The interaction analysis between liquid-solid two-phase flow and equipment components in a molten salt pump

Latent heat energy storage is an important issue in the solar energy engineering. As energy storage materials, molten salts release some of latent heat and crystallize. The particles of salt crystals probably collide and rub with the contact parts in the process of movement, and the colliding and rubbing leads to the abrasion or damage of the contact parts. In this study, a dimensionless analysis of the solid-liquid two-phase flow transported by molten salt pump (MSP) was carried out by Buckingham's theorem and the similarity criterion, and the numerical model verified by the theory was used to analyze the flow field in the pump. To accurately evaluate the wear-prone position of the MSP, dozens of monitoring points were arranged on the blade and near the volute tongue. The effects of multiple factors such as the solid particle size, pump inlet particle volume fraction (IPVF), span, and flow rate on the internal flow field and stability of the MSP were studied. The results show that the solid particles mainly concentrate at the inlet and outlet ends of the suction surface of the blades, as well as near the volute tongue. Under low flow rate conditions, the IPVF has a significant influence on the flow trajectory with large-sized particles, whereas has little influence on that of the small-sized particles; when the solid particle size is large, the occurrence of vortex and back flow decreases with the increase of IPVF. The IPVF, curvature of the blade and span have a certain impact on the pressure load, and the greatly affected areas are mainly distributed near the blade head and tail. The research results have certain reference value for improving the anti-wear performance and stable operation of MPSs.