Statistical characteristics of suction pressure signals for a centrifugal pump under cavitating conditions

Centrifugal pumps are often used in operating conditions where they can be susceptible to premature failure. The cavitation phenomenon is a common fault in centrifugal pumps and is associated with undesired effects. Among the numerous cavitation detection methods, the measurement of suction pressure fluctuation is one of the most used methods to detect or diagnose the degree of cavitation in a centrifugal pump. In this paper, a closed loop was established to investigate the pump cavitation phenomenon, the statistical parameters for PDF (Probability Density Function), Variance and RMS (Root Mean Square) were used to analyze the relationship between the cavitation performance and the suction pressure signals during the development of cavitation. It is found that the statistical parameters used in this research are able to capture critical cavitation condition and cavitation breakdown condition, whereas difficult for the detection of incipient cavitation in the pump. At part-load conditions, the pressure fluctuations at the impeller inlet show more complexity than the best efficiency point (BEP). Amplitude of PDF values of suction pressure increased steeply when the flow rate dropped to 40 m³/h (the design flow rate was 60 m³/h). One possible reason is that the flow structure in the impeller channel promotes an increase of the cavitation intensity when the flow rate is reduced to a certain degree. This shows that it is necessary to find the relationship between the cavitation instabilities and flow instabilities when centrifugal pumps operate under part-load flow rates.     

Investigation of coolant flow distribution and the effects of cavitation on water pump performance in an automotive cooling system

Cavitation is a well‐known phenomenon that causes performance losses in all kinds of hydraulic machinery, including automotive water pumps. The present study uses a coolant flow test rig to investigate cavitation in water pumps. The coolant flow rate was measured for various coolant temperatures and compositions. This study validates that cavitation occurs during the coolant warm‐up period, in which coolant temperature is typically below 80°C. Cavitation was also related to a drop in the water pump inlet pressure and driving torque. Based on the results from this study, it can be concluded that cavitation is affected by coolant temperature, engine speed, and coolant composition. Furthermore, it is found that the use of an electric water pump is effective for minimizing the pressure drop and driving loss of the pump. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Current status of ground source heat pumps in Korea

In Korea, ground source heat pumps (GSHP) have been gaining popularity for space heating and cooling. Because there are few sources of high-temperature geothermal energy in the country, public baths (25–40 °C) and geothermal heat pumps (～15 °C) using low-temperature groundwater or ground are the most dominant direct geothermal uses. The Promotion Law of the New and Renewable Energy Development, Use and Dissemination, enacted in 2004, imposed an obligatory installation of space heating and cooling systems using new and renewable energy sources including geothermal energy for newly constructed public buildings (more than 5% of total construction cost). Between 2004 and 2007, ground source heat pump systems occupied about 60% of the total public installation of new and renewable energy equipment. Starting with 35.2 kW of two facilities in 2000, systems with the capacity of over 127.1 MWt have been installed in 551 buildings (facilities) as of August 2008. The vertical closed heat pump system (closed loop) and the groundwater heat pump system (standing column well type; SCW) occupied 65.1% and 29.3%, respectively, among the total GSHP systems installed. The depth of the vertical loops ranged between 65 and 250 m (average 159 m) and the well depth of the SCW system ranged between 150 and 600 m (average 391 m). The number of geothermal energy companies, installing the GSHP systems, that are officially registered in the relevant authority increased from 5 in 2000 to 397 in July 2008. This paper presents details of the current status of ground source heat pumps in Korea.     

Experimental and numerical investigation on application of half vane diffusers for centrifugal pump

Vaned diffusers are widely used in centrifugal pumps, but little research has been published regarding action mechanism and the influence of diffuser vane height on dynamics performance of centrifugal pumps. Experimentally and numerically, the present investigation was focused on the dynamics performances of a low specific speed centrifugal pump equipped with vane diffusers with different vane heights. The pump performance was appraised when the diffuser vane height (h/b) was 0 (vaneless), 0.5, 0.6, 0.8 and 1 (vaned) times the diffuser width respectively. The pressure fields were numerically simulated in order to study the influence of half vane diffusers on inner flow field. The experimental results of operating performance showed that the efficiency was significantly improved for 2.5% at design flow point and the head was significantly improved for nearly 3 m at over flow point. The best efficiency point shifted towards higher flow rate with h/b reducing, and the high efficiency area was broadened by using half vane diffusers. Besides, half vane diffusers could reduce the intensity of pressure fluctuations at the leading edge of the stator vanes, and reduce the influence of rotor-stator interaction in tongue region. The numerical results showed that half vane diffusers could enhance flow uniformity in pumps, symmetry of pressure distributions on the impeller outlet and preferable regularity of radial force distributions. Therefore, it is very useful and feasible to apply half vane diffusers in centrifugal pumps.     

Present status of underground thermal utilization in Japan

Utilization of low-enthalpy geothermal energy in Japan, especially with the application of geothermal heat pumps, is far behind other industrial countries. In 1998, a feasibility study was made of utilizing Japan's low-enthalpy geothermal resources. Since 2001 the Geo-Heat Promotion Association of Japan (GeoHPJ) began its activities with the objective of installing 140,000 heat pump systems in private houses by the target year of 2010. The Geothermal Research Society of Japan has also launched new activities in this sector. Research groups in universities and other national institutes have started geoscientific research on the utilization of low-enthalpy resources and private, academic and governmental sectors have consequently begun promoting geothermal heat pump utilization.     

Experimental analysis of flow structure in contra-rotating axial flow pump designed with different rotational speed concept

As a high specific speed pump, the contra-rotating axial flow pump distinguishes itself in a rear rotor rotating in the opposite direction of the front rotor, which remarkably contributes to the energy conversion, the reduction of the pump size, better hydraulic and cavitation performances. However, with two rotors rotating reversely, the significant interaction between blade rows was observed in our prototype contra-rotating rotors, which highly affected the pump performance compared with the conventional axial flow pumps. Consequently, a new type of rear rotor was designed by the rotational speed optimization methodology with some additional considerations, aiming at better cavitation performance, the reduction of blade rows interaction and the secondary flow suppression. The new rear rotor showed a satisfactory performance at the design flow rate but an unfavorable positive slope of the head-flow rate curve in the partial flow rate range less than 40% of the design flow rate, which should be avoided for the reliability of pump-pipe systems. In the present research, to understand the internal flow field of new rear rotor and its relation to the performances at the partial flow rates, the velocity distributions at the inlets and outlets of the rotors are firstly investigated. Then, the boundary layer flows on rotor surfaces, which clearly reflect the secondary flow inside the rotors, are analyzed through the limiting streamline observations using the multi-color oil-film method. Finally, the unsteady numerical simulations are carried out to understand the complicated internal flow structures in the rotors.     

Three-dimensional imaging of a geothermal system using temperature and geological models derived from a well-log dataset

The accurate imaging of geothermal systems from the ground surface down to great depths is an interdisciplinary problem common to geothermal resource exploration and development. Rocks can be characterized mainly in terms of their lithology, mineralogy, fracture distribution, permeability, thermal conductivity and porosity, and similarly the geothermal fluid (and its circulation) by its geochemistry, flow pattern, velocity, temperature and pressure. Some of these data are obtained by well logging and from laboratory tests conducted on drillhole cores. In general, the distribution of geothermal wells is not random, and well data are limited in terms of quantity and depth range. Accordingly, a sophisticated spatial modeling technique is indispensable in the three-dimensional imaging of geothermal systems. We describe a versatile 3-D modeling method that can be used to determine the temperature, flow velocity, and distribution of geological units within a geothermal field based on well log data. The model results for the Hohi geothermal area, Japan, provide plausible estimates of temperature, flow velocity, and geology to a depth of 3000 m. Superimposition of the three spatial models we obtained shows that, at Hohi, two geothermal reservoirs are localized near highly fractured fault zones that provide paths for the ascent of thermal fluids from depth.     

Numerical investigation of pressure distribution in a low specific speed centrifugal pump

To study the pressure distribution of the volute casing, front casing and back casing in a prototype centrifugal pump, the pressure experiments and numerical simulations are carried out at six working conditions in this paper. The experimental results shows that the asymmetry of static pressure distribution on volute casing and front cavity is caused by the tongue of the volute and it may result in high radial and axial resultant force which can cause vibration and noise in the centrifugal pump. With the increasing of flow rate, the asymmetry of static pressure distribution and the magnitude of static pressure values reduce. The numerical results indicate that the pressure fluctuation near the tongue is strongest and it becomes slighter at point away from the tongue. With the increasing of flow rate, the local high-pressure region in impeller passage reduces and the flow becomes smoother accordingly, whereas the fluid speed becomes much higher which may cause further flow losses. The results predicted by numerical simulation are in coincident with the experimental ones. It shows that the turbulence model for simulating the flow field in centrifugal pumps is feasible.     

1000MW级核主泵内部非定常流动特性

为了对1000 MW核主泵内部流场进行深入分析,应用商业计算软件CFD对核主泵进行了非定常数值模拟,得到主泵内部压力脉动特性。结果表明:核主泵内部压力脉动呈现周期性变化,叶轮叶片对流体的影响频率为转频f=24.2 Hz的整数倍及其谐波;在叶轮内脉动幅度从叶片前缘到后缘逐渐增加,而在导叶内从叶片前缘到后后缘逐渐减小,在泵壳内变化相对较小;不同工况下,脉动幅值在额定工况下最小,在小流量工况时最大,并且偏离额定流量越多,压力脉动越严重。     

采用开缝叶片流动控制的低比转速离心泵数值模拟与试验研究

基于流动控制技术,以某型号的低比转速离心式不锈钢冲压叶轮作为研究模型,采用数值模拟和试验研究了叶片不同开缝位置(r/R)对叶轮内部能量、湍流动能及耗散率分布的影响,同时制作了开缝叶片离心泵样机模型,并进行了试验验证,分析了叶片上开缝的相对位置对离心泵的扬程及效率等外特性的影响,比较了叶片有、无开缝的性能变化。研究结果表明:叶片开缝的位置对叶轮内流体能量的分布以及获得的总压能影响较大;开缝的存在会引起离心泵内部流场的变化,在开缝的地方会产生湍动能及耗散率的突变;不同的开缝相对位置对离心泵性能影响不同,开缝的相对位置为0.875,与没有开缝叶片的离心泵相比,效率提高了1.52%,拓宽了离心泵的高效区间,在大流量时,开缝存在起到了抑制分离的产生,提高了离心泵的扬程,改善了叶轮流道中流体的流动状态。     

Thermodynamic analysis of a hybrid geothermal heat pump system

A thermodynamic analysis of a hybrid geothermal heat pump system is carried out. Mass, energy, and exergy balances are applied to the system, which has a cooling tower as a heat rejection unit, and system performance is evaluated in terms of coefficient of performance and exergy efficiency. The heating coefficient of performance for the overall system is found to be 5.34, while the corresponding exergy efficiency is 63.4%. The effect of ambient temperature on the exergy destruction and exergy efficiency is investigated for the system components. The results indicate that the performance of hybrid geothermal heat pump systems is superior to air-source heat pumps.     

Design and optimization of a downhole coaxial heat exchanger for an enhanced geothermal system (EGS)

The present study considers the design, performance analysis and optimization of a downhole coaxial heat exchanger for an enhanced geothermal system (EGS). The optimum mass flow rate of the geothermal fluid for minimum pumping power and maximum extracted heat energy was determined. In addition, the coaxial pipes of the downhole heat exchanger were sized based on the optimum geothermal mass flow rate and steady-state operation. Transient effect or time-dependent cooling of the Earth underground, and the optimum amount and size of perforations at the inner pipe entrance region to regulate the flow of the geothermal fluid were disregarded to simplify the analysis. The paper consists of an analytical and numerical thermodynamic optimization of a downhole coaxial heat exchanger used to extract the maximum possible energy from the Earth's deep underground (2 km and deeper below the surface) for direct usage, and subject to a nearly linear increase in geothermal gradient with depth. The thermodynamic optimization process and entropy generation minimization (EGM) analysis were performed to minimize heat transfer and fluid friction irreversibilities. An optimum diameter ratio of the coaxial pipes for minimum pressure drop in both limits of the fully turbulent and laminar fully-developed flow regime was determined and observed to be nearly the same irrespective of the flow regime. Furthermore, an optimum geothermal mass flow rate and an optimum geometry of the downhole coaxial heat exchanger were determined for maximum net power output. Conducting an energetic and exergetic analysis to evaluate the performance of binary power cycle, higher Earth's temperature gradient and lower geofluid rejection temperatures were observed to yield maximum first- and second-law efficiencies.     

蒸汽喷射式热泵变工况性能分析

采用数值模拟的方法对低压蒸汽增压利用系统中的蒸汽喷射式热泵在非设计工况下的操作性能进行研究，计算并分析了工作蒸汽压力和温度、引射流体压力及混合流体压力等热力参数对热泵操作性能的影响。数值结果表明：当混合流体的压力低于一定的数值时，喷射系数维持一定值；而热泵对引射流体压力的变化极为敏感，引射压力的微小变化可能导致热泵操作性能的急剧下降；提高工作蒸汽的压力并不一定能改善喷射泵的工作性能，这是因为提高工作蒸汽压力会增加额外的蒸汽量所致；喷射系数随工作蒸汽温度的升高而略有增大，并近似呈线性率。     

Low-temperature geothermal potential of the flooded Gaspé Mines, Québec, Canada

The low-temperature geothermal potential of the flooded Gaspé Mines, near Murdochville, Québec, Canada, has been estimated from a long-term pumping test and numerical groundwater flow modelling. A former mining shaft was used to pump water for 3 weeks at a rate averaging 0.062 m³/s (3720 L/min). A mean recovery temperature equal to 6.7 °C and a maximum drawdown of 3.63 m were observed during this test. The observed drawdown was reproduced with a three-dimensional finite element model that simulates groundwater flow through the mine workings and surrounding rock mass. The model was then used to simulate longer-term pumping performed for heat recovery. Modelling results combined with a simplified energy balance calculation suggest that a sustainable energy extraction rate is attained at a pumping rate of 0.049 m³/s (2940 L/min), with a corresponding geothermal energy production potential of 765 kW, assuming a return water temperature of 3 °C. This energy could be extracted with heat pumps and used for space heating at the town's industrial park.     

Correlations for cost of ground‐source heat pumps and for the effect of temperature on their performance

Ground source heat pump systems are becoming more and more popular, even though their high initial cost is an obstacle to their wider penetration of the heating and cooling market. The purchase of the heat pump itself is one of the dominant costs, and the heat pump selection also influences the operation costs through its coefficient of performance (COP) value. However, few studies are available on this topic. Based on 23 water–water heat pump models available on the market, a correlation was developed to estimate their purchase cost as a function of the nominal cooling load of the heat pump. These heat pumps can be used in geothermal applications as well as in other heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems. The correlation is valid for a nominal cooling load between 20 and 841 kW. The nominal COP of the heat pumps was found to have virtually no effect on their purchase costs. Also, two correlations were developed to relate variations of cooling power and COP to the temperature levels on both sides of the heat pump. The heating mode is also considered. The correlations are useful to estimate the required nominal size of a heat pump given design operating conditions and to optimize ground source heat pump systems from a techno‐economical standpoint. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

交错叶片式双吸泵流动特性分析

为探究交错叶片式双吸泵的内部流动特性,本文基于CFD性能预测方法,在0.19Q_0~1.54Q_0不同流量工况下对某型号交错叶片式双吸泵全流道进行了数值模拟,并研究了泵外特性变化规律,分析泵压力、流速、流线和湍动能分布情况。结果表明:交错叶片式双吸泵效率高,额定工况下效率达到86.2%,高效区范围广,在额定流量工况附近,效率保持在80%以上;泵内部流动稳定,无明显漩涡与回流;在小流量工况下,泵内部流动变得紊乱,在叶轮流道间、叶轮与压水室交界处和隔舌附近存在明显脱流与漩涡,湍动能耗散严重,导致泵效率急剧下降。通过本文研究能对这类双吸泵的高效使用提供一定指导,并为该泵的进一步优化提供一定的参考。     

Influence of blade outlet angle on performance of low-specific-speed centrifugal pump

In order to analyze the influence of blade outlet angle on inner flow field and performance of low-specific-speed centrifugal pump, the flow field in the pump with different blade outlet angles 32.5° and 39° was numerically calculated. The external performance experiment was also carried out on the pump. Based on SIMPLEC algorithm, time-average N-S equation and the rectified k-? turbulent model were adopted during the process of computation. The distributions of velocity and pressure in pumps with different blade outlet angles were obtained by calculation. The numerical results show that backflow areas exist in the two impellers, while the inner flow has a little improvement in the impeller with larger blade outlet angle. Blade outlet angle has a certain influence on the static pressure near the long-blade leading edge and tongue, but it has little influence on the distribution of static pressure in the passages of impeller. The experiment results show that the low-specific-speed centrifugal pump with larger blade outlet angle has better hydraulic performance.     

Flow dynamical behaviors and characteristics of aligned and staggered viscous pumps

The flow dynamical behaviors and characteristics of the aligned and staggered viscous pumps are numerically investigated by two-dimensional laminar model. The flow fluxes and driving powers of the pumps are calculated and compared in dimensionless quantities by considering the effects of pump type, Reynolds number, rotor eccentricity, and rotor spacing. The increase of Reynolds number can reduce the dimensionless flow flux and increase the dimensionless driving power, while the rotor eccentricity can enlarge the dimensionless flow flux and driving power. The rotor spacing can also play an important role in the dynamical performance of the aligned and staggered pumps. As rotor spacing rises, the flow stream lines between the two cylinders can bend more smoothly, so the flow flux grows with the driving power dropping, and these phenomena mostly exist in the pump with small rotor spacing. On the other hand, the vortex between the two cylinders probably develops as rotor spacing rising, then the flow flux is reduced with the driving power increasing, and these phenomena mainly exist in the pump with large rotor spacing. According to the simulation results and mechanism analyses, the staggered pump with optimal rotor spacing has the best dynamical performance with the highest flow rate and low driving power.     

基于CFD数值模拟的内燃机水泵性能预测

应用SC/Tetra软件对某内燃机冷却水泵进行三维CFD分析,得到水泵内部流动细节,如压力分布、速度分布、水力损失等。在流场分析的基础上,得到了水泵的扬程、效率等数据,通过这些数据预测内燃机水泵的性能。文中将数值计算的性能数据与试验数据对比,计算结果与试验结果吻合,验证了用CFD数值计算方法对水泵进行性能预测是有效的,且能充分反应水泵内部复杂流动情况,对水泵结构改进、性能预测与优化具有重要的理论参考意义。     

Mo.nalis.a: a methodological approach to identify how to meet thermal industrial needs using already available geothermal resources

Mo.nalis.a is a conceptual model aimed at identifying the most suitable local geothermal sources to match the nearest industrial thermal needs. The methodological approach proposed is based on investigating industrial thermal processes and then identifying suitable geothermal solution plants that match these thermal requirements. The model was tested in Apulia (southern Italy) as a case study for assessing how the methodology could contribute to reducing the use of conventional energy resources for the industrial heat supply sector. The medium thermal needs in Apulia are always higher than 60 °C, and the main strategic industrial processes discussed into this work are “pasta and flour production” “wastewater treatment/sludge digestion” and “swimming pool management”. In order to match these industrial thermal demands, the most suitable proposed plant is the ground water heat pump system, limited to the first 100 m, the depth involved in the heat exchange through vertical probes of model. Finally, Mo.nalis.a identifies the Apulian areas with a possible development of these three activities using geothermal resource: the Foggia province, Murge and Salento sectors.