International Journal of Fluid Machinery and Systems DOI: 10.5293/IJFMS.2011.4.1.

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Vol. 4, No. 1, January-March 2011 ISSN (Online): 1882-9554

Original Paper (Invited)

Numerical Design and Performance Prediction of Low Specific

Speed Centrifugal Pump Impeller

Zhang Yongxue, Zhou Xin, Ji Zhongli and Jiang Cuiwei

Faculty of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, China University of Petroleum-Beijing

Beijing, 102249, China
zhyx@cup.edu.cn, zhouxin_928@163.com,
jizl@tsinghua.org.cn, jiangcuiwei123@163.com

Abstract

In this paper, Based on Two-dimensional Flow Theory, adopting quasi-orthogonal method and point-by-point
integration method to design the impeller of the low specific speed centrifugal pump by code, and using RANS
(Reynolds Averaged N-S) Equation with a standard k-ε two-equation turbulence model and log-law wall function to
solve 3D turbulent flow field in the impeller of the low specific speed pump. An analysis of the influences of the blade
profile on velocity distributions, pressure distributions and pump performance and the investigation of the flow
regulation pattern in the impeller of the centrifugal pump are presented. And the result shows that this method can be
used as a new way in low speed centrifugal pump impeller design.

Key words: Low Specific Speed, Centrifugal Pump impeller, Two-dimensional Flow Theory, Numerical Design，
Performance Prediction

1. Introduction
Centrifugal pump is the most widely used vane pump, and a wide variety of centrifugal pump types are used in many different
applications in industry and other technical sectors. After long-term research and practice in centrifugal pump, a wealth of experience
of slope of head-capacity characteristic curve which bring about low flow rate instability and high flow rate power overload [1].
Traditional impeller design methods, which are mainly based on the similarity theory, empirical correlation, combination of model
testing, and engineering experience, their design process are difficult task, mainly due to the great number of free geometric
parameters. [2, 3, 4] So well hydraulic design of low specific pump impeller becomes more difficult and more necessary. Regardless of
the design process used, the final decision of a new pump impeller design is usually made following physical testing. These tests are
often time and resources consuming. In addition, the flow field in impeller channels is very complicated, so that no simple mathematic
model can be established to well predict the performance of impellers. For these reasons CFD (computational fluid dynamics) analysis
is currently being carried out on centrifugal impeller. [5, 6, 7, 8] By using it can provide quite accurate information on the fluid
behaviour, and thus helps the engineers to obtain a thorough performance evaluation of the design.
In this paper, based on Two-dimensional flow theory low specific speed pump impeller design method, which adopting quasi-
orthogonal method and point-by-point integration, is put forward. 3D turbulent flow field in the designed impeller is calculated
numerically by using RANS (Reynolds Averaged N-S) Equation with standard k-ε turbulence model and log-law wall function. And
predicting result of impeller according to the flow is presented.

2. Hydraulic design of impeller

2.1 Design of the meridional section
First, determine the geometrical features (D1, D2, B2, Z, etc.) of the impeller, according to the given set of operating conditions
(usually Q, H, n, available NPSH, etc.) by empirical correlation. Then, for low specific speed centrifugal pump impeller with long
narrow flow channels, in order to convenience and simple of programming and modifying of some parameters, select line and
transition arc to draw the initial meridional section profile. For impellers with an axial inlet, the angle (between inlet edge and shaft
Accepted for publication December 23, 2010: Paper number O10057S
Corresponding author: Zhang Yongxue, Professor, zhyx@cup.edu.cn
This paper was presented at 2010 International Conference on Pumps and Fans, October 18-21, 2010, Hangzhou, China

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direction, 30-40 degree) is about the optimum according to [9]. If the angle is too small, problems with hub cavitations and instabilities
of head-capacity characteristic curve may be encountered. If choosing too large, this may result in too large blade angles on the hub.
2.2 Calculation of meridional flow
Calculate the flow of meridional section by quasi-orthogonal method. This method is to establish the quasi-orthogonal gradient
equation of meridional component of absolute speed and solve it by iterative calculation to get meridional velocity at each point. [10]
The equation:
dCm ⎡⎛ dα ∂α ⎞ 1 sinα1 ∂lnψ ⎤
= Cm ⎢⎜ 1 − 1 sinδ ⎟ − − ⎥ sinδ + K cosδ
ds ⎣⎝ ds ∂l ⎠ cosδ r ∂l ⎦
(1)

dα1
The value of parameter K should be given to solve the equation to get meridional velocity Cm . When we let K = −kCm ,
dl
then the equation will express One-dimensional Flow Theory design at the condition k = 0 , Two-dimensional Flow Theory design
with Ω u = 0 at the condition k = 1 and Two-dimensional Flow Theory design with Ω u ≠ 0 at the condition k ∈ (0,1) . The
relation of quasi-orthogonal, streamline and cross section line is shown in Fig.1.
r

δ
dl
r
α1
dS
γ
dσ
S
σ
Z

Fig. 1 Relation of quasi-orthogonal, streamline and across section line

2.3 Meridional profile adjustments
Since flow cross-section lines are perpendicular to meridional streamlines, after the calculation of meridional flow, the slope on
streamlines at each point can achieve and then cross-section lines can get. To check the meridional profile qualified or not, by
examining the flow cross-section areas distribution along the meridional streamline. If not, adjust the meridional profile and re­
calculate.
The adjust method is: assuming the required areas distribution is S = f (l ) and the calculated value is S , former profile point is
'

p0 (r0 , Z 0 ) and the after adjusting is p1 (r1 , Z1 ) . When the distance between p0 and p1 is small, it can be considered that p1 is
on the tangential direction of the cross-section line at former point p0 ,shown as Fig.2.Then equation about the area difference
'
ΔS = S − S and position of p1 can set up.

p1

p0

Fig. 2 Meridional profile adjustments

2.4 Blade drawing

When assuming impeller has infinite number of blades, the camber lines of blades and streamlines are coincided. After given the
relationship of blade wrapping angle and length of meridional streamline, camber lines can be obtained by solving the integral of the
equation:

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 2
l1 W
ϕ= ∫r
0 Cm
2
− 1dl (2)

2.5 Blade leading and trailing edge smoothing

The geometry of the leading edge plays an important role in the blade design process. It will affect the anti-cavitations performance
of the impeller, especially for low specific speed centrifugal pump impeller. The discontinuities of the leading and trailing edge can be
easily defined using curve approximation techniques. Traditional filleting method can smooth the blade at leading edge, but cannot
modify to meet different requirement. So Bezier curve line is adopted to smooth the blade leading edge, which can be described in
simple and flexible manner and allow for correcting the control point locations according to different conditions. [11] The smoothing
method is shown in Fig.3.

Control
point

Fig. 3 Leading edge of blade smoothing

3. Numerical simulations
3.1 Geometry and Grid
Use the method mentioned above, a pump impeller (Flow rate Q = 45.68m 3 /h , Head H = 46.41m , Rotate speed n = 2900 r/min )
has designed with parameters as D j = 66mm , b2 = 9mm , D2 = 202mm and Z = 5 .The impeller model is shown in Fig.4.

Fig. 4 Impeller model

The calculation domain is mainly composed of two parts, the static component and the rotating impeller. The discretization of
the geometry is done keeping the balance between calculation time and the accuracy order of the simulation of the flow structure.
And it is generated by the GAMBIT pre-process code, and un-structure tetrahedral grid with strong flexibility is adopted for the
mesh. The computational region and grids are shown in Fig.5.

Fig. 5 Computational gird

3.2 Flow Calculate

Supposing the fluid is viscous and incompressible, the simulation is conducted by applying uncompressible mass conservation
equations, and Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations as well as the standard k-ε turbulent model which is implemented on

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commercial code (FLUENT). [12] For such calculations, wall functions, based on the logarithmic law, have been used. The pressure-
velocity coupling is calculated through the SIMPLEC algorithm. Second order, upwind discretizations have been used for convection
terms and PRESTO! for pressure terms.
3.3 Boundary Conditions
Inlet boundary condition is the velocity inlet and assumed as a uniform velocity distribution. In the present work, the absolute
velocity in the axial direction is assumed to be uniform and its magnitude is computed from the specified flow rate. The magnitudes of
the absolute velocity vectors in radial and tangential directions are assumed to be zero. Outlet the outflow is given as boundary
condition. The solid wall such as blade surface, hub and shroud is given the moving wall and non-slip condition. The flow rate is
changed by modifying the velocity magnitude at the inlet.

4. Performance prediction
4.1 Head calculation
The energy H gained by the fluid through the impeller, is computed from the total energy of the fluid at the inlet and outlet of
the impeller: [13]
1 ⎛ p 2 − p1 c22 − c12 ⎞
Q ∫ ⎝⎜ ρg
H = H 2 − H1 = ⋅ ⎜ + ⎟ ⋅ dq (3)
2g ⎟⎠

Where the right-hand side integral can be approximated by a summation over the radial flow rates dq at all grid cells facing at
inlet or outlet of the impeller.
4.2 Hydraulic efficiency calculation
The hydraulic efficiency of the impeller is defined as the ratio of the net energy (H) added to the passing fluid, divided by the
energy (Hu) given at the impeller shaft. And Hu can be calculated from the torque Mu developed on the blades:
r r r r
ω ⋅ M u ω ⋅ ∫ [(r × n ) ⋅ p + (r × τ w ) ⋅ cot β ] ⋅ b ⋅ dr (4)
Hu = =
ρ ⋅ g ⋅Q ρ ⋅ g ⋅Q

So the hydraulic efficiency of the impeller can be finally defined as:

H (5)
η=
Hu

5. Simulation results and analysis

The distribution of the relative velocity and pressure in impeller channels, the performance of impellers are determined by its
structural parameter, geometrical shape, rotational speed, capacity, inlet and outlet condition.
The simulation results of the relative velocity and pressure are obtained at rotating speed n = 2900 rpm and flow rate at 0.6Q,
0.8Q, Q, 1.2Q and 1.4Q.
5.1 Relative Velocity
When the capacity Q = 45.68m 3 /h , the relative velocity contours between blades at different value of d/D2 (0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0)
are shown in Fig.6.(a)-(d). And Fig.7 shows there relative positions and relative velocity distribution on the impeller.

a) d/D2=0.4 b) d/D2=0.6

c) d/D2=0.8 d) d/D2=1.0

Fig. 6 Distribution of relative velocity at different diameters (m/s)

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 Fig. 7 Distribution of relative velocity (m/s)

From these Figures, it can be seen that the relative velocity at the suction side of the blade is larger than pressure side at the
same diameters. At d/D2=0.4, the maximum value is located at the junction of suction side and shroud. As the fluid move along
the passage, the location of the maximum value changes from shroud side to hub and the relative velocity come to be more
uniform.
5.2 Static Pressure
When the capacity Q = 45.68m 3 /h , the static pressure contours between blades at different value of d/D2 (0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0) are
shown in Fig.8.(a)-(d). And Fig.9 shows there relative position and pressure distribution on the impeller.

a) d/D2=0.4 b) d/D2=0.6

c) d/D2=0.8 d) d/D2=1.0

Fig. 8 Distribution of static pressure at different diameters (Pa)

Fig. 9 Distribution of static pressure (Pa)

As it can be seen from the above Figures, the static pressure on the pressure side is larger than that on the suction side. The
minimum value exists at the junction of suction side and shroud, and the maximum value exists at the junction of pressure side
and hub. As the fluid move along the passage, the pressure values get enlarged and pressure distribution becomes more uniform.
From Fig.(10). and Fig.(11) , it can be seen that, the pressure is enlarged uniformly from leading edge to the trailing But at the
outlet of the impeller, there exists local non-uniform pressure distribution, which may cause energy loss.

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 Fig. 10 Distribution of static pressure on the blade (Pa)

Fig. 11 Distribution of static pressure near the trailing edge (Pa)

5.3 Hydraulic Performance

After computational of different flow rate condition of the impeller, the head and hydraulic efficiency data of the impeller
calculated by the above mention method are draw on the Fig.(12).

Fig. 12 Hydraulic performance of the impeller

It can be seen from the figure that, the slope of head curve is always negative, which is good for the stability of the impeller
running. The highest efficiency point on the calculate data is at 1.2Q and the lowest efficiency point is at 0.6Q. And the difference
between the highest and lowest efficiency value is about 2% in the range of the calculation.

6. Conclusions
A new numerical hydraulic design method of low specific centrifugal pump impeller which can combine computer technology
to realize a fast design and optimization is promoted. With commercial code, the performances of impeller are predicted according
to the computational result of flow in the impeller passage. The use of CFD performances prediction can reduce physical testing.
And the result shows that this design method is available.

Acknowledgments
The research is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (project No: 50809075). The supports are highly
appreciated.

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 Nomenclature
D1 Blade inlet diameter[mm] D2 Blade inlet diameter[mm]
B2 Width of impeller at outlet[mm] Z Blade number of impeller
Q Capacity [ m 3 /h ] H Head(m)
n Rotate speed [ r/min] Cm Meridional velocity[m/s]
s Length of quasi-orthogonal line[mm] α1 Angle between meridional streamline and vertical line[°]
δ Angle between normal line of quasi-orthogonal line and ψ Expelling coefficient
meridional streamline[°] γ Angle between quasi-orthogonal line and axis[°]
l length of meridional streamline[mm] W Relative velocity[m/s]
φ Wrapping angle[°] P2 Static pressure at outlet[Pa]
P1 Static pressure at inlet[Pa] C2 Absolute velocity at outlet[m/s]
C1 Absolute velocity at inlet[m/s] g Gravity[kg m/s2]
ρ Density Dj Blade eye diameter[mm]
β Blade set angle[°] ω Angle velocity
r
Mu
r Torque τw Wall shear stress
n Unit vector normal to blade surface

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