Analysis and control of flow at suction connection in high-speed centrifugal pump

Abstract

The backflow vortexes at the suction connection in high-speed centrifugal pumps have negative effect on the flow field. Setting an orifice plate in front of the inducer is able to decrease the negative effect caused by backflow vortexes. The traditional plate is able to partially control the backflow vortexes, but a small part of the vortex is still in the inlet and the inducer. Four new types of orifice plates were created, and the control effects on backflow vortexes were analyzed. The ANSYS-CFX software was used to numerically simulate a high-speed centrifugal pump. The variations of streamline and velocity vectors at the suction connection were analyzed. Meanwhile, the effects of these plates on the impeller pressure and the internal flow field of the inducer were analyzed. Numerically, simulation and experimental data analysis methods were used to compare the head and efficiency of the high-speed pumps. The results show that the C-type orifice plate can improve the backflow vortex, reduce the low-pressure area, and improve the hydraulic performance of the high-speed pump.