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Numerical analysis of the formation mechanism and suppression method of the reverse flow in a semi-open centrifugal pump

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Abstract

Reverse flow has a detrimental effect on the stable and safe operation of centrifugal pumps. To study the formation mechanism and suppression of the reverse flow, a semi-open centrifugal pump with circumferential groove in the shroud was simulated. Then, the flow field and pressure fluctuation were analysed. The absolute flow angle at the blade inlet nearing the shroud was close to 180° because of the joint action of the leakage flow and blade inlet impact under low flow rate. This phenomenon resulted in the formation of a low-speed region and the reverse flow and low-frequency pressure fluctuation. The circumferential groove provided a channel for the leakage flow, which could quickly pass through the groove, and reduced the absolute flow angle at the blade inlet nearing the shroud and weakened the trend of the tip leakage flow to upstream. The low-frequency pressure pulsation was eliminated, and the amplitude of the blade passing frequency was reduced under 0.7 Qd (Qd is the design flow rate). The reverse flow thickness coefficient became zero with the circumferential groove. The proportion of the reverse flow volume to the volume of inlet pipe decreased from 14.7 % to 2.2 % under 0.4 Qd. This research indicated that the circumferential groove arranged in the shroud could effectively suppress or eliminate reverse flow.

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Abbreviations

CG:

Circumferential groove

C p :

Static pressure coefficient

f n :

Shaft frequency

SW:

Smooth wall

Y :

Reverse flow thickness coefficient

δ 1 :

Reverse flow thickness

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51879216, 51679196 and 51679195).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Water Resources and Hydro-electric Engineering, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an, 710048, China

    Like Wang, Jinling Lu, Weili Liao, Wei Wang, Jianjun Feng & Yaping Zhao

  2. State Key Laboratory Base of Eco-hydraulic Engineering in Arid Area, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an, 710048, China

    Jinling Lu & Wei Wang

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  1. Like Wang
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  2. Jinling Lu
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Correspondence to Jinling Lu.

Additional information

Jinling Lu received his Ph.D. degree from Xi’an Jiaotong University, China, in 2005. He is currently a Professor in Xi’an University of Technology. His main scientific interests are optimization and design of hydraulic machinery, CFD simulations and flow measurements by PIV.

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Wang, L., Lu, J., Liao, W. et al. Numerical analysis of the formation mechanism and suppression method of the reverse flow in a semi-open centrifugal pump. J Mech Sci Technol 34, 3667–3678 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-020-0819-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-020-0819-7

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