Study of Pressure Fluctuations and Induced Vibration at Blade-Passing Frequencies of a Double Volute Pump

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84 Scopus citations

Abstract

Strong impeller-volute interaction is a major source of high-pressure pulsations and vibration in high-powered pumps. The present study aims at establishing the foundation for correlating the pressure field with the vibration of the pump and identifying effective solutions to reduce flow-induced vibration in double volute pumps. Experiments were carried out on a model boiler feed pump stage to investigate the distribution of the pressure fluctuations inside the pump and pump vibration under different operating conditions. Critical zones of high-pressure fluctuations have been identified near the volute tongues, indicating strong impeller-volute interaction due to improper radial gap design. Vibrations closely follow the behavior of the pressure fluctuations under different operating conditions. High speeds combined with off-design flow rates result in higher pressure fluctuations inside the pump, which in turn excite vibrations of pump components. Measurements at discharge and suction pipes cannot represent the true behavior or the magnitudes of pressure fluctuations inside the pump, and hence cannot be correlated to pump vibration with fidelity. The clearance between impeller and volute tongues needs to be optimized by experimentation to minimize flow-induced pump vibration.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1333-1345
Number of pages13
JournalArabian Journal for Science and Engineering
Volume36
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 2011

Keywords

  • Blade-passing frequency
  • Double volute design
  • Flow rate
  • Pressure fluctuations
  • Pump vibration

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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