Performance Prediction and Experimental Verification of Axial Flow Pump Based on CFD

Abstract

The full flow field numerical simulation of the axial-flow pump model is carried out to predict the pump performance based on RNG k-ε model and SIMPLE algorithm and the method of calculating head and efficiency. The numerical results show that the head and efficiency prediction curves have a good agreement with the experimental results. In the optimal operating condition, the prediction error of head is 0.04% and the efficiency error is 0.39% which could meet the requirements of engineering applications. The prediction error based on RNG k-ε turbulence model is larger in the off-design condition owing to the complex flow field of axial-flow pump. The predicted head is lower than the experimental results in the small flow rate conditions and its maximum error is 5.12%, while is higher than the experimental data in the large flow rate conditions and its maximum error is 17.39%. The conclusions will provide the basis and reference for the performance prediction of axial-flow pumps based on CFD.