Effect of volute structure on the performance of double suction centrifugal pump

Abstract This study aims to investigate the impact of the double volute structure on the internal flow dynamics and hydraulic performance of a double-suction pump. To achieve this, a double-suction centrifugal pump was selected as the research subject, and three-dimensional turbulence numerical simulations were conducted under various working conditions using the Reynolds average method (RANS) and RNG k-ε turbulence model. The results of the simulation are compared with the experimental data, which demonstrates the validity of the numerical simulation. This study analyzes the impact of the splitter on the flow field within the volute and impeller, as well as its effect on the radial force of the impeller. The results indicate that the water flow has a significant impact on the head of the splitter, resulting in a noticeable high-pressure zone on the pressure side of the blade in close proximity to the starting end of the splitter; Under off-design conditions, a significant recirculation zone exists between the end of the splitter and the pump outlet, and it increases as the deviation from the designed condition increases; In the case of a small flow rate, the flow inhomogeneity near the starting end of the splitter is serious, and there are large zones of low speed on the outside of the splitter; The double volute structure can make the inlet velocity of the volute more evenly distributed along the circumferential direction, and can be effectively utilized to reduce the radial force exerted on the impeller, thereby improving its performance.