RANS CFD Analysis of Hump Formation Mechanism in Double-Suction Centrifugal Pump under Part Load Condition

Abstract

The RANS (Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations) with CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulation method is used to analyze the head hump formation mechanism in the double-suction centrifugal pump under a part load condition. The purpose is to establish a clear connection between the head hump and the microcosmic flow field structure, and reveal the influence mechanism between them. It is found that the diffuser stall causes a change in the impeller capacity for work, and this is the most critical reason for hump formation. The change in the hydraulic loss of volute is also a reason for hump, and it is analyzed using the energy balance equation. The hump formation mechanism has not been fully revealed so far. This paper found the most critical flow structure inducing hump and revealed its inducing mechanism, and greatly promoted the understanding of hump formation. The impeller capacity for work is analyzed using torque and rotational speed directly, avoiding large error caused by the Euler head formula, greatly enhancing the accuracy of establishing the connection between the impeller capacity for work and the coherent structure in the flow field under a part load condition. When a pump is running in the hump area, a strong vibration and noise are prone to occur, endangering the pump safety and reliability, and even the pump start and the transition of different working conditions may be interrupted. Revealing the hump formation mechanism provides a key theoretical basis for suppressing hump. Hump problems are widespread in many kinds of pumps, causing a series of troubles and hazards. The analysis method in this paper also provides a reference for other pumps.