Numerical analysis of the effects of gas-phase properties on the internal characteristics and wear in a centrifugal pump

摘要

Centrifugal pumps are indispensable in aquaculture engineering. The existence of bubbles is inevitable in a centrifugal pump and may affect the performance of the pump which delivers solid-liquid two-phase flow. Thus, this study aims to analyze the effects of gas-phase properties on the internal characteristics of a centrifugal pump by using a computational fluid dynamic code based on Eulerian multiphase mode and a standard k-epsilon two-equation turbulence model. Results show that gas-phase properties, such as concentration and diameter, affect the absolute pressure and the phase distribution in the centrifugal pump. The gas-phase distribution on the working faces of blades is greater than forces on the back face of the blades. The larger the diameter of the gas-phase is, the easier it is to be concentrated; Thus, the working face of the blades is prone to cavitation and corrosion, and with the increase of the bubble size, the cavitation corrosion of the back surface of the impeller becomes more serious. The solid-phase velocity and static pressure distribution increase with increasing concentration or diameter of gas-phase. The solid-phase is more easily leave the impeller area and enter the volute because of the existence of gas-phase, which may lead to abrasion of volute. The existence of gas makes the solid velocity distribution in the centrifugal pump more uneven, which may cause uneven wear of the centrifugal pump. The obtained results by this method can reveal the effects of gas-phase properties and wear on the internal characteristics in centrifugal pumps and are helpful for improvement and empirical correction in the hydraulic design of centrifugal pumps.