Effects of different structures of blade suction surface on cavitation initiation of centrifugal pump

Occurrence of cavitation can affect stable operation of centrifugal pump. Here, to suppress occurrence of cavitation, a centrifugal pump with low specific rotating speed taken as the study object was studied using unsteady numerical simulation. By arranging grooves, transverse obstacles and discontinuous obstacles at suction surface front edge of centrifugal pump blades, effects of these 3 structures on cavitation incipient performance of centrifugal pump were analyzed. The results showed that arrangement of the 3 structures has less effect on water-lift and efficiency of centrifugal pump; at the point of designed working condition, the pump's water-lift decreases by 1.7% and its efficiency increases by 2.4% after arranging grooves, the former increases by 2.2% and 1.6%, and the latter decreases by 2.6% and 2.3%, respectively after arranging transverse obstacles and discontinuous ones, respectively; in the initial stage of cavitation, the arrangement of the 3 structures can induce the formation of a relatively high pressure zone at inlet of impeller, greatly reduce cavitation volume in impeller, and well suppress generation of cavitation, the arrangement of transverse obstacles has the best suppressing effect on cavitation of impeller. © 2022, Editorial Office of Journal of Vibration and Shock. All right reserved.