Numerical study on the effects of installing an inducer on a pump in a turbopump

2021 ◽  
pp. 095765092110149
Author(s):  
Changhyun Kim ◽  
Chang-Ho Choi ◽  
Semi Kim ◽  
Jehyun Baek
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Study ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
High Flow ◽  
Stable Operation ◽  
Ansys Cfx ◽  
Performance Deterioration ◽  
Suction Performance ◽  
High Thrust

In a projectile, a turbopump is widely used to pressurize oxidizer and fuel to gain high thrust instead of using high pressure tank which has a disadvantage in total weight. Pumps in a turbopump employ an inducer upstream to prevent performance degradation by increasing pressure at the impeller inlet. However, cavitation and related instabilities take place frequently, so numerous analysis have been conducted for turbopumps. In this study, the pumps with and without an inducer were numerically studied using ANSYS CFX 13.0 to analyze the effects of installing an inducer, which was rarely treated before. By comparing these two pumps, the merits and demerits of installing an inducer can be analyzed in the aspects of hydraulic/suction performances and internal flow characteristics. Also, the role of an inducer can be understood in both of non-cavitating and cavitating conditions. As a result, head rise and efficiency of the pump were degraded by installing an inducer in non-cavitating conditions. The inducer could not play a role at high flow rate, and efficiency of the inducer was steeply declined in the off-design conditions. However, suction performance of the pump was greatly improved by adopting the inducer. Head of the pump with an inducer abruptly decreased at the low cavitation numbers, while head of the pump without an inducer started to decline gradually at the high cavitation numbers. In spite of high cavitation number, severe cavitation appeared in the case without an inducer, so it can be said that installing an inducer can prevent performance deterioration from the cavitation and satisfies stable operation which is more important for pumps rather than obtaining high hydraulic performance.

Effects of inducer tip clearance on the performance and flow characteristics of a pump in a turbopump

2017 ◽  
Vol 231 (5) ◽  
pp. 398-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
Changhyun Kim ◽  
Semi Kim ◽  
Chang-Ho Choi ◽  
Jehyun Baek
Keyword(s):  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Cfd Analysis ◽  
Tip Leakage Flow ◽  
Tip Leakage ◽  
Ansys Cfx ◽  
Performance Deterioration ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
High Thrust

A turbopump is used to pressurize propellants to gain high thrust in a projectile and consists of two pumps and a turbine. The pumps usually employ an inducer upstream to prevent performance deterioration by lowering net positive suction head required of the main impeller. However, several types of cavitation and instabilities take place in the flow field. Therefore, numerous experiments and CFD analysis for turbopumps have been conducted. Especially, there were some previous studies on inducer tip clearance, but they were limited to inducer regions due to the complexity of simulating the entire pump. In this study, the flow through an oxidizer pump in a turbopump was numerically investigated with four different sizes of inducer tip clearances. ANSYS CFX 13.0 with Rayleigh–Plesset equation was used to test flows in both non-cavitating and cavitating conditions. In the non-cavitating condition, the pump with the largest inducer tip clearance showed the worst head rise, efficiency and huge size of backflow arose near inducer casing. Also, the vortex was generated between the inducer blades in the case of large inducer tip clearance due to weak tip leakage flow. In the cavitating condition, the inducer with large tip clearance was found to be vulnerable to low suction pressure and floating cavity was observed between the inducer blades. However, the heads of the pumps with different inducer tip clearances were broken down at similar cavitation numbers due to the blade cavitation near the impeller throat. In addition, the transferred cavity from the inducer region also induced head breakdown of the pump.

scholarly journals Numerical study of unsteady flow and exciting force for swept turbomachinery blades

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (suppl. 3) ◽  
pp. 669-676
Author(s):  
Di Zhang ◽  
Ma Jiao-Bin ◽  
Qi Jing
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Unsteady Flow ◽  
Pressure Fluctuation ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Stable Operation ◽  
Straight Blade ◽  
Excitation Force

The aerodynamic performance of blade affects the vibration characteristics and stable operation of turbomachinery closely. The aerodynamic performance of turbine stage can be improved by using swept blade. In this paper, the RANS method and the RNG k-? turbulence mode were adopted to investigate the unsteady flow characteristics and excitation force of swept blade stage. According to the results, for the swept blade, the fluid of boundary layer shifts in radial direction due to the influence of geometric construction. It is observed that there is similar wake development for several kinds of stators, and the wake has a notable effect on the boundary layer of the rotor blades. When compared with straight blade, pressure fluctuation of forward-swept blade is decreased while the pressure fluctuation of backward-swept blade is increased. The axial and tangential fundamental frequency excitation force factors of 15?forward-swept blade are 0.139 and 0.052 respectively, which are the least, and all excitation force factors are in the normal range. The excitation factor of the forward-swept blade is decreased compared with straight blade, and the decreasing percentage is closely related to the swept angle. As for backward-swept blades, the situation is the other way around. Additionally, the change of axial excitation factor is more obvious. So the vibration reduction performance of forward-swept blade is better.

Effect of Hole Pitch Ratio and Compound Angle on the Thermal Flow Fields of Double-Jet Film Cooling Hole

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moon-Young Cho ◽  
Hyeon-Seok Seo ◽  
Youn-Jea Kim
Keyword(s):  
Film Cooling ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Turbine Blades ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Thermal Flow ◽  
Film Cooling Effectiveness ◽  
Gas Turbine Blades ◽  
Ansys Cfx ◽  
Cooling Hole ◽  
Pitch Distance

In this study, the effect of a row of double-jet film-cooling hole configurations on the thermal-flow characteristics of gas turbine blades was examined. To investigate the effect of the interference of anti-kidney vortices, the ratios of the pitch distance and hole diameter (P/d=5, 6.25, 8.333) were considered with two different compound angles (λ=0°, 4°). The film cooling performance and the generated losses were studied. Then, the relevant mechanisms were identified and explained. A numerical study was performed using ANSYS CFX 14.5 with the shear stress transport (SST) turbulent model. The blowing ratio was kept at a constant value of M=1.5. The film cooling effectiveness and temperature distribution are graphically depicted with various geometrical configurations.

A Numerical Study on Flow Characteristics Through Orifice Flowmeter and Measurement Accuracy Depending on Upstream Straight Length

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jang Il Lee ◽  
Ae Ju Cheong ◽  
Bok Ki Min
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Measurement Accuracy ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Swirling Flow ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Orifice Plate ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Ansys Cfx ◽  
Axial Velocity Profile

In this numerical study, Commercial CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) code, ANSYS CFX ver. 17.1, is used to analyze the 3-Dimensional flow characteristics through orifice plate (β = 0.6) with two 90 degree bends in different planes. The purpose of this numerical study is to evaluate measurement accuracy and flow characteristics of orifice flowmeter depending on upstream straight length from 12D to 56D. Thus, numerical calculations of pressure drop caused by swirling flow and distortion of axial velocity profile on orifice plate are performed by using numerical analysis. In addition, numerical analysis results are compared with recommended upstream straight length of ASME Performance Test Codes 19.5 for orifice plates and nozzles. The results show that if upstream straight length of orifice flowmeter is more than 40D, there is a little deviation of differential pressure. Moreover, it is found that up-down asymmetry of recirculation zones is relatively attenuated as the upstream straight length increases.

scholarly journals Numerical Study on the Influence of Inlet Guide Vanes on the Internal Flow Characteristics of Centrifugal Pump

Processes ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peifeng Lin ◽  
Yongzheng Li ◽  
Wenbin Xu ◽  
Hui Chen ◽  
Zuchao Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Hydraulic Loss ◽  
Inlet Pipe ◽  
Monitoring Point ◽  
Guide Vanes ◽  
Sst Turbulence Model

In order to make the centrifugal pump run efficiently and stably under various working conditions, the influences of the incoming vortex flow in the inlet pipe on the main flow in the impeller is studied numerically, based on the k − ω SST turbulence model. Some guide vanes with different offset angle were added to change the statistical characteristic of the internal flow in the inlet pipe of the centrifugal pump. Both contour distributions of internal flow and statistical results of external performance are obtained and analyzed. The results show that the existence of vanes can divide the large vortex because of the reversed flow from the rotating impeller at low flow rate conditions into small vortices, which are easier to dissipate, make the velocity and pressure distribution more uniform, improve the stability of the flow in the impeller, reduce the hydraulic loss, and improve the hydraulic performance of the pump. The pump with vanes of offset angle 25° has a small pressure pulsation amplitude at each monitoring point. Comparing with the performance of the original pump, the head increased by around 2% and efficiency increased by around 2.5% of the pump with vanes of offset angle 25°.

Effect of Casing Geometry on Flow Characteristics in a Model Can-Combustor

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdur Rahim ◽  
Dhirgham Alkhafagiy ◽  
Prabal Talukdar
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Loss ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Static Pressure ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Total Pressure Loss ◽  
Stable Operation ◽  
Flow Uniformity ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Combustor Liner

In a gas turbine combustor, it is necessary to use a diffuser to decelerate the high velocity air stream delivered by the compressor and thus avoid high total pressure loss. The interaction between the diffuser and combustor external flows plays a key role in controlling the pressure loss, air flow distribution around the combustor liner. Flow through casing-liner annulus is crucial as it feeds air to the primary, secondary and dilution holes. It is important that the annulus flow has sufficient static pressure to achieve adequate penetration of the jets. Moreover, the correct proportion of air enters the combustor liner through the dome and the various ports to maintain stable operation and good quality outlet condition. Length of combustor can be reduced if a provision is made for sufficient diffusion in the dump region. In the present numerical study, three can-combustor models of different geometry with a constant dump-gap have been analyzed with emphasis on the flow through annulus. A comparison has been made amongst the three models in terms of flow uniformity, static pressure recovery and total pressure loss. It is observed that flow uniformity in the annulus region is improved if a small divergence in length and a curved shape step height casing is made.

Numerical Study on the Flow Characteristics of the Francis Turbine With Various Blade Profiles

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.-H. Jeon ◽  
S.-S. Byeon ◽  
Y.-J. Kim
Keyword(s):  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Francis Turbine ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Navier Stokes Equations ◽  
Ansys Cfx ◽  
Commercial Code ◽  
Sst Turbulence Model

The Francis turbine is a kind of reaction turbines, which means that the potential energy of water converted to rotational kinetic energy. In this study, the flow characteristics have been investigated numerically in a Francis turbine on the 15 MW hydropower generation with various blade profiles (NACA 65 and NACA 16 series) and discharge angles (14°, 15°, 17°, and 18°), using the commercial code, ANSYS CFX. The k-ω SST turbulence model is employed in the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations. The computing domain includes the spiral casing, guide vanes, and draft tube, which are discretized with a full three-dimensional mesh system of unstructured tetrahedral shapes. The results showed that the change of blade profiles and discharge angles significantly influenced the performance of the Francis turbine.

Numerical Study of Internal Flow Fields in Steam Turbine Stages With Balance Holes

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang Luo ◽  
Liming Song ◽  
Jun Li ◽  
Zhenping Feng ◽  
Shouhong Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Steam Turbine ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Flow Path ◽  
Total Efficiency ◽  
Axial Thrust ◽  
Ideal Flow ◽  
The Impact

A new calculation model is proposed to simulate flows in the steam turbine stages with balance holes in this paper. The model describes the flows in a 2.5 stage turbine with focus on the second stage and the corresponding seals, balance holes and disk cavities. The aerodynamic performance of the turbine stages is predicted by using a three-dimensional Reynold-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) solver. The Spalart-Allmaras one equation turbulence model is adopted, and the RANS solver is run in steady mode using the mixing plane approach. In order to analyze the impact of leakage flow on main flow, the aerodynamic performance of the ideal flow path turbine stages (without balance holes and seals) is also calculated. The numerical results show that the total-total efficiency of the turbine stages with balance holes is 1.81% lower than that of ideal flow path turbine stages. The flow characteristics in the seals, disk cavities and balance holes and their influence on the mainstream are described. Finally, the influence of the balance hole diameter and radius crossing the balance hole axis on the turbine stage performance is studied. The variations of the torque, axial thrust and relative efficiency with the diameter and radius are presented respectively.

Numerical Study on Transient Dynamics in a Centrifugal Pump Considering Clearance Flow

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen-Xing Jiang ◽  
Xi Wang ◽  
Na-Xin Kang ◽  
Xiang-Yuan Zhang ◽  
Zhi-Jun Shuai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Transient Flow ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Structure Design ◽  
Hydraulic Loss ◽  
Flow State ◽  
Axial Forces ◽  
Clearance Flow

This paper investigates the transient flow characteristics and the forces on the impeller in a single-stage centrifugal pump considering the clearance flow. The finite volume method is employed to simulate the dynamics process. First, Numerical simulation is carried out in a commercial code CFX. The external performance characteristics, internal flow structure and pressure fluctuation in the two different models, with clearance and without clearance, are compared. It is found that the existence of the clearance flow can generate more vortex and hydraulic loss, which makes the flow state more complicated. Besides, the transient radial and axial forces on the impeller are analyzed. And an optimized model with modified chamber flow field is proposed, which can provide a theoretical foundation on the structure design of the centrifugal pump.

Numerical study on the internal flow characteristics of an axial-flow pump under stall conditions

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (10) ◽  
pp. 4683-4695 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kan Kan ◽  
Yuan Zheng ◽  
Yujie Chen ◽  
Zhanshan Xie ◽  
Guang Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Study ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Internal Flow ◽  
Axial Flow Pump ◽  
Flow Pump
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