Experiment-based Comparison of Prediction Methods for Pump Head Degradation with Viscous and Power-law Fluids

Abstract

Although several methods are known to calculate pump performance with highly viscous and non-Newtonian fluids, research has not yet determined all the key parame - ters of these predictions. It is unclear how these parameters depend on the pump geome - try and the delivered fluid rheology, which can vary widely in the chemical industry. In our study, the performance curves of a radial centrifugal pump with a viscous Newtonian glycerol solution and a non-Newtonian power-law fluid were experimentally compared. The head degradation of the pump was also presumed with the ANSI/HI and the Ofuchi methods, which are evident and commonly used for viscous Newtonian fluids, but not for non-Newtonians. The required constants were estimated based on experimental data for both models, and the Ofuchi method was adapted to power-law fluid. Based on our results, the Ofuchi method proved to apply for head degradation prediction with the ex - amined power-law fluid.