Radial Force on the Impeller of Centrifugal Pumps With Volute, Semivolute, and Fully Concentric Casings

Abstract

An experimental investigation of the magnitude and direction of the unbalanced radial force on centrifugal pump impellers was made. Pumps with single volute, semiconcentric and fully concentric casings of several specific speeds, collector aspect ratios, and with both closed and semiclosed impellers were tested over the full operating range. An equation enabling prediction of expected radial forces based only on pump geometry, operating speed, and capacity (expressed as fraction of capacity at best efficiency) is presented.