Abstract
The pumping capacity is the maximum flow rate through a pump at its design capacity. In the process of pumping water and other fluids, pumping capacity is required to accurately size pumping systems, determine friction head losses, construct a system curve and select a pump and motor. Failure to choose the right pump size for pumping system, improper installation and pump operation results into higher consumption of energy. The insufficient pumping capacity affects the plant’s operations such as maintenance cost, downtime, loss of production and increase in operating cost. In this study variation of the impeller diameter is used to calculate the new pump curve to improve the pumping capacity. The pumping system is analysed to determine the pumping capacity of the pump. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations are carried out to determine the performance of the pump and analyses the pumping system to achieve the pumping capacity. Results show that enhanced pumping capacity is achieved at a given impeller design with a specific shift in the pump curve. It is recommended that the pumping capacity can be optimized through trimming of impeller. Trimming of the impeller improves pump efficiency and increases the performance of the pump. In addition, the pumping capacity can also be optimized through the system analysis by adjusting the diameter of the pipes and throttling of the valves. Optimization of the pumping capacity helps with running the pumping system efficiently.
Highlights
Sizing of pumping systems are difficult since the pumps must fit the pumping systems, as a result, it affects the installation, maintenance, and operations of centrifugal pumps and pumping systems
The design of the impeller diameter has a major effect on the pump efficiency, an entirely new pump can be designed by just modifying the impeller
This paper present affinity laws to help with predicting the performance of a centrifugal pump and to determine whether a change in the impeller design is a limiting factor
Summary
Sizing of pumping systems are difficult since the pumps must fit the pumping systems, as a result, it affects the installation, maintenance, and operations of centrifugal pumps and pumping systems. The impeller of a centrifugal pump regulates performance of pump and determines pumping capacity of the centrifugal pump [3]. The challenge of implementing proper maintenance plans for the pumping system affects the efficiency of the pump. In the present study we have identified that companies find it challenging to design, install, operate and maintain centrifugal pump of which it affects the efficiency of centrifugal pump. The aim of the paper is to carry out an investigation with the aim to improve the efficiency and reliability of centrifugal pumps through better design of impeller, installation, operation and maintenance practices. This paper present affinity laws to help with predicting the performance of a centrifugal pump and to determine whether a change in the impeller design is a limiting factor. The parameters of the pumping system are considered to establish the operating points of centrifugal pumps
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