Using Viscous Calculations in Pump Design

Abstract

A viscous computer code for designing the meridional channels of high-performance pumps is presented. An averaging technique is used to reduce the three-dimensional flow to a two-dimensional model. The code, based upon an implicit finite difference method for steady two-dimensional incompressible flows, was validated in complex flow geometries prior to application in the design analysis of an actual pump. Viscous effects are taken into account by two different turbulence models. The Navier-Stokes solver is used in conjunction with a standard blade-to-blade calculation by means of an automatic graphic procedure that exchanges geometric and flowfield data. Various meridional shape solutions are presented and discussed in relation to physical evidence.