Design techniques to improve the performance of a centrifugal pump using CFD

Abstract

A centrifugal pump is the most common type of pump used in industrial areas. To design a higher-performance pump, design optimizationusing mechanical concepts is required. In this study, optimization of an impeller and a volute was carried out to improve the performanceof a centrifugal pump. The base impeller was designed using fluid machinery design theory and internal design databases, andits performance was evaluated through numerical analysis. Design optimization was then performed to improve the performance of thebase impeller. The design variables and variable ranges for the impeller were defined. Based on these design variables and ranges, experimentsets were produced, and their performance was evaluated through numerical analysis. An optimized impeller was then producedthat satisfied the design specifications according to a response surface method (RSM) analysis. Finally, the performance of the optimizedimpeller was verified through numerical analysis. Stepanoff theory was also applied in the design of the volute, and an appropriate designwas suggested by modifying the cross-section distribution of the volute and performance evaluation, with numerical analysis.