Deep analysis of the transient behavior of centrifugal pumps during startup and shutdown

Abstract

The transient startup and shutdown of centrifugal pumps is inevitable and its transient performance has thus attracted increasing attention in recent years. This study aims to reveal the transient characteristics of centrifugal pumps during the start-stop process by using the dimensionless analysis method and quasi-steady-state method. The research objects are three typical centrifugal pumps with an impeller structure. The startup process includes quick and slow startup, and the shutdown process includes low-speed and high-speed idle rotation. Results show that the similarity law of centrifugal pumps can be applied to transient hydraulic performance prediction under full flow conditions during slow startup and under small flow conditions during quick startup and idle shutdown. Quick or slow startup does not affect the evolution of the dimensionless power coefficients. The research result may be useful for the design of the new fluidmachinery equipment by utilizing transient hydraulic performance.