Numerical simulation of transient flow field in a mixed-flow pump during starting period

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to study the transient flow characteristics in a mixed-flow pump during the start-up period.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, numerical calculation of the internal flow field in a mixed-flow pump using the sliding mesh method was carried out. The regulation of the pressure, streamline and the relative speed during the start-up period was analyzed.

Findings

The trend of the simulated head is consistent with the experimental results, and the calculated head is around 0.3 m higher than the experimental head when the rotation speed reached the stable stage, indicating that the numerical method for the start-up process simulation of the mixed-flow pump has a high accuracy. At the beginning, the velocity inside the impeller changes little along the radius direction and the flow rate increases slowly during the start-up process. As the rotation speed reached the stable stage, the flow inside the impeller became steady, the vortex reduced and transient effects disappeared gradually.

Originality/value

The study results have significant value for revealing the internal unsteady flow characteristics of the mixed-flow pump and providing the reference for the design optimization of the mixed-flow pump.

Citation

Li, W., Zhang, Y., Shi, W., Ji, L., Yang, Y. and Ping, Y. (2018), "Numerical simulation of transient flow field in a mixed-flow pump during starting period", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, Vol. 28 No. 4, pp. 927-942. https://doi.org/10.1108/HFF-06-2017-0220