Author(s): R F Huang; Z H Zhai; J J Zhou; X W Luo

Linked Author(s):

Keywords: Cavitating flow; Waterjet mixed flow pump; Design optimization; Impeller; Cavitation model

Abstract: This research investigates cavitation flow simulation and design optimization for a waterjet mixed flow pump whose design flow coefficient is 0.183 and rotational speed is 1450 r/min. Both the hydraulic and cavitation characteristics are predicted and compared with model test. In order to improve the pump performance, an optimized impeller is obtained with the blade thickness reducing by 0.6 mm and adjusting the blade inlet angle. The cavitating flow in a waterjet mixed flow pump is simulated using the SST k-ω turbulence model and homogeneous cavitation model with a single blade-to-blade flow passage. Compared with the experimental results, the numerical data are in reasonable agreement for predicting hydraulic characteristics and show a similar trend in cavitation performance prediction. Future work will focus on improving the cavitation model for better accuracy of cavitation prediction. Based on the experimental test and commercial software CFX simulation, it can be concluded that reducing the blade thickness and inlet angle can have favorite effects on the hydraulic performance as well as cavitation performance.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/163/1/012073

Year: 2017