ABSTRACT
The operation of centrifugal pumps can generate instabilities and pressure pulsations that may be detrimental to the integrity and performance of the pump. In the present study a numerical investigation of the time variation of pressure within a complete pump was undertaken. A range of parameters and three flow rates were investigated and the pulsations were extracted at 15 different locations covering important pump locations experiencing the largest pulsation levels. It was also note that monitoring pulsations at the top dead centre of the pump volute casing would provide a better indication of internal pump pulsations than monitoring at the discharge.
Introduction
Centrifugal pumps have been developed and refined over many years. In practice the design of both the impeller and volute are complex, with numerous geometrical parameters being required to identify a design that will form a hydraulically efficient pump. Even with tried designs it is well known that the operation of rotodynamic pump can result in the generation of the design process used; the final decision regarding the suitability of any significantly new pump design is usually made following physical testing. These tests are often expensive in term of time and resources, for example due to the manufacturing of pattern equipment, the prototype pump itself as well as the assembly and the use of test facilities. Gradually, pump manufacturers are turning to computational techniques to study design features.
