Numerical simulation of start-up and shutdown transient processes of super large flow and high-power centrifugal pump

Abstract

Abstract During start-up and shutdown processes, the transient flow of centrifugal pump is complex, which significantly affects the safe and stable operation of the entire pump station. In this paper, considering the effect of the transient process of the pump station, the start-up and shutdown transient processes of a large flow and high-power centrifugal pump was numerically simulated by use of STAR CCM+. The evolution of flow field in the volute and impeller was analyzed. The results show that the flow field of the impeller is filled with complex vortex structures of varying sizes at the beginning of the start-up process of a water pump. As the flow-rate increases, the fluid flow gradually tends to stabilize. During the shutdown process of the water pump, as the flow-rate decreases, the flow field vortices increase progressively, and the flow pattern is unstable. The research results provide a basis for the operation strategy of super large flow and high-power centrifugal pump.