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Numerical evaluation of flow and performance of turbo pump inducers

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Abstract

Steady state flow calculations are executed for turbo-pump inducers of modern design to validate the performance of Tascflow code. Hydrodynamic performance of inducers is evaluated and structure of the passage flow and leading edge recirculation are also investigated. Calculated results show good coincidence with experimental data of static pressure performance and velocity profiles over the leading edge. Upstream recirculation, tip leakage and vortex flow at the blade tip and near leading edge are main sources of pressure loss. Amount of pressure loss from the upstream to the leading edge corresponds to that of whole pressure loss through the blade passage. The viscous loss is considerably large due to the strong secondary flow. There appears more stronger leading edge recirculation for the backswept inducer. and this increases the pressure loss. However, blade loading near the leading edge is considerably reduced and cavitation inception delayed.

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Abbreviations

c :

Absolute velocity

p :

Static pressure

p t :

Total pressure

p 0 :

Total pressure at inlet

r :

Radius

r h :

Hub radius

r t :

Shroud radius

R :

Spanwise fraction (=r-r h/r t-r h

ui :

Rotational speed of inducer tip

w :

Relative velocity

β:

Blade angle

p :

Density

w :

Angular velocity of inducer

φ:

Flow coefficient (=C ml/u t)

ψ:

Pressure coefficient (=gH/(ρu t 2))

σ:

Cavitation number (= (p l-p v) /0.5ut 2)

t :

Tangential component

z :

Axial component

m :

Meridional component

1:

Value at inducer inlet

2:

Value at inducer exit

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Turbo and Power Machinery Research Center, Seoul National University, Shillim-dong, Kwanak-gu, 151-742, Seoul, Korea

    Chang Yeul Shim

  2. School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Seoul National University, Shillim-dong, Kwanak-gu, 151-742, Seoul, Korea

    Shin-Hyoung Kang

Authors
  1. Chang Yeul Shim
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  2. Shin-Hyoung Kang
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Correspondence to Shin-Hyoung Kang.

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Shim, C.Y., Kang, SH. Numerical evaluation of flow and performance of turbo pump inducers. KSME International Journal 18, 481–490 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02996113

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02996113

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