Influence of Geometry of Inlet Guide Vanes on Pressure Fluctuations of a Centrifugal Pump

Prewhirl regulation by inlet guide vanes (IGVs) has been proven as an effective method for operation regulation of centrifugal pumps. By contrast, the influence of the geometry of IGVs on operation stability of centrifugal pump remains unknown. The pressure fluctuations and flow patterns in a centrifugal pump without and with two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) IGVs are investigated numerically at 1.0Q(d), 0.6Q(d), and 1.2Q(d). Renormalization group (RNG) k-epsilon turbulence model is used as turbulence model, and fast Fourier transform (FFT) method is used to analyze the pressure fluctuations. The dominant frequency of pressure fluctuations in impellers is either the rotational frequency f(i) or twice thereof for pumps without and with IGVs at three flow rates, while the dominant frequency is constantly the blade passing frequency in volute. For 1.0Q(d), the comparison of pumps without IGVs indicates that the maximum amplitude of pressure fluctuations at f(i) in pumps with 2D IGVs is decreased by an average of 22.2%, and the amplitude is decreased by an average of 44.9% in pumps with 3D IGVs. The IGVs mainly influence the pressure fluctuations at f(i) but indicate minimal influence at 2f(i). For 0.6Q(d), the comparison of pumps without IGVs denotes that the maximum amplitudes of pressure fluctuations at f(i) in pumps with 2D or 3D IGVs both increase; the maximum increase is 2.01%. For 1.2Q(d), the comparison of pumps without IGVs indicates that the maximum amplitudes of pressure fluctuations at f(i) in pumps with 2D or 3D IGVs both decrease; the maximum decline is 15.9%.