Unsteady flow visualization at part-load conditions of a radial diffuser pump: by PIV and CFD

Abstract

The present study provides flow visualization on complex internal flows in a radial diffuser pump under part-load conditions by using the three-dimensional Navier-Stokes code CFX-10 with Detached Eddy Simulation (DES) turbulence model. Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements have been conducted to validate numerical results. The CFD results show good agreements with experimental ones on both the phase-averaged velocity fields and turbulence field. The detailed flow analysis shows that no separation occurs at 0.75Qdes although a low-velocity zone develops on the rear impeller suction side. Steady flow separations are observed on the impeller suction sides at 0.5Qdes but with different onsets and amounts. When reducing the flow rate to 0.25Qdes, CFD predicts different types of back flows in the impeller region, including steady leading edge separations, rotating vortex in the impeller wake region, and back flow on the impeller pressure side.