Comparative study of the cavitation situation and the non-cavitation situation under unsteady flow phenomena of a centrifugal pump

Abstract

Numerical simulations in three dimensions, both with and without cavitation, were conducted to determine the influence of cavitation on a centrifugal pump. The reliability and accuracy of the numerical model were demonstrated through satisfactory agreement between the experimental and numerical values of the pump’s performance. An in-depth analysis of the correlation between performance characteristics and cavitation was undertaken. The research results indicate that cavity bubbles initially appear near the suction surface of the blade and gradually extend toward the middle of the blade-channel as cavitation intensifies. Moreover, based on the simulation results, it can be concluded that head characteristics are linked to the development of cavitation on the suction surface of the leading edge of the blade runner. A detailed analysis of experimental data and simulation results reveals that cavitation obstructs the flow channel and alters water flow direction, thereby diminishing operational capacity.