Prediction of centrifugal pump performance using energy loss analysis

Abstract

In this work, a theoretical procedure has been developed to calculate the performance of a centrifugal pump using theoretical and empirical internal and external energy loss equations. These equations were implemented in the prediction program allowing the calculation of head, power and efficiency of the pump for varying input geometries, rotational speeds and fluid properties. The prediction program was tested for two centrifugal pumps of different impeller geometries handling either water or viscous fluids with different viscosities, at varying rotational speeds. Two different experimental rigs with different impeller geometries were used to generate experimental data. In the first rig, one impeller geometry was considered and data were obtained for three rotational speeds. In the second rig two different impellers of different geometries were also tested at different speeds. In both rigs, the centrifugal pump is composed of the two essential elements, namely the impeller and the casing. Good agreement was achieved when both predicted and experimental results were compared for all impeller geometries and rotational speeds considered.