Study of transient pressure and fluctuation characteristics in a centrifugal pump using the delayed detached-eddy simulation method

Abstract

This study employed OpenFOAM, the delayed detached-eddy simulation (DDES) turbulence model, and structured grids to develop numerical models for three centrifugal pumps with twisted blades. The internal pressure field, velocity field, forces, and fluctuation characteristics of the centrifugal pumps are comprehensively analyzed under various operating conditions. The findings indicate that the pressure is relatively higher in the flow passages near the volute tongue and the outlet within the impeller. Regions of high relative velocity (slip velocity) are mainly found on the suction side of the blades, indicating that the design of the blade suction side affects the fluid outward slip performance. As the flow rate increases, the forces and force fluctuation amplitudes of each pump component also rise. Conversely, as the rotational speed increases, the force on the blades or impeller gradually increases while the fluctuation amplitude decreases. In the stationary domain, the force on the volute gradually decreases while the fluctuation amplitude of this force increases. The shape of the volute tongue influences the rate at which pressure inside the volute is converted to outlet pressure. The power spectral density (PSD) of pressure fluctuations is smallest at the nominal flow rate, displaying a clear and distinct axial frequency pattern without complex low-frequency fluctuations. Under low flow and high-speed conditions, the PSD at the axial frequency is relatively small, whereas the pressure PSD at other low frequencies is relatively large. This indicates instability in the flow under these conditions.

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