Test and Numerical Simulation of Pressure Pulsation under the Forward and Reverse Working Conditions of a Horizontal Axial Flow Pump

Abstract

In daily operation, the flow state in the runner chamber of an axial flow pump is extremely complex, and the pressure pulsation caused by the vibration of the unit and the hydraulic excitation is also extremely complex. The pressure pulsation will also greatly damage the flow components of the unit. In this paper, a pressure pulsation test and research on an axial flow pump in a pumping station are conducted. The research results indicate that the pressure pulsation at the inlet of the runner and the inlet of the front guide vane are basically consistent with the numerical simulation results under the rated operating conditions, and the external characteristic curves are basically consistent. When running in the forward direction, the pressure pulsation at the inlet of the runner periodically changes, and the main frequency is the rotational frequency. In the reverse operation, the main frequency of the pressure pulsation at the outlet of the runner is the rotational frequency, and the main frequency of the pressure pulsation at the outlet of the movable guide vane is the pilot frequency; the pressure coefficient changes under different flow conditions. The distribution trends are consistent and decrease with the increase in flow rate; the velocity streamlines are evenly distributed near the design flow rate but are sparse and uneven under low flow conditions. Deviation from the design flow rate should be avoided during normal operation of the unit conditions to ensure safe and stable operation.

Keywords

• axial flow pump
• forward and reverse working conditions
• pressure pulsation test
• flow stall