Flow Simulation using SolidWorks-Centrifugal pump design and analysis

Introduction

The purpose of this project is

1-To design a centrifugal pump from scratch and simulate flow of water through it. The outlet velocity of the water will be the independent variable and the outlet and inlet pressure of the variable will be found out through simulation.

2-To show the flow trajectory of velocity.

3-To calculate the pressure ratio  (Outlet pressure/inlet pressure).

4-To plot a performance graph (Pressure Ratio vs Mass Flow Rate) and to explain its trend.

Procedure

Draw a centrifugal pump model as indicated in the videos.

Setup a flow simulation with rotation as one of the parametres

Setup boundary condition as environmental pressure at inlet and outlet velocity at 12m/s

Setup inlet pressure,outlet pressure and mass flow rate as surface goals.

Run the simulation to achieve a baseline

Start a parametric study with the outlet velocity varying from 10 m/s to 20 m/s over 6 steps.

Find out the pressure ratio for each step and plot a graph with respect to mass flow rate.

Results 

Case 1: 10 m/s outlet velocity

Case 2:12 m/s Outlet Velocity

Case 3: 14m/s outlet velocity

Case 4:16 m/s outlet velocity

Case 5:18 m/s outlet velocity

Case 6:20 m/s outlet Velocity

Performance Graph 

The minus has been removed from the Mas flow rate for  better aesthetics. No change in meaning.

The graph makes it clear that the maximumratio is observed when the mas flow rate is around 0.48  kg/s. This is achieved in this case by an outlet velocity of 12m/s. Since the purpose of apump is to produce the pressure required for fluid movement,it would suggest that a higher pressure ratio/outlet pressure is the ideal case.

The pressure ratio rises again when the outlet velocity is 18 m/s before going down again.