Abstract
The main objective of this work is to use the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique in analyzing and predicting the performance of a radial flow-type impeller of centrifugal pump. The impeller analyzed is at the following design condition: flow rate of 528 m3/hr; speed of 1450 rpm; and head of 20 m or specific speed (Ns) of 3033 1/min in US-Units. The first stage involves the mesh generation and refinement on domain of the designed impeller. The second stage deals with the identification of initial and boundary conditions of the mesh-equipped module. In the final stage, various results are calculated and analyzed for factors affecting impeller performance. The results indicate that the total head rise of the impeller at the design point is approximately 19.8 m. The loss coefficient of the impeller is 0.015 when 0.6 < Q/Qdesign < 1.2. Maximum hydraulic efficiency of impeller is 0.98 at Q/Qdesign = 0.7. Based on the comparison of the theoretical head coefficient and static pressure rise coefficient between simulation results and experimental data, from previous work reported in the literature [Guelich, Kreiselpumpen, Springer, Berlin, 2004], it is possible to use this method to simulate the performance of a radial-flow type impeller of a centrifugal pump.
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This paper was recommended for publication in revised form by Associate Editor Seungbae Lee
Somchai Wongwises is currently a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangmod, Thailand. He received his Doktor Ingenieur (Dr.Ing.) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Hannover, Germany, in 1994. His research interests include two-phase flow, heat transfer enhancement, and thermal system design. Professor Wongwises is the head of the Fluid Mechanics, Thermal Engineering and Two-Phase Flow Research Laboratory (FUTURE).
Suthep Kaewnai obtained a B. S. degree in Mechanical Engineering, 1980 from the King Monkut’s University of Technology Thonburi and M. S. degree in Mechanical Engineering, 1983 from Chulalongkorn University. He is currently an assistant professor at King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi. Suthep’s research interests are in the area of pumps and small hydroturbine.
Manuspong Chamaoot received a B. S. degree, 1972 and M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering, 1979 from the King Monkut’s University of Technology Thonburi. He is currently an assistant professor at King Monkut’s University of Technology Thonburi. His research interests are in the field of mechanical vibration for rotating equipment and computational fluid dynamics.
An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12206-009-1301-8
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Kaewnai, S., Chamaoot, M. & Wongwises, S. Predicting performance of radial flow type impeller of centrifugal pump using CFD. J Mech Sci Technol 23, 1620–1627 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-008-1106-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-008-1106-1