Experimental Research on Salt-out Particle Motion and Concentration Distribution in a Vortex Pump Volute

The vortex pump is suitable for salt solution transportation. But the salt-out flow mechanism in the pump has not been understood fully. Salt-out layer formation and growth rate are closely related to crystal particle motion and concentration distribution. Study on the particle hydrodynamic characteristics in the pump volute becomes a key problem, because the crystal particles are mainly distributing in this zone after they enter the pump. Phase Doppler particle analyzer(PDPA) is used to measure the two-phase flow field in a model pump volute to get more understanding about the salt-out phenomenon. The crystal particle velocities are obtained in all three peripheral, radial and axial directions. Particle size and particle number density(PND) measurements are also performed in the experiment. Results are presented and discussed along the radial direction under different pump operating conditions, as well as various axial measurement positions. It is found that particle velocity gradient of peripheral component varies with the pump discharge. There is a turning point of relation between peripheral velocity component and discharge. Radial flow velocity curves look like a saddle shape and velocity magnitudes are changing greatly with the discharge. The non-equilibrium velocity feature between liquid and solid phase on this direction is also remarkable. Particles flow into the impeller at radial position R1, and the axial velocity component increases in this region. The particle size curve shows an open-up parabola distribution. The largest particles are distributing near the casing peripheral wall. As flow rate increases, accordingly PND increases. It also grows up in the axial-outward direction towards the suction cover. Crystal particle aggregation phenomenon can be revealed from the analysis of particle size and PND distribution, and the aggregation region is determined as well. Research results are helpful for optimal design of this kind of pump preventing salt-out.