Theoretical and experimental modal analysis of centrifugal pump radial flow impeller

Abstract

Abstract Modal analysis is extensively used to identify the dynamic properties of a structure in terms of the dynamic characteristics: natural frequency, damping factor and mode shape. In this research, modal analysis has been carried out on a radial flow impeller of a centrifugal pump. The 3-D model of the impeller was built in CAD software Creo Parametric 1.0 from a 2-D drawing and that model was imported in FEA software package ANSYS for conducting modal analysis. The model was meshed effectively using SOLID187 elements. The first twenty natural frequency and mode shapes were extracted and nodal diameter was identified for each mode shape. The experimental modal analysis was conducted using impact hammer and the first twenty natural frequencies were identified using FFT analyzer. The natural frequencies of both the methods were compared and it was found that there is a good agreement between these results, thus the FE model is validated. The results are discussed and conclusions drawn.