Numerical simulation for the study of cavitation for centrifugal pump

This study presents numerical and experimental results concerning a test impeller of a centrifugal pump. From the experimental point of view, the cavitation was visualized at different Inlet Pressure values. Image processing and statistical treatment of the photographs taken at given impeller position allowed to quantify the attached and cloud cavitation extent. A numerical model of 3D cavitating flows, based on the CFD code Fluent 6.1, has been developed to predict the cavitation behavior in the presented model which is considering the entire pump, the impeller and also the casing of the pump, with all its complex geometry and flow parameters. Non-cavitating and cavitating conditions were investigated. Calculations were found to be in good agreement with experimental measurements and visualisations. Experimental and numerical results concerning the pump parameters were investigated. The overall conclusion is the obvious knowledge that the Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) is indeed affecting the cavitation condition in the centrifugal pumps, having direct impact on the magnitude of static pressures in various locations inside the pump, but is not altering too much the velocities distributions of fluid.