Numerical study on hydrodynamic characteristics of a centrifugal pump influenced by impeller-eccentric effect

Abstract

In this paper, the effect of impeller eccentricity caused by parallel misalignment of the coupling is considered, and the impact of the impeller eccentricity on the hydrodynamic characteristics of a centrifugal pump is numerically investigated. The finite volume method is adopted to simulate the dynamic process. The results show that the eccentric impeller will deteriorate the hydraulic performance of the pump, nonetheless the influence is limited. However, it significantly affects the amplitude of the flow-induced force at shaft frequency, and the amplitude is proportional to the eccentricity ratio to some extent. The influence of impeller eccentricity on pressure pulsation can be evaluated by the shaft orbit. The crest factor of the impeller trajectory is positively correlated with the pressure pulsation intensity. The minimum value of the impeller trajectory hasa negativerelationshipwith the average radial force of the impeller. The clocking position of the eccentric impeller primarily affects the phase relationship between the shaft frequency and the blade passing frequency. A function is proposed to characterize the fluctuating pressure distribution with a spatially periodic pattern around the volute under eccentric conditions. This research can provide an essential reference for fault diagnosis and vibration control of the centrifugal pump.