NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF COARSE PARTICLE TWO-PHASE FLOW IN TWO-STAGE VORTEX PUMP

Vortex pumps are finding increasing use where abrasive fluids in petrochemical applications must be handled when pressure is readily available for transporting mixed materials in pumping applications. Related research on fine particle two-phase flow cannot meet the actual production requirements. Therefore, the characteristics of solid-liquid two-phase flow with high solid-phase content in pumps must be investigated. In this study, a two-stage vortex pump with a high demand for passing and steady ability is designed. The external characteristics of the pump, internal pressure field, velocity field, and solid distribution law are explored through high solid concentration and size changes. Results show that the shear stress transport turbulence model is found to be appropriate for the computational fluid dynamics analysis of the characteristics of the vortex pump well. The particle velocity and pressure at the monitoring point at the tongue of the volute are higher, thereby aggravating the wear. With the increase in particle volume concentration, the energy exchange between the media increases, and the hydraulic loss of the flow field increases.