Numerical Research on the Energy Loss of a Single-Stage Centrifugal Pump with Different Vaned Diffuser Outlet Diameters

Abstract Unsteady pressure pulsation and energy loss both in diffuser and volute of a single-stage centrifugal pump with three different vaned diffuser outlet diameters were investigated. Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations combined with shear stress transport (SST) turbulence model were used to predict flow field in the centrifugal pump. Results showed that pressure pulsation amplitudes of blade-passing frequency and high-frequencies both in diffuser and volute gradually decrease with the vaned diffuser outlet diameter increases. Moreover, energy loss in diffuser showed better periodicity than that in volute due to the interaction between diffuser and impeller.