Abstract
Artificial Neural Network (ANN) was used to predict the effects of splitter blades in a semi-open impeller on centrifugal pump performance. The characteristics of this impeller were compared with those of impellers without splitter blades. Experimental results for lengths of splitter blades in ratio of 1/3, 2/3, and 3/3 of the main blade length were evaluated by different ANN training algorithm. Training and test data were obtained from experimental studies. The best training algorithm and number of neurons were determined. The values of head, efficiency, and effective power were estimated in a semi-open impeller with splitter blades in ratio of 3/6 and 5/6 of the main blade length at the best efficiency point (b.e.p.). Here, as the splitter blade length increases; the flow rate and power increases, the efficiency decrease. All of the estimated values of performance in a semi-open impeller with splitter blades indicate the model works in line with expectations. Experimental studies to determine head, efficiency and effective power consumption in different types of pumps are complex, time consuming, and costly. It also requires specific measurement tools to obtain the characteristics values of pump. To overcome these difficulties, an ANN can be used for prediction of pump performance in semi open impeller.
Highlights
In centrifugal pump impellers, when the blade number is reduced, the liquid flow in the impeller will not obey the one-dimensional flow laws, so local losses will increase
The statistical values have been calculated for Artificial Neural Network (ANN) approach and the best algorithmic results have been determined for training and testing
LM and Scaled conjugate gradient (SCG) algorithms have been used to predict of the head, efficiency, and power of a semi-open impeller with splitter blades using different flow rate and splitter blade lengths
Summary
In centrifugal pump impellers, when the blade number is reduced, the liquid flow in the impeller will not obey the one-dimensional flow laws, so local losses will increase. Deviation will be seen at the blades as the frictional losses increase. One may say that the effect of blade number on the pump performance is will be high. As the number of impeller blades increases, the pump head rises; too many blades result in a decrease in efficiency due to the increasing blockage and skin friction in the impeller passage. Using splitter blades in the impeller is an alternative way to increase the head with acceptable efficiency. The difficulty in calculation of the flow area of the impeller is due to the unknown flow rate occurring in two separate areas when the splitter blades are added
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