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

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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.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Duisburg-Essen, 47048, Duisburg, Germany

    Feng J., Benra F. -K. & Dohmen H. J.

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  1. Feng J.
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  2. Benra F. -K.
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  3. Dohmen H. J.
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Correspondence to Feng J..

Additional information

Jianjun Feng: He received his Master-degree from Xi’an University of Technology in 2002. Then he was a Ph.D student in Xi’an Jiaotong University in China. In 2008, he received his PhD-degree from University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany. His main scientific interests are rotor-stator interactions including CFD simulations and flow measurements by PIV and LDV, and optimization design of steam turbines.

Prof. F.-K. Benra: He received his PhD-degree from the Turbomachinery Institute of University Duisburg in 1986. Currently he holds the chair of Turbomachinery in University of Duisburg-Essen. His main scientific interests are rotor-stator interaction and fluid-structure interaction in all kinds of turbomachines and flow and heat transfer phenomena in secondary air systems of gas turbines.

Hans Josef Dohmen: He received his PhD-degree from the Turbomachinery Institute of University Duisburg in 1989. His main scientific interests are rotor-stator interaction and fluid-structure interaction in all kinds of turbomachines and flow and heat transfer phenomena in secondary air systems of gas turbines.

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Feng, J., Benra, F.K. & Dohmen, H.J. Unsteady flow visualization at part-load conditions of a radial diffuser pump: by PIV and CFD. J Vis 12, 65–72 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03181944

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03181944

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