Research on the unstable operating region of axial-flow and mixed flow pump

Abstract

The unstable operating region affected safety of pump start-up and limited the range of stable operating. When there are three flowrates points matching along with one lift, the hydraulic unstable operating region happened. The range region of unstable operation region is from peak to bottom of performance curve when the axial flow pump was test on the closed test rig. There are two factors, rotating stall and bad inlet condition, which cause the unstable operating region. The unstable operating regions of different pumping system are presented. The unsteady CFD calculations were done to present the internal flow pattern and hydraulic pressure when axial flow pump and mixed flow pump were operated on the unstable operating region. The frequency spectrum is given of one of the force components in radial direction, as measured in the whriling frame of reference. It is important to prevent and avoid unstable operating region along with the construction of South to North water transfer of China and reconstruction of large scale pumping station.