Optimization and CFD performance analysis of an automotive coolant pump

Abstract

The blade outlet angle, wrap angle, and number of blades of the impeller are optimized to increase the pumping efficiency of the automotive coolant pump while keeping the size constant. Three new variants were designed and the optimal one was selected for the comparison with the original scheme. The experiment was conducted to test the hydraulic performance of the optimized impeller. The results show that the energy characteristics of the optimized impeller are in reasonable agreement with the experimental data. The energy characteristics and internal flow details of original scheme and optimized scheme are analyzed and compared. It was found that increasing the wrap angle while decreasing blade outlet angle appropriately can improve the flow conditions and the pressure distribution in the impeller and the volute, especially at low flow rates. At the designed flow rate, increasing the wrap angle while decreasing the number of blades and blade outlet angle can significantly increase the efficiency of the pump. And the maximum efficiency of the optimized impeller is 4.8% higher than the efficiency of the original impeller. The results of the study can guide designers in optimizing an automotive centrifugal coolant pump and reduce energy consumption of the automotive cooling system.