Research on the Relationship between Stall Propagation and Flange Leakage of Mixed-Flow Pumps

Abstract

In order to explore the internal relationship between stall core propagation and flange leakage flow in the rotating stall of a mixed-flow pump, based on the k-ε turbulence model, a SIMPLEC algorithm and hexahedral structured grid are used to simulate the internal flow field of the mixed-flow pump. By setting the flange clearance as 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm and 0.8 mm, the propagation characteristics of the rotating stall and the unsteady characteristics of flange leakage flow of the mixed-flow pump under the condition of near stall are studied, and the influence of the flange clearance on the pressure fluctuation characteristics of the mixed-flow pump under the condition of near stall is analyzed. The results show that the stall core is located at the outlet of the impeller and propagates from the leading edge of the adjacent blade along the opposite direction of blade rotation to the next flow channel. The pressure gradient in the stall channel and the energy loss are large. When the flange clearance is 0.5 mm and 0.8 mm, the stall core changes from one to two, and the propagation mechanism of the stall core tends to be complex in the two adjacent flow channels. When the flange clearance is 0.8 mm, the propagation period decreases. The variation law of leakage flow is consistent with the propagation law of stall core. When the flow passage changes from stall state to non-stall state, the leakage flow also changes from one state to another, so the leakage flow can be used as a form of apparent stall. Under the condition of near stall, the pressure fluctuation curve of the adjacent monitoring points has a large phase difference consistent with the propagation period of the stall core, and has a strong pressure drop. When the flange clearance is 0.5 mm and 0.8 mm, the time domain curve of pressure fluctuation has two wave troughs in one cycle. In the near stall condition, the main frequency of the pressure fluctuation at the monitoring point is the stall frequency, and the amplitude of the main frequency at the middle of the outlet is the largest. The characteristics of flange leakage flow and pressure fluctuation can better reflect the flow situation in the pump when rotating stall occurs. The research results can provide a basis for judging whether stall occurs in the flow passage of the pump.