Fluid–structure interaction analysis of fluid pressure pulsation and structural vibration features in a vertical axial pump

Abstract

Current studies on the operation of the axial pump mainly focus on hydraulic performances, while the coupled interaction between the fluid and structure attracts little attention. This study aims to provide numerical investigation into the vibration features in a vertical axial pump based on two-way iterative fluid–structure interaction method. Three-dimensional coupling model was established with high-quality structured grids of ADINA software. Turbulent flow features were studied under design condition, using shear–stress transport k-ω turbulence model and sliding mesh approach. Typical measure points along and perpendicular to flow direction in fluid domain were selected to analyze pressure pulsation features of the impeller and fixed guide vane. By contrast, vibration features of equivalent stress in corresponding structural positions were investigated and compared based on fluid–structure interaction method. In order to explore fluid–structure interaction vibration mechanism, distribution of main frequencies and amplitudes of the measure points was presented based on the Fast Fourier Transformation method. The results reveal the time and frequency law of fluid pressure pulsation and structural vibration at the same position in the vertical axial pump while additionally provide important theoretical guidance for optimization design and safe operation of the vertical axial pump.