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Re
Review Article

CFD ANALYSIS OF MIXED FLOW PUMP IMPELLER

1

Mehul P. Mehta, 2Prajesh M. Patel

Address for Correspondence

1

P.G. Student
tudent, 2Professor, Mechanical Department,
L.D.R.P.-I.T.R College of Engineering, Dist. Gandhinagar, St. Gujarat, India
ABSTRACT
To improve the efficiency of mixed flow pump, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis is one of the advanced tools
used in the pump industry. From the CFD analysis, the velocity and pressure in the outlet of the impeller is predicted. These
outlet flow conditions are used to calculate the efficiency of the impeller. The optimum inlet and outlet vane angles are
calculate
late for the existing impeller by using the empirical relations. In the first case outlet angle is increase, and second case
inlet angle is decrease obtain from the CFD analysis, it is reduce outlet recirculation or it is increase outlet recirculation flow
cause to improve efficiency. Thought that the calculation results by numerically simulation software Fluent can truly reflect
the flow in the impeller of a mixed flow pump on the premise that the turbulent model and boundary conditions are similar
to the actual situations.[1] By change the outlet angle the head of the impeller is improve. Finally, from CFD analysis the
calculated efficiency of the impeller with optimum vane angle can be improved by changing the inlet and outlet angle
angle. The
Head created by this analysis would be higher.
higher
KEY WORDS Mixed flow pump, computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis, of impeller. With using software

1.1 INTRODUCTION
o move fluids liquids by
A pump is a device used to
mechanical action. Pumps can be classified into three
major groups according to the method they use to
move the fluid: direct lift, displacement, and gravity
pumps. A few types of pump in Radial flow pump,
mixed flow pump, axial flow pump. A wide variety
of pump types have been constructed and used in
many different applications in industry.
industry From the
CFD analysis software and advanced post processing
tools the complex flow inside the impeller can be
analyzed.
Pumps must have a mechanism which operates them,
the
and consume energy to perform mechanical work by
moving the fluid. The activating mechanism is often
reciprocating or rotary. Pumps may be operated in
many ways, including manual operation, electricity,
an engine of some type, or wind action.
1.2 Mixed Flow Pump
In this pump, addition of energy to the liquid occurs
when the flow of liquid in axial as well as radial
direction. In this type of pump liquid through
impeller is as combination of axial and radial
direction as shown in fig 1. The head is developed
develo
partly by the action of centrifugal force and partly by
the propelling force. These pumps mostly suitable for
irrigation purpose where large quantity of water at a
lower head.

Fig 1 Mixed flow pump

1.3 Types of Blades

1.3.1 Backward-curved blades, 2<90
When 2<90, Cot2 is positive and hence with
increase in mass flow rate, the head decreases. The
head capacity characteristic has a negative slope.
1.3.2 Radial Blades 2=0
For radial vanes 2=0 and cot2 =0, so head does not
vary with flow rate.
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1.3.3 Forward-Curved
Curved Blades, 2<90
For forward curved blades 2<90 and cot2 is
negative. Hence, with increase in mass flow rate head
also increases, the head capacity characteristic has a
positive slope.
As shown from Figure 2 for forward blades impeller,
the fluid leaves the impeller with relatively high
speed which means that the major part of the energy
gained is kinetic energy, this type of impeller requires
a very good diffuser to convert this kinetic energy to
pressure energy. In practice, it is difficul
difficult to construct
this kind of diffuser; also it is usually more efficient
to convert pressure energy to kinetic energy rather
than converting kinetic energy to pressure energy.

Fig.2 Types of Impeller blade base on curvature of

blades

1.4 General Information

on on Multi stage Mixed
Flow Pumps
The pumps are divided into two basic groups,
depending on the way in which the liquid is
transferred from suction side to the delivery side of
the casing as positive displacement pumps and
impeller or rotodynamic pumps. The rotodynamic
pump and impeller pump terms are firstly introduced
by H. Addison, Based on the direction of the flow,
the rotodynamic pumps are in the category of cased
pumps. The moving element in rotodynamic pumps
is the impeller which is the rotor mounted on the
rotating shaft and increases
reases the moment of
momentum of the flowing liquid in the impeller. The
turbine pumps are first used as lifting water from the
small diameter water supplies and irrigation wells.
However they are used in wide range of applications
other then lifting waterr from irrigation wells such as
used in circulation systems in the steel industry for
cooling, water extraction from boreholes and rivers,
sea water services, deep sea mining, extraction water
from geothermal wells, city water district systems
and etc. Moreover,
eover, the main advantage of using the

Mehta et al, International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Studies

vertical turbine pumps is the ability to assemble the

stages in series connection thus increasing the
pressure rise across the pump easily.
The pumps are classified by their specific speed.
Non-dimensional specific speed
eed or type number, N,
of the pump is defined as.

Where, is in rad/s, Q is in m3/s, g is in m/s2 and H is m.

The mixed flow pumps by means of specific speed

range are located between the radial pumps and axial
flow pumps. The overlapping region between the
radial and mixed flow pumps are named as Francis
type. The specific speed range of the mixed flow
pumps are given differently in the literature because
of the overlapping regions of the mixed flow range
with axial flow pumps and radial pumps. The range
for the mixed flow pumps by means of specific speed
is given in References. The mixed flow pumps
discharges relatively low heads however the usage of
mixed flow pumps as vertical turbine type assembly
allows series connection. Thus
hus the head of the pump
assembly may be increased by series connection of
the stages for the desired flow rate. The pump
efficiency concerns are playing a major role in the
usage of mixed flow type vertical turbine pumps. The
Francis type and mixed flow type
ype pumps have better
efficiency characteristics among the other types.
The development of the mixed flow type turbine type
pumps are highly related to the demands of the
market. The different application types developed
during the years. However the concerns
rns about energy
consumption are the most important factor in the
development of all type of pumps. The improvements
in manufacturing techniques such as casting, surface
finish on the impellers, rapid prototyping and precise
measuring devices lead the industry
stry to produce
pumps with better efficiencies.
1.4.1 Vertical type Mixed flow Pump and Working
Principle
The vertical turbine type mixed flow pumps are
mainly composed of four subassemblies. These
subassemblies are the driver, discharge head, column
assembly
bly and the pump assembly. The pump
assembly is also composed of several parts which are
shown in Figure. The power is transmitted from the
electric motor or any other type of driver such as
diesel engine to the pump.

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1.4.2 Velocity diagram

Assumptions for Velocity Diagram of Pump
Impeller:
Liquid enters the impeller eye in radial
direction.
No Energy losses in impeller due to friction
& eddy formation.
Liquid enters without shock.
Uniform velocity distribution
ution in the passage
between two adjacent vanes.

Figure: - 4 Velocity Diagram

Now,

Mass Flow Rate,

From Inlet Velocity Triangle,

Inlet Blade Angle,

And
From Outlet Velocity Triangle,

And,

Outlet Blade Angle,

Head Generated by Impeller,

Overall Efficiency of Impeller,

Fig 3: - Parts of the mixed flow Pump Assembly

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1.4.3 Application
Submersible pumps are found in many applications.
Single stage pumps are used for drainage, sewage
pumping, general industrial pumping and slurry
pumping. They are also popular with aquarium
filters. Multiple stage
tage submersible pumps are
typically lowered down a borehole and used for water
abstraction, water wells and in oil wells. Special

Mehta et al, International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Studies

attention to the type of ESP is required when using

certain types of liquids. ESP's commonly used on
board naval vessels cannot
ot be used to dewater
contaminated flooded spaces. These use a 440 volt
A/C motor that operates a small centrifugal pump. It
can also be used out of the water, taking suction with
a 2-1/2 inch non-collapsible
collapsible hose. The pumped liquid
is circulated around thee motor for cooling purposes.
There is a possibility that the gasoline will leak into
the pump causing a fire or destroying the pump, so
hot water and flammable liquids should be avoided.
So, the main applications of the submersible pump
are,
Domestic & Community water supply
Industries
High rise buildings
Agriculture
Dairies
Fire fighting systems
Cooling water circulating systems
system

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Fig: - [6.]
.] Head versus Capacity Curve

Power predicted by CFD analysis is 5 to 10% higher

at rated point. To compare with the test result, disc
discfriction power loss calculated using NEL method [6]
the volumetric efficiency is determined. Pump
efficiency considering disc friction loss and leakage
leakageloss is predicted and it was found within +5% ranges,
at duty point. Efficiency predicted by CFD analysis is
higher than the test result. Leakage--loss is predicted
using.. Efficiency is improved by 1% after matching
stator angle and changing hub curve profile. Stator
blade loading at hub and shroud has improved.

Fig: - 5 Types of pump

MA Xi-jin and ZHANG Hua-chuan

chuan in predicated the
hydraulic performance of a three-level
level Circulating
mixed flow pump of a nuclear power station by CFD
software. Meanwhile, they conducted performance
test on clear water rig. The numerically simulation
results were in good coincidence with the
Experimental results. [2]The
The Mixed flow of the liquid
occurs when the flow is in axial as well as radial
direction. In this type of pump liquid through
impeller is as combination of axial and radial
direction. The head is developed partly by the action
of centrifugal force and partly by the propelling
force. There are three types of blade used in mixed
flow pump: forward curved blade, Backward curved
blade, axial curved blade. Mixed flow pumps are
widely used for water transportation or as cooling
water pumps in power stations.
To increase the flow rate of the pump without
wit
changing the head, the blades of the newly designed
Axial pump impeller. Excellent impeller blade with
similar specific speed, the blade was designed into
C type curved section to reduce the Occurrence of
vortexes at the head of the blade. Properly reduce the
blade outlet structure Angle 2K
2K to eliminate or
weaken the effect of vortex, and increase the flow
rate in. [3] Mixed flow pump can we
w used in
following application like Domestic & Community
water supply, Industries, High rise buildings,
Agriculture, Dairies, Firefighting systems, cooling
water circulating systems. Not many CFD studies or
measurements concerning the complex flow in all
types of centrifugal pumps have been reported [4, 5].
2. LITERATURE SURVEY
Kiran Patel et al, studied the CFD analysis of mixed
flow pump derived that the Head predicted by CFD
analysis is higher than the test result at rated point. It
also concluded that Power predicted by CFD analysis
is higher at rated point to
o compare with the test result.
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Fig: - [7]] Efficiency versus Capacity Curve

A Manivannan et al., studied the CFD analysis of

mixed flow pump derived that the
he mixed flow pump
the best efficiency point of the pump is found to be
11 lps. The existing impeller, the head, power rating
and efficiency are found out to be 19.24 m, 9.46 kW
and 55% respectively.

Fig: - 8 Head developed by the existing and modified

impellers

The impeller 1, the percentage increase in the head,

power rating and efficiency are 3.22%, 3.9% and
7.27% respectively.

Fig: - 9 Efficiency of the existing and modified impellers

Mehta et al, International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Studies

The impeller 2, the percentage increase in the head,

power rating and efficiency are 10.29%, 7.61% and
10.91% respectively. Viscous flow analysis of mixed
flow pump impeller.[7]
The impeller 3, the
percentage increase in the head, power rating and
efficiency
ncy are 13.66%, 12.16% and 18.18%
respectively.
Mandar TABIB et al, studied the CFD analysis of
mixed flow pump derived that the computational
simulation of the mixed flow pump impeller was
implemented.
A CFD code, the ANSYS CFX 12.1, was used to
obtain the head and pressure, velocity streamlines.
The analysis results show the head of 7.45m and the
head achieved by the experimental work in industries
was 8.08 m. The efficiency find by experimental
result was 53.27 % and by CFD analysis 49.6 %.In
the CFD analysis high values were obtained for the
head, comparing to the manufacturer experimental
head. Because in CFD analysis there is no influence
from the diffuser, so the friction losses are smaller,
affecting the pressure fields and increasing the head
values.
lues. This fact represents the necessity to introduce
the friction losses due to coupling between the
diffuser and impeller. Result shows pressure in the
impeller channels increases from the entrance to the
discharge in successive ranges.

Fig: - 10 The boundary condition applied to the pump

impeller

Vasilios A. et al., studied the CFD analysis of mixed

flow pump derived that the mixed flow pump.
pump The
numerical results are compared to the measurements,
showing good agreement and encouraging the
extension of the developed computation methodology
for performance prediction and for design
optimization of such impeller geometries. A
numerical methodology for the calculation of the
flow field in centrifugal pump impellers with 2D
curvature is developed and validated
ated against
corresponding experimental data taken at a
Laboratory test rig. The flow is calculated using a
two dimensional approach in order to achieve a fast
simulation and the agreement between the numerical
results and the measurements is satisfactory. studied
the pressure fluctuation in a vaned diffuser
downstream from a centrifugal pump impeller.[8]
This is quite encouraging result in order to apply the
present numerical model to further flow analysis, as
well as, for design optimization purposes in these
t
pump types.
Maitelli et al., studied the CFD analysis of mixed
low pump derived that the mixed flow pump
pum
calculation of the flow in a centrifugal pump impeller
using Cartesian grid.[9]
In this paper a computational simulation of the
centrifugal pump internal flow was implemented. A
CFD code, the ANSYS CFX 11.0, was used to
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obtain the head performance curve and to evaluate

the interface connection between the pump parts: the
impeller andd the diffuser. Boundary conditions were
adjusted in the software to characterize the three
threedimensional problem. Although the simplifications
were done in the model, in order to adjust the
geometry to the software limitations, numerical
analysis using a CFD
D code, ANSYS CFX 11.0
presents results in agreement with the references.
Three-dimensional
dimensional simulation of the entrance
entranceimpeller interaction of a hydraulic disc pump.[10]
The results obtained for the pressure fields, and
therefore to the head performance curve, were
satisfactory in the three conditions tested.

Fig: - 10 Results obtained in the simulations and

manufacturer head curve.

Jidong et al., studied the Optimum design on

impeller blade of mixed-flow
flow pump based on CFD
analysis. Under filing of impeller blades at the
trailing edge improved the performance of the pump
that is designed in this study, as stated in References.
Best efficiency point of the pump that is designed in
this study moves from 53 l/s to 56 l/s and system
efficiency increases 2%
% for the best efficiency point
point.
The disturbance on the trailing edge of the blade
caused by offsetting the designed surface in order to
give thickness the blade is reduced, when under filing
is performed in the impeller blades, While making
the comparison
arison of the CFD results; the convergence
of the analyses should be obtained. If the instable
analyses are faced by means of convergence, the
number of elements should be increased and the
analyses should be rerun for the stability. The
integration of the CFD software to the design process
is a continuous procedure. The code should be
verified in each case study by comparing the CFD
results with actual test results. The specific methods
were to increase the blade inlet structure angle 1K at
the blade the affect of vortex, and increase the flow
rate in. [11] the test results are compared with the
CFD results and hydraulic design of the pump.
Selecting the suitable blade and vane thicknesses,
blade swirl and vane swept angles are important from
the manufacturing point of view.
Michal Varcholaa et al, studiedd the Geometry
Design of a Mixed Flow Pump Using Experimental
Results of on Internal Impeller Flow research of the
velocity and pressure flow field in the impeller of the
mixed flow pump.[12]
A subject of this paper is a numerical solution of a
mixed - flow pump geometry with respect to a
distribution of a static ressure in the channel of the
pump. The distributions of pressure and velocity
fields were obtained through experiments. The
blade's design was obtained according to the pressure
distribution in the impellers channel. The hydraulic
projection of an impeller is very sensitive in terms of
the overall efficiency as well as the position of the
best efficiency point. Or said in a different way, the

Mehta et al, International Journal of Advanced Engineering Research and Studies

match of optimal flow-rate and the specific energy

measured and calculated. The pump designed through
the described procedure, achieved its peak efficiency
at the calculation point, which justifies the validity of
the procedure. It can be said that the method used for
projection of a blade cut based on the characteristic
pressure distribution in the channel of the impeller,
seems to be perspective for the prime projection of
geometry of the diagonal pump.
3.1 MY COMMENTS:From the above review it is conclude that the
following scope of work.
CFD analysis of mixed flow impeller
impeller & blade material to be changed
number of blade increases
number of blade decreases
blade inlet angle to be changed
blade outlet angle to be changed
fluid inlet temperature of impeller center
fluid outlet temperature of diffuser
CFD software results compare with the actual
tested results and get maximum head
Nomenclature
C1 - axial velocity (m/s)
D1 - inlet diameter (m)
Q - Discharge (m3/s)
U1 - circumferential velocity (m/s)
1 - inlet blade angle (Deg)
- Angular velocity (deg/s)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We owe a great many thanks to a great many people
who helped and supported us during this project
work.
We take immense pleasure in thanking Dr. Gargi
Rajpara (Principal, LDRP-ITR) & PROF. A. R.
Patel (Head of the Department, Mechanical
Engineering, LDRP-ITR) for having permitted us to
carry out this project work.
We wish to express our deep sense of gratitude to my
Internal Guide, Mr. Prajesh m. Patel (PROF,
LDRP-ITR) for her able guidance and useful
suggestions, which helped us in completing the
project work, in time.
REFERENCE
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Yun Chuan-yuan. Numerical Calculation of Turbulent

Flow, Performance Experiment Mixed-flow Pump
Impeller. Transactions of the Chinese Society for
Agricultural Machinery. V01.39, No.3 2008. 52-55
MA Xi-jin, ZHANG Huachuan, ZHANG Kewei.
Numerical Simulation and Experiment Analysis of
Thirdly Circulating Feed-water Mixed-flow Pump in
Nuclear Power Station. FLUID MACHINERY. Vol.37,
No.09, 2009 6-9
JIA Rui-xuan, XU Hong. Optimal design of low
specific speed mixed-flow pumps impeller. Journal of
Drainage
Irrigation Machinery Engineering. Vol.
No.02, 2010 98-102 [4, 5]
S. Cao, G. Peng, and Z. Yu, Hydrodynamic design of
rot dynamic pump impeller for Multiphase pumping by
combined approach of inverse design and CFD
analysis, ASME Transactions, Journal of Fluids
Engineering,Vol.127, 2005, pp. 330-338.
J. Anagnostopoulos, CFD Analysis and design effects
in a radial pump impeller, WSEAS Trans. on Fluid
Mechanics, Is. 7, Vol. 1, 2006,pp. 763-770.
T.E.Stirling : Analysis of the design of two pumps
using NEL methods Centrifugal Pumps-Hydraulic
Design-I Mech E Conference Publications 1982-11,
C/183/82.
Miner S.M. 2001, 3-D viscous flow analysis of a mixed
flow pump impeller, International Journal of Rotating
Machinery, Vol. 7, No. l, pp. 53-63.

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A. Furukawa, H. Takahara, T. Nakagawa, Y.Ono,

Pressure Fluctuation in a Vaned Diffuser Downstream
from a Centrifugal Pump Impeller, Intl. J. of Rotating
Machinery, Vol. 9, 2003, pp. 285-292.
9. J. S. Numerical calculation of the flow in a centrifugal
pump impeller using cartesian grid. In: 2nd Wseas Int.
Conference on Applied and Theoretical Mechanics,
2006, Veneza, Itlia, Proceedings 2nd WSEAS,
Veneza,
2006,
p.
124-129.
Available
at:
<http://www.fluid.mech.ntua.gr/lht/PYTHAGORAS/di
mosieuseis/D-9.pdf>.
10. J. L.; Carrilo L. P.; Espinoza H. Three-dimensional
simulation of the entrance-impeller interaction of a
hydraulic disc pump, Rev. Tc. Ing. Univ. Zulia, v. 29,
n. 1, p. 49-57, 2006. Available at:
<http://www.scielo.org.ve/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext
&pid=S025407702006000100007&lng=es&nrm=iso&t
lng=es>.
11. JIA Rui-xuan, XU Hong. Optimal design of low
specific speed mixed-flow pump impeller. Journal of
Drainage and Irrigation Machinery Engineering. Vol.
No.02, 2010 98-102
12. Paciga A.- Strek O.- Gano M.-Varchola M.:
Experimental research of the velocity and pressure flow
field in the impeller of the mixed flow pump. Research
report. Experimentlny vskum rchlostnho a
tlakovho poa v obenom kolese diagonlneho
erpadla, Vskumn sprva Hz-14/70 ES SVT
Bratislava 1973 .(In Slovak)