Numerical Simulation of Axial-Flow Pump Cavitation Based on Variable Frequency Speed Regulation

In order to investigate the influence of variable voltage and variable frequency (VVVF) regulation on the cavitation performance of the axial-flow pump, numerical simulation and experiments were used to analyze the cavitation performance of an axial-flow pump under different VVVF modes. The VVVF modes were uniform acceleration with constant acceleration, variable acceleration with increasing acceleration, variable acceleration with decreasing acceleration, and its corresponding deceleration scheme. Furthermore, a comprehensive performance test rig was built for the pump to carry out cavitation visualization tests which verified the accuracy of numerical simulation. For the uniform acceleration scheme with constant acceleration, the change of flow field inside the impeller was stable, the expansion rate of cavitation was slow, and the growth rate of the cavitation volume was the slowest. For the variable acceleration scheme with decreasing acceleration, the cavitation extended rapidly due to the large initial velocity. For the variable acceleration scheme with increasing acceleration, cavitation extension was the slowest. The growth rate of the cavity volume of the two variable acceleration schemes was faster than that of the uniform acceleration scheme, and the changing trend was consistent. This feature indicates that the impeller rotation speed has a significant impact on cavitation, and excessive rotation speed will rapidly extend the cavitation. By monitoring the influence of cavitation on pressure distribution under VVVF, it was shown that the three acceleration schemes all produce large pressure fluctuation. For the uniform acceleration scheme with constant acceleration, the fluctuation range of pressure was more balanced, and the pressure dropped slowly. For the acceleration scheme with higher acceleration, the pressure fluctuation amplitude increased in the late stage of acceleration and the pressure decline speed accelerated. For the acceleration scheme with decreasing acceleration, the pressure showed a downward trend with violent fluctuations in the early stage and gradually tended to be flat in the late stage

Numerical Simulation of Axial-Flow Pump Cavitation Based on Variable Frequency Speed Regulation

In order to investigate the influence of variable voltage and variable frequency (VVVF) regulation on the cavitation performance of the axial-flow pump, numerical simulation and experiments were used to analyze the cavitation performance of an axial-flow pump under different VVVF modes. The VVVF modes were uniform acceleration with constant acceleration, variable acceleration with increasing acceleration, variable acceleration with decreasing acceleration, and its corresponding deceleration scheme. Furthermore, a comprehensive performance test rig was built for the pump to carry out cavitation visualization tests which verified the accuracy of numerical simulation. For the uniform acceleration scheme with constant acceleration, the change of flow field inside the impeller was stable, the expansion rate of cavitation was slow, and the growth rate of the cavitation volume was the slowest. For the variable acceleration scheme with decreasing acceleration, the cavitation extended rapidly due to the large initial velocity. For the variable acceleration scheme with increasing acceleration, cavitation extension was the slowest. The growth rate of the cavity volume of the two variable acceleration schemes was faster than that of the uniform acceleration scheme, and the changing trend was consistent. This feature indicates that the impeller rotation speed has a significant impact on cavitation, and excessive rotation speed will rapidly extend the cavitation. By monitoring the influence of cavitation on pressure distribution under VVVF, it was shown that the three acceleration schemes all produce large pressure fluctuation. For the uniform acceleration scheme with constant acceleration, the fluctuation range of pressure was more balanced, and the pressure dropped slowly. For the acceleration scheme with higher acceleration, the pressure fluctuation amplitude increased in the late stage of acceleration and the pressure decline speed accelerated. For the acceleration scheme with decreasing acceleration, the pressure showed a downward trend with violent fluctuations in the early stage and gradually tended to be flat in the late stage

Research on Influence of Rotation Center Eccentricity on Radial Force of Single-Blade Centrifugal Pump

To estimate the influence of the rotation center eccentricity of the single-blade centrifugal pump impeller on the radial force on it, and to explore the effective radial force balance method, a single blade pump with a power of 2.2 kW is analyzed. The accuracy of Numerical Simulation Methods are verified by tests of external characteristics (under three rotation-speeds of 1470 r/min, 2000 r/min, and 2940 r/min) and pressure distributions. There are five models with different rotation center coordinates (model a with (0,1), model b with (−1,0), model c with (0,−1), model d with (1,0), and model e with (0,0.5)) which are analyzed. The results show that the radial force of model c and model d reduced by 8.1% and 9.8%, respectively, which means the offset of the center of the impeller to the positive direction of the x-axis and the negative direction of the y-axis can effectively reduce the radial force. At the eccentricity of the impeller (2,−2), the radial force under all operating conditions is reduced, most obviously at 1.0 Qd, which is about 17%. The study may prove helpful to designers and pump manufacturers to find a path forward for an optimal eccentricity to minimize the radial force

Transient Characteristic Analysis of Variable Frequency Speed Regulation of Axial Flow Pump

In order to explore the influence of different rotational acceleration on the transient internal and external flow characteristics of the axial flow pump and improve the performance of the pump, numerical simulations and experiments were used to analyze the variable frequency speed regulation characteristics of the axial flow pump. Taking three-dimensional turbulent numerical simulation as the main research method and CFX as the calculation platform, three variable frequency speed regulation methods were used to conduct transient numerical simulation; keep the acceleration constant, increased and decreased; and obtain the real-time pump performance curve and pressure characteristic curve. Uniform acceleration and deceleration with constant acceleration maintained the stable change and good stability of head and shaft power, and the pressure change was the most stable in the process. The acceleration and deceleration with decreasing acceleration ran most smoothly at high speed, and the frequency conversion effect was the best. At the same time, the transition to steady-state operation was also the most stable. The research in this paper can provide reference for the stable operation of variable frequency speed regulation of the axial flow pump

Transient Characteristic Analysis of Variable Frequency Speed Regulation of Axial Flow Pump

In order to explore the influence of different rotational acceleration on the transient internal and external flow characteristics of the axial flow pump and improve the performance of the pump, numerical simulations and experiments were used to analyze the variable frequency speed regulation characteristics of the axial flow pump. Taking three-dimensional turbulent numerical simulation as the main research method and CFX as the calculation platform, three variable frequency speed regulation methods were used to conduct transient numerical simulation; keep the acceleration constant, increased and decreased; and obtain the real-time pump performance curve and pressure characteristic curve. Uniform acceleration and deceleration with constant acceleration maintained the stable change and good stability of head and shaft power, and the pressure change was the most stable in the process. The acceleration and deceleration with decreasing acceleration ran most smoothly at high speed, and the frequency conversion effect was the best. At the same time, the transition to steady-state operation was also the most stable. The research in this paper can provide reference for the stable operation of variable frequency speed regulation of the axial flow pump