Abstract
Results on overall pump head and efficiency performance, pressure pulsation and high speed camera visualization of flow patterns behavior are presented for different inlet air-water void fractions at a given rotational speed. With the increase of inlet void fractions and decrease of the flow rates, the size of bubbles increase and tend to agglomerate in specific impeller passage locations along the blade chord. The starting point of pump breakdown is related to a strong inward reverse flow occurring in a specific location near the shroud gap of the impeller and volute tongue region. Using a constant air void fraction value of 2%, pressure pulsation frequency results are analyzed in relation with local flow mixture patterns and flow rate modification.
Highlights
Experimental flow visualization studies have been conducted in Jiangsu University together with pump performance analysis for centrifugal pumps under inlet air- water two-phase flow [12]
Overall performance uncertainty is within ±2% for the water flow rate and ±3.5% for head increase, including device accuracies
The pump performance is almost unaffected compared with with purewhen water when operating the range air void to fracpurethe water thecondition, inlet air void fraction is 1%,in which meansofthe pump isinlet not sensitive tion, will by 30–53%, global efficiency by 26–50%. It is suchthe gashead content fordecrease a wide range of water flow rate
Summary
Several studies have been made, investigating the theoretical pump performance and the flow behavior of centrifugal pumps under gas-liquid two-phase flow conditions [3,4,5,6]. Investigation on unsteady flow-induced characteristics of the centrifugal pump under air entrainment conditions hasn’t been treated with enough attention. Experimental flow visualization studies have been conducted in Jiangsu University together with pump performance analysis for centrifugal pumps under inlet air- water two-phase flow [12]. The present paper intends to reveal the unsteady flow-induced characteristics of centrifugal pumps under inlet air entrainment condition by combining pump performance tests, inner flow visualization and pressure pulsation measurements.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
