Design and analysis of flow simulation in a Centrifugal pump using SolidWorks (Computational Fluid Dynamics)

Aim:

To model and perform flow simulation analysis over a centrifugal pump. To find out the performance of the pump using a parametric study with different outlet conditions.

Objective:

1. Create a 3-D model of a centrifugal pump.
2. Create a rotational domain or volume for the rotor
3. Perform flow simulation analysis for the pump
4. Perform parametric study for different outlet conditions.
5. Analyse the performance of the centrifugal pump from the results

Theory:

Centrifugal pumps are one of the most common and widely used pumps for transfering fluids. The pump has rotating impeller that rotates and creates centrifugal force required for fluid displacment. These pumps have the capacity to displace high volumes of water at high flow rates. Their flow rates can be adjusted over a wide range.

The following factors affecting the performance of the pump are:

• working fluid viscosity
• specific density of fluid
• operating temperature and pressure
• net positive suction head and cavitation
• vapour pressure of the working fluid

Model:

The following model comprises of components required to perform the flow simulation analysis. Also the domain for rotation of impeller is also created.

System Parameters

Boundry conditions:

• at inlet, environmental pressure (Atm. pressure)
• at outlet, flow velocity

Mesh refinment: 3 (with advanced channel refinment).

Goals:

• massflow rate at outlet
• total pressure at outlet

Parametric study:

• Design point 1:10 m/s
• Design point 2:15 m/s
• Design point 3:20 m/s
• Design point 4:25 m/s
• Design point 5:30 m/s

Analysis results:

Plot for mass flow rate Vs avg. total pressure at outlet:

Design point 1:

Pressure plot:

Velocity plot:

velocity flow trajectory:

Design point 2:

Pressure plot:

Velocity plot:

Velocity flow trajectory:

Design point 3:

Pressure plot:

Velocity plot:

Velocity flow trajectory:

Design point 4:

Pressure plot:

Velocity plot:

Velocity flow trajectory:

Design point 5:

Pressure plot:

Velocity plot:

Velocity flow trajectory:

Avg total pressure plot for all design points:

Mass flow rate For various design points:

Conclusions:

From the above results the performance of the centrifugal pump is studied. It is found that the mass flow rate of the pump increases as the velocity of the outlet is increased. Also the variation in the total pressure at outlet is found to decrease for the second desighn point after which it steadily increased. Hence, from the above extracted data the pressure ratio for the pump at various outlet conditions are also determined.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1em0BxBhiTCsdkAEVsC3BsS-9b51-8wZs/view?usp=sharing