3-D NUMERICAL STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF IMPELLER BLADES SLOT ON THE CENTRIFUGAL PUMP PERFORMANCE USING CFD

Abstract

The effect of impeller backward blades with slot on the centrifugal pump performance has been investigated numerically. Impeller blades have been modified with different geometrical parameters of slot such as: slot radial position , slot height and slot inclination angle. 3-D numerical simulation has been carried out using commercial software, ANSYS® CFX, to study the effect on the pump performance at different flow rates. The numerical simulation has been compared with previously published experimental results to verify the numerical solution. In addition, the results have been compared with the impeller without slots for the same operating conditions. It has been shown that the slot parameters have a significant effect on the centrifugal impeller performance.