The CFD-PBM coupling calculation of salt-out flow in the centrifugal pump

Abstract

In order to further understand the salt-out two-phase flow in the centrifugal pump and to consider the actual dynamic behaviors, such as particle aggregation and breakage, the population balance model (PBM) coupled with CFD is loaded on the basis of traditional Euler model to calculate the salt-out flow in the centrifugal pump with different blade outlet angles. The influence of blade outlet angle on the internal flow field is analyzed. The calculation result shows that: in the impeller passage, solid particles tend to move towards blade suction surface, leading to that particle outlet angle is less than the blade outlet angle, so to reduce the blade outlet angle can reduce the particle collision with the blade pressure surface and improve the impeller life. By comparing the pressure distribution and solid particle volume concentration distribution in different impellers, it is concluded that: solid particles gather most in the inlet, and quantity in the pressure surface is less than the suction surface. Particles are lesser in the inlet, which is obvious in the pressure surface. When the blade outlet angle is bigger, more particles gather in the suction surface, causing more collision in the blade outlet. When blade outlet angle increases, the impeller outlet pressure will be increased.