Numerical investigations of vortex flows and vortex suppression schemes in a large pumping-station sump

Abstract

This work uses a commercial computational fluid dynamics code to predict three-dimensional (3D) vortex flows in a large centrifugal-pump station under construction in China and proposes relevant vortex-eliminating schemes. Because of the complex nature of the vortex flows in sumps, different turbulence models, namely, standard k–ε, re-normalization group k–ε and realizable k–ε models, are first used to investigate their feasibility in predicting flows in a small physical model of an open pump sump, and various vortex streamlines and strength in the sump are predicted, analysed, and compared with the experimental data. The comparisons show that the realizable k–ε model predicts the position and strength of free-surface, sidewall-attached, and floor-attached vortices more accurately than the other two models. Then, the realizable k–ε model is used here to investigate 3D vortex flows in a large pumping-station sump. All the various vortices, such as free-surface, wall-attached vortices, are successfully predicted. Thus, based on the information of location, shape, size, and strength of the calculated vortices, three types of vortex-eliminating devices are proposed and their corresponding vortex suppression effects are analysed. These results will be used as reference for the safe and stable operation of the Hui–Nan–Zhuang pumping station in the future.