Mitigation of pressure fluctuation through an impeller with splitter blades for a double-volute centrifugal pump

ABSTRACT The present study aims to explain the effect of impeller structure on performance of a double-volute centrifugal pump. The impeller with 5 long blades and 10 splitter blades was proposed. An experimental work was performed to compare performance between the pumps equipped separately with the proposed and the conventional impellers. Distribution of pressure fluctuations in streamwise direction was captured at different flow rates. Vibration of the pump was measured through deploying monitoring points on the base plate. With participation of the splitter blades, harmonics of the blade passing frequency remain dominant but corresponding pressure fluctuation is suppressed. Characteristic frequencies attenuate from the division plate to the pump outlet, which is more remarkable for the new impeller scheme. The root mean square (RMS) pressure fluctuation amplitude arrives at its minimum at the design flow rate, which is shared by the two impeller schemes. The impeller with splitter blades is responsible for lower RMS pressure fluctuation amplitude. Vibration of the pump is alleviated with the proposed impeller. Vibration acceleration associated with the characteristic frequencies is reduced relative to that of the conventional impeller scheme.