Effects of an Inlet Vortex on the Performance of an Axial-Flow Pump

The formation of an inlet vortex seriously restricts axial-flow pump device performance and poses a great threat to the safe and stable operation of the entire system. In this study, the change trends of an inlet vortex and its influence on an axial-flow pump are investigated numerically and experimentally in a vertical axial-flow pump device. Four groups of fixed vortex generators (VGs) are installed in front of the impeller to create stable vortices at the impeller inlet. The vortex influence on the performance of pump device is qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. The vortex patterns at different positions and moments in the pump device are explored to reveal the vortex shape change trend in the impeller and the pressure fluctuation induced by the vortex. The reliability and accuracy of steady and unsteady numerical results are verified by external characteristics and pressure fluctuation experimental results. Results show that it is feasible to install VGs before the impeller inlet to generate stable vortices. The vortex disturbs the inlet flow fields of the impeller, resulting in significant reductions of the axial velocity weighted average angle and the axial velocity uniformity. The vortex increases the inlet passage hydraulic loss and reduces the impeller efficiency, while it only slightly affects the guide vane and outlet passage performance. The vortex causes a low-frequency pressure pulsation and interacts with the impeller. The closer the vortex is to the impeller inlet, the more significant the impeller influence on the vortex. The blade cuts off the vortex in the impeller; afterwards, the vortex follows the blade rotation, and its strength weakens.