Issue Details

Operating Characteristics and Efficiency Improvement of a Centrifugal Pump with Impeller Speed using AI

ABSTRACT

The advantages of variable speed centrifugal pumps include high stability, wide operating range, and adjustable input power. In water distribution systems, pump units are increasingly using variable speed technology. The energy-saving characteristics and operational stability of the pump station are directly affected by the hydraulic performance and operation strategy. In this study, CFD numerical analysis and model testing were adopted to design and evaluate the hydraulic performance of variable speed centrifugal pump with large flow and wide head change in Liuzhou pump station. On the basis of ensuring wide head change, the optimized centrifugal pump met the requirements of hump margin and efficiency in the high head region and cavitation margin in the low head region. The test results proved that the operating range of the variable speed centrifugal pump was successfully widened by reasonable hydraulic parameter selection and impeller optimization. The safe and efficient operating range of the variable speed unit was determined by considering the maximum input shaft power of the pump, cavitation characteristics, and pressure fluctuation performance requirements. The scientific and reasonable operating path was also investigated and determined to meet various operating requirements for the actual operating needs of the pump station.

FULL TEXT