Numerical analysis of periodic flow unsteadiness in a single-blade centrifugal pump

Abstract

In this paper, the CFD simulation and new flow unsteadiness analysis for a single-blade centrifugal pump with whole flow passage were carried out. The periodic flow unsteadiness has been quantitatively investigated in detail by defining unsteady intensity and turbulence intensity in both rotor and volute domains under design condition Q=33 L s−1. The results show that the distributions of flow unsteadiness are the functions of impeller rotating angle φ and have complex unsteady characteristics. The obvious Tu fluctuations can be also observed for different impeller positions. In addition, time-averaged unsteady intensity and time-averaged turbulence intensity were calculated by averaging the results of each mesh node for entire impeller revolution period to evaluate the strength distributions of flow unsteadiness directly and comprehensively. The accumulative results of an impeller revolution can directly show the positions and strength of the flow unsteadiness and turbulence intensity in both rotor and stator domains which can be an important aspect to be considered in the single-blade pump optimum design procedure for obtaining more stable inner flow of the pump and decreasing flow-induced vibration and noise. The flow unsteadiness in the side chamber cannot be neglected for an accurate prediction of the inner flow of the pump, and the optimizing design procedure for a single-blade pump impeller will not be accurate using CFD tool if the unsteady flow phenomenon in the side chamber is not considered.