Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Design optimization for mixed-flow pump impeller by improved suction performance and efficiency with variables of specific speeds

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this study, the shape of a mixed-flow pump impeller and its flow characteristics as a function of the specific speed are studied to improve its suction performance and efficiency. The shapes of mixed-flow pump impellers show a trend based on the specific speed. To construct the optimum database, a mixed-flow pump impeller with a specified specific speed is optimally designed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and design of experiment (DOE). The design variables of the impeller are defined in the meridional plane and vane plane development for impeller. By analyzing the trends of different mixed-flow pump impeller shapes, the optimized shape that satisfies the design specification can be designed easily. The trend exhibited by the design variables depending on the specific speed is analyzed using the shape of the optimally designed mixed-flow pump impeller. The shape of the mixed-flow pump impeller, as per the required design specification, is designed using the trends of the design variables based on the specific speed. The performance of the designed model is verified using CFD and experimental test.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

CFD:

Computational fluid dynamics

RSM:

Response surface method

Ht:

Total head

M:

Meridional length

N:

Rotational speed

NPSH:

Net positive suction head

NPSHre:

Net positive suction head required

Ns:

Specific speed

Pv:

Vapor pressure

Pt_in:

Inlet total pressure

Pt_out:

Outlet total pressure

Q:

Flow rate

Qd:

Design flow rate

R1:

Radius

R2:

Radius of diffuser inlet

Ztip:

Axial direction from inlet/outlet parts of the shroud

g:

Acceleration of gravity

h:

Hub

m:

Mid-span

s:

Shroud

Ф1:

Inclined angle of the leading edge

Ф2:

Inclined angle of the trailing edge

β1:

Inlet angle of impeller

iβ1:

Incidence angle

θ1:

Inlet angle from meridional curve

θ2:

Outlet angle from meridional curve

%L:

Straight line from outlet part

%CP1:

Control points of inlet part

%CP2:

Control points of outlet part

%P1:

Portion of same inlet blade angle

%P2:

Portion of same outlet blade angle

ρ:

Density

σ:

Cavitation coefficient

ω:

Angular velocity

T :

Torque

References

  1. T. Wright, Fluid Machinery (Performance, Analysis and Design), CRC Press (1999) 7–40.

    Google Scholar 

  2. J. F. Gülich, Centrifugal Pumps, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Heidelberg (2010) 39–49.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  3. M. W. Heo, K. Kim, J. H. Kim and Y. S. Choi, High efficiency design of a mixed-flow pump using a surrogate model, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 30 (2) (2016) 541–547.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. J. H. Kim, H. C. Lee, J. H. Kim, S. Kim, J. Y. Yoon and Y. S. Choi, Design techniques to improve the performance of a centrifugal pump using CFD, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 29 (1) (2015) 215–225.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. S. Kim, K. Y. Lee, J. H. Kim and Y. S. Choi, A numerical study on the improvement of suction performance and hydraulic efficiency for a mixed-flow pump impeller, Mathematical Problems in Engineering, 2014 (269483) (2014) 17.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Y. I. Kim, S. Kim, H. M. Yang, K. Y. Lee, J. H. Kim and Y. S. Choi, A numerical study on suction performance of a mixed-flow pump with variation of impeller blade thickness, The Korean Society for Fluid Machinery (KSFM) Summer Conference (2018) 157–158.

    Google Scholar 

  7. I. J. Karassik and J. T. McGuire, Centrifugal Pumps, Chapman & Hall (1998) 401–472.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  8. L. Bachus and A. Custodio, Know and Understand Centrifugal Pumps, Elsevier Ltd. (2003) 51–73.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  9. S. Kim, K. Y. Lee, J. H. Kim, J. Y. Yoon and Y. S. Choi, Design of mixed-flow pump for Ns475 based on optimum design database, The International Journal of Fluid Machinery and Systems, 11 (2) (2018) 123–128.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Y. S. Choi, S. Kim, K. Y. Lee and J. H. Kim, Hydrodynamic design system for mixed flow pumps based on optimum design database, 7th International Conference on Pumps and Fans (2015).

    Google Scholar 

  11. A. J. Stepanoff, Centrifugal and Axial Flow Pumps, John Wiley & Sons (1957) 90–108.

    Google Scholar 

  12. K. Imaichi, Y. Murakami, H. Tsurusaki and K. R. Cho, The Basis of Pump Design, Daiyoungsa (2002) 62–128.

    Google Scholar 

  13. S. Kim, W. B. Jung, K. Y. Lee, J. H. Kim, J. Y. Yoon and Y. S. Choi, Design optimization of mixed-flow pump impellers with various shaft diameters at the same specific speed, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 32 (3) (2018) 1171–1180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. S. Kim, K. Y. Lee, J. H. Kim, J. H. Kim, U. H. Jung and Y. S. Choi, High performance hydraulic design techniques of mixed-flow pump impeller and diffuser, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 29 (1) (2015) 227–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. ANSYS, Boundary Conditions: Interface, User Manual for ANSYS CFXPre Version 17.0, ANSYS, Inc. (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  16. D. Zhu, R. Tao and R. Xiao, Anti-cavitation design of the symmetric leading-edge shape of mixed-flow pump impeller blades, Symmetry, 11 (1) (2019) 46.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. ANSYS, CFX. Version 17.0, ANSYS CFX-Solver Theory Gu/de, ANSYS, Inc. (2016).

    Google Scholar 

  18. K. S. Lee, K. Y. Kim and A. Samad, Design optimization of low-speed axial flow fan blade with three-dimensional RANS analysis, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 22 (10) (2008) 1864–1869.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. S. Y. Lee and K. Y. Kim, Design optimization of axial flow compressor blades with three-dimensional navier-stokes solver, KSME International Journal, 14 (9) (2000) 1005–1012.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. K Y. Kim and S. J. Seo, Shape optimization of forward-curved-blade centrifugal fan with Navier-Stokes analysis, Journal of Fluids Engineering, 126 (5) (2004) 735–742.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Y. Fu et al., Numerical and experimental analysis of flow phenomena in a centrifugal pump operating under low flow rates, ASME Journal of Fluids Engineering, 137 (1) (2014) 011102–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Y. I. Kim et al., Analysis of internal flow and cavitation characteristics for a mixed-flow pump with various blade thickness effects, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 33 (7) (2019) 3333–3344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. F. Tang and J. W. Li, Numerical simulation of rotating cavitation in a liquid hydrogen pump inducer, Proceedings of the 13th Asian Congress of Fluid Mechanics, Dhaka, Bangladesh (2010).

    Google Scholar 

  24. H. Ding et al., Demonstration and validation of a 3D CFD simulation tool predicting pump performance and cavitation for industrial applications, ASME Journal of Fluids Engineering, 133(1) (2011) 011101–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. X. Liu et al., Characteristics of unsteady excitation induced by cavitation in axial-flow oil-gas multiphase pumps, Advances in Mechanical Engineering, 10 (4) (2018).

    Google Scholar 

  26. P. Zwart, A. G. Gerber and T. Belamri, A two-phase model for predicting cavitation dynamics, Proceedings of International Conference on Multiphase Flow, Yokohama, Japan (2004) 152.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Y. Shen and P. Dimotakis, The Influence of surface cavitation on hydrodynamic forces, Proc. 22nd ATTC, St. Johns, Canada (1989) 44–53.

    Google Scholar 

  28. A. G. Gerber, A CFD model for devices operating under extensive cavitation conditions, IMECE 2002, New Orleans, LA (2002).

    Google Scholar 

  29. C. R. Hick and K. V. Turner, Fundamental Concepts in the Design of Experiments, Fifth Edition, Oxford University Press, New York (1999) 239–267.

    Google Scholar 

  30. R. H. Myers and D. C. Montgomery, Response Surface Methodology: Process and Process and Product Optimization Using Designed Experiments, Second Edition, Wiley Interscience Publication (2002) 85–143.

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  31. X. Suna, S. Kim, S. D. Yang, H. S. Kim and J. Y. Yoon, Multi-objective optimization of a stairmand cyclone separator using response surface methodology and computational fluid dynamics, Powder Technology, 320 (2017) 51–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. KS (Korean Industrial Standards) B (B: Machine) 6301, Testing Methods for Centrifugal Pumps, Mixed Flow Pumps and Axial Flow Pumps, Korea Industrial Standards (2015).

  33. I. J. Karassik, J. P. Messina, P. Cooper and C. C. Heald, Pump Handbook, McGraw Hill (2008) 2.24–2.25.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by a grant of ‘development of holonic manufacturing system for future industrial environment (KITECH EO-20-0019)’ from the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clean Energy R&D Department, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, 89 Yangdaegiro-gil, Ipjangmyeon, Seobuk-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do, 31056, Korea

    Sung Kim, Yong-In Kim, Jin-Hyuk Kim & Young-Seok Choi

  2. Industrial Technology, Korea University of Science and Technology, 217 Gajeong-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, 34113, Korea

    Yong-In Kim, Jin-Hyuk Kim & Young-Seok Choi

Authors
  1. Sung Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yong-In Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jin-Hyuk Kim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Young-Seok Choi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Young-Seok Choi.

Additional information

Recommended by Editor Yang Na

Sung Kim received his Ph.D. degree in Fluid Engineering at Hanyang University, Korea, in 2019. He is currently a Researcher in the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH). His research interests are turbomachinery (pumps, fans, compressors, turbines, and pump-turbines) design, numerical analyses, optimization techniques, and experimental tests.

Yong-In Kim received his B.S. degree from Chungnam National University, Korea, in 2016. Since March 2017, as a student researcher, he is pursuing his integrated course in Turbomachinery from the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) Campus of University of Science & Technology (UST). His research interests include computational fluid dynamics, design optimization, and experimental tests.

Jin-Hyuk Kim received his Ph.D. degree in Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics at Inha University, Korea, in 2013. He was a postdoctoral researcher in Faculty of Engineering at Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan, in 2013. He is currently a Principal Researcher at Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) and an Assciate Professor at University of Science and Technology (UST), Korea. His research interests are turbo machinery (fans, compressors, pumps, turbines, and pump-turbines) designs and developments; steady and unsteady numerical analyses; optimization methods; flow measurements and experimental techniques.

Young-Seok Choi received his B.S. degree from Seoul National University in 1988, and his M.S. and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the same university in 1990 and 1996, respectively. He is currently a Principal Researcher at Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) and a Professor at University of Science and Technology (UST). His research interests include computational fluid dynamics and design optimization of turbomachinery.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kim, S., Kim, YI., Kim, JH. et al. Design optimization for mixed-flow pump impeller by improved suction performance and efficiency with variables of specific speeds. J Mech Sci Technol 34, 2377–2389 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-020-0515-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-020-0515-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation