Flow Measurements in a Suction Sump by UVP

Abstract

In the present study, to reveal the air entrainment mechanism into a suction pipe in a suction sump, the authors conduct flow-velocity measurements by UDM (Ultrasonic Doppler Method). Here, we consider the simplest geometry as a suction sump, that is, a straight channel with rectangle-cross section and a simple suction pipe near the end of the channel. Ultrasonic transducers are fixed outside the side, bottom and back walls with right/near-right angles and, we get three-dimensional time-mean velocity distributions and equi-vorticity contours. At first, measurement accuracy is checked by comparing velocity profiles by UDM with hydrogen bubble method. As a result, the authors show typical flow fields in the sump, and show the relation between flow pattern and air entrainment. Especially, we compare two cases where the air entrainment is often observed.

Keywords

• suction sump
• open sump
• two-phase flow
• vortex
• pump
• water tank