Computational prediction of the performance of positive displacement pumps

Abstract

High fidelity computational modeling of positive displacement pumps based on Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations on unstructured meshes using the finite volume method with the aim of extracting performance characteristics of different types of positive displacement pump is addressed in this study. The interface between the liquid and air is captured with Volume of Fluid (VOF) methods. Turbulence is modelled using a two equation k-ɛ RANS model. Overset mesh technique is used to facilitate motion of various pump components in the computational study which also accounts for leakage between components.