CFD simulation on centrifugal pump impeller with splitter blades

Abstract

The present paper aims to present the analysis and comparison of results of computational simulations using Computational Fluids Dynamics (CFD) in impellers of centrifugal pump. Three impellers were simulated: 1) original impeller, 2) original impeller with splitter blades at outlet; 3) original impeller with splitter blades at inlet. The splitters occupied 30% of the length of the main blades. They were simulated using the ANSYS-CFX software system in 1500 rpm rotational speed and at different flow rates. The turbulence model assumed was the Shear Stress Transport (SST). The results were used to build impeller blade head curves, besides the presentation of pressure distribution and streamline behaviour inside the impeller. It was verified that the insertion of the splitter blades reduced the impeller blade head, mainly the impeller with outlet splitter, whose reduction was more intense.