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Centrifugal Pump
Centrifugal pumps are most commonly used turbo machinery devices, which are used to raise pressure, or induce flow in a control volume. They are
radial flow devices. Various kinds of centrifugal pumps are available in market, with different construction details, but working principle behind all
of them remain same. In this video we will analyze, working principle of a centrifugal pump with single suction, semi open impeller.
One of such pump is shown in figure below, with one part of its casing removed for ease of understanding.
Working of centrifugal pump is simple; as the impeller rotates it creates very low pressure at inlet of the impeller, called as eye of impeller. This low
pressure helps in sucking fluid surrounding in. The fluid is pushed radially along the impeller to the casing. Casing collects the fluid , and it is pumped
out through discharge nozzle.These processes are shown schematically in following figure. We will go through main components of a centrifugal pump
in a detailed way.
Working of Centrifugal Pumps
Fig.1 Single suction, semi open centrifugal pump with one portion of casing removed
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Impeller is the device which rotates, and transfer energy to fluid. It has got collection of vanes fitted to a hub plate. Shape and geometry of impeller
blades are critical in pump performance.
Casing collects fluid from impeller in an efficient way. The casing has got a special shape, with area of cross section increases from inlet to outlet. As
the impeller ejects fluid throughout casing, along length of casing mass flow rate increases. But, increasing area of casing helps in maintaining almost
same velocity. Thus volute shaped casing helps in converting dynamic part of fluid energy to static part.
Casing is made on 2 volute curves, which are at offset. A three dimensional volute is made from this curves. A portion is removed from volute shape,
in order to accommodate the impeller in it. A discharge nozzle is fit at exit portion of the casing, most of the time discharge nozzle is diverging in
shape. The steps followed are shown in following figure.
For centrifugal pumps of small capacity as we discussed, impeller and casing are its main components. But, for larger centrifugal pumps, there will
be additional diffuser blades also present, in order to reduce velocity further. Or they aid in dynamic to static energy conversion.
Blade velocities, at inlet and outlet are shown here. Fluid velocities at inlet, and outlet are also marked.
Fig.2 Fluid flow in a centrifugal pump
Impeller
Fig.3 Details of impeller
Casing
Construction Details of Casing
Fig.4 Construction details of volute casing
Use of Diffuser blades
Fig.5 Use of diffuser blades in large capacity centrifugal pumps
Energy Head Rise
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Here you can see, fluid velocity increases from inlet to outlet, due to energy addition to fluid. The work required for changing inlet velocity condition
to outlet, is given by following equation.
Details of such turbomachinery analysis will be discussed in a separate article. Here Q is the flow rate, and V theta represents, tangential velocity
component of flow.From here we can find whats the head rise in meters of fluid. Please note that, this is energy head rise. It comprises of both
pressure head and velocity head.
For a centrifugal pump, inlet velocity will be parallel to radius, so tangential component at inlet is zero.
Outlet blade angle beta, can be derived in terms of velocities.
Also flow rate through impeller is given as flow area times, radial velocity.
So head rise in a centrifugal pump, can be derived in terms of flow rate.
Using this equation we can predict whats the head rise, as we change the flow rate for particular pump geometry and for a particular impeller
angular velocity. Most important parameter in this equation is, blade outlet angle, beta. There can be 3 different pump characteristics depending
upon value of this angle.
First case, if beta is less than 90 degree. Since second term in LHS of head vs flow equation is positive in this case, pressure head decreases, with
increase in flow. These kinds of impellers are called backward curved.
If beta is 90 degree, with flow rate, there is no change in pressure rise. Because second term in LHS of head vs flow equation is zero here. They are
called Radial type.
Fig.6 Flow and Blade velocities at inlet and outlet of impeller
Backward Curved Blades
Fig.7 Head vs Flow rate curve for a bacward curved blade impeller
Radial Blades
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If beta is more than 90 degree, pressure increases with increase in flow rate. Such blades are called forward curved blades.
The big question is that out of these blade profiles, which one is the most suited for industrial use ?. To get answer for this question lets see how
power consumption varies with discharge for each of these cases. For backward curved blades as energy head decreases with discharge power
consumption stabilizes with flow. In radial blades since head does not have any connection with flow rate, power consumption increases linearly. In
forward curved blades since energy head increases with flow power consumption increases exponentially.This will make the operation unstable,
which will eventually lead to burnout of motor.
So backward curved blades which has got self stabilizing characteristics in power consumption is the most preferred one in industry.
Fig.8 Head vs Flow rate curve for a radial blade impeller
Forward Curved Blades
Fig.9 Head vs Flow rate curve for a forward curved blade impeller
Most Suited Blade for Industrial Use
Fig.9 Power consumption in different blade geometries
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