Available online at www.sciencedirect.

com

Procedia Engineering 39 (2012) 168 174

XIIIth International Scientific and Engineering Conference HERVICON-2011

Geometry Design of a Mixed Flow Pump Using Experimental

Results of on Internal Impeller Flow
Michal Varcholaa, Peter Hlbocanb, b*
a,b

Strojncka fakulta STU v Bratislave, Nm.slobody 17, 81231 Bratislava, Slovakia

Abstract
A subject of this paper is a numerical solution of a mixed - flow pump geometry with respect to a distribution of a static pressure
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. A comparison of different approaches is
based on results of a CFD simulation in mixed - flow pump. Also information about basic performance characteristics for
different blade angle distributions are presented in this contribution.

2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of

Sumy State University
Keywords: Mixed flow pump; CFD; pump characteristic; internal flow introduction.

1. Introduction
The issue of hydraulic solution for a blade cut, or rather a course of the blade angle from inlet to outlet, in the
entire space of the impeller, is, in terms of geometry, an aspect of the greatest importance. In reality, there is no
exact pattern for it; therefore the presented task heavily depends on a few hypothetic assumptions. Validity of these
assumptions is always, more or less, problematic.
In general, it can be said, that the shape of the impellers channel and the course of the blades angle, should ensure
the lowest possible losses. Apart from that, its obvious, that the course of the blades angle affects several important
hydrodynamic parameters of the pump; especially the position of optimal flow rate, the shape of the overall pump
characteristics ; especially (most of all) its stability, and the drop of characteristics that is typical for diagonal
pumps. A hydraulic solution based on the known internal structure of the flow represented by the distribution of
energy, pressure and velocity, may be a good foundation for the solution of the above mentioned problem. This
paper deals with such a task, where, based on the characteristic course of a pressure in the channel of an impeller,
has been projected a blade cut, that evolved in reference to an already made meridian cut of a pump.

* Corresponding author. Tel. +421 52496933.

E-mail address: michal.varchola@stuba.sk.
1877-7058 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd.
doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2012.07.021

169

Michal Varchola and Peter Hlbocan / Procedia Engineering 39 (2012) 168 174

2. Pressure distribution in the channel of an impeller

400-450
350-400
300-350
250-300
200-250
150-200
100-150
50-100
0-50

Y[J/kg]

Hydraulic projection of the prime geometry of blade cut of an impeller depends especially on the calculation of
parameters at the impellers inlet and outlet. The inlet geometry is primarily influenced by parameters of suction, and
the outlet geometry, or rather to say the whole course of blades angle, is decisive for achieving the desired specific
energy. The course of the blades angle from inlet to outlet is being realized according to various templates. Most
frequently, its the linear distribution of the relative velocity from inlet to outlet, or based on a predefined shape
(sine distribution, linear distribution, logarithmic distribution, etc.) The question is, how valid the selected method
for designing the blades shape is, or if it gives correct results in comparison to calculation parameters.
Focused on the experimental results obtained on the radial pump [1] in the channel of the impeller, its possible
to allege several principals. The energy in the relative flow is not constant. The energy in the absolute flow,
naturally, grows. The energy losses occur most of all in the regions of inlet and outlet in the exposed part of the
channel. (see Figure 1). Opposed to that, when focused on the pressure distribution, there is an obvious linear
pressure distribution from inlet up to the outlet. (see Figure 2). The only difference is, again, just in the exposed part
of the channel at the outlet of the impeller. This could be observed generally on every impeller, diagonal one
included. Experiments realized on the diagonal pump [2] show Figure 4 and 5. The measuring points in the channel
were positioned on four streamlines, in three points of the channel, and on the surfaces of both: suction and pressure
sides of the blade (see Figure 3). There, as well as in the channel of an impeller of a radial pump, one can observe
the similar characteristic distribution of pressure, energy, and other parameters of the flow, as in the channel of
a diagonal pump. This fact we have used as a condition for calculation of the blades angle course along the whole
range from inlet up to the outlet. The whole methodology concerning the measurement of velocity and pressure
fields in the impeller through cylindrical pneumatic probes (diameter 2.8 mm), or spherical probes (with diameter
of the ball 4.5mm) is described in detail in [1], [2] and [3].
Based on the characteristic signs of pressure distribution inside the channel of the radial pump impeller its
possible to proceed to hydraulic projection of a diagonal pump. Of course, here as well, some issues remain
uncertain. The slope of the pressure distribution line from inlet up to the outlet is not constant. One would expect
just the diagonal pump, where the trailing (output) edge is not parallel to the axis of rotation, to have a highly
uneven distribution of pressure along the output edge. In reality, in the BEP point, the pressure at the outlet of the
impeller, along the output edge does not vary any significantly. It is a sign , that the impeller had been designed
properly, but also brings a slight uncertainty into defining the slope of linear pressure distribution from inlet to
outlet.

450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
150 140
130 120

150

110

100

90

10 9 8
7

140
130

9
80

70

21
43
5
6
87

120

x=

(2 r / z)

3
2
1

110

100
90
80
70

Fig. 1. The distribution of the overall energy in the channel of an impeller in the mode of optimal flow-rate (BEP) [1]

Michal Varchola and Peter Hlbocan / Procedia Engineering 39 (2012) 168 174

r [mm]

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
150

260
240
220
200
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
-20
-40

240-260
220-240
200-220
180-200
160-180
140-160

p [kPa]

170

120-140
100-120
80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
-20-0
-40--20

Fig. 2. The distribution of static pressure in the channel of an impeller of the radial pump in the BEP flow-rate [1] and [4]

Fig. 3. The distribution of measuring points in the channel of a diagonal impeller [2]

Michal Varchola and Peter Hlbocan / Procedia Engineering 39 (2012) 168 174

p
.u 22

p / . u 22

171

0, 40
0, 35
0, 30
0, 25
0, 20
0, 15
0, 10
0, 05
0, 00
-0, 05
-0, 10
-0, 15
-0, 20

pressure side

suction side

Fig. 4. The distribution of pressure along the streamline III in the blade department of the diagonal impeller [2]

p 2 2 0 ,3 5
.u 22 0 ,3 0
0 ,2 5
0 ,2 0
0 ,1 5
0 ,1 0
0 ,0 5
0 ,0 0
- 0 ,0 5
- 0 ,1 0
- 0 ,1 5

pressure
tla n side
s tr a

suction
s a c ia sside
tr a n a
1

Fig. 5. The distribution of pressure along the streamline II in the blade department of the diagonal impeller [2]

3. The procedure of a hydraulic projection of the blade

When solving the blade, we came out of the fact, that the geometry of meridian cut of the impeller is known. In
the hydraulic proposition of the blades cut, we estimated the outlet angle of the blade () at the main streamline
through the one-dimensional method, the correction on the finite count of blades. Likewise, according to the
condition of perpendicular inlet, we estimated the inlet angle (1) on the blade. As noted before, the course of the
blades angle is being proposed in reference to various conditions. In our case, we have used the experimental
acquired distribution of pressure (p) along the main streamline. With respect to the Eq. (1).

cu2 cm2 cn2

+
+ = ucu ,
2
2
2

(1)

172

Michal Varchola and Peter Hlbocan / Procedia Engineering 39 (2012) 168 174

where: p - the static pressure in the general point belonging to the channel of the impeller, [Pa]; - density of the
liquid, [kg / m3]; cu - the peripheral component of the absolute velocity in the general point belonging to the channel
of the impeller, [m / s]; cm - the meridian component of the absolute
velocity in the general point belonging to the
channel of the impeller, [m / s]; cn - the normal component of the absolute velocity in the general point belonging to
the channel of the impeller, [m / s]; u - the peripheral velocity, [m / s].
This equation describes the energy generated by the impeller in discrete components. Noted the fact, that the
kinetic energy of meridian (cm) and normal component (cn) is negligible, compared to energy transferred through
pressure (p), and the kinetic energy of the peripheral component of velocity (u), we can exclude them from further
calculations, and after adjustments well obtain the equation valid for the course of the blades angle, as follows:

tg =

cm / u

(1 )

2 p 2 r r1

.
.u 2 r2 r1

(2)

where: - blade angle, []; cm - the meridian component of the absolute velocity, [m / s]; u - the
peripheral
velocity, [m / s]; - the hydraulic shock at the inlet of the impeller, [ - ]; p2 the static pressure at the outlet of
the impeller [Pa]; - the liquid's density, [kg / m3]; u - the peripheral velocity, [m / s]; r - the radius in the calculated
point, [m]; r1 - the radius at the inlet, [m]; r2 - the radius at the outlet, [m].

Fig. 6. The impellers geometry

Or, after further adjustments,

cm / u

tg =

(1 )2

c
(1 ) m 2

u 2 tg 2

r 2 r r
1
. 2
r
r
r

2 1

(3)

where: - blade angle, []; 2 - the outlet blade angle, []; cm the meridian component of the absolute
velocity, [m / s]; u - the peripheral velocity, [m / s]; - the hydraulic shock at the inlet of the
impeller; cm2 -

173

Michal Varchola and Peter Hlbocan / Procedia Engineering 39 (2012) 168 174

the meridian component of the absolute velocity at the outlet, [m / s]; u - the peripheral velocity, [m / s]; u2 - the
outlet peripheral velocity, [m / s]; r - the radius in the calculated point, [m]; r1 - the radius at the inlet, [m]; r2 - the
radius at the outlet [m].
The value of expresses the hydraulic shock at the inlet of the impeller, or lets say determines the cavitation
properties of the pump. In reference to the known geometry, its possible to obtain an equation for a course of angle
of a blade () at the position of a specific streamline.
Based on the previous we can solve an integral Eq. (4), which determines the angle of the blades span () at the
position of the main streamline.
2
sin dr
dl
=
,
.
r
tg

rtg

0
r1

(4)

where: - the angle of the blades span, []; dl - the elementary length of the streamline, [m]; r - the radius in the
calculated point, [m]; - the blade angle, []; - the angle of the streamline's inclination to impeller's axis, [].
Q-Y

Q-P

Q-eta

240

80
75

220

70

200

65

180

60
55

160

45

120

40

eta [%]

Y[J/kg] , P[kW

50

140

35

100

30

80

25

60

20
15

40

10

20

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

Q[l/s]
Fig. 7. The performance characteristics

Likewise, its possible to solve other streamline cuts. If we pick up the condition of developed line surface, all
cuts will be linear and will emerge from the main streamline when satisfying the condition of a smooth change of
the blades shape.

174

Michal Varchola and Peter Hlbocan / Procedia Engineering 39 (2012) 168 174

Fig. 8. The impeller designed with respect to the linear distribution of pressure from inlet to outlet

4. Conclusion
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 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.

References
[1] Varchola M.: Flow in radial centrifugal Pump. PhD thesis. Prdenie v radilnom hydrodynamickom erpadle. Kandidtska dizertan
prca ES SVT Bratislava 1980.(In Slovak)
[2] Paciga A.- Strek O.- Gano M.-Varchola M.: Experimental research of the velocity and pressure flow field in the impeller of the mixedflow 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)
[3] Varchola M.: Semi-spherical probe to velocity and pressure measurement in the space. Polguov sonda na meranie rchlosti a tlaku v
priestore In: Strojncky asopis SAV a SAV 40, 1989 .l str.97-107. (In Slovak)
[4] Getu H.W.: Research of the vane diffuser as a reactor. PhD thesis. Vskum difzorovho rozvdzaa ako reaktora. Dizertan prca.
KHS, Sjf, STU Bratislava 2001 .(In Slovak)
[5] Varchola, Michal - Urbn, Gabriel - Knat, Branislav: The influence of the vane diffuser on performance characteristics of the mixed-flow
pump. Vplyv difzora na vkonov parametre diagonlneho erpadla.In: Mechanical Engineering 2007: the 11th International Scientific
Conferenc. Bratislava, November 29-30, 2007. - Bratislava : STU v Bratislave, 2007. - ISBN 978-80-227-2768-6. (In Slovak)
[6] Urbn, Gabriel - Varchola, Michal: Hydraulic relation between the impeller and the diffuser of the mixed-flow pump. Hydraulick vzba
obenho kolesa a difzora diagonlneho erpadla. In: Strojn ininierstvo 2006 = Mechanical Engineering 2006 : Zbornk abstraktov a
prspevkov. - Bratislava, 23. 11. 2006. - Bratislava : STU v Bratislave, 2006. - ISBN 80-227-2513-7. (In Slovak)