Numerical Modeling of the Flow Inside a Centrifugal Pump: Influence of Impeller–Volute Interaction on Velocity and Pressure Fields

• Published in: Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering Vol. 41; no. 11; pp. 4463 - 4476
• Main Authors: Chalghoum, Issa, Kanfoudi, Hatem, Elaoud, Sami, Akrout, Mohsen, Zgolli, Ridha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.11.2016; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Centrifugal pumps; Computer simulation; Engineering; Humanities and Social Sciences; Impellers; Mathematical models; multidisciplinary; Navier-Stokes equations; Research Article - Mechanical Engineering; Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes method; Science; Turbulence models; Unsteady; Volutes; Steady and unsteady calculation; Pressure fluctuation; Impeller–volute interaction; Internal flow
• ISSN: 1319-8025; 2191-4281
• DOI: 10.1007/s13369-016-2157-8

To analyze the centrifugal pump NS32 using numerical model and predicting the performance of a fluid flow in complexes geometry, we conduct several numerical simulation with different turbulence models. To evaluate the effect of turbulence model on the flow characteristics, the k- ε , SST and SST-CC turbulence models were tested. The simulations have been made using the multiple reference frames (MRF) technique to take into account the impeller–volute interaction. The computational domain is composed of two parts, a stator (volute) and a rotor (impeller). The impeller–volute interaction has been simulated using the frozen–rotor interface model for the steady-state calculations and the Rotor–Stator model for the unsteady ones. The distributions of velocity and pressure are computed using the Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes approach for a wide range of operating flow rates. To analyze the internal flow, simulation was carried out for several relative positions between the impeller blades and the volute tongue. In fact, the pressure fluctuations were numerically measured at five locations along the impeller and compared to experimental measurements. In addition, the unsteady pressure head evolution versus time was followed up. Then, an experimental validation of global and local characteristics of the pump was carried out.