Reynolds Number Effects on the Performance Characteristic of a Small Regenerative Pump

Abstract

This paper studies the effect of the Reynolds number on the performance characteristics of a small regenerative pump. Since regenerative pumps have low specific speeds, they are usually applicable to small devices such as micropumps. As the operating Reynolds number decreases, nondimensional similarity parameters such as flow and head coefficients and efficiency become dependent on the Reynolds number. In this study, the Reynolds number based on the impeller diameter and rotating speed varied between 5.52×103 and 1.33×106. Complex three-dimensional flow structures of internal flow vary with the Reynolds numbers. The coefficients of the loss models are obtained by using the calculated through flows in the impeller. The estimated performances obtained by using one-dimensional modeling agreed reasonably well with the numerically calculated performances. The maximum values of flow and head coefficients depended on the Reynolds number when it is smaller than 2.65×105. The critical value of the Reynolds number for loss coefficient and maximum efficiency variations with Reynolds number was 1.0×105.