Cavitation Performance of Constant and Variable Pitch Helical Inducers for Centrifugal Pumps: Effect of Inducer Tip Clearance

2019 ◽  
Vol 142 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Enver S. Karakas ◽  
Hiroyoshi Watanabe ◽  
Matteo Aureli ◽  
Cahit A. Evrensel
Keyword(s):  
Bubble Dynamics ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Variable Pitch ◽  
Cavitation Performance ◽  
Constant Pitch ◽  
The Impact

Abstract In this paper, the effect of the inducer tip clearance is studied to understand its impact on the cavitating and noncavitating performance of centrifugal pumps. Helical inducers with constant pitch and with variable (progressive) pitch are considered. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of a single stage pump are conducted on each inducer type to determine the cavitating (two-phase) and noncavitating (single-phase) performance for varying inducer tip clearance. The Rayleigh–Plesset cavitation model is used to understand the bubble dynamics under the assumptions of single fluid undergoing no thermal energy transfer between each phase. Experimental tests are conducted on a pump with the variable pitch inducer to determine the true performance in cavitating and noncavitating operating conditions. Experimental results are compared to the simulations to validate the accuracy of the proposed numerical modeling. Net positive suction head (NPSH) with 3% differential head drop is used as a criterion to identify the true cavitation performance of each inducer configuration. It is found that, as the inducer tip clearance increases, excessive back leakage and larger vortex recirculation occur at the tip location. This results in pressure loss within the inducer and, consequently, degrades the cavitation performance. In addition, the change in cavitation performance with the tip clearance is much more evident for variable pitch inducer geometries as compared to the constant pitch case. Furthermore, the impact on the noncavitating performance of inducer tip clearance is found to be minimal.

Experimental Study of the Effect of Water Spray in the Air on Thermal Transfers Along a Plate of an Exchanger

2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nihel Grich ◽  
Walid Foudhil ◽  
Souad Harmand ◽  
Sadok Ben Jabrallah
Keyword(s):  
Salt Water ◽  
Experimental Tests ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Heated Plate ◽  
Environment Effect ◽  
Single Plate ◽  
Salt Layer ◽  
Turbulent Airflow ◽  
Heat Transfers ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This study is an experimental investigation of the oceanic environment effect on a plate heat exchanger performance. Indeed, an experiment was carried out on a single plate of the exchanger to generate a turbulent airflow in which fine water droplets were injected into a horizontal vein where a heated plate was placed. The experimental tests were conducted for different air velocities and various water concentrations of freshwater and saltwater. In fact, two plate forms were considered: The first one is flat while the second is corrugated. Three main facts were observed in this work: (i) the correlations linking the heat transfer rate to the operating conditions, (ii) the effect of fog addition and the plate form on convective heat transfers, and (iii) the impact of the formation of a salt layer on the surface of the plate in the case of salt water.

Unshrouded Rotor Tip Clearance Effects in Expander Cycle Turbines

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lennard Helmers ◽  
Jens Klingmann
Keyword(s):  
Laser Doppler Anemometry ◽  
Tangential Velocity ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Axial Position ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Channel Measurements ◽  
Velocity Mapping ◽  
Blade Row ◽  
The Impact

Steady flow in axial one-stage turbines is assessed numerically and experimentally. The simulations are performed on coarse meshes using a standard numerical approach (3D, steady state, kε-turbulence model, wall function at solid boundaries). In order to allow for conclusions drawn from these rapid numerical studies, the approach was compared with an explicit LDA (Laser Doppler anemometry) mapping of the velocity field downstream the rotor on a representative turbine stage. A two-component LDA system allowed for measurements of axial and tangential velocity components at varying depth (radius) in the flow channel, Measurements thus correspond to a full plane at constant axial position in the rotating frame of reference of the rotor. Comparison between LDA velocity mapping and CFD results shows good agreement. A series of subsequent simulations is thus used to judge the impact of varied blade/stage design parameters. Two turbine layouts are defined for identical operating conditions and shaft power. The flow in the unshrouded rotor blade row is analyzed for the influence of varying tip clearance size and the dependency on stage velocity triangles. – Known correlations for tip clearance losses (typically used in mean line predictions) are used, though the blade row geometry considered is beyond the limits the correlations are intended for. The absolute loss level found in CFD simulations differs significantly from what is expected when using loss correlations. Still the variation with tip gap size is predicted well by some of the investigated models. As dependency of tip clearance losses on stage velocity triangles is considered, none of the tested correlations gives results consistent with the numerical simulations. The use of standard correlations ‘beyond the limits’ is thus considered to introduce high uncertainty. Due to the good consistency between LDA and numerical results, the conclusions are considered to be valid for stage designs similar to the ones analyzed.

Comparison of Transport Equation-Based Cavitation Models and Application to Industrial Pumps with Inducers

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enver Karakas ◽  
Nehir Tokgoz ◽  
Hiroyoshi Watanabe ◽  
Matteo Aureli ◽  
Cahit Evrensel
Keyword(s):  
Transport Equation ◽  
Centrifugal Pump ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Vaporization Rate ◽  
Centrifugal Pumps ◽  
Cavitation Model ◽  
Cavitation Performance ◽  
High Dependency ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Empirical Constants

Abstract This paper investigates and compares four commonly used flow transport equation-based cavitation models and their applicability to predict the cavitation performance and bubble dynamics of an industrial centrifugal pump with a helical inducer. The main purpose of this study is to identify the most appropriate cavitation model and the associated empirical constants for calculating the cavitation performance of centrifugal pumps with inducers. Each cavitation model is reviewed in detail and the uniqueness of each model is outlined. These cavitation models are incorporated in a computational fluid dynamics code to study the vaporization and condensation transport rate of the fluid. Experimental tests are conducted on the pump to determine the true cavitation performance in terms of Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH). Experimental results are compared to simulation results for different cavitation models to validate accuracy and assumptions of each model, along with the empirical constants. Lastly, bubble formation, cavitation inception, and bubble growth predicted by each cavitation model are compared with the experimental results. A sensitivity analysis is conducted in order to determine the impact of each set of empirical constants to the condensation and the vaporization rate in the centrifugal pump. Results show that two of the cavitation models exhibit high dependency on the empirical constants in terms of change in vaporization rate. Modifications to empirical constants for two of the four cavitation models are suggested to obtain agreement with the experimentally observed cavitation behavior and better predict NPSH performance for the industrial pump studied.

Facing the Challenges in CFD Modelling of Multistage Axial Compressors

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Cozzi ◽  
Filippo Rubechini ◽  
Michele Marconcini ◽  
Andrea Arnone ◽  
Pio Astrua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Steady State ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Cfd Modelling ◽  
Main Research ◽  
Axial Compressors ◽  
Rotor Stator Interaction ◽  
The Impact

Multistage axial compressors have always been a great challenge for designers since the flow within these kind of machines, subjected to severe diffusion, is usually characterized by complex and widely developed 3D structures, especially next to the endwalls. The development of reliable numerical tools capable of providing an accurate prediction of the overall machine performance is one of the main research focus areas in the multistage axial compressor field. This paper is intended to present the strategy used to run numerical simulations on compressors achieved by the collaboration between the University of Florence and Ansaldo Energia. All peculiar aspects of the numerical setup are introduced, such as rotor/stator tip clearance modelling, simplified shroud leakage model, gas and turbulence models. Special attention is payed to the mixing planes adopted for steady-state computations because this is a crucial aspect of modern heavy-duty transonic multistage axial compressors. In fact, these machines are characterized by small inter-row axial gaps and transonic flow in front stages, which both may affect non-reflectiveness and fluxes conservation across mixing planes. Moreover, the high stage count may lead to conservation issues of the main flow properties form inlet to outlet boundaries. Finally, the likely occurrence of partspan flow reversal in the endwall regions affects the robustness of non-reflecting mixing plane models. The numerical setup has been validated on an existing machine produced and experimentally tested by Ansaldo Energia. In order to evaluate the impact on performance prediction of the mixing planes introduced in the steady-state computation, un-steady simulations of the whole compressor have been performed at different operating conditions. These calculations have been carried out both at the compressor design point and close to the surge-line to evaluate the effect of rotor/stator interaction along the compressor working line.

Integration of 3D-CFD Component Simulation Into Overall Engine Performance Analysis for Engine Condition Monitoring Purposes

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Klein ◽  
F. Wolters ◽  
S. Reitenbach ◽  
D. Schönweitz
Keyword(s):  
Performance Analysis ◽  
Condition Monitoring ◽  
Guide Vane ◽  
Engine Performance ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Inlet Guide Vane ◽  
Cfd Model ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Engine Condition

For an efficient detection of single or multiple component damages, the knowledge of their impact on the overall engine performance is crucial. This knowledge can be either built up on measurement data, which is hardly available to non-manufacturers or –maintenance companies, or simulative approaches such as high fidelity component simulation combined with an overall cycle analysis. Due to a high degree of complexity and computational effort, overall system simulations of jet engines are typically performed as 0-dimensional thermodynamic performance analysis, based on scaled generic component maps. The approach of multi-fidelity simulation, allows the replacement of single components within the thermodynamic cycle model by higher-order simulations. Hence, the component behavior becomes directly linked to the actual hardware state of the component model. Hereby the assessment of component deteriorations in an overall system context is enabled and the resulting impact on the overall system can be quantified. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the capabilities of multi fidelity simulation in the context of engine condition monitoring. For this purpose, a 0D-performance model of the IAE-V2527 engine is combined with a CFD model of the appropriate fan component. The CFD model comprises the rotor as well as the outlet guide vane of the bypass and the inlet guide vane of the core section. As an exemplarily component deterioration, the fan blade tip clearance is increased in multiple steps and the impact on the overall engine performance is assessed for typical engine operating conditions. The harmonization between both simulation levels is achieved by means of an improved map scaling approach using an optimization strategy leading to practicable simulation times.

Flow Visualization of Unsteady and Transient Phenomena in a Mixed-Flow Multiphase Pump

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Serena ◽  
Lars E. Bakken
Keyword(s):  
Two Phase Flow ◽  
Flow Patterns ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Homogeneous Distribution ◽  
Phase Flow ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Inlet Flow ◽  
Transient Phenomena ◽  
Multiphase Pump

The flow inside of turbomachines rotating channels, when operating away from the design point, is intrinsically unsteady; two-phase flow and part-load operation further complicate the analysis, introducing additional challenges. Transient phenomena, linked to the typical unsteadiness of multiphase flows (bubble formation, coalescence or breakdown, segregation and gas locking) and to variable inlet flow compositions, as in case of slug flow, require advanced analysis tools which can reveal the local flow mechanisms responsible for performance degradation and instabilities. General trends can be outlined, but the air accumulation zones and two-phase flow patterns are highly dependent on the machine design. The flow regimes vary from a homogeneous distribution of fine bubbles, evenly dispersed and carried away by the main flow, to more complex flow patterns, especially when the phases separate or the bubbles coalesce forming a gas pocket which adheres to a wide portion of the channel wall. Tests are performed on a multiphase pump laboratory, recently installed at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, which allows a complete optical access to the pump channels and fine adjustments in the inlet configuration and the tip clearance gap; the air can be injected from different locations producing transient regimes too. A high speed camera provides an interesting insight into the transient flow phenomena. This paper focuses on these specific ones: - Irregular backflow and swirl at the inlet section - Gas accumulation zones and contribution of the tip leakage to mixing - Flow pattern shift to phase segregation, as the relative flow is reduced - Origin of pump blockage, when increasing gas contents cannot be carried away by the water phase - Flow and machine parameters response to a variation in the inlet flow Tests are performed at various operating conditions — rotational speed, mixture composition and impeller tip clearance. The study is completed with the time and frequency domain analysis of the pressure pulsations at surging and during specific transient events.

scholarly journals Massively Parallel Large Eddy Simulation of Rotating Turbomachinery for Variable Speed Gas Turbine Engine Operation

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 703
Author(s):  
Nishan Jain ◽  
Luis Bravo ◽  
Dokyun Kim ◽  
Muthuvel Murugan ◽  
Anindya Ghoshal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Massively Parallel ◽  
Rotor Speed ◽  
Tip Leakage Flow ◽  
Engine Operation ◽  
Large Eddy ◽  
The Impact

Gas turbine engines are required to operate at both design and off-design conditions that can lead to strongly unsteady flow-fields and aerodynamic losses severely impacting performance. Addressing this problem requires effective use of computational fluid dynamics tools and emerging models that resolve the large scale fields in detail while accurately modeling the under-resolved scale dynamics. The objective of the current study is to conduct massively parallel large eddy simulations (LES) of rotating turbomachinery that handle the near-wall dynamics using accurate wall models at relevant operating conditions. The finite volume compressible CharLES solver was employed to conduct the simulations over moving grids generated through Voronoi-based unstructured cells. A grid sensitivity analysis was carried out first to establish reliable parameters and assess the quality of the results. LES simulations were then conducted to understand the impact of blade tip clearance and operating conditions on the stage performance. Variations in tip clearance of 3% and 16% chord were considered in the analysis. Other design points included operation at 100% rotor speed and off-design conditions at 75% and 50% of the rotor speed. The simulation results showed that the adiabatic efficiency improves dramatically with reduction in tip gap due to the decrease in tip leakage flow and the resulting flow structures. The analysis also showed that the internal flow becomes highly unsteady, undergoing massive separation, as the rotor speed deviates from the design point. This study demonstrates the capability of the framework to simulate highly turbulent unsteady flows in a rotating turbomachinery environment. The results provide much needed insight and massive data to investigate novel design concepts for the US Army Future Vertical Lift program.

scholarly journals Bubble Dynamics in a Narrow Gap Flow under the Influence of Pressure Gradient and Shear Flow

Fluids ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 208
Author(s):  
Peter Reinke ◽  
Jan Ahlrichs ◽  
Tom Beckmann ◽  
Marcus Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Shear Flow ◽  
Pressure Gradient ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Bubble Dynamics ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
High Speed Imaging ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Bubble Generation ◽  
Gap Flow ◽  
The Impact

The volume-of-flow method combined with the Rayleigh–Plesset equation is well established for the computation of cavitation, i.e., the generation and transportation of vapor bubbles inside a liquid flow resulting in cloud, sheet or streamline cavitation. There are, however, limitations, if this method is applied to a restricted flow between two adjacent walls and the bubbles’ size is of the same magnitude as that of the clearance between the walls. This work presents experimental and numerical results of the bubble generation and its transportation in a Couette-type flow under the influence of shear and a strong pressure gradient which are typical for journal bearings or hydraulic seals. Under the impact of variations of the film thickness, the VoF method produces reliable results if bubble diameters are less than half the clearance between the walls. For larger bubbles, the wall contact becomes significant and the bubbles adopt an elliptical shape forced by the shear flow and under the influence of a strong pressure gradient. Moreover, transient changes in the pressure result in transient cavitation, which is captured by high-speed imaging providing material to evaluate transient, three-dimensional computations of a two-phase flow.

scholarly journals Air Backwash Efficiency on Organic Fouling of UF Membranes Applied to Shellfish Hatchery Effluents

Membranes ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clémence Cordier ◽  
Christophe Stavrakakis ◽  
Patrick Sauvade ◽  
Franz Coelho ◽  
Philippe Moulin
Keyword(s):  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Particle Removal ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Significant Information ◽  
Dead End ◽  
Biodiversity Preservation ◽  
Organic Fouling ◽  
Uf Membranes ◽  
The Impact

Among all the techniques studied to overcome fouling generated in dead-end filtration, the injection of air during backwashes proved to be the most effective. Indeed, shear stress engendered by the two-phase flow enhanced particle removal on membrane surface. This work aims to study the injection of air to drain the membranes before backwash. Firstly, the efficiency of this backwash procedure was evaluated during the ultrafiltration of seawater on a semi industrial pilot plant using different operating conditions. Then, the treatment of seawater, doped with oyster gametes to simulate the filtration of shellfish hatchery effluents, was performed to confirm the hydraulic performance of the air backwash. Indeed, the release of gametes, expulsed by exotic bivalves in the natural environment, could be a risk for the biodiversity preservation. The impact of air backwash on the integrity of oocytes and spermatozoa was identified using flow cytometry and microscopic analyses. When oyster gametes were added, their retention by ultrafiltration was validated. The impact of air backwash on these species viability was a significant information point for the implementation of this process on shellfish production farms.

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