽  
Single Phase ◽  
Static Pressure ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Maximum Pressure ◽  
Velocity Magnitude

Abstract In this current study, the transient numerical calculations using CFD code are carried out under different outlet impeller diameters for the flow field within a centrifugal pump under single-phase and cavitation conditions. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses are carried out on all of these results in order to better understand the flow structure within a centrifugal pump. Also, the investigations using different outlet impeller diameters configurations relating to the static pressure, velocity magnitude, vapour volume fraction variations, as well as pressure fluctuations in both time and frequency domain at the impeller and volute of the pump are analysed. Velocity and static pressure variations of the pump under different outlet impeller diameters range (200, 210 and 220 mm) are investigated. Reliable model is developed and validated, at various pump operating conditions, to analyse the characteristics of pressure fluctuations in both time and frequency domain. Cavitation occurrence, under different outlet impeller diameters and flow rates, are detected and correlated, using a CFD model (volume fraction distributions). Based on the developed model’s findings, at the set operating conditions ranges, the distribution and impact (cavitation and head-wises) of both the pressure and velocity are analysed. The average pressure fluctuation in the volute for do = 210 mm is higher than for do = 200 mm by about 6.74%, also the maximum pressure fluctuation for do = 220 mm is higher than for do = 210 mm by around 7.4%. Furthermore, the maximum pressure fluctuation in the impeller for do = 210 mm is higher than for do = 200 mm by 12.48%, also for do = 220 mm is higher than for do = 210 mm by 10.8%. The developed CFD models are proved valuable tools in identifying and optimizing the pump performance and characterization. The head for when do = 220 mm is higher than for when do = 200 mm under both single-phase and cavitation conditions by around 14.13% and 14.69%. The maximum pressure fluctuation for do = 200 mm is lower than for do = 210 mm by 41.58%. Furthermore, the maximum pressure fluctuation at the impeller for do = 220 mm is higher than the two models. There is a small clearance between the impeller and the volute for this model, leading to the pressure fluctuation amplitudes being higher than the other above models.

scholarly journals Numerical Study of Pressure Fluctuation and Unsteady Flow in a Centrifugal Pump

Processes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling Bai ◽  
Ling Zhou ◽  
Chen Han ◽  
Yong Zhu ◽  
Weidong Shi
Keyword(s):  
Unsteady Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Pressure Fluctuation ◽  
Static Pressure ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Flow Patterns ◽  
Lower Number ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Impeller Blade

A pump is one of the most important machines in the processes and flow systems. The operation of multistage centrifugal pumps could generate pressure fluctuations and instabilities that may be detrimental to the performance and integrity of the pump. In this paper, a numerical study of the influence of pressure fluctuations and unsteady flow patterns was undertaken in the pump flow channel of three configurations with different diffuser vane numbers. It was found that the amplitude of pressure fluctuation in the diffuser was increased gradually with the increase in number of diffuser vanes. The lower number of diffuser vanes was beneficial to obtain a weaker pressure fluctuation intensity. With the static pressure gradually increasing, the effects of impeller blade passing frequency attenuated gradually, and the effect of diffuser vanes was increased gradually.

scholarly journals Investigation on Reduction of Pressure Fluctuation for a Double-Suction Centrifugal Pump

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qianqian Li ◽  
Shiyang Li ◽  
Peng Wu ◽  
Bin Huang ◽  
Dazhuan Wu
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Pressure Fluctuation ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Fluctuation Analysis ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Large Power ◽  
Pressure Contour ◽  
Dimensionless Pressure ◽  
Fluctuation Amplitude ◽  
Radial Gap

AbstractDouble-suction centrifugal pumps have been applied extensively in many areas, and the significance of pressure fluctuations inside these pumps with large power is becoming increasingly important. In this study, a double-suction centrifugal pump with a high-demand for vibration and noise was redesigned by increasing the flow uniformity at the impeller discharge, implemented by combinations of more than two parameters. First, increasing the number of the impeller blades was intended to enhance the bounding effect that the blades imposed on the fluid. Subsequently, increasing the radial gap between the impeller and volute was applied to reduce the rotor-stator interaction. Finally, the staggered arrangement was optimized to weaken the efficacy of the interference superposition. Based on numerical simulation, the steady and unsteady characteristics of the pump models were calculated. From the fluctuation analysis in the frequency domain, the dimensionless pressure fluctuation amplitude at the blade passing frequency and its harmonics, located on the monitoring points in the redesigned pumps (both with larger radial gap), are reduced a lot. Further, in the volute of the model with new impellers staggered at 12°, the average value for the dimensionless pressure fluctuation amplitude decreases to 6% of that in prototype pump. The dimensionless root-mean-square pressure contour on the mid-span of the impeller tends to be more uniform in the redesigned models (both with larger radial gap); similarly, the pressure contour on the mid-section of the volute presents good uniformity in these models, which in turn demonstrating a reduction in the pressure fluctuation intensity. The results reveal the mechanism of pressure fluctuation reduction in a double-suction centrifugal pump, and the results of this study could provide a reference for pressure fluctuation reduction and vibration performance reinforcement of double-suction centrifugal pumps and other pumps.

Pressure fluctuation characteristics in the sidewall gaps of a centrifugal dredging pump

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 1054-1069 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Cao ◽  
Yexiang Xiao ◽  
Zhengwei Wang ◽  
Yongyao Luo ◽  
Xiaoran Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Fluctuation ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Axial Distribution ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sst Model ◽  
Clearance Flow ◽  
Rotating Impeller ◽  
Frequency Components ◽  
Unsteady Numerical Simulation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the pressure fluctuation characteristics in the sidewall gaps of a centrifugal dredging pump in detail and discover the excitation sources. Design/methodology/approach An unsteady numerical simulation with shear–stress transport–scale-adaptive simulation (SAS-SST) model was conducted for a centrifugal pump considering the sidewall gaps. The numerical codes were validated by a model test carried out in China Water Resources Beifang Investigation, Design and Research Co., Ltd. Fast Fourier transform was used to obtain the frequency components of the pressure fluctuation. Findings Pressure fluctuation characteristics inside the pump were analyzed for a condition near the design point. In the sidewall gaps, the circumferential, radial and axial distribution of the pressure fluctuation amplitude follow different laws. The non-axisymmetrical distribution of pressure fluctuation in the sidewall gaps shows that the unsteady flow in the volute casing which has a non-axisymmetrical geometry imposes an evident effect on the flow field in the sidewall gaps and the interaction between the main flow and the clearance flow cannot be neglected. There are several frequency components appearing as the dominant frequencies at different locations in the sidewall gaps, but the relatively stronger pressure fluctuations are all dominated by the rotating frequency. It indicates that the rotating impeller, which originally makes the shrouds rotate, is the primarily excitation source of the pressure fluctuations in the sidewall gaps. Originality/value The pressure fluctuation characteristics in the sidewall gaps of centrifugal pumps were first comprehensively analyzed. Unsteady flows in the sidewall gaps should be considered during the design and operation of centrifugal pumps.

Effects of Lean Mode of Blade Trailing Edge On Pressure Fluctuation Characteristics of a Vertical Centrifugal Pump with Vaned Diffuser

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongshun Zeng ◽  
Zhifeng Yao ◽  
Ran Tao ◽  
Weichao Liu ◽  
Ruofu Xiao
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Pressure Fluctuation ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Hydraulic Performance ◽  
Wake Flow ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Excessive Pressure ◽  
Vaned Diffuser ◽  
Rotor Stator Interaction

Abstract A vertical centrifugal pump with a vaned diffuser is very attractive in the field of long-distance water supply. Excessive pressure fluctuations in the vaneless region due to rotor stator interaction (RSI) need careful evaluation. In the present investigation, the hydraulic performance and pressure fluctuation characteristics of a vertical centrifugal pump with three different lean modes of the blade trailing edge were quantitatively analyzed by comparison experiments, using the same test rig. Results showed that the pressure fluctuation level was the highest in the vaneless region, closest to the volute tongue, and increased as the flowrate deviated from the design flowrate. The lean mode of the blade trailing edge was found to have a slight influence on hydraulic performance, and the relative deviation of experimental specific speeds with three different lean modes was within 6%. The influence of the lean mode of the blade trailing edge on the pressure fluctuation level was experimentally verified for the first time. In particular, the flowrate-averaged peak-to-peak value of pressure fluctuation with the positive lean mode (PLM) was 62% of the corresponding value with the zero lean mode (ZLM), while no significant improvement was observed for the negative lean mode (NLM). The flow mechanism behind this may be explained as a weakening of the jet-wake flow pattern with PLM.

scholarly journals Experimental Investigation of Flow Instabilities and Rotating Stall in a High-Energy Centrifugal Pump Stage

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Berten ◽  
Philippe Dupont ◽  
Laurent Fabre ◽  
Maher Kayal ◽  
Francois Avellan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Pressure Fluctuation ◽  
Rotational Speed ◽  
Pressure Fluctuations ◽  
Pressure Sensors ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Impeller Blade ◽  
Pump Stage

In centrifugal pumps, the interaction between the rotating impeller and the stationary diffuser generates specific pressure fluctuation patterns. When the pump is operated at off design conditions, these pressure fluctuations increase. The resulting rise of mechanical vibration levels may negatively affect the operational performance and the life span of mechanical components. This paper presents detailed pressure fluctuation measurements performed in a high speed centrifugal pump stage at full scale at various operating conditions. The impeller and stationary part (diffuser, exit chamber) of the pump stage have been equipped with piezoresistive miniature pressure sensors. The measured data in the impeller have been acquired using a newly developed onboard data acquisition system, designed for rotational speeds up to 6000 rpm. The measurements have been performed synchronously in the rotating and stationary domains. The analysis of pressure fluctuations at the impeller blade trailing edge, which had significantly larger amplitudes as the pressure fluctuations in the stationary domain, allowed the detection and exploration of stalled channels in the vaned diffuser. This stall may be stationary or rotating with different rotational speeds and number of stalled channels, depending on the relative flow rate and the rotational speed of the pump. The stall yields pressure fluctuations at frequencies which are multiples of the rotational speed of the impeller and generates additional sources of mechanical excitation.

Study on the Reduction of Pressure Fluctuation for a Double-Suction Centrifugal Pump With Staggered Blades

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian-qian Li ◽  
Da-zhuan Wu
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Pressure Fluctuation ◽  
Cfd Simulation ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Low Noise ◽  
Living Environment ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Fluctuation Analysis ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Vibration Performance

Due to the distinctive characteristic of massive flow rates, double-suction centrifugal pump has been extensively applied in lots of perspectives, such as drainage, irrigation, transportation projects and other hydraulic engineering realms. Nevertheless, the significance of the pressure fluctuation inside the double-suction centrifugal pump, which is getting more and more prominent under the soaring demands for low noise and comfortable living environment, could not be underestimated. Consequently, how to reduce the pressure fluctuation as far as possible and enhance the running stability of the pump is always the research hotspot. In this study, the double-suction centrifugal impeller with abominable vibration performance is redesigned to improve the internal flow and reduce the flow-induced noise. What’s addition, the two redesigned impellers wearing splitter blades were compared in staggered arrangement with different angles for the purpose of ulteriorly decreasing the pressure fluctuation. On the basis of Realizable k-ε model and SIMPLEC algorithm, the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations (URANS) were resolved by means of CFD simulation and the flow performance and the vibration performance were validated with the experiments. The results illustrate that the redesigned impeller with multi-blade could raise the hydraulic performance and reduce the pressure fluctuation inside the pump. When the impeller of each side was laid with the staggered angle of 12 degrees, the pressure distribution tended to be more uniform and the pressure fluctuation was well ameliorated. Through the pressure fluctuation analysis in time domain and frequency domain, the pressure change inside the pumps could be evaluated quantitatively and accurately, hence different pumps could be contrasted in detail. The consequences of this paper could provide reference for pressure fluctuation reduction and vibration performance reinforcement of double-suction centrifugal pumps as well as other vane pumps.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document