Centrifugal Pump Intake Channel Convex Curvature Design

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Centrifugal pump series experience significant variations in suction specific speed due to conically shaped intake channels, leading to unpredictable flow losses and difficulties in selecting the optimal pump for specific applications, as the existing designs result in varying flow acceleration and deceleration, affecting the pump's performance and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A novel intake flange arrangement with a converging adapter section featuring a smooth annular convex curvature surface that reduces the cross-sectional flow area, minimizing the effect on suction specific speed and maintaining a consistent flow profile across different pump sizes, thereby reducing material usage and installation complexities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conically shaped intake channels are used to match different pipeline diameters, then the pump can adapt to various pipeline sizes, but the suction specific speed varies significantly across pump series

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different pipeline diametersVSAvoidconsistency of suction specific speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The intake channel is divided into multiple sections: a first section with constant cross-sectional area matching the pipeline diameter, and a second section with gradually reducing area leading to the impeller. This segmentation allows the intake channel to adapt to different pipeline sizes while maintaining consistent flow characteristics and suction specific speed across the pump series.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the intake channel have different geometric properties optimized for their specific functions. The first section has a constant cross-section for minimal disturbance, while the second section has a gradually reducing area for controlled acceleration. This local optimization maintains consistent suction specific speed while adapting to various pipeline diameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Volume of moving object

If the intake channel cross-sectional area is reduced to match smaller impeller diameters, then the pump size is reduced, but flow losses increase due to acceleration and deceleration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump sizeVSAvoidflow losses

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The second section of the intake channel features a smoothly curved, gradually reducing cross-sectional area rather than a sharp conical shape. This curvature minimizes flow separation and turbulence, reducing energy losses while still achieving the necessary reduction in cross-sectional area to match smaller impeller diameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of manufacture

If conically shaped intake channels are used to scale pump sizes, then manufacturing is simplified, but the flow profile becomes unpredictable affecting performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of scaling pump sizesVSAvoidconsistency of flow profile

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The intake channel geometry is pre-designed with specific geometric ratios and curvature parameters that maintain consistent flow characteristics across different pump sizes. This preliminary design approach ensures predictable flow profiles while simplifying the manufacturing scaling process for the pump series.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design achieves a centrifugal pump series with suction specific speeds varying less than 3%, improving overall pump performance and efficiency, allowing for easier selection and assembly of different pump sizes with predictable flow characteristics, while maintaining compactness and reducing manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

an adapter section (56) arranged between the first end (54) and the second end (58) and comprising an annular convex curvature surface (S) reducing the cross-sectional flow area from the first inner diameter (D1) to the second inner diameter (D2)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid acceleration through area reduction: Bernoulli Effect

Data Source

PatentUS10082154B2Intake channel arrangement for a volute casing of a centrifugal pump, a flange member, a volute casing for a centrifugal pump and a centrifugal pump

Publication Date: 2018.09.25 SULZER MANAGEMENT AG

AI summary

An intake channel arrangement includes an intake channel. The intake channel includes a first end with a first inner diameter, and a second end with a second inner diameter, the second inner diameter being smaller than the first inner diameter, a cross-sectional flow area and an adapter section arranged between the first and second ends, a first channel portion with a surface and the first inner diameter, an annular convex curvature surface joining at an angle to the surface of the first channel portion, the angle being 90°-110° between the surface of the first channel portion and a tangent of the convex curvature surface having a tangent point in an intersection of the surface of the first channel portion and the convex curvature surface, the annular convex curvature surface reducing the cross-sectional flow area from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter.