Experimental Investigation on Unsteady Pressure Pulsation in a Centrifugal Pump With Special Slope Volute

Abstract

Rotor–stator interaction, a major source of high amplitude pressure pulsation and flow-induced vibration in the centrifugal pump, is detrimental to stable operation of pumps. In the present study, a slope volute is investigated to explore an effective method to reduce high pressure pulsation level, and its influence on flow structures is analyzed using numerical simulation. The stress is placed on experimental investigation of unsteady pressure pulsation inside the slope volute pump. For that purpose, pressure pulsations are extracted at nine locations along the slope volute casing covering sensitive pump regions. Results show that distinct pressure pulsation peaks at fBPF, together with nonlinear components are captured. These peaks are closely related to the position of pressure transducer and operating conditions of the pump. The improvement of rotational speed of the impeller results in rapid increase of pressure fluctuation amplitude at fBPF and corresponding root mean square (RMS) value within 10–500 Hz. A comparison with conventional spiral volute pump is implemented as well, and it is demonstrated that slope volute contributes significantly to the decline of pressure pulsation level.