The Effect of Blade Angle Distribution on the Flow Field of a Centrifugal Impeller in Liquid-Gas Flow

Michalis Mentzos, Ioannis Kassanos, Ioannis Anagnostopoulos () and Andronikos Filios
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Michalis Mentzos: Mechanical Engineer Freelancer, Zoodochou Pigis 23, 15127 Melissia, Greece
Ioannis Kassanos: Laboratory of Hydraulic Turbomachines, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytechneiou 9, 15780 Zografou, Greece
Ioannis Anagnostopoulos: Laboratory of Hydraulic Turbomachines, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytechneiou 9, 15780 Zografou, Greece
Andronikos Filios: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of West Attica, Thivon 250 & P. Ralli, 12241 Egaleo, Greece

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-22

Abstract: Operating centrifugal pumps under two-phase flow conditions presents challenges such as phase separation, cavitation, and flow instabilities, compromising reliability and performance. A specialized design is crucial to mitigate these issues. This study utilized computational fluid dynamics (CFDs) to understand two-phase flow behavior and assess the impact of different blade geometries on pump performance under such conditions. For this purpose, the inhomogeneous multiphase model was employed, wherein the momentum and continuity flow equations were individually solved for each phase across three different impellers with varying blade angle distributions. The computational results indicated higher gas concentrations on the pressure side of the blade, with gas pocket size correlating with flow rate and inlet gas concentration. The blade angle distribution’s effect was more pronounced with increased gas concentrations, while a tendency of gas bubbles to coalesce towards the impeller shroud was also observed. The presence of gas promoted flow recirculation and separation, substantially reducing impeller performance. Blade angle distribution critically influenced the flow field, affecting flow separation, stability, efficiency, and overall performance, highlighting the importance of optimized blade design for enhanced centrifugal pump performance in liquid–gas two-phase flow conditions.

Keywords: centrifugal pumps; two-phase flow; numerical simulation; blade design considerations (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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