An improved large eddy simulation of two-phase flows in a pump impeller

An improved large eddy simulation using a dynamic second-order sub-grid-scale （SGS） stress model has been developed to model the governing equations of dense turbulent particle-liquid two-phase flows in a rotating coordinate system, and continuity is conserved by a mass-weighted method to solve the filtered governing equations. In the cur- rent second-order SGS model, the SGS stress is a function of both the resolved strain-rate and rotation-rate tensors, and the model parameters are obtained from the dimensional consistency and the invariants of the strain-rate and the rotation-rate tensors. In the numerical calculation, the finite volume method is used to discretize the governing equations with a staggered grid system. The SIMPLEC algorithm is applied for the solution of the discretized governing equations. Body- fitted coordinates are used to simulate the two-phase flows in complex geometries. Finally the second-order dynamic SGS model is successfully applied to simulate the dense turbu-lent particle-liquid two-phase flows in a centrifugal impeller. The predicted pressure and velocity distributions are in good agreement with experimental results.

Hydraulic Optimization of a Double-channel Pump's Impeller Based on Multi-objective Genetic Algorithm

Computational fluid dynamics（CFD） can give a lot of potentially very useful information for hydraulic optimization design of pumps, however, it cannot directly state what kind of modification should be made to improve such hydrodynamic performance. In this paper, a more convenient and effective approach is proposed by combined using of CFD, multi-objective genetic algorithm（MOGA） and artificial neural networks（ANN） for a double-channel pump＇s impeller, with maximum head and efficiency set as optimization objectives, four key geometrical parameters including inlet diameter, outlet diameter, exit width and midline wrap angle chosen as optimization parameters. Firstly, a multi-fidelity fitness assignment system in which fitness of impellers serving as training and comparison samples for ANN is evaluated by CFD, meanwhile fitness of impellers generated by MOGA is evaluated by ANN, is established and dramatically reduces the computational expense. Then, a modified MOGA optimization process, in which selection is performed independently in two sub-populations according to two optimization objectives, crossover and mutation is performed afterword in the merged population, is developed to ensure the global optimal solution to be found. Finally, Pareto optimal frontier is found after 500 steps of iterations, and two optimal design schemes are chosen according to the design requirements. The preliminary and optimal design schemes are compared, and the comparing results show that hydraulic performances of both pumps 1 and 2 are improved, with the head and efficiency of pump 1 increased by 5.7% and 5.2%, respectively in the design working conditions, meanwhile shaft power decreased in all working conditions, the head and efficiency of pump 2 increased by 11.7% and 5.9%, respectively while shaft power increased by 5.5%. Inner flow field analyses also show that the backflow phenomenon significantly diminishes at the entrance of the optimal impellers 1 and 2, both the area of vortex and intensity of vortex decreases in the whole flow channel. This paper provides a promising tool to solve the hydraulic optimization problem of pumps＇ impellers.

LES Analysis of the Unsteady Flow Characteristics of a Centrifugal Pump Impeller

Stall phenomena increase the complexity of the internal flow in centrifugal pump impellers.In order to tackle this problem,in the present work,a large eddy simulation(LES)approach is applied to determine the characteristics of these unstable flows.Moreover,a vorticity identification method is used to characterize quantitatively the vortex position inside the impeller and its influencing area.By comparing the outcomes of the numerical simulations and experimental results provided by a Particle Image Velocimetry(PIV)technique,it is shown that an apparent“alternating stall”phenomenon exists inside the impeller when relatively small flow rate conditions are considered.The stall is generated near the suction side of the blade inlet,grows towards the high-pressure side of the blade in the circumferential direction,and gradually attenuates.As the flow rate decreases,the number of stalls remains unchanged,while the related influencing area and strength gradually increase and the circumferential velocity increases.

PREDICTION OF PUMP CHARACTERISTICS ACCORDING TO GEOMETRICAL PARAMETERS OF IMPELLER AND VOLUTE CASING

The geometrical parameters of impeller or volute casing (including guide vane ofmultistage pump) have a great effect on pump characteristics, but ultimately. the pump characteris-tics are determined by the geometrical parameters of impeller and volute casing cooperatively. Inthis essay the effect of impeller and volute casing on pump characteristics will be studiedquantitatvely from the angle cf optimal matching of them.