Enhancing Impeller Design Parameters for Optimal Pump Efficiency and Performance in Supercritical Thermal Power Projects

This study focuses on optimizing and sizing the impeller in centrifugal pumps to enhance efficiency in supercritical thermal power projects. The impeller is a key component that transfers energy from the pump motor to the fluid. The optimization process considers critical design parameters such as impeller diameter, material selection, trimming, and rotational speed. A key design consideration is the clearance between the impeller and pump casing, maintained between 0.5 and 1.5% of the impeller diameter to reduce recirculation and vibration. Both experimental testing and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are used to evaluate pump performance under various operational conditions. Results show a direct correlation between pump head and impeller diameter, with an increase in head requiring a proportional increase in impeller size. Material selection, balance, and clearance are found to significantly affect pump efficiency. Optimized design improves performance metrics, and experimental validation confirms the accuracy of CFD predictions. The research highlights that proper impeller optimization can enhance pump efficiency. Future work should explore advanced materials and impeller geometries for improved pump performance in diverse operational scenarios.