Influence Analysis of Impeller-Guide Vane Matching on Energy and Pressure Pulsation in a Tubular Pump Device

Abstract

Tubular pump devices offer advantages such as low hydraulic losses, a simple structure, and easy maintenance. They find extensive application in areas such as irrigation, flood control, and water diversion. The performance and security of the pump are directly impacted by the contact between the impeller and guide vane. The matching relationship between the number of impeller blades and guide vanes significantly influences this interaction in tubular pump devices. To explore this impact, a Very-Large-Eddy Simulation turbulence model was employed to simulate the 3D flow fields of six different number matching relationships in a shaft tubular pump device. The analysis focused on the energy performance of the different schemes, the flow distribution of the guide vanes, and the velocity circulation at the guide vanes’ outlet. Entropy theory and energy gradient theory were employed to understand how the number matching relationship influences energy performance. Additionally, pressure pulsations were analyzed at the impeller and guide vanes for different matching configurations. The results indicate that although increasing the number of impeller blades can lead to higher water circulation, increased energy, and potentially unstable water flow, an increase in impeller blades number results in improved flow distribution in each guide vane groove, leading to an overall enhancement in the efficiency of the pump device. Similarly, increasing the number of guide vanes may increase the non-uniformity of the guide vane flow rate, but it also enhances the ability of the guide vanes to regulate water circulation and recover energy, thereby benefiting the overall efficiency.