Experimental study of the flow of viscous Newtonian fluids in a centrifugal pump

This paper analyzes the influence of viscosity and impeller rotation speed in the calculation of the flow and in the theoretical prediction of the performance of a centrifugal pump impeller. The evaluation of the viscous effects allows the prediction of the frictional losses of the impeller and a more correct evaluation of the operating characteristics than can be obtained with a perfect fluid. The viscosity modifies the values of the velocity distribution in the channels of the impeller and the deviation of the flow at the exit of the blade. The experiments were carried out with mineral oils of different viscosities varying between 96.10-3 Pa.s and 520.10-3 Pa.s and which are represented by a perfectly newtonian behavior.