Energies: Ffects of An Inlet Vortex On The Performance of An

energies
Article
Effects of an Inlet Vortex on the Performance of an
Axial-Flow Pump
Wenpeng Zhang, Fangping Tang *, Lijian Shi *, Qiujin Hu and Ying Zhou
College of Hydraulic Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China;
18852727757@163.com (W.Z.); yzdxhqj1121@163.com (Q.H.); 18205272495@163.com (Y.Z.)
* Correspondence: tangfp@yzu.edu.cn (F.T.); yzdxslj@126.com (L.S.);
Tel.: +86-1395-1059-552 (F.T.); +86-1510-5276-995 (L.S.)

Received: 16 April 2020; Accepted: 1 June 2020; Published: 3 June 2020
Abstract: The formation of an inlet vortex seriously restricts axial-flow pump device performance
and poses a great threat to the safe and stable operation of the entire system. In this study, the change
trends of an inlet vortex and its influence on an axial-flow pump are investigated numerically and
experimentally in a vertical axial-flow pump device. Four groups of fixed vortex generators (VGs)
are installed in front of the impeller to create stable vortices at the impeller inlet. The vortex influence
on the performance of pump device is qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed. The vortex patterns
at different positions and moments in the pump device are explored to reveal the vortex shape
change trend in the impeller and the pressure fluctuation induced by the vortex. The reliability
and accuracy of steady and unsteady numerical results are verified by external characteristics and
pressure fluctuation experimental results. Results show that it is feasible to install VGs before the
impeller inlet to generate stable vortices. The vortex disturbs the inlet flow fields of the impeller,
resulting in significant reductions of the axial velocity weighted average angle and the axial velocity
uniformity. The vortex increases the inlet passage hydraulic loss and reduces the impeller efficiency,
while it only slightly affects the guide vane and outlet passage performance. The vortex causes a
low-frequency pressure pulsation and interacts with the impeller. The closer the vortex is to the
impeller inlet, the more significant the impeller influence on the vortex. The blade cuts off the vortex
in the impeller; afterwards, the vortex follows the blade rotation, and its strength weakens.
Keywords: inlet vortex; vortex generators; axial-flow pump; computational fluid dynamics;
experiment
1. Introduction
The annual electricity consumption of pumps accounts for approximately one-third of China’s
total annual electricity generation. Therefore, it is important to improve the performance of pumps for
energy conservation. At present, even though China has built more than 300 large-scale low-head
pumping stations, which form the backbone of the flood control and drainage engineering systems,
a large number of low-head pumping stations continue to be necessary to meet the demand for the
ability to resist natural disasters and promote the rapid and stable development and modernization
of the economy. The safe, stable and efficient operation of the pumping station is one of the most
concerning problems of designers.
Due to the advantages of a large flow, a simple structure, flexible installation and various forms,
axial-flow pumps are the most common pump type used in low-head pumping stations for the
fields of interbasin and regional water transfer, agricultural irrigation and drainage, and urban water
supply and drainage [1]. An axial-flow pumps is a type of high-speed periodic rotating hydraulic
machinery in which the interior is essentially a complex three-dimensional unsteady turbulent flow [2].
Energies 2020, 13, 2854; doi:10.3390/en13112854 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies

Energies 2020, 13, 2854 2 of 23
When the inflow is uniform, unstable phenomena such as channel vortices, tip clearance vortices and
wake vortices occur in the pump [3,4]. Based on decades of research, a series of accepted standards
(e.g., ANSI/HI 9.8 and ANSI/HI 9.6.6) have been developed by pump manufacturers and research
laboratories, providing quantitative acceptance criteria for physical hydraulic models of pump intake.
However, the phenomenon of an inflow vortex sometimes still occurs in an actual pumping station
and aggravates the very complex flow field in the impeller, sometimes causing a surge of pressure
fluctuation and aggravation of the cavitation phenomenon. This process finally leads to pump device
operation instability, including intense vibration, large noise and serious efficiency reductions [5–7].
Therefore, understanding the propagation mechanism of an inflow vortex in an axial-flow pump and
studying the influence of the vortex on the performance of the axial-flow pump device are necessary.
At present, research on inflow vortices in axial-flow pumps mainly focuses on two aspects: (1) The
mechanism of vortex formation and (2) measures for vortex elimination. Regarding the first aspect
Constantinescu and Patel [8] described the development of a computational fluid dynamics model to
simulate the three-dimensional flow field in a pump intake and to study the formation of free-surface
and wall-attached vortices. Shinichiro et al. [9] researched the air-entraining vortex and submerged
vortex in pump sumps by simulation. They considered the effects of turbulence model, grid density and
detection method on the vortices; the simulation results, using the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes
(RANS) equations with the shear stress transport (SST) k-ω model successfully reproduced the
experimental data. Shin [10] investigated the effect of the submergence and flow rate on free surface
vortices using numerical simulation. They identified the location and shape of the free surface vortices
by the minimum elevation of air-water interface, air-entrained vortex length, and the volume rendering
method. Concerning vortex elimination Won et al. [11] considered three types of quadrilateral
submerged bars with different shapes and dimensions in the sectional areas to reduce surface vortices
and cavitation. Experimental results showed that the installation of the anti-vortex device (AVD)
was very effective in reducing abnormal vortices including sub-surface vortices, pre-swirls and other
undesirable hydraulic phenomena. Hyung et al. [12] conducted a numerical simulation of the flow
inside the sump of a pump station and analyzed the changes in flow characteristics based on the height
of the AVD installation. The results show that the appropriate installation of an AVD can improve the
flow characteristics, such as flow velocity and vorticity in the pump sump, and secure stable conditions
for pump operation. Previous studies have made us more aware of the generation and development
mechanism of vortices, and the use of various forms of vortex elimination has also improved the
performance of the pump. However, because the vortex is an unstable phenomenon, in previous
studies, usually generating a vortex under a special size of the inlet pool or specific operating conditions,
such as controlled submergence depth of the bell mouth and appropriate high suspension. Generally,
scholars divide inlet vortices into surface vortices, wall-attached vortices and bottom-attached vortices;
their morphologies are shown in Figure 1. The surface vortex and wall-attached vortex positions
are unfixed, and the generation time is discontinuous. The position of the bottom-attached vortex is
relatively fixed, while the generation time is also discontinuous. Although vortices can be produced
under certain size and working conditions, the extremely unstable spatial and time characteristics of
vortices cause great difficulties in research. To quantitatively evaluate the effect of a vortex on pump
performance, it is necessary to create a relatively stable vortex.
Vortex generators (VGs) are often used to control flow fields. This technique is mature in research
on airfoils and heat transfer. Martin et al. [13] computed the spanwise distribution of bound circulation
on a VG by integrating the pressure force along the VG height; they validated the hypothesis for
predicting the vortex strength induced by a VG in wall-bounded flow. Zeng et al. [14] analyzed
the combustion flow of different advanced vortices and found by numerical calculation that the
performance of an advanced vortex combustor with the VG principle is significantly better than that
without it.
Energies 2020, 13, 2854 3 of 23
Energies 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 22
(a) (b) (c)
Figure
Figure 1. Picturesof
1. Pictures ofvortices:
vortices: (a)
(a)Surface
Surfacevortex;
vortex;(b)
(b)Wall-attached
Wall-attached vortex;
vortex; (c)
(c) Bottom-attached
Bottom-attached vortex.
vortex.
Some
Some scholars
scholars also
also apply
apply this
this technology
technology in in the
the research
research ofof hydraulic
hydraulic turbines.
turbines. Tian
Tian et
et al.
al. [15,16]
[15,16]
studied
studied the
the application
application of of VGs
VGs by by numerical
numerical simulations
simulations and and experiments
experiments basedbased on on aa model
model draft
draft
tube.
tube. Their
Their results
results show
show that
that byby choosing
choosing the the optimal
optimal VG VG parameters,
parameters, suchsuch asas the
the installation
installation type,
type,
installation position,blade-to-blade
installation position, blade-to-bladedistance,
distance, and
and blade
blade inclination
inclination angle,
angle, the the
draftdraft tube-equipped
tube-equipped VGs
VGs can effectively
can effectively raise
raise the the pressure
static static pressure
recovery recovery coefficients
coefficients and working
and working stability. stability. Existing
Existing research
research results
results fully showfully show
that the that the control
control effect ofeffect
a VG. ofTherefore,
a VG. Therefore, to reveal
to reveal the change
the change trend trend
of an of an
inlet
inlet
vortexvortex
and itsand its influence
influence on anon an axial-flow
axial-flow pump, pump, this paper
this paper proposes
proposes installing
installing fixedinVGs
fixed VGs frontinof
front
the
of the impeller
impeller to generate
to generate a stable a stable inletvortex.
inlet flow flow vortex.
The remainder of this paper is organized as
The remainder of this paper is organized as follows:
follows: Section
Section 22 introduces
introduces the the background
background of of
axial-flow
axial-flow pump
pump devices
devices and and VGs,
VGs, andand thethe corresponding
corresponding turbulence
turbulence models,
models, grid generation and
grid generation and
numerical
numerical setupsetupforfor steady
steady and unsteady
and unsteady simulations
simulations are described.
are described. Section the
Section 3 presents 3 presents
experimental the
experimental
and numerical and numericalresults
simulation simulation results
to verify the to verify the
reliability of reliability of thesimulation
the numerical numerical calculation.
simulation
calculation.
In Section 4,In theSection 4, thedata
numerical numerical
with and data with and
without without
the VGs the VGs are
are discussed and discussed
compared, and
thecompared,
influence
the influence of the vortex on the performance of the impeller and the pump device is analyzed,
of the vortex on the performance of the impeller and the pump device is analyzed, and the and
pressure
the pressureinduced
fluctuation fluctuation induced
by the vortex byisthe vortex isSection
revealed. revealed. Section 5 summarizes
5 summarizes the main
the main results andresults and
presents
presents the conclusions.
the conclusions.
2.
2. Research
Research Object
Object and
and Numerical
Numerical Method
Method
2.1. Research Object

2.1. Research Object
A pump device is the core element in a pumping station. During the design of large- and
A pump device is the core element in a pumping station. During the design of large- and
medium-size pump devices, inlet passages are often adopted to provide a good inflow pattern for
medium-size pump devices, inlet passages are often adopted to provide a good inflow pattern for
impellers [17]. This study is based on a vertical axial-flow pump device with an elbow inlet passage
impellers [17]. This study is based on a vertical axial-flow pump device with an elbow inlet passage
and a straight outlet passage. There are four impeller blades and seven guide vane blades. The impeller
and a straight outlet passage. There are four impeller blades and seven guide vane blades. The
diameter in the model pump device is 0.3 m, and the rotation speed is 1450 rpm. The design flow
impeller diameter in the model pump device is 0.3 m, and the rotation speed is 1450 rpm. The design
(Qd ) of the pump device is 365 L/s. The simulation model of the axial-flow pump device is shown in
flow (Qd) of the pump device is 365 L/s. The simulation model of the axial-flow pump device is shown
Figure 2.
in Figure 2.
To generate a controllable vortex at the impeller inlet, four groups of flat plate VGs were installed
To generate a controllable vortex at the impeller inlet, four groups of flat plate VGs were installed
at an equal distance of 0.33D from the impeller inlet. Under the design flow condition, six schemes of
at an equal distance of 0.33D from the impeller inlet. Under the design flow condition, six schemes of
VG results were calculated; this study is based on one of the schemes that can produce the appropriate
VG results were calculated; this study is based on one of the schemes that can produce the
intensity vortex. The installation form is shown in Figure 3, and each parameter value of the VGs is
appropriate intensity vortex. The installation form is shown in Figure 3, and each parameter value of
shown in Table 1. The effects of the parameter values of the VGs on the strength and shape of the
the VGs is shown in Table 1. The effects of the parameter values of the VGs on the strength and shape
vortex will be studied in the future.
of the vortex will be studied in the future.
Energies 2020, 13, 2854 4 of 23
Figure 2.
Figure 2. Layout of the
Layout of the vertical
vertical pump
pump device.
device.
Figure 2. Layout of the vertical pump device.
(a) (b)
(a) (b)
Figure 3. Dimensional drawings of fixed VGs: (a) Top view; (b) Right view.
Figure
Figure 3.
3. Dimensional
Dimensionaldrawings
drawingsof offixed
fixed VGs:
VGs: (a)
(a)Top
Top view;
view; (b)
(b) Right
Right view.
view.
Table 1. Parameter values of the VGs.
Table
Table 1.
1. Parameter
Parameter values
values of
of the
the VGs.
VGs.
Parameter l (cm) α (°) s (cm) w (mm) d (cm) β (°)
value
Parameter Parameter 4 α (◦α) 15
l (cm) l (cm) 5
(°) ss(cm)
(cm) w (mm)
w4 (mm)d (cm)
4 d (cm)β 60
(°) β (◦ )
value value4 4 15 15 55 4 4 4 4 60 60
2.2. Numerical Simulation Method
2.2.1. Governing Equation and Turbulence Model
2.2.1. Governing
2.2.1.With Equation
Equation and Turbulence Model
the development
Governing of computer
and Turbulence technology,
Model an increasing number of scholars have begun to
With
With the
use numericalthe development
simulation methods
development of
of computerto study
computer technology,
pump and
technology, an
an increasing
inflow vortices
increasing number
number of
of scholars
[18–20]. In this have
scholars work,begun
have ANSYS
begun to
to
use
CFX numerical
is utilized simulation
for the flow methods
field to study
calculation, pump
and and
the inflow
flow is vortices
governed
use numerical simulation methods to study pump and inflow vortices [18–20]. In this work, ANSYS [18–20].
by the In
RANS this work,
equations ANSYS
for the
CFX is
is utilized
numerical
CFX for
for the
simulation
utilized the flow
of
flow field
field calculation,
three-dimensional and
and the
calculation,incompressiblethe flow
flow is governed
is turbulent
governedflow by
by the inRANS
the pump equations
RANS devices. for
equations for the
the
numerical simulation
Previous of
researchers three-dimensional
have performed incompressible
many studies
numerical simulation of three-dimensional incompressible turbulent flow in pump devices. turbulent
that flow
proved in pump
that the devices.
SST k-ω model
Previous
improved
Previous researchers
the researchers
accuracy ofhavehave
turbulent performed
flow field
performed manymany studies
calculations
studies that proved
that[21–23].
proved thethat
In this
that SST the
paper, k-ωtheSSTSSTk-ω
model k-ω model
model
improved
improved
is applied
the accuracy the
withaccuracy
of better of
aturbulent turbulent
description
flow flow
field of thefield
vortex
calculations calculations In[21–23].
for simulation
[21–23]. In this
this because
paper, paper,
it solves
the SST k-ω the
the SST k-ω
boundary
model model
layer
is applied
is applied
flow near with
the a
wallbetter
and description
the of the
well-developed vortex for
turbulent simulation
flow because
outside
with a better description of the vortex for simulation because it solves the boundary layer flow near the it solves
boundary the boundary
layer layer
separately,
flow
which
the near
wallmay the
and wall
simulate
the and
thetheflowwell-developed
well-developed separation
turbulent turbulent
better:
flow outside flow theoutside
boundary thelayer
boundary layer which
separately, separately,
may
which maythesimulate the flowbetter:separation better: 
simulate flow separation ∂ ( ρk ) ∂ ( ρkV )i ∂  µ ∂ 
+ =   µ + t  k  + Pk − β * ρωk (1)
∂ ( ∂ρtk ) ∂ ( ρ∂kV 
xi ))i = ∂∂x∂j µ + σ µtk ! ∂xk j #
∂(ρk) + ∂(ρkV  µ  ∂  + − β *
ρω (1)
"
P k
=∂x j  µ +σ k  ∂xkj  + Pkk − β∗ ρωk
i t
∂t + ∂xi (1)
∂t ∂xi ∂x j σk ∂x j
∂ ( ρω ) ∂ ( ρωVi ) ∂  µt  ∂ω  ω ρ ∂k ∂ω
+ =   

 µ + 
  + γ# Pk − βρω 2 + 2(1 − F1 )σ ω 2 (2)
∂ ( ρω ∂ ρω ∂ µ ∂ ω ω ρ ∂∂ω
k P ω− βρω 2 + 22 (1 − F )σ ω ∂∂xkρj ∂k
∂ t ∂(ρω = ∂i )xi=µ∂ + σµtω+ ∂µxt j ∂ω
+ ) +∂x∂i (iρωV
) ( V ) "
x j∂ω
+γ +

γk Pk − βρω + 2(11 − Fω12)σω2 (2)
(2)
∂ t ∂t ∂xi ∂xi ∂xi  ∂xi σ ω  ∂σxωj ∂x j k k ω ∂xωj ∂x∂xjj ∂x j
where k is the turbulence kinetic energy; µ is the dynamic viscosity; Pk is the production term; µt is
where k is theeddy
the turbulent turbulence kinetic
viscosity, energy;
which µ is the
is defined dynamic(3);
in Equation S is thePinvariant
viscosity; k is the production
measure ofterm; µt is
the strain
the turbulent
rate, defined eddy viscosity,
in Equation (4);which
and F1isisdefined
the firstin Equation
blending (3); S is the invariant measure of the strain
function:
rate, defined in Equation (4); and F1 is the first blending function:
ρk ρa1ku
µt = min(
Energies 2020, 13, 2854 5 of 23
, ) (3)
ω SF2
where k is the turbulence kinetic energy; µ is the dynamic viscosity; Pk is the production term; µt is the
turbulent eddy viscosity, which is defined in Equation 1(3);∂SVisi the∂invariant
V
S = 2 Eij Eij ; Eij = ( + j) measure of the strain rate,
(4)
2 ∂x
defined in Equation (4); and F1 is the first blending function: ∂x j i
All the coefficients are calculated by blending ρk ρaα =)F1α1 + (1 − F1) α2. The model constants
µt = min( via are:
1 ku
, (3)
ω SF2
γ1 = 5/9, γ2 = 0.44, β1 = 0.075, β2 = 0.0828, σk1 = 1.1765, σk2 = 1.0, σω1 = 2, σω2 = 1.168, and β* = 0.09.
q 1 ∂Vi ∂V j
S= 2Eij Eij ; Eij = ( + ) (4)
2.2.2. Grid Division and Irrelevance Verification 2 ∂x j ∂xi
All the coefficients are calculated by blending via α = F α + (1 − F ) α . The model constants are:
The entire computing domain includes the inlet passage, 1 1
vortex
1 2
generators, the impeller, the
γ1 = 5/9, γ2 = 0.44, β1 = 0.075, β2 = 0.0828, σk1 = 1.1765, σk2 = 1.0, σω1 = 2, σω2 = 1.168, and β* = 0.09.
guide vane and the outlet passage. According to the design parameters, to generate a three-
dimensional model
2.2.2. for theand
Grid Division inlet passage,
Irrelevance the guide cone and the outlet passage, and to divide the
Verification
hexahedral structured grid for them

The entire computing domainusing the
includes theICEM software;
inlet passage, vortexthe mesh growth
generators, ratetheofguide
the impeller, the boundary
layer was 1.1. The impeller and guide vane are directly divided into structural grids in the TurboGrid
vane and the outlet passage. According to the design parameters, to generate a three-dimensional
model for the inlet passage, the guide cone and the outlet passage, and to divide the hexahedral
software, which can automatically adapt to the span wise change in the blade shape. The impeller is
structured grid for them using the ICEM software; the mesh growth rate of the boundary layer was
the core of1.1.
theThepump,
impellerand
and a large
guide number
vane of divided
are directly studiesintohave shown
structural that
grids theTurboGrid
in the tip clearance
software,and the y+
value of the grid
which canaffect the calculation
automatically adapt to theaccuracy directly,
span wise change in thewhich has an
blade shape. Theeffect onisthe
impeller the performance
core of of
the pump [24–26]. In this paper, the tip clearance was set to 0.2 mm, and the y+ value of the wall of
the pump, and a large number of studies have shown that the tip clearance and the y+ value of the grid
affect the calculation accuracy directly, which has an effect on the performance of the pump [24–26].
the impeller was calculated to be 20 in post-processing. Under the design flow condition, the
In this paper, the tip clearance was set to 0.2 mm, and the y+ value of the wall of the impeller was
efficiency calculated
of the wholeto be 20 pump device wasUnder
in post-processing. verified by grid
the design flow independence; the results
condition, the efficiency are shown in
of the whole
Figure 4. pump device was verified by grid independence; the results are shown in Figure 4.
FigureFigure
4. Analysis of grid
4. Analysis of gridindependence
independence forfor
thethe pump
pump device.
device.
With an increasing number of grids, the head and efficiency of the pump device both increase.
With When
an increasing
the numbernumber of grids,
of grids increases themillion,
to 5.16 head the
andefficiency
efficiency
of theofpump
the device
pumpchanges
devicebybothless increase.
When the than
number
0.05%. ofTo
grids
ensureincreases to 5.16
the accuracy of themillion, theand
calculation efficiency of theresources,
save computing pump device changes
the final total by less
than 0.05%. To ensure the accuracy of the calculation and save computing resources, the final total
number of grids in the computational domain was set to approximately 5.16 million. The grids of the
number ofimpeller
grids in the computational domain was set to approximately 5.16 million. The grids of the
and VGs are shown in Figure 5.
impeller and VGs are shown in Figure 5.

With an increasing number of grids, the head and efficiency of the pump device both increase.
When the number of grids increases to 5.16 million, the efficiency of the pump device changes by less
than 0.05%. To ensure the accuracy of the calculation and save computing resources, the final total
number of grids in the computational domain was set to approximately 5.16 million. The grids of the
Energies 2020, 13, 2854 6 of 23
impeller and VGs are shown in Figure 5.
(a) (b) (c)

Figure
Figure 5.
5. Figures
Figures of
of grids:
grids: (a)
(a)Impeller;
Impeller;(b)
(b)Grid
Gridrefinement
refinement of
of impeller
impeller tip;
tip; (c)
(c) VGs.
VGs.
Energies
2.2.3. 2020, 13, x FOR
2.2.3. Boundary
Boundary PEER REVIEW
Conditions
Conditions and
and Monitoring
Monitoring Points
Points 6 of 22
The entire
The entire hydraulic
hydraulic passage
passage of of the
the axial-flow
axial-flow pumppump device
device waswas first
first used
used as as the
the steady
steady
computational domain. The pump impeller was set to the rotation domain, the rotation speedspeed
computational domain. The pump impeller was set to the rotation domain, the rotation was
was set to 1450 rpm, and the other calculation fields were set to the stationary
set to 1450 rpm, and the other calculation fields were set to the stationary calculation domain. calculation domain.
According to
According to the
the actual
actual temperature
temperature of of the
the medium
medium delivered
delivered in in the
the pump
pump device,
device, the
the simulated
simulated
medium was was water,
water, the
the water
water temperature
temperature was was set
set to
to 25 ◦
25 °C,C, regardless
regardless of of heat
heat transfer,
transfer, and
and the
the
medium
was 1 atm. The calculated flow varied from 0.8 Q
reference pressure was 1 atm. The calculated flow varied from 0.8 Qd to 1.2 Qd; then, the result of Qofd
reference pressure d to 1.2 Q d ; then, the result
Qd was
was taken
taken as initial
as the the initial
fieldfield for unsteady
for the the unsteady calculation.
calculation. The higher-order
The higher-order solution
solution formatformat was
was used
used
for thefor the convective
convective term, term,
and aand finitea finite
volume volume
method method was used
was used to discretize
to discretize the control
the control equation.
equation. The
The coupled method was used to solve the entire numerical calculation area.
coupled method was used to solve the entire numerical calculation area. The boundary conditions of The boundary conditions
of the
the pressure
pressure inlet
inlet and
and thethe flowoutlet
flow outletwerewereset.
set.All
Allthe
thesolid
solidwall
wallsurfaces
surfaces adopted
adopted no-slip
no-slip wall
wall
conditions. The interface between the impeller rotation domain and other
conditions. The interface between the impeller rotation domain and other calculation domains was calculation domains was
set to the dynamic-static calculation domain interface, the type was set to
set to the dynamic-static calculation domain interface, the type was set to frozen rotor type, and thefrozen rotor type, and the
other interfaces
other interfaces were
were set
set toto the
the static-static
static-static calculation
calculation domain
domain interface.
interface. In Inthe
theunsteady
unsteadycalculation,
calculation,
the impeller was rotated 2 degrees at each time step, 8 cycles were calculated,
the impeller was rotated 2 degrees at each time step, 8 cycles were calculated, and the total time and the total time was
was
approximately 0.331
approximately 0.331 s. s.
To compare
To compare the the changes
changes in in the
the flow
flow field
field in
in the
the pump
pump before
before andand after
after installation
installation of
of the
the VGs,
VGs,
pressure pulsation monitoring points were set up at the inlet and outlet of the
pressure pulsation monitoring points were set up at the inlet and outlet of the impeller; the positions impeller; the positions of
thethe
of monitoring
monitoring points
pointsareareshown
shown in in
Figure
Figure6. 6.
Figure
Figure 6.
6. Location
Location of
of pressure
pressure pulsation
pulsation monitoring
monitoring points.
points.
3. Validation
3. Validation of
of the
the Numerical
Numerical Simulation
Simulation
The most
The most important
important consideration
consideration inin adopting
adopting aa numerical
simulation method
method isis ensuring
ensuring the
the
accuracy of
accuracy of the
the calculation.
calculation.
To verify the
To verify the accuracy of theofsteady
accuracy and unsteady
the steady numerical numerical
and unsteady simulations,simulations,
the external characteristics
the external
characteristics and pressure pulsation of the pump device were tested on a hydraulic
and pressure pulsation of the pump device were tested on a high-precision mechanical
high-precision test
hydraulic
bench [27]. The
mechanical comprehensive
test bench [27]. The uncertainty
comprehensiveof the test bench of
uncertainty ±0.39%.
is the The test
test bench bench layout
is ±0.39%. is shown
The test bench
in Figure 7.
layout is shown in Figure 7.
3 2 1
4
The most important consideration in adopting a numerical simulation method is ensuring the
accuracy of the calculation.
To verify the accuracy of the steady and unsteady numerical simulations, the external
characteristics and pressure pulsation of the pump device were tested on a high-precision hydraulic
mechanical
Energies test
2020, 13, bench [27]. The comprehensive uncertainty of the test bench is ±0.39%. The test bench
2854 7 of 23
layout is shown in Figure 7.
3 2 1
4
6 8 9
5 7
Figure
Energies 7. Layout
13,
2020, 7.
Figure Layout of the
x FOR PEER
of the experimental test
REVIEW
experimental test system.
system. 1.
1. inlet
inlet tank
tank 2.
2. test
test segment
segment schematic
schematic diagram
diagram 3.
3.7 of 22
outlet tank
outlet tank 4.
4. bifurcation
bifurcation tank
tank 5.
5. working
working condition
condition adjustment
adjustment gate
gate valve
valve 6.
6. regulating
regulating rectifier
rectifier 7.
7.
electromagnetic flowmeter 8.
electromagnetic flowmeter 8. system
system that
that runs
runs the
the control
control gate
gate valve
valve in
in forward
forward and
and reverse
reverse directions
directions
9.
9. auxiliary
auxiliary pump
pump unit.
unit.
The flow passage parts of the experiment were processed according to the size of the numerical
simulation. The
The impeller
impeller was
was made of brass and was processed by computerized numerical control
technology molding. The
The guide
guide vane,
vane, elbow
elbow inlet passage and straight outlet passage were made of
steel by welding. The models
models of the impeller, guide vane, VGs and pump device for the experiment
are shown in Figure 8.
(a) (b) (c) (d)

Figure 8.
Figure 8. Picture
Picture of
of experiment:
experiment: (a)
(a) Impeller;
Impeller; (b)
(b) Guide
Guide vane;
vane; (c)
(c) VGs;
VGs; (d)
(d) Pump
Pump device.
device.
In this study,
In this study,the
thedischarge
dischargewaswasmeasured
measuredbybyananelectromagnetic
electromagnetic flowmeter
flowmeter (DN
(DN 400)
400) thatthat
hadhad
an
an uncertainty
uncertainty of ±0.20%;
of ±0.20%; thethe head
head waswas measured
measured by aby a differential
differential pressure
pressure transmitter
transmitter (EJA(EJA
110A) 110A)
that
that an
had haduncertainty
an uncertainty of ±0.10%;
of ±0.10%; and and the shaft
the shaft powerpower
was was measured
measured by a by a rotary
rotary torquetorque
metermeter (ZJ
(ZJ 500)
500) had
that that had an uncertainty
an uncertainty of ±0.15%.
of ±0.15%. The
The sustained
sustained data
data collectiontime
collection timewas was100
100s,s,and
andthe
the collection
collection
results were
results were processed
processed onon average.
average. According
According toto Equations
Equations (5)(5) and
and (6),
(6), the
the curves
curves of the external
of the external
characteristics varying with
characteristics varying with the
the flow
flow rate
rate were
were obtained:
obtained:
ρgQH
ρgQH
ηη=
= N ×100% ×100% (5)
(5)
N
ππ -MM’ )0
N N=
= 30nn((M (6)

M− (6)
30
where ηηisisthe
where theefficiency
efficiencyofofthe
the model
model pump
pump device;
device; QQ is is flow
flow rate
rate of of
thethe model
model pump
pump H isHthe
device;
device; is
the head of the model pump device; ρ is the water density in the test; g is the local acceleration
head of the model pump device; ρ is the water density in the test; g is the local acceleration of gravity; of
gravity; N is the
N is the input inputn power;
power; is rotationn is rotation
speed speed
in the test;in
Mtheis the M istorque;
test;input the input
andtorque; and
M0 is the M’ is the
mechanical
mechanical
loss torque. loss torque.
The comparison results
The comparison results ofof the
the external
external characteristics
characteristics between
between the the numerical
simulation and
and
experiment
experiment areare shown
shown in in Figure
Figure 9.9.
where η is the efficiency of the model pump device; Q is flow rate of the model pump device; H is
the head of the model pump device; ρ is the water density in the test; g is the local acceleration of
gravity; N is the input power; n is rotation speed in the test; M is the input torque; and M’ is the
mechanical loss torque.
The
Energies comparison
2020, 13, 2854 results of the external characteristics between the numerical simulation8 and
of 23
experiment are shown in Figure 9.
Energies 2020, 13, x Figure

FOR 9.
9. Comparison
PEER
Figure REVIEW
Comparison of
of the
the experimental
experimental and
and numerical
simulation results.
results. 8 of 22
The experimental
The experimental results
results show
show thatthat the
the flow-head
flow-head and and flow-efficiency
flow-efficiency curvescurves with
with andand without
without
VGsare
VGs arebasically
basically thethe
same.same.
WithWith
the VGs theatVGs at the impeller
the impeller inlet, which inlet,
willwhich
directlywill directly
affect affect the
the performance
performance
of of the under
the pump device, pumpthe device,
designunder the design
flow condition, theflow
headcondition,
is reducedthe head is reduced
by approximately by
0.3 m,
approximately
and the efficiency 0.3 is
m,reduced
and the efficiency is reduced
by approximately by approximately
4.0%. The numerical 4.0%. The numerical
simulation results simulation
under the
results flow
design under the design
condition withflow
andcondition
without VGs withare and
all without VGs are allwith
in good agreement in good agreement with
the experimental the
results,
experimental
but the numerical results, but the results
simulation numerical simulation
are slightly results
higher thanaretheslightly higher results
experimental than the forexperimental
large flows.
results
The for for
reason large
theflows.
error inThe reason
large flowsformay thebe error
that in
thelarge flows of
roughness may
thebe that the conditions
boundary roughnessfor of the
the
boundary simulation
numerical conditions and for the numerical simulation
the experiment and the
are not identical. Withexperiment
the increaseare of
not identical.
flow rate, theWith the
friction
increase
loss of flow
of water andrate,
sidethe friction
wall loss while
increase, of water theand
head side wall increase,towhile
corresponding a largetheflow
headratecorresponding
is low, and
to aproportion
the large flow of rate is low, and
hydraulic loss the proportion
is large, resulting of hydraulic loss is large,
in the calculation error resulting in the This
for large flows. calculation
paper
error for
mainly large flows.
analyzes This paper
the variation in mainly
the vortexanalyzes
in the the
pumpvariation
underin the vortex
design in the and
conditions pump itsunder design
influence on
conditions
the and its influence
pump performance. on thethe
Therefore, pump performance.
external Therefore,
characteristic resultsthe external
of the characteristic
numerical simulation results
can
of considered
be the numerical simulation can be considered reliable.
reliable.
With the
With the VGs,
VGs, aa pressure
pressure pulsation
pulsation experiment
experiment was was carried
carried out out at
at the
the outlet
outlet sidewall
sidewall of of the
the
impellerwith
impeller witha amicro
micro dynamic
dynamic pressure
pressure sensor.sensor. The diameter
The diameter of the of the measurement
measurement hole of the hole of the
pressure
pressure pulsation
pulsation sensor was sensor
5 mm. wasThe5 mm. The has
sensor sensor
thehas the advantages
advantages of small of flow
smallfield
flowdisturbance,
field disturbance,
high
high sensitivity
sensitivity and goodanddynamic
good dynamicfrequencyfrequency
response. response. The sampling
The sampling frequency frequency of the
of the sensor wassensor was
100 kHz.
100 experimental
The kHz. The experimental data and numerical
data and numerical simulationsimulation
results for results for measurement
measurement point 12 are point
shown12 are
in
shown10.
Figure in Figure 10.
(a)
1.5
×105
1.45
1.4
(b)
P/Pa
1.35
1.3
1.25
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35
t/s
Figure 10. Time-domain diagram of pressure fluctuation: (a) Experiment; (b) Numerical simulation.
The data collected from the experiment and the data obtained from the numerical simulation
were then transformed using a fast Fourier transform (FFT); and the frequency-domain diagrams are
shown in Figure 11.
(b)
P/Pa
1.35
1.3
1.25
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35
t/s
Energies 2020, 13, 2854 9 of 23
The data collected from the experiment and the data obtained from the numerical simulation were
The data collected
then transformed using afrom the experiment
fast Fourier transformand theand
(FFT); data obtained
the from the numerical
frequency-domain diagrams simulation
are shown
were then transformed
in Figure 11. using a fast Fourier transform (FFT); and the frequency-domain diagrams are
shown in Figure 11.
(a)
(b)
Figure 11. Frequency-domain diagram of the pressure fluctuations: (a) Experiment; (b) Numerical
simulation. Fn in the figure is a multiple of the impeller rotation frequency.
The multiple frequency (Fn) of the impeller is defined as follows:
60 f f
Fn = = (7)
n Fz
where f is the frequency obtained by FFT and Fz is the impeller rotation frequency.
Figure 10 shows that the trends in the time-domain graphs for the test results and numerical
simulation results are basically the same. Thirty-two peaks and troughs are observed when the impeller
turns eight cycles. The values gradually increase in the first two periods, and the results then tend
to be stable. In Figure 11, the frequency-domain diagrams show that the main frequency of both the
numerical simulation and test results occurs at the quadruple rotation frequency because the impeller
has four blades, indicating that the blade frequency at the outlet of the impeller is still the main factor
affecting the pressure pulsation. The sub pulsation amplitude also appears at eight and 12 times
the rotating frequency, which is caused by the dynamic and static interference between the impeller
and the guide vane. The guide vane and the impeller are mutual excitation sources, resulting in
these harmonics. The numerical results are lower than the experimental results, while the frequency
occurrence positions are consistent. Factors such as vibration and installation error were ignored in the
numerical simulation and may be the reasons for the difference in the results. Overall, the unsteady
results of the numerical simulation are considered reliable.
4. Results and Discussions
4.1. The Influence of the Vortex on the Inlet Flow Field of the Impeller
Inlet flow fields have a direct effect on impeller performance. To quantitatively analyze the flow
field state of the impeller inlet, the distribution uniformity of the axial velocity at the impeller inlet
is denoted as V u . A modified formula is proposed that ignores the influence of the grid area on the
calculation results and improves the calculation accuracy as follows:
 q 
Pn 2
∆A ( v −v )

 1 i=1 a i 

V u =1−

×100% (8)
 va A 

Q
va = (9)
A
Energies 2020, 13, 2854 10 of 23
where V u is the distribution uniformity of the axial velocity; va is the average axial velocity; ∆A is
the calculated cell grid area; vi is the axial velocity of the calculated cell grid; and A is the area of the
calculated section.
The axial velocity weighted average angle (θ) is a common index to evaluate the angle of incidence.
Its expression as follows:
vti
Pn h i
i=1 vai 90 − arctan vai
θ= Pn (10)
i=1 vai
where vti is the tangential velocity at the inlet plane of the impeller. The closer θ is to 90◦ , the more
uniform the axial-flow velocity distribution at the inlet plane of the impeller.
Under the design flow rate, 5 measurement lines were taken before the impeller inlet to compare
the differences in the radial velocity. The positions and velocities of each measurement line are shown
in Figures 12 and 13. The X-coordinate value in the figure is the horizontal distance between each point
Energies
and hub13,
the2020, x FOR PEER REVIEW
center. 10 of 22
Figure 12.
12. Radial velocity measurement lines
lines of the
the impeller inlet.
inlet.
Figure 12. Radial
Figure Radial velocity
velocity measurement
measurement lines of
of the impeller
impeller inlet.
(a) (b)
(a) (b)
Figure 13.
Figure 13. Radial
Radial velocity
velocity of
of the
the impeller inlet: (a)
impeller inlet: (a) Without
Without VGs; (b) With
VGs; (b) With VGs.
VGs.
Figure 13. Radial velocity of the impeller inlet: (a) Without VGs; (b) With VGs.
As shown in Figure 13, in the absence absence of VGs,VGs, the

the radial
radial velocity
velocity of each
each measurement
measurement line
As shown in Figure 13, in the absence of VGs, the radial velocity of each measurement line
gradually decreases from the hub to the the shroud.
shroud. In the main flow area, the radial velocity of each
gradually decreases from the hub to the shroud. In the main flow area, the radial velocity of each
measurement line is basically the same, and the differences between values are small, indicating a
measurement line is basically the same, and the differences between values are small, indicating a
better inlet
better inletflow
flow pattern
pattern of impeller.
of the the impeller. In the presence
In the presence of radial
of VGs, the VGs, velocity
the radial velocity
of each of each
measurement
better inlet flow pattern of the impeller. In the presence of VGs, the radial velocity of each
measurement
line obviouslyline obviously
changes, and changes, and thebetween
the differences differences between measurement
measurement When X =
lines are significant.
lines are significant.
measurement line obviously changes, and the differences between measurement lines are significant.
When
0.11 m,Xthe
= 0.11 m, the
radial radial velocities
velocities of line
of line 2 and line2 5
and line 5 increase
increase by and
by 1.7 m/s 1.7 m/s
0.9 and
m/s,0.9 m/s, respectively.
respectively. As the
When X = 0.11 m, the radial velocities of line 2 and line 5 increase by 1.7 m/s and 0.9 m/s, respectively.
As the distance
distance between between a measurement
a measurement line and line
theand
VGsthe VGs increases,
increases, the intensity
the intensity of the disturbance
of the disturbance of the
As the distance between a measurement line and the VGs increases, the intensity of the disturbance
of the radial velocity decreases, which also indicates that the intensity of the vortex is decreasing.
radial velocity decreases, which also indicates that the intensity of the vortex is decreasing.
In the
In the inlet
inlet plane
plane of
of the impeller, θ𝜃𝜃and
the impeller, ̅ andV uVunder
under different
different flow
flow rates
rates were
were obtained,
obtained, as as shown
shown in
In the inlet plane of the impeller, 𝜃𝜃̅ and Vuu under different flow rates were obtained, as shown
in Figure 14.
Figure 14.
in Figure 14.
measurement line obviously changes, and the differences between measurement lines are significant.
When X = 0.11 m, the radial velocities of line 2 and line 5 increase by 1.7 m/s and 0.9 m/s, respectively.
As the distance between a measurement line and the VGs increases, the intensity of the disturbance
In the inlet plane of the impeller, 𝜃𝜃̅ and Vu under different flow rates were obtained, as shown
Energies 2020, 13, 2854 11 of 23
in Figure 14.
Figure
Figure 14.
14. Comparison
Comparisondiagram of V
diagramof at the
Vuu at the impeller
impeller inlet.
inlet.
As shown
As shown inin Figure
Figure 14,
14, without VGs, θ𝜃𝜃̅ and
without VGs, andVV u increase with an increasing flow rate; with VGs, θ
u increase with an increasing flow rate; with VGs,
increases with an increasing flow rate, while
𝜃𝜃̅ increases with an increasing flow rate, while V u first increases and then
Vu first increases decreases.
and Overall, Overall,
then decreases. without
VGs,
withouttheVGs,
smaller
thethe flow rate
smaller is, the
the flow flow
rate is, pattern
the flowatpattern
the inlet
atplane is more
the inlet planedisordered, which conforms
is more disordered, which
to the characteristics of a general axial-flow pump. With VGs, the disturbance
conforms to the characteristics of a general axial-flow pump. With VGs, the disturbance of the of the vortex generator
vortex
to the flowtostate
generator is significant,
the flow and presented
state is significant, and the trend ofthe
presented thetrend
larger
of the
theflow,
largerthe
themore
flow,serious the
the more
disturbance. When the size of the VGs is fixed, with the increase of the flow rate, the effect of blocking
water increases, the intensity of the generated vortex is stronger, and the damage to the flow field
is greater.
4.2. Effect of the Vortex on the Pump Device Performance

When water passes through the flow parts, such as the inlet and outlet passages, friction, impact,
vortices and backflow will occur [27]. Such losses are called the hydraulic loss, which is an important
factor affecting the performance of the pump device, expressed as follows:
!  2
u2

P1 P2  u
∆h = +Z1 − Z2 +  1 − 2

−  (11)
ρg ρg 2g 2g 
where P2 is the static pressure of the outlet sections; Z1 is the water level in the inlet sections; Z2 is the
water level in the outlet sections; u1 is the velocity of the inlet sections; and u2 is the velocity of the
outlet sections.
For the inlet passage with VGs, the loss is mainly divided into three parts, which can be described
by the following expression:
∆hin = FV +FG +Fr (12)
where FV is the hydraulic loss caused by vortex turbulence; FG is the hydraulic loss caused by
the water-blocking function of the VGs; and Fr is the friction loss between the water flow and the
passage wall.
The hydraulic losses for each part of the inlet passage is shown in Figure 15. With increasing
flow rate, the hydraulic losses of each part of the inlet passage and the total hydraulic losses increase.
Regarding the hydraulic losses of each part, Fr is closely related to the size of the inlet passage. In the
optimization calculation of the inlet passage, this loss should be as small as possible, but it cannot be
eliminated. FG is the water-blocking function of the VGs and will not be produced in actual engineering.
FV is the unnecessary hydraulic loss caused by the vortex in the inlet passage and must be eliminated.
After calculation, FV . accounts for 25–30% of the total hydraulic loss in the inlet passage, and its
influence othe efficiency of the pump device is 0.5–2.2%.
Regarding the hydraulic losses of each part, Fr is closely related to the size of the inlet passage. In
the optimization calculation of the inlet passage, this loss should be as small as possible, but it cannot
be eliminated. FG is the water-blocking function of the VGs and will not be produced in actual
engineering. FV is the unnecessary hydraulic loss caused by the vortex in the inlet passage and must
be eliminated.
Energies After calculation, FV accounts for 25–30% of the total hydraulic loss in the12inlet
2020, 13, 2854 of 23
passage, and its influence on the efficiency of the pump device is 0.5–2.2%.
Figure
Figure 15.
15. Diagram
Diagram of
of hydraulic
hydraulic loss
loss in
in the
the inlet
inlet passage.
passage.
The
The inlet
inlet flow
flow field
field directly
directly affects
affects the
the impeller
impeller performance.
performance. The
Theimpeller
impellerefficiency
efficiency in
in different
different
working
working conditions
conditions with
with and
and
Energies 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEWwithout
without VGs
VGs was
was obtained
obtained as
as shown
shown in
in Figure
Figure 16.
16. 12 of 22
Figure 16. Comparison

Figure 16. Comparison diagram
diagram of
of the
the impeller
impeller efficiency with and
efficiency with and without
without VGs.
VGs.
Figure 16
Figure 16 shows
showsthatthatthe
thechange
changetrends
trendsofofthe
the efficiency
efficiency of of
thethe
twotwo impellers
impellers with
with thethe
flowflow
raterate
are
are same;
the the same; however,
however, withwith increasing
increasing flow flow rate,difference
rate, the the difference
betweenbetween the impellers
the impellers increases.
increases. The
The larger
larger
the therate
flow flowis,rate
theis, the more
more serious serious the decrease
the decrease in impeller
in impeller efficiency
efficiency withwith
VGs VGs
and and the greater
the greater the
the influence
influence of the ofvortex
the vortex
on theon the performance
performance of the impellers.
of the impellers. AccordingAccording to the comparison
to the comparison and
and analysis
analysis
of Figureof14,Figure 14, the variation
the variation trend of distribution
trend of distribution uniformity uniformity
of the axialof velocity
the axialisvelocity is consistent
consistent with that
with
of thethat of theefficiency.
impeller impeller efficiency.
For Qd , V uFor Qd, Vu isbyreduced
is reduced 0.6% andby the
0.6% and the corresponding
corresponding impeller
impeller efficiency
efficiency
is reducedisby reduced
0.7%; forby 1.2
0.7%;
Qd ,for
the1.2 Qd, the
value of Vvalue of Vu isby
u is reduced reduced
1.2% andby 1.2% and the corresponding
the corresponding impeller
impeller efficiency
efficiency is reduced is by
reduced
1.8%. by 1.8%.
The influence of the vortex on the flow patterns of the impeller, the guide vane and the outlet
passage was qualitatively analyzed under the design condition. The velocity contour of the impeller
center section was obtained, as is shown in in Figure
Figure 17.17.
When no vortex occurs, the velocity distribution inside the impeller presents a stepped shape,
gradually rising from the blade inlet to the outlet, and the velocity is small near the hub and large near
the shroud. In the presence of a vortex, the velocity distribution in the impeller is similar to that in the
absence of a vortex. The disturbance of the inlet flow field of the blade due to the vortex is evident, and
this disturbance disrupts the velocity distribution in the impeller, reducing the ability of the impeller
to work.
(a) (b)
Figure 17. Velocity distribution diagram inside the impeller: (a) Without VGs; (b) With VGs.
When no vortex occurs, the velocity distribution inside the impeller presents a stepped shape,
gradually rising from the blade inlet to the outlet, and the velocity is small near the hub and large
with that of the impeller efficiency. For Qd, Vu is reduced by 0.6% and the corresponding impeller
efficiency is reduced by 0.7%; for 1.2 Qd, the value of Vu is reduced by 1.2% and the corresponding
impeller efficiency is reduced by 1.8%.
The influence of the vortex on the flow patterns of the impeller, the guide vane and the outlet
passage was
Energies 2020, 13,qualitatively
2854 analyzed under the design condition. The velocity contour of the impeller
13 of 23
center section was obtained, as is shown in Figure 17.
(a) (b)
Figure
Figure 17.
17. Velocity distribution diagram
Velocity distribution diagram inside
inside the
the impeller:
impeller: (a)
(a) Without VGs; (b)
Without VGs; (b) With
With VGs.
VGs.
When
As an no vortex occurs,
important part ofthethevelocity
pump distribution
device, the guide inside vane
the impeller presents
can recover the aloop
stepped
amountshape,of
gradually rising
high-speed from
rotating the blade
water flowinginlet
outtoofthetheoutlet, andand
impeller the convert
velocity theis small
kineticnear the hub
energy intoand large
pressure
near theThe
energy. shroud. In theand
dynamic presence of a vortex, the
static interactions velocity
between thedistribution
impeller and inthe
theguide
impeller
vaneis have
similar to that
been the
in theof
focus absence
research of [28].
a vortex.
AfterThethe disturbance
rectification of the guide
of the inlet flowvane,field
the of thevelocity
axial blade due to the
at the vortex
outlet of theis
evident, and this disturbance disrupts the velocity distribution in the impeller, reducing the ability
guide vane should be uniform.
of theFigure
impeller to work.
18 shows that in each channel of the guide vane there is a low axial velocity zone in the
back As an blades.
of the important Anpart of the
uneven pumpdistribution
velocity device, the and guide vane velocity
a large can recover the loop
gradient amount
can easily of high-
cause flow
speed rotating water flowing out of the impeller and convert the kinetic energy into pressure energy.
instabilities. When an inlet vortex occurs, the zone of low axial velocity near the hub decreases, and
aThe
fewdynamic
channelsand staticlow
appear interactions between
axial velocity nearthe theimpeller
shroud.and the guide
According vane have(8),
to Equation been thethe focus of
calculated
research of[28].
Energies 2020,
values After
V u13,for
x FOR the
PEER
Figure rectification
REVIEW
18a,b of theand
are 74.5% guide vane,
76.1%, the axial velocity
respectively. at the outlet
This indicates thatofthe
theinlet
guide 13vane
of 22
vortex
should
will be uniform.
influence the interior flow fields of the guide vane; however, the effect is limited. In addition,
will influence
Figure 18
appropriate the
shows
flow interior
pattern flow fields
thatinterference
in each of
channel
may the guide
ofimprove vane;
the guidethevane however,
innerthere isthe
backflow effect
a low theisguide
of axial limited.
velocity In
vane, addition,
zone
and inthis
the
appropriate flow pattern interference may improve the inner backflow of
back of the blades. An uneven velocity distribution and a large velocity gradient can easily cause flow
effect is also worth further study. the guide vane, and this
effect is also When
instabilities. worth an further
inlet study.
vortex occurs, the zone of low axial velocity near the hub decreases, and
a few channels appear low axial velocity near the shroud. According to Equation (8), the calculated
values of Vu for Figure 18a,b are 74.5% and 76.1%, respectively. This indicates that the inlet vortex
(a) (b)
Figure 18.
Figure 18. Axial
Axial velocity
velocity distribution
distribution diagram
diagram inside
inside the
the guide
guide vane:
vane: (a)
(a) Without
Without VGs;
VGs; (b)
(b) With
With VGs.
VGs.
The outlet
The outlet passage
passage is is an
an important
important partpart of
of the
the pump
pump device,
device, and
and its
its internal flow pattern
internal flow pattern directly
directly
affects the efficiency and stability of the pump device [29]. The pressure contour of the middle section
affects the efficiency and stability of the pump device [29]. The pressure contour of the middle section
of the
of the outlet
outlet passage
passage waswas obtained,
obtained, as as shown
shown in in Figure
Figure 19.
19. The
The pressure
pressure cloud
cloud diagram
diagram ofof the
the outlet
outlet
passage shows
passage shows that
that the
the lateral
lateral pressure
pressure is is high
high inin the
the turn
turn section,
section, while
while the
the internal
internal pressure
pressure isis low.
low.
The pressure gradually increases from the inlet to the outlet of the outlet channel, indicating that the
energyof
energy ofthe
theflow
flowis is converted
converted from
from kinetic
kinetic energy
energy to pressure
to pressure energy.
energy. The pressure
The pressure distribution
distribution trends
trends
with with
and and without
without an inlet an inletare
vortex vortex are basically
basically the same,the butsame, but the pressure
the pressure values arevalues aredifferent,
slightly slightly
different, which may be caused by the different abilities of the impeller to work. The inlet vortex
which may be caused by the different abilities of the impeller to work. The inlet vortex has little has
effect
little
on theeffect on the performance
performance of the outletofpassage.
the outlet passage.
(a)
(b)
passage shows that the lateral pressure is high in the turn section, while the internal pressure is low.
energy of the flow is converted from kinetic energy to pressure energy. The pressure distribution
trends with and without an inlet vortex are basically the same, but the pressure values are slightly
different, which
Energies 2020, may be caused by the different abilities of the impeller to work. The inlet vortex has14 of 23
13, 2854
little effect on the performance of the outlet passage.
(a)
(b)
FigureFigure
19. Outlet passage
19. Outlet pressure
passage distribution:
pressure (a) Without
distribution: VGs; (b)
(a) Without With
VGs; (b)VGs.
With VGs.
4.3. Shape Changes of the Vortex

4.3. Shape Changes of the Vortex
The pressure contour diagram, velocity vector and vortex diagram in the water guide cone were
The pressure contour diagram, velocity vector and vortex diagram in the water guide cone were
obtained under the design condition. This paper studies the vortex according to the q criterion [30,31],
obtained under the design 4 s−2 ,condition. This paper studies the vortex according to the q criterion [30,31],
when = 6 13,
Energiesq2020, x FOR
× 10 PEERtheREVIEW
shape of the vortex is shown in Figure 20. 14 of 22
when q = 6 × 104 s−2, the shape of the vortex is shown in Figure 20.
In the absence of VGs, the overall pressure of the section is high, and the pressure distribution
is relatively uniform; no vortex appears. Influenced by the water guide cap, the water tends to flow
from the hub to the shroud and is influenced by the blade, forming four high-speed zones. With the
VGs, four pairs of counter-rotating vortices are formed in the water guide cone. A low-pressure area
correspondingly occurs at the vortex positions, and the pressure distribution is uneven. Influenced
by the elbow inlet passage, the shapes of the four groups of vortices are slightly different. The shapes
of the vortices are greatly different on the left and right sides, and the left low-pressure area is evident.
The shape of the low-pressure area at the upper and lower positions is the same as that of the vortices.
Although the VGs can produce a continuous vortex and its position is relatively fixed, the shape of
the vortex will also twist due to the disturbance of the rotating blades.
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
Figure 20. Inlet

Figure 20. Inlet flow
flow field of the
field of the impeller:
impeller: (a)
(a) Pressure
Pressure contour
contour diagram
diagram without
without VGs;
VGs; (b) Pressure
(b) Pressure
contour
contour diagram
diagram with
with VGs;
VGs; (c)
(c) Velocity vector and
Velocity vector and vortex
vortex diagram
diagram without
without VGs;
VGs; (d)
(d) Velocity vector
Velocity vector
and vortex diagram with VGs.
Because the impeller

In the absence of VGs,isthe
theoverall
core part of the pump,
pressure exploring
of the section the propagation
is high, and the pressureof thedistribution
vortex and
its influenceuniform;
is relatively on the performance of the impeller
no vortex appears. is very
Influenced important.
by the Whencap,
water guide q = the
6 × 10 4 s−2,tends
water the vortex
to flowis
identified using the isosurface and the vortex surface is expressed by the velocity.
from the hub to the shroud and is influenced by the blade, forming four high-speed zones. With the
VGs,Since thereof
four pairs arecounter-rotating
four impeller blades,
vorticesanare
impeller
formed rotation of 90° guide
in the water is identified
cone. Aas low-pressure
a cycle to analyze
area
the change in theoccurs
correspondingly vortexatin
thethe impeller,
vortex as shown
positions, and thein pressure
Figure 21. On the suction
distribution surface
is uneven. side of the
Influenced by
blade, the blade sweeps the vortex, cutting it off, and the vortex is closely attached to the blade. When
the elbow inlet passage, the shapes of the four groups of vortices are slightly different. The shapes of
the blade rotates to different angles, the vortex position remains unchanged. On the pressure surface
the vortices are greatly different on the left and right sides, and the left low-pressure area is evident.
side shape
The of theofblade, after the vortex
the low-pressure is the
area at cut upper
off by and
the lower
blade,positions
the shapeis ofthethe vortex
same is destroyed,
as that the
of the vortices.
strength of the vortex is weakened, and the vortex tends to follow the movement of the blade.
Energies 2020, 13, 2854 15 of 23
Although the VGs can produce a continuous (c) vortex and its position (d)is relatively fixed, the shape of the
vortex will alsoFigure 20. Inlet

twist dueflow fielddisturbance
to the of the impeller: of
(a) the
Pressure contour
rotating diagram without VGs; (b) Pressure
blades.
Because the impeller is the core part of the pump, exploringwithout
contour diagram with VGs; (c) Velocity vector and vortex diagram VGs; (d) Velocity
the propagation of vector
the vortex and its
influence on the performance of the impeller is very important. When q = 6 × 104 s−2 , the vortex is
identified using the the
Because isosurface
impeller is and
the the
corevortex surface
part of the pump,isexploring
expressed the by the velocity.
propagation of the vortex and
its there
Since influence
areon the impeller
four performance of the an
blades, impeller
impelleris very important.
rotation ◦
When
of 90 is qidentified
= 6 × 104 s−2,as
thea vortex is analyze
cycle to
identified
the change in the using
vortex theinisosurface and the
the impeller, asvortex
shown surface is expressed
in Figure 21. On bythe
the suction
velocity. surface side of the blade,
Since there are four impeller blades, an impeller rotation of 90° is identified as a cycle to analyze
the blade sweeps the vortex, cutting it off, and the vortex is closely attached to the blade. When the
the change in the vortex in the impeller, as shown in Figure 21. On the suction surface side of the
blade rotates to different
blade, the blade sweeps angles, the vortex
the vortex, cuttingposition
it off, andremains
the vortexunchanged. On the
is closely attached pressure
to the surface side
blade. When
the blade rotates to different angles, the vortex position remains unchanged. On the pressure surface
of the blade, after the vortex is cut off by the blade, the shape of the vortex is destroyed, the strength of
side
the vortex is of the blade, after
weakened, and the
thevortex
vortex is tends
cut off to
by follow
the blade, thethe shape of the
movement ofvortex is destroyed, the
the blade.
strength of the vortex is weakened, and the vortex tends to follow the movement of the blade.
(a) (b) (c) (d)

(e) (f) (g) (h)
Figure
Figure 21.
21. The
The internal
internal vortex
vortex shape
shape of
of the
the impeller
impeller at
at different
different moments:
moments: (a–d)
(a–d) See
See from
from the the direction
direction
of
of the impeller inlet
the impeller inlet that the blades
that the blades rotate
rotate counterclockwise;
counterclockwise; they
they are rotated by
are rotated by 00°, 30°,
◦ , 30 ◦ , 60°
60◦ and
and 90°,
90◦ ,
respectively;
respectively; (e–h)
(e–h) See
See from
from the
the direction
direction ofof the
the impeller
impeller outlet
outlet that
that the
the blades
blades rotate
rotate clockwise;
clockwise; theythey
are also rotated by 0°,
◦ 30°,
◦ 60°◦ and 90°,◦ respectively.
are also rotated by 0 , 30 , 60 and 90 , respectively.
To analyze the
To analyze the vortex
vortex inside
inside the
the impeller
impeller more
more intuitively, whenqq==66×× 10
intuitively,when 1044 ss−2
−2,, the
the vortex
vortex is
is
identified by the
identified by the isosurface.
isosurface. The
The vortex
vortex inin aa single
single channel
channel is
is shown
shown in Figure 22
in Figure 22 as
as an
an example.
example.
Figure
Figure 22.
22. Shape
Shape of
of the
the vortex
vortex in
in the
the impeller.
impeller.
Figure 22
22shows
showsthe theshape
shapeofof
thethe vortex
vortex in the
in the impeller.
impeller. Asimpeller
As the the impeller rotates
rotates at a constant
at a constant speed,
speed, the position
the position of theentering
of the vortex vortex entering the impeller
the impeller remains remains
the same,theandsame, and the
the vortex vortex
is cut intoistwocutparts
into
two parts by the impeller. The two resulting vortices remain in the shape of straight pipes. The vortex
by the impeller. The two resulting vortices remain in the shape of straight pipes. The vortex near the
near the pressure
pressure surface
surface moves movesaforward
forward a certainwith
certain distance distance with theblade,
the rotating rotating blade,
where the where
longer the
the longer
blades
the
sweepblades sweep
through thethrough vortex, that
vortex, the greater the greater
certain that certain
distance. Thedistance.
vortex onThethevortex onside
suction the suction
clings toside
the
clings to the blade surface, and the vortex at the tail is broken up, while the vortex at the bottom is
blade surface, and the vortex at the tail is broken up, while the vortex at the bottom is still tubular.
still tubular.
When a bladeWhen
passesa by,
blade
thepasses
vortexby,
willthe vortexfor
connect will connect
a short forand
time, a short
thentime,
be cutand
off then
by thebenext
cut off by
blade.
the next blade.
4.4. Vortex-Induced Pressure Fluctuation

The frequency-domain diagrams of pressure pulsation at inlet points 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, and 9 and outlet
speed, the position of the vortex entering the impeller remains the same, and the vortex is cut into
two parts by the impeller. The two resulting vortices remain in the shape of straight pipes. The vortex
near the pressure surface moves forward a certain distance with the rotating blade, where the longer
the blades sweep through the vortex, the greater that certain distance. The vortex on the suction side
clings to the blade surface, and the vortex at the tail is broken up, while the vortex at the bottom is
Energies 2020, 13, 2854 16 of 23
still tubular. When a blade passes by, the vortex will connect for a short time, and then be cut off by
the next blade.
The frequency-domain diagrams of pressure pulsation at inlet points 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, and 9 and outlet
pointsThe10,
frequency-domain
11, and 12 of thediagrams
impeller of pressure
were pulsation
obtained underatthe
inlet pointsflow
design 1, 2, condition,
3, 7, 8, and 9asand outlet
shown in
points 10,
Figure 23. 11, and 12 of the impeller were obtained under the design flow condition, as shown in
Figure 23.

(a) (b)
(c)
Figure 23.
Figure 23. Comparison
Comparison of of the
the pressure
pressurefluctuation
fluctuationatatdifferent
differentmonitoring
monitoringpoints:
points:(a)(a)Points
Points1, 1,
2, 2,
andand
3;
3; (b)
(b) Points
Points 7, 8,7,and
8, and
9; (c)9;Points
(c) Points
10, 11,10,
and11,
12.and 12. Infigures,
In these these figures, black represents
black represents the pressure the pulsation
pressure
pulsationVGs,
without without VGs,
and red and red represents
represents the pressurethepulsation
pressurewithpulsation
VGs. with VGs.
As shown
shown inin Figure
Figure23a,
23a,the
theamplitude
amplitudeofof the pressure
the pressurefluctuation increases
fluctuation from
increases thethe
from hubhub
to the
to
shroud. Without VGs, the main frequencies of the three measurement points are all the
the shroud. Without VGs, the main frequencies of the three measurement points are all the blade
and the
frequency, and the maximum
maximum amplitude of point 3 is 542 Pa. With VGs, the result of point 1 is the
same as that
that without
withoutVGs.VGs.AtAtpoint
point2,2,
the low-frequency
the low-frequency pulsation
pulsation with an an
with amplitude
amplitude near thatthat
near of the
of
blade frequency is increased. At point 3, the dominant frequency caused by the vortex is not the blade
the blade frequency is increased. At point 3, the dominant frequency caused by the vortex is not the
frequency
blade but thebut
frequency rotating frequency
the rotating of the impeller,
frequency and theand
of the impeller, maximum amplitude
the maximum is 2870 is
amplitude Pa, which
2870 Pa,
is 5.3 times the amplitude without VGs. When the low-frequency pressure pulsation caused by the
vortex is consistent with the vibration of the unit, it will threaten the stable operation of the pump
device. As shown in Figure 23b, the main frequency is the blade frequency, and the pulsation
amplitudes at measurement points 7, 8 and 9 are significantly larger than those at measurement
points 1, 2 and 3. The main frequencies are all the blade frequency, and the values are the same. At
Energies 2020, 13, 2854 17 of 23
which is 5.3 times the amplitude without VGs. When the low-frequency pressure pulsation caused
by the vortex is consistent with the vibration of the unit, it will threaten the stable operation of the
pump device. As shown in Figure 23b, the main frequency is the blade frequency, and the pulsation
amplitudes at measurement points 7, 8 and 9 are significantly larger than those at measurement points
1, 2 and 3. The main frequencies are all the blade frequency, and the values are the same. At point 9,
with VGs, low-frequency pulsations still appear, but the amplitude is smaller, only one-fifth of the
blade frequency amplitude. As shown in Figure 23c, the main frequencies of the three measurement
points are still the blade frequency, and they all have low-frequency pulsations. At point 10, the main
frequency with VGs is four times that without VGs. At point 11, the main frequency with VGs is
nearly the same as that without VGs. At point 12, the main frequency with VGs is two times that
without VGs. The above analysis shows that the pressure pulsation amplitude at the impeller inlet
is larger closer to the blade position. At the outlet of the impeller, the main frequency amplitude of
the pressure pulsation decreases, but the low-frequency pressure pulsation increases, which indicates
that the interference effects of the rotor and the stator are strengthened and that the internal flow field
becomes complicated. The above phenomenon is in accord with the general regularity of axial-flow
pump pressure pulsation.
Because the low-frequency pressure fluctuation is evident near the impeller inlet sidewall,
the time-domain diagrams at measurement points 3, 6 and 9 with and without VGs were obtained,
as shown
Energiesin Figure
2020, 24.PEER REVIEW
13, x FOR 17 of 22
9.5 ×10
4 Point 3 Point 6 Point 9
8.5
P/Pa
7.5
6.5
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 t/s 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35
(a)
× 104 Point 3 Point 6 Point 9
9.5
8.5
P/Pa
7.5
6.5
5.5
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 t/s 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35
(b)
Figure
Figure 24. Time-domain
24. Time-domain diagram
diagram of the
of the impeller
impeller inlet
inlet monitoring
monitoring points:
points: (a)(a) Without
Without VGs;
VGs; (b)(b) With
With VGs.
VGs.
As shown in Figure 24a, without VGs, the pressures at these three measurement points change
As shown in Figure 24a, without VGs, the pressures at these three measurement points change
uniformly with time. The peaks and troughs generated by the passage of blades occur at the same
uniformly with time. The peaks and troughs generated by the passage of blades occur at the same
times. The average pressures of monitoring points 3, 6 and 9 are 87,300 Pa, 84,075 Pa and 80,794 Pa,
times. The average pressures of monitoring points 3, 6 and 9 are 87,300 Pa, 84,075 Pa and 80,794 Pa,
respectively, and the differences between the pressure trough minimum and the average value are
respectively, and the differences between the pressure trough minimum and the average value are
1282,1282,
36453645
andand11,860 Pa,Pa,respectively.
11,860 respectively. The averagepressure
The average pressuredifference
difference between
between point
point 6 and6 point
and point
3
3 is 3225
is 3225 Pa, while the average pressure difference between point 9 and point 6 is 3281 Pa; thethe
Pa, while the average pressure difference between point 9 and point 6 is 3281 Pa; twotwo
values
values are are nearly
nearly equal.
equal. The The amplitudesof
amplitudes ofthe
the three
three points
points vary
varygreatly.
greatly.TheTheamplitude
amplitude of point 6 is 6 is
of point
2.7 times
2.7 times thatthat of point
of point 3, and
3, and the
the amplitudeofofpoint
amplitude point 99 is 3.3
3.3 times
timesthat
thatofofpoint
point6. 6.
When
Whena measurement
a measurement
point is closer to the impeller inlet, the average pressure of the measurement point is smaller, and the
amplitude of the pressure fluctuation is larger. As shown in Figure 24b, with VGs, the pressure is
lower because the velocity is higher at the back of the VGs, obviously; this change is caused by more
than the increase of velocity because the changes in the pressures at these three measurement points
with time are complex. At point 3, the shapes of the peaks and troughs are not symmetric. The peak
and trough values in different periods are also very different. At points 6 and 9, the pressure changes
Energies 2020, 13, 2854 18 of 23
point is closer to the impeller inlet, the average pressure of the measurement point is smaller, and the
amplitude of the pressure fluctuation is larger. As shown in Figure 24b, with VGs, the pressure is lower
because the velocity is higher at the back of the VGs, obviously; this change is caused by more than
the increase of velocity because the changes in the pressures at these three measurement points with
time are complex. At point 3, the shapes of the peaks and troughs are not symmetric. The peak and
trough values in different periods are also very different. At points 6 and 9, the pressure changes more
regularly than at point 3. The average pressures of monitoring points 3, 6 and 9 are 77,286 Pa, 81,559 Pa
and 79,724 Pa, respectively, and the differences between the pressure trough minimum and the average
value are 13,603 Pa, 9794 Pa and 21,975 Pa, respectively. The average pressure values of points 3, 6 and
9 first increase and then decrease, and the amplitudes of the pressure fluctuation first decrease and
then increase. Comparing the two figures, with VGs, the amplitudes of the pressure fluctuation at the
three points are 10.6, 2.7 and 1.8 times those without VGs. The influence of the vortex on the amplitude
of the pressure fluctuation is weakened as the position of a measurement point approaches the inlet of
the impeller. Additionally, the minimum pressure and the maximum pressure fluctuation amplitude
occur at measurement point 9. The closer the impeller is to the inlet, the more dangerous the pressure
pulsation caused by the vortex will be to the stable operation of the axial-flow pump device.
Considering that the pressure fluctuation of a monitoring point may be related to the vortex
position, along with Figures 23 and 24, the vortex diagram for q = 6.0 × 104 s−2 was obtained, as
shown in Figure 25. To verify this conjecture, three monitoring points 30 , 60 and 90 were added inside
the vortex,
the vortex, andand the Z-axis coordinates
the Z-axis coordinates of of these
these three
three points
points correspond
correspond to to those
those of of points
points 3, 3, 66 and
and 9,9,
respectively.
respectively. The
The positions
positions of
of the
the points
points relative
relative to
to the
the vortex
vortex are
are also
also shown
shown
the vortex, and the Z-axis coordinates of these three points correspond to those of points 3, 6 and 9, in
in Figure
Figure 25.
25. The
The VGs
VGs
produces
produces aa lot
respectively. lotThe
of very
of very disordered
disordered
positions vortices,
of the vortices,
points but they
but
relative they arevortex
are
to the not fully
not fully
are displayed
also showndue
displayed due to
to their
in Figuretheir25.low
Theintensity.
low intensity.
VGs
Inproduces
In addition,
addition, many
many
a lot vortices
vortices
of very disappeared
vortices,before
disappeared
disordered before
but theythey
theyareentered
not fullythe
entered the impeller
impeller
displayed buttothe
but
due the disturbance
disturbance
their low intensity. of the
of the
convection
convection
In addition, field
fieldmany does
does notnot disappear.
disappear.
vortices Because
Because
disappeared before thisentered
thisthey
paper paper
focusesfocuses
theon theon the the
interaction
interaction
impeller but betweenbetween
disturbance the the
theofvortices
convection
vortices
and and field
the impeller, does
the impeller,
the notthe
disappear.
mechanism of theBecause
mechanism VGs ofisthethis
notVGs paper
is notfocuses
studied depthon
instudied in the
here. interaction
depth here. between the
vortices and the impeller, the mechanism of the VGs is not studied in depth here.
Figure 25.
25. Positions
Positions of
of the
the vortex
vortex and
and monitoring
monitoring points.
points.
Figure 25. Positions
Figure of the vortex and monitoring points.
The
The pressure
Thepressure fluctuations
pressurefluctuations atpoints
fluctuations at
at points3′,
points 33′,
0 , 66′ and9′99′were
0 and
6′ and
0 were obtained,
wereobtained,
obtained, as
asas shown
shown
shown in Figure
in Figure
in Figure 26.
26. 26.
×10 4 Point3’3’
Point Point
Point 6’ 6’ Point
Point 9’ 9’
×104
8.5
8.5
7.5
7.5
P/Pa
P/Pa
6.5
6.5
5.5
5.5
00 0.05
0.05 0.1
0.1 0.15
0.15 t/st/s 0.20.2 0.250.25 0.3 0.3 0.35 0.35
Figure
Figure26.
Figure 26.Pressure
26. Pressurefluctuation
Pressure fluctuationinin
fluctuation the
in thevortex.
the vortex.
vortex.
As shown in Figure 26, at point 3′, the pressure greatly varies in different calculation periods,
As shown in Figure 26, at point 3′, the pressure greatly varies in different calculation periods,
and a superposition of large and small wave periods occurs. At point 6′, 32 peaks and troughs can be
and a superposition of large and small wave periods occurs. At point 6′, 32 peaks and troughs can be
distinguished, but some average values are not between the peaks and troughs. At point 9′, the effect
distinguished, but some average values are not between the peaks and troughs. At point 9′, the effect
of the blade on the pressure fluctuation is very strong; however, differences still exist between the
of the blade on the pressure fluctuation is very strong; however, differences still exist between the
peak and trough values. As a measurement point moves toward the impeller, the pressure fluctuation
at that point significantly increases, indicating that the pressure pulsation caused by the vortex is
6.5
5.5
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 t/s 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35
Energies 2020, 13, 2854 19 of 23
Figure 26. Pressure fluctuation in the vortex.
As
As shown
shown inin Figure
Figure26, 26,atatpoint
point
30 ,3′,
thethe pressure
pressure greatly
greatly varies
varies in different
in different calculation
calculation periods,periods,
and
and a superposition
a superposition of large
of large andand
smallsmall
wave wave periods
periods occurs.
occurs. At At point
point 60 , 6′,
3232 peaks
peaks andand troughs
troughs cancan
bebe
distinguished,
distinguished, but but some
some average values are
average values arenot
notbetween
betweenthe thepeaks
peaksandandtroughs.
troughs.AtAtpoint
point9 9′,
0 theeffect
, the effect
ofofthe
the blade on the
blade on thepressure
pressurefluctuation
fluctuation is very
is very strong;
strong; however,
however, differences
differences stillbetween
still exist exist between
the peak the
and trough values. As a measurement point moves toward the impeller, the pressure fluctuation at
atthat
that point
point significantly
significantly increases,
increases, indicating
indicating thatpressure
that the the pressure pulsation
pulsation causedcaused by theisvortex
by the vortex lower is
lower than that caused by the impeller.
than that caused by the impeller.
To
To quantitatively analyzethe
quantitatively analyze thepressure
pressurefluctuations
fluctuations induced
induced by by
thethe vortex,
vortex, the the results
results 30 ,
at points
at points
0 0
3′,
6 6′ and
and 9 9′ are
are shown
shown in in Figure
Figure 27,27, where
where thethe pressure
pressure withwith
VGsVGs is less
is less thanthanthat that without
without VGs.VGs.
×104 Point 3' Point 6' Point 9'

2.2
1.7
P/Pa
1.2
0.7
0.2
Energies 2020, 13,
0 x FOR PEER REVIEW
0.05 0.1 0.15 t/s 0.2 0.25 0.3 0.35 19 of 22
Figure
Figure 27.
27. Time-domain diagram of
Time-domain diagram of vortex-induced
vortex-inducedpressure
pressurefluctuation.
fluctuation.
As shown in Figure 27, large periodic fluctuations occur in the pressures at the three points. As
the position
As of a measurement
shown in Figure 27, point moves toward
large periodic the occur
fluctuations impeller,
in thethe absoluteat value
pressures of the
the three pressure
points.
fluctuation caused by the vortex decreases, and peaks and troughs influenced by the blades gradually
As the position of a measurement point moves toward the impeller, the absolute value of the pressure
fluctuation caused by the vortex decreases, and peaks and troughs influenced by the blades gradually
appear. The data shown in Figure 27 were transformed by the FFT method, and the frequency-
appear. The data shown in Figure 27 were transformed by the FFT method, and the frequency-domain
domain diagram is shown in Figure 28.
diagram is shown in Figure 28.
Figure 28. Frequency domain diagram of vortex-induced pressure fluctuation.

Figure 28. Frequency domain diagram of vortex-induced pressure fluctuation.
As shown in Figure 28, the amplitudes at 0–1 times the rotation frequency caused by the vortex
are larger. The maximum values at points 3′, 6′ and 9′ are 1632 Pa, 1961 Pa and 1547 Pa, respectively.
When a measurement point is closer to the impeller, the blade frequency of the pressure fluctuation
caused by the vortex significantly increases, and the number of low-frequency pressure fluctuations
Energies 2020, 13, 2854 20 of 23
As shown in Figure 28, the amplitudes at 0–1 times the rotation frequency caused by the vortex
are larger. The maximum values at points 30 , 60 and 90 are 1632 Pa, 1961 Pa and 1547 Pa, respectively.
When a measurement point is closer to the impeller, the blade frequency of the pressure fluctuation
caused by the vortex significantly increases, and the number of low-frequency pressure fluctuations is
greater. The vortex at the inlet can be inferred to interact with the impeller; although the intensity of
the vortex weakens near the impeller, the influence of the impeller rapidly increases.
5. Conclusions
In this work, the authors presented and discussed the performance of an axial-flow pump device
effected by an inlet vortex. Because the emerge time of the vortex is not continuous, and the location of
the vortex is not fixed, this paper reports on a method of producing a stable inlet vortex and its effects
on an axial-flow pump device. The accuracy of steady and unsteady numerical simulations is verified
by external characteristic and pressure pulsation experiments. The following main conclusions are
obtained through comparative analysis the results with and without the VGs.
The effect of VGs on the flow pattern of all flow path components is analyzed. The inlet vortex
reduces the distribution uniformity of the axial velocity and increases the radial velocity at the inlet of
the impeller. The variation trend of V u is consistent with the impeller efficiency; it is reasonable to
use the V u as a quantitative evaluation of the inlet flow pattern. The influence of the vortex on the
inlet passage performance corresponds to approximately 0.5–2.2% of the pump head, 0.4–2.3% of the
impeller efficiency, and less of the guide vane and outlet passage performance. This method is feasible
to study the effect of a vortex on the performance of an axial-flow pump by installing VGs at the inlet
of the impeller.
The shape changes of the vortex inside the impeller are revealed. The turbulence intensity of the
vortex flow field increases with increasing flow rate. With the rotation of the impeller, the blade cuts
off the vortex, and the position of the front part of the vortex is stable. After being cut off, the vortex
is weakened as the blade rotates. The vortex can also induce the impeller inlet to produce pressure
pulsations at 0–1 times the rotation frequency, and these pulsations pose a threat to the stable operation
of the pump device. The change in pressure is closely related to the location of the monitoring points.
The inflow vortex interacts with the impeller; although the intensity of the vortex weakens near the
impeller, the influence of the impeller rapidly increases.
Author Contributions: W.Z. contributed with data curation, formal analysis and writing the original draft
preparation; L.S. and F.T. contributed with visualization, writing review and editing the paper; and Q.H. and
Y.Z. carried out the experimental validation. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of
the manuscript.
Funding: This research work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No.
51376155), the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (Grant No. BK20190914), the China Postdoctoral
Science Foundation (Grant No. 2019M661946), and the University Science Research Project of Jiangsu Province
(Grant No. 19KJB570002).
Acknowledgments: A project funded by the Priority Academic Program Development (PAPD) of Jiangsu
Higher Education Institutions Support for construction and assembly of the facility was also provided by the
Hydrodynamic Engineering Laboratory of Jiangsu Province. Special thanks to Young-Ho LEE, Chair of IAHR-Asia
2019, as Figure 1 was taken during a technical tour to visit the Pump-Sump Experiment at Korea Maritime and
Ocean University.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Energies 2020, 13, 2854 21 of 23
Nomenclature
A area of the calculated section (m2 )
FG hydraulic loss caused by the water-blocking function of the vortex generators (m)
Fr friction loss between the water flow and passage wall (m)
FV hydraulic loss caused by vortex turbulence (m)
Fz impeller rotation frequency (Hz)
f frequency obtained by FFT (Hz)
g local acceleration of gravity (m/s2 )
H head of model pump device (m)
k turbulence kinetic energy (m2 /s)
M input torque (N·m)
M0 mechanical loss torque (N·m)
N input power (W)
n rotation speed of test (r/min)
P flow field pressure (Pa)
P1 static pressure of the inlet sections (Pa)
P2 static pressure of the outlet sections (Pa)
Pk production term
Q flow rate of the model pump device (L/s)
q criterion for strength determination of the vortex (s−2 )
S invariant measure of the strain rate
u1 velocity of the inlet sections (m/s)
u2 velocity of the outlet sections (m/s)
Vu distribution uniformity of the axial velocity (%)
v inflow velocity (m/s)
va average axial velocity (m/s)
vi axial velocity of the calculated cell grid (m/s)
Z1 water level in the inlet sections (m)
Z2 water level in the outlet sections (m)
∆A calculated cell grid area (m2)
∆h hydraulic loss of flow parts (m)
µ fluid dynamic viscosity (m2/s)
µt turbulent eddy viscosity (m2/s)
η efficiency of the model pump device (%)
ρ water density at test (kg/m3)
θ axial velocity weighted average angle (◦ )
References
1. Xie, C.; Tang, F.; Zhang, R.; Zhou, W.; Zhang, W.; Yang, F. Numerical calculation of axial-flow pump’s
pressure fluctuation and experiment analysis. Adv. Mech. Eng. 2018, 10, 1–13. [CrossRef]
2. Feng, J.; Luo, X.; Guo, P.; Wu, G. Influence of tip clearance on pressure fluctuations in an axial flow pump.
J. Mech. Sci. Technol. 2016, 4, 1603–1610. [CrossRef]
3. Laborde, R.; Chantrel, P.; Mory, M. Tip clearance and tip vortex cavitation in an axial flow pump. J. Fluids
Eng. 1997, 119, 680–685. [CrossRef]
4. Shi, L.; Zhang, D.; Jin, Y.; Shi, W.; van Esch, B.P.M. A study on tip leakage vortex dynamics and cavitation in
axial-flow pump. Fluid Dyn. Res. 2017, 3, 1–19. [CrossRef]
5. Tang, X.; Wang, F.; Li, Y.; Cong, G.; Shi, X.; Wu, Y.; Qi, L. Numerical investigations of vortex flows and vortex
suppression schemes in a large pumping-station sump. Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. C J. Mech. Eng. Sci. 2011, 225,
1459–1480. [CrossRef]
6. Zhan, J.; Wang, B.; Yu, L.; Li, Y.; Tang, L. Numerical investigation of flow patterns in different pump intake
systems. J. Hydrodyn. 2012, 6, 873–882. [CrossRef]
7. Song, X.; Liu, C. Experimental investigation of floor-attached vortex effects on the pressure pulsation at the
bottom of the axial flow pump sump. Renew. Energy 2020, 145, 2327–2336. [CrossRef]
Energies 2020, 13, 2854 22 of 23
8. Constantinescu, G.S.; Patel, V.C. Numerical Model for Simulation of Pump-Intake Flow and Vortices.
J. Hydraul. Eng. 1998, 2, 123–134. [CrossRef]
9. Shinichiro, Y.; Ryo, Y.; Toshinori, K.; Shunsuke, H.; Yasunori, N.; Shunji, H.; Toshihiko, K.; Toshihiro, T.
Numerical study of air-entraining and submerged vortices in a pump sump. In Proceedings of the 29th
IAHR Symposium on Hydraulic Machinery and Systems, Kyoto, Japan, 16–21 September 2018.
10. Shin, B. Effect of submergence and flow rate on free surface vortices in pump sump. Int. J. Fluid Mech. Res.
2018, 3, 225–236. [CrossRef]
11. Won, T.; Byeong, R.; Doeg, H. An effective shape of floor splitter for reducing sub-surface vortices in pump
sump. J. Mech. Sci. Technol. 2014, 1, 175–182. [CrossRef]
12. Hyung, J.; Sung, W.; Dong, S. Numerical Analysis of the Effects of Anti-Vortex Device Height on Hydraulic
Performance of Pump Sump. KSCE J. Civ. Eng. 2017, 4, 1484–1492. [CrossRef]
13. Hansen, M.O.L.; Charalampous, A.; Foucaut, J.-M.; Cuvier, C.; Velte, C.M. Validation of a Model for
Estimating the Strength of a Vortex Created from the Bound Circulation of a Vortex Generator. Energies 2019,
14, 2781. [CrossRef]
14. Zeng, Z.; Du, P.; Wang, Z.; Li, K. Combustion flow in different advanced vortex combustors with/without
vortex generator. Aerosp. Sci. Technol. 2019, 86, 640–649. [CrossRef]
15. Xiaoqing, T.; Yuan, Z.; Huachen, P.; Bin, S. Numerical and Experimental Study on a Model Draft Tube with
Vortex Generators. Adv. Mech. Eng. 2013, 5, 509314. [CrossRef]
16. Tian, X.; Pan, H.; Hong, S.; Zheng, Y. Improvement of hydro-turbine draft tube efficiency using vortex
generator. Adv. Mech. Eng. 2015, 7, 168781401559533. [CrossRef]
17. Yuan, B.; Wei, M.; Mei, Q.; Qiu, W. Analysis and Optimization of Flow Pattern in Inlet Passage of Pumping
Station. Appl. Mech. Mater. 2011, 130–134, 2485–2488. [CrossRef]
18. Si, Q.; Bois, G.; Liao, M.; Zhang, H.; Cui, Q.; Yuan, S. A Comparative Study on Centrifugal Pump Designs
and Two-Phase Flow Characteristic under Inlet Gas Entrainment Conditions. Energies 2019, 1, 65. [CrossRef]
19. Shi, L.; Zhu, J.; Tang, F.; Wang, C. Multi-Disciplinary Optimization Design of Axial-Flow Pump Impellers
Based on the Approximation Model. Energies 2020, 4, 779. [CrossRef]
20. Gattoronchieri, A.; Cravero, C.; De, L. The application of CFD to vortical flow structures detection in sea
water pumping stations. In Proceedings of the VI International Conference on Computational Methods in
Marine Engineering (MARINE 2015), Rome, Italy, 15–17 June 2015; pp. 919–930. [CrossRef]
21. Menter, F.R. Two-equation eddy-viscosity turbulence models for engineering applications. AIAA J. 1994, 32,
1598–1605. [CrossRef]
22. Kim, C.; Kim, B.; Bang, B.; Lee, Y. Experimental and CFD analysis for prediction of vortex and swirl angle in
the pump sump station model. In IOP Conference Series Materials Science and Engineering, the Proceedings of
International Symposium of Cavitation and Multiphase Flow (ISCM 2014), Beijing, China, 18–21 October 2014; IOP
Publishing Ltd.: Bristol, UK, 2015; pp. 1–6. [CrossRef]
23. Luo, X.; Ye, W.; Huang, R.; Wang, Y.; Du, T.; Huang, C. Numerical investigations of the energy performance
and pressure fluctuations for a waterjet pump in a non-uniform inflow. Renew. Energy 2020, 153, 1042–1052.
[CrossRef]
24. Zierke, W.C.; Straka, W.A. Flow visualization and the three-dimensional flow in an axial-flow pump. J. Propuls.
Power 1996, 2, 250–259. [CrossRef]
25. Salim, M.; Cheah, S. Wall y+ Strategy for Dealing with Wall-bounded Turbulent Flows. Lect. Notes Eng.
Comput. Sci. 2009, 1, 2165–2170.
26. Zhang, D.; Shi, L.; Chen, J.; Pan, Q.; Shi, W. Experimental analysis on characteristic of cavitation in tip region
of axial flow pump impeller. J. Zhejiang Univ. (Eng. Sci.) 2016, 8, 1585–1592. [CrossRef]
27. Shi, L.; Zhang, W.; Jiao, H.; Tang, F.; Wang, L.; Sun, D.; Shi, W. Numerical simulation and experimental study
on the comparison of the hydraulic characteristics of an axial-flow pump and a full tubular pump. Renew.
Energy 2020, 153, 1455–1464. [CrossRef]
28. Pei, J.; Meng, F.; Li, Y.; Yuan, S.; Chen, J. Effects of distance between impeller and guide vane on losses in a
low head pump by entropy production analysis. Adv. Mech. Eng. 2016, 11, 1–11. [CrossRef]
29. Guo, J.; Chen, H.; Lu, J. Numerical method for simulation of three dimensional flow in outlet passage of
pump station. Prog. Exp. Comput. Mech. Eng. 2003, 243, 237–242. [CrossRef]
Energies 2020, 13, 2854 23 of 23
30. Zhang, Z.; Che, X.; Nie, W.; Li, J.; Zheng, T.; Li, L.; Chen, Q.; Zheng, Z. Study of vortex in flow fields induced
by surface dielectric barrier discharge actuator at low pressure based on Q criterion. Plasma Sci. Technol.
2018, 1, 1–6. [CrossRef]
31. Zhang, Y.; Wang, X.; Zhang, Y.; Liu, C. Comparisons and analyses of vortex identification between Omega
method and Q criterion. J. Hydrodyn. 2019, 2, 224–230. [CrossRef]
© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access
article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution
(CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Energies: Ffects of An Inlet Vortex On The Performance of An

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

You might also like

Energies: Ffects of An Inlet Vortex On The Performance of An

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Energies: Ffects of An Inlet Vortex On The Performance of An

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

energies

Energies 2020, 13, 2854; doi:10.3390/en13112854 www.mdpi.com/journal/energies

(a) (b) (c)

2.1. Research Object

hexahedral structured grid for them

impeller and VGs are shown in Figure 5.

(a) (b) (c)

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Energies 2020, 13, x Figure

Energies 2020, 13, 2854 9 of 23

The multiple frequency (Fn) of the impeller is defined as follows:

4. Results and Discussions

As shown in Figure 13, in the absence absence of VGs,VGs, the

4.2. Effect of the Vortex on the Pump Device Performance

Figure 16. Comparison

4.3. Shape Changes of the Vortex

Figure 20. Inlet

Because the impeller

vortex will alsoFigure 20. Inlet

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Energies 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 15 of 22

4.4. Vortex-Induced Pressure Fluctuation

Energies 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 16 of 22

×104 Point 3' Point 6' Point 9'

Figure 28. Frequency domain diagram of vortex-induced pressure fluctuation.

You might also like