Movements of Solid Particles in a Radial-Flow Pump Impeller : 2nd Report, Behavior of a Three-Dimensional Potential Flow Field

Abstract

Equations of motion of solid particles in a pump impeller having a low specific speed were solved numerically with assumptions of an inviscid and incompressible three dimensional potential flow, and the general movement of solid particles in the pump was clarified. The trajectories of the sand particles and manganese ores, with diameters ranging from 1 mm to 5 mm were obtained for different flow capacities. The locations and the velocities with which the particles impinge on the boundary surface of the pump were also discussed in order to estimate the erosion damage in pumps.