Investigation on the Internal Flow Characteristics of the Low Specific Speed Centrifugal Pump with Circular Casing

Abstract

As a suitable volute configuration in the range of low specific speed, circular casing is suggested in this study. The internal flows in a centrifugal pump with the circular and spiral casings are measured by PIV and analyzed by CFD. The results show that the head and efficiency of the pump by a circular casing of very small radius are almost same as those by the spiral casing. Even at the best efficiency point, the internal flow of the pump by circular casing is asymmetric, and vortex and strong secondary flow occurs in the impeller passage. The radial velocity becomes higher remarkably only near the region of the discharge throat. The flow in the impeller outlet is strongly controlled by the circular casing because the velocity distribution almost does not affected by the position of the impeller blades.