Study of Boundary Conditions in Single-Blade Pump Simulation

Abstract

Abstract: Single-blade sewage pump is simulated numerically using FINFLO flowsolver. Low-Reynolds number approach is utilized with a k-ε turbulence closure. The effect of the boundary conditions on a performance prediction, mass balance fluctuation and velocity distributions is studied.

Main result: Pump head, efficiency and torque are obtained from the simulated flowfield and compared to measured data. The velocity distributions are also compared to the measurements available. Reserved in- and outflow boundary conditions do not remove the fluctuation in mass balance, it only changes location. modified impeller surface boundary condition has a small effect on pump performance but more visible on velocity distributions.