Maximum Efficiency for High Head Process Pumps –Optimizing Side Channel Pumps

LectureSide channel pumps provide high pressure at relatively low flow rates. This comes along with a quite low specific speed and thus with the known disadvantage of a quite poor maximum efficiency. This paper describes the detailed analysis and optimization of a typical 1-stage side channel pump with an additional radial suction impeller by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. In a first step, the model was successively generated and it was obvious that it has to contain all details including suction impeller and main stage (both 360° models) as well as the pressure housing and all narrow gaps to provide useful simulation results. Numerical simulations were carried out in a stationary and transient way with scale resolving turbulence models to analyze the components in detail. Finally the CFD-simulations were validated with model tests. For the optimization process it was necessary to generate a reduced numerical model to analyze the effects of more than 300 geometry variations. The findings were then combined to establish the desired objectives. Finally the best combinations were validated again with the full numerical model. Those simulations predict a relative efficiency increase at best efficiency point (BEP) and part load 30% with respect to all given limitations like identical head curve, suction behavior and dimensions

Comparative Investigation on Axial Flow Pump Rotors of Free Vortex and Non-Free Vortex Design

Comparative computational investigation has been carried out on two axial flow pump rotors having identical basic geometrical and flow rate parameters but differing in the design methods. The two rotors were designed for free vortex (FV) and non-free vortex (NFV) operation. The global as well as pitchwise-averaged and pitchwise resolved blade passage flow characteristics were investigated in detail. It has been concluded that NFV design is an effectual method for increase of specific performance but the increased risk of cavitation requires careful blade optimisation. It was found that the design blade circulation must kept constant near the hub in order to diminish the risk of corner stall. Furthermore, it has been anticipated that for the NFV rotor the efficiency drops more intensely with increase of tip clearance and the noise level may be lower than for the FV rotor

Maximum Efficiency for High Head Process Pumps –Optimizing Side Channel Pumps

LectureSide channel pumps provide high pressure at relatively low flow rates. This comes along with a quite low specific speed and thus with the known disadvantage of a quite poor maximum efficiency. This paper describes the detailed analysis and optimization of a typical 1-stage side channel pump with an additional radial suction impeller by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. In a first step, the model was successively generated and it was obvious that it has to contain all details including suction impeller and main stage (both 360° models) as well as the pressure housing and all narrow gaps to provide useful simulation results. Numerical simulations were carried out in a stationary and transient way with scale resolving turbulence models to analyze the components in detail. Finally the CFD-simulations were validated with model tests. For the optimization process it was necessary to generate a reduced numerical model to analyze the effects of more than 300 geometry variations. The findings were then combined to establish the desired objectives. Finally the best combinations were validated again with the full numerical model. Those simulations predict a relative efficiency increase at best efficiency point (BEP) and part load 30% with respect to all given limitations like identical head curve, suction behavior and dimensions

Numerische Untersuchungen des Turbinendurchganges von Fischen

Aufsatz veröffentlicht in: "Wasserbau-Symposium 2021: Wasserbau in Zeiten von Energiewende, Gewässerschutz und Klimawandel, Zurich, Switzerland, September 15-17, 2021, Band 2" veröffentlicht unter: https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-00049975

Numerical and Experimental Investigation of the 4-Quadrant Behavior of Different Mixed Flow Diffuser Pumps

Besides operating a centrifugal pump under normal conditions there are additional operating conditions possible; for example, a pump operated as turbine. Another example would be a pump trip where there are several abnormal operating conditions possible when the direction of flow and/or the direction of rotation are changing. The machine behavior in every possible operation condition can be represented by the complete pump characteristics, often called the 4-quadrant (4Q) behavior of a centrifugal pump. To gather the 4Q behavior, a test rig allowing the flow direction as well as the rotation direction to be reverted is necessary, with time-consuming measurements at variable positive and negative discharge in both directions of rotation the complete pump characteristics are evaluated. In the present study, an approach to investigate the complete pump characteristics by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations is presented. With steady-state calculations and additional transient CFD investigations in the normal operating conditions, the whole pump characteristics were calculated accurately. Two different types of mixed flow diffuser pumps were investigated—one equipped with adjustable impeller blades, the second one with comparable low specific speed. Experimental verifications have shown a remarkably good agreement. Furthermore, an exemplary numerical waterhammer analysis shows the successful application of the presented approach

Maximum Efficiency Despite Lowest Specific Speed—Simulation and Optimisation of a Side Channel Pump

Side channel pumps provide high pressure at relatively low flow rates. This comes along with a quite low specific speed and thus with the known disadvantage of a quite poor maximum efficiency. This paper describes the detailed analysis and optimisation of a typical 1-stage side channel pump with an additional radial suction impeller by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. In a first step, the model was successively generated and it was obvious that it has to contain all details including suction impeller and main stage (both 360° models) as well as the pressure housing and all narrow gaps to provide useful simulation results. Numerical simulations were carried out in a stationary and transient way with scale resolving turbulence models to analyse the components in detail. Finally the CFD-simulations were validated with model tests. For the optimisation process it was necessary to generate a reduced numerical model to analyse the effects of more than 300 geometry variations. The findings were then combined to establish the desired objectives. Finally the best combinations were validated again with the full numerical model. Those simulations predict a relative efficiency increase at best efficiency point (BEP) and part load >30% with respect to all given limitations like identical head curve, suction behavior, and dimensions