Abstract
Comparison between numerical simulation and experimental results for unsteady flow field in a radial diffuser pump is presented for the design operating point. The numerical result is obtained by solving three-dimensional, unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations by the commercial CFD code CFX-10 withk-ω based shear stress transport turbulence model. Two-dimensional PIV measurements are conducted to acquire the experiment result. The phase-averaged velocity and turbulent kinetic energy fields are compared in detail between the results by the two methods in the impeller, diffuser and return channel regions. The qualitative comparison between CFD and PIV results is quite good in the phase-averaged velocity field. Although the turbulence level by PIV is higher than that by CFD generally, the main turbulence features are nearly the same. Furthermore, the blade orientation effect and other associated unsteady phenomena are also examined, in order to enhance the understanding on impeller-diffuser interaction in a radial diffuser pump.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Akin, O. and Rockwell, D., Flow Structure in a Radial Flow Pumping System Using High-Image-Density Particle Image Velocimetry, ASME Journal of Fluids Engineering, 116 (1994), 538–554.
Ardizzon, G. and Pavesi, G., Analysis of Unsteady Flow in a Vaned Diffuser Radial Flow Pump, The 10th International Symposium on Transport Phenomena and Dynamics of Rotating Machinery (Honolulu, Hawaii, USA), (2004–3).
Ardizzon, G. and Pavesi, G., Analysis of Unsteady Impeller Diffuser Interaction in a Centrifugal Pump, 22nd IAHR Symposium on Hydraulic Machinery and Systems (Stockholm, Sweden), (2004–6,7).
Arndt, N., Acosta, A. J., Brennen, C. E. and Caughey, T. K., Experimental Investigation of Rotor-Stator Interaction in a Centrifugal Pump with Several Vaned Diffusers, Journal of Turbomachinery, 112 (1990), 98–108.
Benra, F.-K. and Dohmen, H. J., Numerical Investigation of the Transient Flow in a Centrifugal Pump Stage, 2005 ASME Fluids Engineering Division Summer Meeting and Exhibition (Houston, TX, USA), (2005–6).
Bert, P. F., Combes, J. F. and Kueny. J. L., Unsteady Flow Calculation in a Centrifugal Pump Using a Finite Element Method, XVIII IAHR Symposium on Hydraulic Machinery and Cavitation (Valencia, Spain), (1996–9).
Feng, J., Benra F.-K. and Dohmen. H. J., Numerical Investigation on Pressure Fluctuations for Different Configurations of Vaned Diffuser Pumps, International Journal of Rotating Machinery, (2007), 1–10.
He, L. and Sato, K., Numerical Solution of Incompressible Unsteady Flows in Turbomachinery, ASME Journal of Fluids Engineering, 123 (2001), 680–685.
Menter, F. R.. Two-equation Eddy-viscosity Turbulence Models for Engineering Applications, AIAA-Journal, 32 (1994), 269–289.
Sinha, M. and Katz, J., Quantitative Visualization of the Flow in a Centrifugal Pump with Diffuser Vanes. Part I: On flow structures and turbulence, ASME Journal of Fluids Engineering, 122 (2000), 97–107.
Wuibaut, G., Bois, G., Dupont, P., Caignaert, G. and Stanislas, M., PIV Measurements in the Impeller and the Vaneless Diffuser of a Radial Flow Pump in Design and Off-design Operating Conditions, ASME Journal of Fluids Engineering, 124 (2002), 791–797.
Wuibaut, G., Bois, G., Dupont, P. and Caignaert, G., Rotor Stator Interactions in a Vaned Diffuser of a Radial Flow Pump for Different Flow Rates Using PIV Measurement Technique, 9th International Symposium on Transport Phenomena and Dynamics of Rotating Machinery (Hawaii, USA), (2002–9).
Wuibaut, G., Dupont, P., Caignaert, G. and Bois, G., Rotor Stator Interactions in a Vaned Diffuser Radial Flow Pump, 22nd IAHR Symposium on Hydraulic Machinery and Systems (Stockholm, Sweden), (2004–6,7).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Jianjun Feng: He received his Master-degree from Xi’an University of Technology in 2002. Then he was a Ph.D student in Xi’an Jiaotong University in China. Since late 2003, He works as a scientific employee in the chair of Turbomachinery in University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany. His main scientific interests are impeller-diffuser interactions, including CFD calculations and flow measurements by PIV and LDV.
Prof. F.-K. Benra: He received his PhD-degree from the Turbomachinery Institute of University Duisburg in 1986. Currently he holds the chair of Turbomachinery in University of Duisburg-Essen. His main scientific interests are rotor-stator interaction and fluid-structure interaction in all kinds of turbomachines and flow and heat transfer phenomena in secondary air systems of gas turbines.
Hans Josef Dohmen: He received his PhD-degree from the Turbomachinery Institute of University Duisburg in 1989. His main scientific interests are rotor-stator interaction and fluid-structure interaction in all kinds of turbomachines and flow and heat transfer phenomena in secondary air systems of gas turbines.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Feng, J., Benra, F.K. & Dohmen, H.J. Qualitative comparison between numerical and experimental results of unsteady flow in a radial diffuser pump. J Vis 10, 349–357 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03181893
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03181893