Shape Optimization of Impeller Blades for Bidirectional Axial Flow Pump

This paper describes the shape optimization of impeller blades for an anti-heeling bidirectional axial flow pump used in ships. In general, a bidirectional axial pump has efficiency much lower than that of a classical unidirectional pump because of the symmetry of the blade type. In this study, by focusing on a pump impeller, the shape of the blades is redesigned to develop a bidirectional axial pump with higher efficiency. The commercial code employed in this simulation is CFX v.13. The CFD result of the pump torque, head, and hydraulic efficiency was compared. The orthogonal array (OA) and analysis of variance (ANOVA) techniques and surrogate-model-based optimization using orthogonal polynomials are employed to determine the main effects and their optimal design variables. According to the optimal design, we confirm an effective design variable for impeller blades and explain the optimal solution as well as the usefulness of satisfying the constraints of the pump torque and head.