Numerical Simulation of Unsteady Cavitation Flow in a Low-Specific-Speed Centrifugal Pump with an Inducer

Cavitation is an undesirable phenomenon in the pumps. In this paper, unsteady cavitation flow a low-specific-speed centrifugal pump with inducer investigated based on full model and standard k-ε turbulence using commercial software PumpLinx. The numerical results of external performance curve design condition agree well that experiment. bubbles mainly appear outer blade leading edge. regions larger vapor volume fraction impeller increase decreasing NPSHa. expand from edge inlet to hub suction surface. Under very low NPSHa, may be filled passage head drops drastically, there exist distinct back flows near surface outlet. Affected by pre-swirl outlet circle inlet, amplitude pressure fluctuation obviously than at inducer. dominant frequency for four monitoring points shaft frequency. Compared non-cavitation flows, maximum amplitudes pulsation cavitating flow.