Optimization and Cavitation Analysis of Centrifugal Pump with Variable Working Parameters Using Ansys CFX

Abstract

Centrifugal pumps are widely used in a variety of applications. However, their performance can be affected by a number of factors, including rotation speed (RPM), mass flow rate, blade number, and blade geometry. This study used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to investigate the impact of these factors on the internal flow behavior of a centrifugal pump. The results showed that increasing the RPM led to higher output pressure, power output, and head rise, but also decreased efficiency due to heightened turbulence and frictional losses. The mass flow rate was also found to be a critical factor, with excessive flow rates leading to overloading and power losses, while insufficient flow rates resulted in diminished performance and overall efficiency. The blade number and geometry were also found to have a significant impact on flow behavior. Initially, a higher blade number enhanced efficiency by facilitating more efficient power transfer to the fluid. However, beyond a threshold of eight blades, diminishing returns were observed due to complex flow patterns and increased losses. Notably, blade geometry played a pivotal role, with the outlet blade angle exhibiting substantial influence on parameters such as efficiency and output pressure, while the inlet blade angle had limited significance. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the internal flow characteristics of centrifugal pumps. The findings of this study have a number of implications for the design and operation of centrifugal pumps and could also be used to improve efficiency and reliability in practical applications. The results could be used to design pumps that are more resistant to cavitation and also to develop new methods for optimizing the performance of centrifugal pumps.