Robert Rey

Numerical and Experimental Investigations of the Cavitating Behavior of an Inducer

A robust CFD model is described, suitable for general three-dimensional flows with extensive cavitation at large density ratios. The model utilizes a multiphase approach, based on volume-scalar-equations, a truncated RayleighPlesset equation for bubble dynamics, and specific numerical modifications (in a finite-volume solution approach) to promote robust solutions when cavitation is present. The model is implemented in the CFD software CFX TASCflow 2.12. The validation of the model was done on an inducer designed and tested at LEMFI. First, The physical model and the numerical aspects are described. Then, the experimental and numerical methodologies, at cavitating regime, are presented. Finally, for several flow rates, the comparisons between experimental and simulated results on the overall performances, head drop and cavitation figures, are discussed. For a range of flow rates, good agreement between experiment and prediction was found.

Numerical Modelization of the Flow in Centrifugal Pump: VoluteInfluence in Velocity and Pressure Fields

A 3D-CFD simulation of the impeller and volute of a centrifugal pump has been performed using CFX codes. The pump has a specific speed of 32 (metric units) and an outside impeller diameter of 400 mm. First, a 3D flow simulation for the impeller with a structured grid is presented. A sensitivity analysis regarding grid quality and turbulence models were also performed. The final impeller model obtained was used for a 3D quasi-unsteady flow simulation of the impeller-volute stage. A procedure for designing the volute, the nonstructured grid generation in the volute, and the interface flow passage between the impeller and volute are discussed. This flow simulation was carried out for several impeller blades and volute tongue relative positions. As a result, velocity and pressure field were calculated for different flow rates, allowing to obtain the radial thrust on the pump shaft.

Influence of Splitter Blades on the Flow Field of a Centrifugal Pump:Test-Analysis Comparison

This work aims at studying the influence of adding splitter blades on the performance of a hydraulic centrifugal pump. The studied machine is an ENSIVAL-MORET MP 250.200.400 pump (diameter = 408 mm, 5 blades, specific speed = 32), whose impeller is designed with and without splitter blades. Velocity and pressure fields are computed using unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) approach at different flow rates. The sliding mesh method is used to model the rotor zone motion in order to simulate the impeller-volute casing interaction. The flow morphology analysis shows that, when adding splitter blades to the impeller, the impeller periphery velocities and pressures become more homogeneous. An evaluation of the static pressure values all around the impeller is performed and their integration leads to the radial thrust. Global and local experimental validations are carried out at the rotating speed of 900 rpm, for both the original and the splitter blade impellers. The head is evaluated at various flow rates: 50%, 80%, 100%, and 120% of the flow rate at the best efficiency point (BEP). The pressure fluctuations are measured at four locations at the BEP using dynamic pressure sensors. The experimental results match the numerical predictions, so that the effect of adding splitter blades on the pump is acknowledged. Adding splitters has a positive effect on the pressure fluctuations which decrease at the canal duct.

Inverse Design Method for Centrifugal Impellers and Comparison with Numerical Simulation Tools

A process that enables us to improve the design of 2D centrifugal and helico-centrifugal pumps is presented. First of all, the definition of the impeller geometry as well as the analysis of its global performances are carried out starting from the mean streamline method (1D), based at the same time on ideal models and experimental correlations. A second stage of optimisation is achieved from a quasi three-dimensional (Q3D) method, by studying the meridional flow and blade-to-blade flow. Finally, 3D flow solution is performed by CFD tools. Nowadays, we have a group of tools which help the designers improve the performance of new machines. These digital tools are built around two computer programs, HELIOX developed for design and performance analysis in any centrifugal and mixed flow pumps equipped with volute or deswirl vanes, and also the module REMIX that gathers the meridional flow analysis and the simplified blade-to-blade one. To validate this procedure, a centrifugal machine with a volute (NS32) was modified and studied with it, and the results were simultaneously compared with the previous trial runs and with the software CFX-BladeGEN+ and CFX-TASCflow. The results for a machine equipped with a deswirl (VM51) are also presented.

Experimental Analysis of an Axial Inducer Influence of the Shape of the Blade Leading Edge on the Performances in Cavitating Regime

We analyze, from experimental results, the influence of the shape of the leading edge and its sharpening on the cavitating behavior of an inducer. The studied inducer is designed according to a methodology developed at LEMFI. Successive cutting and sharpening (four cuts, which modify up to 20 percent of the blade chord at the tip), were made to modify the shape of the leading edge. For the various geometries, the experimental results obtained on the LEMFI test rig are presented as follows. Noncavitating Regime.- Overall performances at 1450 rpm. Cavitating Regime.- (1) The development of the cavitation versus the cavitation number, (2) the description of the various cavitation pictures, and (3) the pressure fluctuations measured at the wall at 150 mm downstream of the trailing edge for various flow: rates and inlet pressures. The CFD simulations carried out under CFX-Blade Gen + on this range of inducers are presented to explain certain aspects observed

Flow Study in the Impeller–Diffuser Interface of a Vaned Centrifugal Fan

In order to better understand the behavior of the fluid flow in vaned centrifugal fans, theoretical and experimental work has been carried out on unsteady three-dimensional (3D) flows. Particular attention is given to the flows located at the rotor-stator interface. This zone is the seat of strong interactions between the moving part and the fixed part. This phenomenon has as consequences: Strongly unsteady flow, fluctuating forces on the stator blades, and an efficiency decrease. This work is part of a project which main objective is the aeroacoustic optimization of high speed centrifugal fans. We present in this paper the first results, mainly aerodynamic ones, which will be used thereafter as an input data to aeroacoustic modeling. A numerical simulation tool was used in order to determine the kinematics and the dynamics of these flows. The measurements of the steady and unsteady flow characteristics allowed a comparison of the theoretical and experimental results.

Effect of inlet duct contour and lack thereof on the noise generated of an axial flow fan

Abstract This study concerns the unsteady flows in turbomachines in general, and the aeroacoustics of fans in particular. The principal objective of this paper is the determination of the influence of the upstream environment on the acoustic and aerodynamic behavior of axial fans. After analysis of the various sources of noise present in turbomachines, interest is focused on the influence of the disturbances of the velocity field at the suction. Accordingly, the effect of the presence of a contoured duct and a lack thereof at the inlet of an axial flow fan is analyzed . The results show the strong involvement of the upstream turbulence level in the generation of the noise, and in particular, of broadband noise.

Numerical Turbulent Simulation of the Two-Phase Flow (Liquid/Gas) Through a Cascade of an Axial Pump

The main goal of the present work is to establish the analysis of a numerical turbulent simulation of an axial pump cascade under two-phase flow presence of liquid and gas, coupled with the κ-e turbulent model. This knowledge is very important for different applications, for example in the oil industry. indeed, the transport of two-phase flow (oil and gas) that comes from the well implies the utilization of separation and treatment facilities before pumping. It means that a number of economical resources are involved in this kind of industrial operation. Therefore, depending on the function optimization of this type of two-phase pump, it would permit the substitution of the traditional expensive facilities, in addition to energy cost savings. In order to predict the fluid dynamics characteristics of an axial pump cascade under two-phase flow conditions with a view to improving its performance, the present research will describe a multifluid model in order to solve the momentum equations (Navier-Stokes) coupled with the continuity equation. Here, we will use a modified κ-e turbulent model, taking into account the viscosity of the liquid phase and the compressibility of the gas phase, using the CFD simulator: CFX-4.0

Design and Experimental Validation of a Ducted Counter-rotating Axial-flow Fans System

An experimental study on the design of counter-rotating axial-flowfans was carried out. The fans were designed using an inversemethod. In particular, the system is designed to have a pure axialdischarge flow. The counter-rotating fans operate in a ducted-flowconfiguration and the overall performances are measured in a nor-malized test bench. The rotation rate of each fan is independentlycontrolled. The relative axial spacing between fans can vary from17% to 310%. The results show that the efficiency is stronglyincreased compared to a conventional rotor or to a rotor-statorstage. The effects of varying the rotation rates ratio on the overallperformances are studied and show that the system has a very flexi-ble use, with a large patch of high efficient operating points in theparameter space. The increase of axial spacing causes only a smalldecrease of the efficiency. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4007591]

Influence of Impeller Geometry on the Unsteady Flow in a Centrifugal Fan: Numerical and Experimental Analyses

The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of design parameters on the unsteady flow in a forward-curved centrifugal fan and their impact on the aeroacoustic behavior. To do so, numerical and experimental studies have been carried out on four centrifugal impellers designed with various geometrical parameters. The same volute casing has been used to study these impellers. The effects on the unsteady flow behavior related to irregular blade spacing, blade count and radial distance between the impeller periphery and the volute tongue have been studied. The numerical simulations of the unsteady flow have been carried out using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tools based on the unsteady Reynolds averaged Navier Stokes (URANS) approach. The study is focused on the unsteadiness induced by the aerodynamic interaction between the volute and the rotating impeller blades. In order to predict the acoustic pressure at far field, the unsteady flow variables provided by the CFD calculations have been used as inputs in the Ffowcs Williams-Hawkings equations (FW-H). The experimental part of this work concerns measurement of aerodynamic performance of the fans using a test bench built according to ISO 5801 (1997) standard. In addition to this, pressure microphones have been flush mounted on the volute tongue surface in order to measure the wall pressure fluctuations. The sound pressure level (SPL) measurements have been carried out in an anechoic room in order to remove undesired noise reflections. Finally, the numerical results have been compared with the experimental measurements and a correlation between the wall pressure fluctuations and the far field noise signals has been found.