Influence of Particle Properties on the Performance and Wear of Centrifugal Pumps Based on CFD-DPM

In order to reveal the influence of particle density and particle size on the performance and wear of centrifugal pump in solid-liquid two-phase flow, the Realizable k-ε turbulence model (liquid phase) and the DPM discrete phase model were employed to conduct steady-state numerical simulation of the solid-liquid two-phase flow within the model pump. The motion trajectory of particles and the wear mechanism in the solid-liquid two-phase flow field were studied. The results show that both of head and efficiency of the present pump decrease with the increase of particle density and particle size. The larger of the particle density and diameter, the closer of the particles to the blade pressure side. With the increase of particle density, wear on the blade pressure side and volute increases, whereas wear on the blade suction side decreases. According to this, particles are mainly concentrated near the blade pressure side and volute wall surface. With the increase of particle diameter, wear on the volute surface increases and is more significant at the volute tongue, II and VI regions. However, wear on the blade surface shows opponent tendency, and wear on blade pressure side still be stronger than blade suction side.