Author(s): S Muntean; I Rus; I A Draghici

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: Cavitation; Centrifugal pump; Symmetrical suction elbow; Thoma number; Two-phase flow

Abstract: The study presents a methodology for evaluating the cavitational behaviour of a centrifugal pump with a symmetric suction elbow (SSE). Extensive experimental investigations on the cavitation behaviour of the centrifugal pump equipped with SSE are carried out. The pump cavitation curve η(σ) is determined based on experimental data. The values associated with the Thoma numbers zero (σ0), one (σ1) and three (σ3) to identify the cavitation regimes corresponding to the operating point are determined. Two-phase flow numerical simulations are conducted for six Thoma numbers considering the numerical setup correlated with the experimental framework. The vapour cavity developed on the impeller blades are visualized for each Thoma number based on the numerical investigations. The development of the vapour cavity on the impeller blades is different from one blade to another due to the flow non-uniformity induced by the SSE. The growth and collapse of the cavitation cavity during a full rotation of the pump impeller leads to faster degradation of the impeller integrity. Further investigations will focus on evaluating the evolution of vapour volume.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1483/1/012007

Year: 2023