Prediction method of impeller performance and analysis of loss mechanism for mixed-flow pump

Abstract

A loss model for the mixed-flow pump impellers was developed by summarizing a variety of loss calculation formulas systematically. The internal flow field of the impeller was obtained by employing the iterative calculation for S1 and S2 stream surfaces to solve the continuity and motion equations of fluid. Based on the calculation method of the flow field and the loss model, it is achieved to predict the impeller performance of the mixed-flow pump and the performance curves of a mixed-flow pump model with adjustable blades. Compared with the test data, the loss model of the mixed-flow pump based on the iterative calculation can predict the impeller performance quickly and accurately, which has a high value on the engineering applications. Based on the test verification, curves of various kinds of losses varied for the flow rate were analyzed under different blade angles. In addition, the mechanisms of various kinds of losses inside the mixed-flow pump impeller were discussed in-depth.