A multi-phase CFD method is used to analyze centrifugal pump performance under developed cavitating conditions. The differential model employed is the homogeneous two-phase Reynolds-Averaged-Navier-Stokes equations, wherein mixture momentum and volume continuity equations are solved along with vapor volume fraction continuity. Mass transfer modeling is provided for the phase change associated with sheet cavitation. Using quasi-3D (Q3D) analysis, steady and time-dependent analyses were performed across a wide range of flow coefficients and cavitation numbers. Characteristic performance trends associated with off-design flow and blade cavitation are observed. The rapid drop in head coefficient at low cavitation numbers (breakdown) is captured for all flow coefficients. Local flow field solution plots elucidate the principal physical mechanisms associated with the onset of breakdown.

Issue Section:
Technical Papers
Keywords:
pumps, performance evaluation, computational fluid dynamics, multiphase flow, Navier-Stokes equations, cavitation
Topics:
Cavitation, Computational fluid dynamics, Design, Flow (Dynamics), Blades, Centrifugal pumps, Pumps, Modeling
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 by ASME
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