International Review on Modelling and Simulations (I.RE.MO.S.), Vol. 6, N.

4
ISSN 1974-9821 August 2013

Investigation of a Centrifugal Pump Impeller Vane Profile Using CFD

R. Ragoth Singh1, M. Nataraj2, S. Surendar3, M. Siva4

Abstract – In this study, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) approach was proposed to
analyze the flow in the centrifugal pump impeller using the SolidWorks Flow Simulation (SWFS).
Impeller is designed for the head (H) 24 m; discharge (Q) 1.583 L/s; and speed (N) 2880 rpm.
Impeller vane profile was generated by circular arc method and point by point method and CFD
analysis was performed for the impeller vane profile. Further the impeller is analyzed for both
forward and backward curved vane. The internal flow simulation was solved by Navier-Stokes
equations with modified K- ε turbulence model in the impeller. Velocity and pressure distribution
were analyzed for the modified impellers. As the result, impeller with backward curved circular
arc vane showed good agreement. Copyright © 2013 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights
reserved.

Keywords: CFD, Impeller, Turbulence Model, Vane Profile

Nomenclature I. Introduction
, m ⁄s Volume flow rate Centrifugal pumps are very common equipment used
,m Head in residence, agriculture and industrial applications. It is
N, rpm Speed essential for a pump manufactured at low cost and
, rps Angular velocity consuming less power with high efficiency. The overall
, Total pressure performance is based on the impeller parameters and it is
fluid density essential to identify the optimized design parameter of
turbulence energy the impeller.
dissipation rate of turbulence energy CFD helps the designer to identify the optimal
fluid viscosity parameters of the impeller by numerical flow simulation.
fluid turbulent viscosity The impeller is virtually analyzed using CFD software
ij-th component of the laminar stress tensor package SWFS. The aim of the present paper is to
i-th component of the fluid velocity vector analyze the performance of impeller by developing the
ij-th component of the Reynolds stress tensor vane profile by circular arc method and point by point
method and perform CFD analysis of the impeller vane
i-th component of the Cartesian coordinate
profile for forward and backward curved vane shown in
system
Fig. 1.
i-th component of the normal-to-the-wall in
A numerical approach was performed using CFD to
the fluid region
examine the characteristics of static torque and extracted
distance from the wall along the normal to it
power of turbine in a free stream with various
dimensionless distance from the wall along the
hydrodynamic flow conditions [1].
normal to it
Computational investigation of water turbine based on
boundary layer thickness calculated by the
three-dimensional numerical flow were calculated and
integral method
analyzed for a specific flow speed discussed by Wang et
Wall shear stress
al., [2]. Shojaeefard et al., carried out experimental study
Cm, m/s Meridional component of absolute velocity
for performance improvement of centrifugal pump by
Cu, m/s Peripheral component of absolute velocity
modifying the geometric characteristics using CFD for
K m2 Capacity constant at point, viscous fluid [3].
CFD analysis was performed on the unsteady flow
Subscripts behavior near the tongue region of a centrifugal pump for
three-dimensional unsteady flow regarding grid size,
1, 2 Inlet and outlet
time step size and turbulence model [4].
i, j, k directions of the Cartesian coordinate system
The performance of the pump is numerically
w at the wall
optimized on a two-dimensional centrifugal pump
impeller to find the impeller geometry for maximizing
the pump efficiency by varying the design variables of

Manuscript received and revised July 2013, accepted August 2013 Copyright © 2013 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved

1327
 R. Ragoth Singh, M. Nataraj, S. Surendar, M. Siva

blade angles at the leading and the trailing edge [5]. A II.2. Vane Profile
methodology for optimizing the impeller geometry using
Three methods of constructing the vane profile are
CFD and Response Surface Method were discussed [6].
circular arc method, point by point method and
Numerical investigation using k - ε turbulence model in
conformal representation method. In this paper, two
the water turbine as discussed elsewhere [1], [2], [7].
methods (circular arc method and point by point method)
A detailed investigation of internal flow in a
are considered for developing the vane profile.
centrifugal pump impeller with six twisted blades using a
Table I lists the main geometric parameters to model
three - dimensional Navier-Stokes code with a standard k
the forward and backward curved vane by circular arc
- ε two-equation turbulence model were done by Cheah
method and point by point method.
et al., [8]. A detailed flow investigation were made with a
laser Doppler velocimeter in a centrifugal pump TABLE I
equipped with a vaned diffuser were carried out at PARAMETERS OF IMPELLER
different operating points for different rotor–stator Parameter Dimension
relative positions [9]. Head 24 m
Mixed flow pump was analyzed using a coarse grid in Discharge 1.583 L/s
Speed 2880 rpm
the impeller using a commercial CFD code (FLOTRAN) Outer Diameter of impeller 144 mm
with 3-D Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes equations in Inner Diameter of impeller 36 mm
a rotating cylindrical coordinate system and standard k - Inlet blade angle 19.25o
ε turbulence model was used to solve the analysis [10]. Blade angle at outlet 23.76o
Impeller width at inlet 10 mm
The performance of a centrifugal pump was analyzed Number of blades 4
using CFD and response surface methodology by
modifying impeller design specifications at the best
efficiency point [11]. II.3. Circular Arc Method
The impeller is arbitrarily divided into a number of
Specification of Pump concentric rings between r1 and r2. The radius of arc ,
between any two rings rb and ra is obtained from the
relationship (1).
Design calculation
The computations of the values of for various rings
and the radii of ar of the vane are shown in Table II and
Fig. 2:
Vane profile devlopment

−
= (1)
Modeling using Solid Works 2( − )

Flow simulation using CFD II.4. Point by Point Method

The co-ordinates for developing the vane profile
together with the inlet and outlet angle depends on the
Result and Discussion
radius (r). Tabular integration method is used for
obtaining the co-ordinates. The radiuses with respect to
Fig. 1. Methodology
angle are obtained from the Eq. (2).

II. Design and Analysis

II.1. Impeller Design
The impeller was designed for the operational
condition of head (H) = 24 m; flow rate (Q) = 1.58 m3/s;
and speed (N) = 2880 rpm. The design parameters of the
impeller were calculated using the empirical equations
found in [13].
A laboratory model of a closed circuit centrifugal
pump test rig was setup to investigate the performance of
impeller composed of a tank, suction and discharge pipe,
flow meter, gate valve, differential gauge and torque
meter.
The uncertainty of measured flow rate (Q); head (H);
input power (p) and efficiency (η) were ± 0.6%; ± 0.2%; Fig. 2. Vane profile – Circular arc method
± 0.5% and ± 1.2% respectively.

Copyright © 2013 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved International Review on Modelling and Simulations, Vol. 6, N. 4

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 R. Ragoth Singh, M. Nataraj, S. Surendar, M. Siva

The values of the vane profile coordinates and the SWFS software is a powerful CFD tool that enables
vane profile are shown in Table III and Fig. 3: designers to quickly and easily simulate fluid flow for the
success of designs.
Design cycles are expensive and time-consuming.
∙ = (2) CFD analysis is able to help the designers to optimize the
designs by simulating several concepts and scenarios to
make absolute assessment. SWFS solves time-dependent
180 three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes
= (3)
∙ equations using the k - ε turbulence model with the Finite
Volume Method (FVM).

III.1. Modeling and Meshing

Fig. 3. Vane profile – point by point method
III. Flow Simulation using CFD
In this study CFD approach was carried out to analyze
the behavior of flow field in the impeller to improve the
performance using the SWFS software.
In CFD simulation the first step is preprocessing
which includes modeling and generating mesh. Octree -
based mesh technology, combined with a unique
immersed boundary approach was accomplished to
model the geometry of impeller embedded with mesh
[14]. Two-Scale Wall Functions approach automatic
mesh generation with automatic detection of initial mesh
settings resolves the governing equations. Automatic
meshing tools allowed creating mesh for any arbitrary 3D
model.
Meshing subdivides the model and the fluid volume
into several tiny pieces called cells. The multi block
multi grid approach (structured mesh) was used to
approximate the solid fluid boundary. Figs. 4 show the
structured mesh of impeller models and the details of the
mesh are shown in Table IV.

TABLE II
CO ORDINATES OF VANE PROFILE DEVELOPMENT – CIRCULAR ARC METHOD
rbcos βb-
Ring r r2 β cosβ r cos β rb2– ra2
racos βa
1 18 324 19.25 0.9440 16.993 - - -
X 31.5 992.75 20.377 0.9374 29.528 12.535 668.25 26.65
Y 45 2025 21.505 0.9303 41.867 12.338 1032.75 41.85
Z 58.5 3422.25 22.6325 0.9229 53.994 12.1279 1397.25 57.60
2 72 5184 23.76 0.9152 65.897 11.9074 1761.75 74.008

TABLE III
COORDINATES OF VANE PROFILE DEVELOPMENT – POINT BY POINT METHOD
θ
S.No r Cm b w δ t sin ß ß B ∆r x ∆
Degrees
1 18 1.44 32 5.45 0.263 5 28.27 0.176 0.440 26.14 113.18 0.009 99.94 0.899 0
2 27 1.39 28.33 5.062 0.274 5 42.41 0.117 0.392 23.13 86.69 0.009 77.52 0.697 51.53
3 36 1.34 24.66 4.666 0.288 5 56.54 0.088 0.376 22.11 68.35 0.009 61.70 0.555 91.51
4 45 1.29 21 4.269 0.303 5 70.68 0.070 0.374 21.98 55.05 0.009 49.98 0.449 123.33
5 54 1.24 17.33 3.873 0.322 5 84.82 0.058 0.381 22.40 44.91 0.009 40.87 0.367 149.10
6 63 1.20 13.66 3.476 0.345 5 98.96 0.050 0.395 23.30 36.83 0.009 33.50 0.301 170.18
7 72 1.15 10 3.08 0.374 5 113.09 0.044 0.418 24.72 30.16 - - - 187.46

TABLE IV
MESH DETAILS
CAFC CABC PPFC PPBC
Total cells 46391 46391 40651 40651
Fluid cells 6959 6980 14457 14469
Solid cells 24264 24264 10084 10084
Partial cells 15168 15147 16110 16098

Copyright © 2013 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved International Review on Modelling and Simulations, Vol. 6, N. 4

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 R. Ragoth Singh, M. Nataraj, S. Surendar, M. Siva

III.2. Governing Equations where:

2
The principles of conservation law governed by fluid = ; = −
dynamics are: 3

2 1
= + − ; = −
Mass Continuity: + ∇∙( )=0 (4) 3

The default values for the constants in the above

Navier − Stokes: + ∙∇ = (5) equations are:
= − + +
= 0.09; = 1.44; = 1.92, = 1.0,
= 1.3; = 0.9; = 1 if > 0; = 0 if <0
Energy: = − ∇ +∇∙( ∇ )+ (6)
the turbulent viscosity is determined from:

= ∙ (9)

Lam and Bremhorst’s damping function is

determined from [8]:

.
20.5
= (1 − ) · 1+ (10)

where:
√
= ; =

y is the distance from point to the wall and Lam and

Bremhorst’s damping function and are determined
Figs. 4. Structured mesh of impeller models: (A) CAFC from:
(B) CABC (C) PPFC (D) PPBC
0.05
=1+ ; =1− (11)
III.3. The Modified k – ε Turbulence Model
In this study two-equation modified k - ε turbulence
model was used to evaluate the impeller flow simulation. Lam and Bremhorst’s damping function , ,
SWFS software has been benchmarked against a wide decrease turbulent viscosity and turbulence energy and
range of CFD turbulence cases based on the physical increase the turbulence dissipation rate when the
nature of the problem, quality of the result and Reynolds number based on the average velocity of
computing power. fluctuations and distance from wall becomes too small,
The two-equation modified k - ε turbulence model when = 1, = 1 and = 1 the approach obtaines
leads to good predictions for spatial laminar, turbulent the original k - ε model.
and transitional flows over a range of compressible and
anisotropic flows with its unique Two-Scale Wall
III.4. Two Scale Wall Function
Functions approach and immersed boundary Cartesian
meshes [14]: The modified k - ε turbulence model always uses wall
functions, so a y+ value of between 30 and 300 is
appropriate, in practical case the value may be as close to
( )+ ( )= + + 150 [14]:
(7)
+ − + = (12)

( )+ ( )= + + III.5. Computational Method

(8) The fluid is allowed to enter at the impeller eye which
+ + − turns the flow radially outwards through the blades.

Copyright © 2013 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved International Review on Modelling and Simulations, Vol. 6, N. 4

1330
 R. Ragoth Singh, M. Nataraj, S. Surendar, M. Siva

The boundary conditions for the impeller are inlet,

outlet, and impeller wheel rotation. The inlet volume
flow at the entrance of the impeller was given as inlet;
the outlet was set as static pressure equal to the
environmental pressure; and relative velocity of the
impeller was set as global rotating frame as shown in Fig.
5.
Since the working fluid is water, the simulations were
performed based on the assumptions: Iincompressible
flow; no-slip boundary conditions have been imposed
over the impeller vanes and walls, and gravity effects are
negligible.

Fig. 5. Boundary Conditions

IV. Result and Discussion

Four impellers CAFC, CABC, PPFC and PPBC were Figs. 6. Convergence history of impellers (A, B, C and D)
analyzed using SWFS. The analyses were made for the
circular arc method and point by point method with The efficiency of the impeller is given in Table V
forward and backward curved vanes. along with the corresponding pressure and velocity
The results of the flow field investigation are arrived from the SWFS software. The maximum
presented in terms of velocity and pressure distribution efficiency of the impeller was obtained for the backward
of the impeller passages. Figs. 6 show convergence curved vane profile. However, the maximum efficiency
criteria for each run and was set to be 300 iterations. is 58.53 % for the backward curved circular arc method.
After numerous time steps in each run it was clearly TABLE V
evident that, the convergence was gradually reached. As COMPARISON OF SIMULATED RESULT
the fluid entering the impeller eye the fluid particles will Impeller vane Total pressure Volume flow ×Torque Efficiency
tend to move towards the blade to blade passage. profile (Pa) rate (m3/s) (Nm) (%)
Figs. 7 and Figs. 8 shows the velocity distributions CAFC 144594.9772 -0.001303175 301.58×1.2 52.06
CABC 145071.3815 -0.001460342 301.58×1.2 58.53
and pressure distributions on the vane-to-vane for PPFC 131738.8445 -0.001460882 301.58×1.2 53.17
impeller A, B, C and D, respectively. PPBC 141375.6177 -0.001464257 301.58×1.2 57.31
Noting the fact that flow distributions in the backward
curved vane have high efficiency compared with forward
curved vane.
Hence it is evident from Figs. 7 and Figs. 8 the
backward curved vanes have better flow distribution than
the forward curved vane. The pressure increases
normally on the pressure surface than on the suction
surface on each plane. Impeller B has gradual pressure
distribution in the stream wise direction than other
impellers as shown in Figs. 7.
It was found that the flow is smoother in impeller B
and recirculation occurs in the impeller passage in A, C
and D. The distributions of velocity from the impeller
inlet to the outlet of the impeller were found to be good
in impeller B and the maximum velocity was found in
the impeller B as shown in Figs. 8. Figs. 7. Pressure contour of impellers (A, B, C and D)

Copyright © 2013 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved International Review on Modelling and Simulations, Vol. 6, N. 4

1331
 R. Ragoth Singh, M. Nataraj, S. Surendar,
Surendar M. Siva

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Fig 8.. Velocity conto
Figs. contour
ur of impellers (A, B, C and D) [11] M. Nataraj and R. Ragoth Singh. Analyzing pump impeller for
performance evaluation using RSM and CFD CFD, Desalination and
Water Treatment ahead-
ahead-of-print
print:: 1-10
10, 2013.
[12] C. K. G. Lam and K. A. Bremhorst, Modified Form of Model for
V. Conclusion Predicting Wall Turbulence, ASME Journal of Fluids
Engineering,
Engineering Vol. 103(Issue
103 Issue 3): 456
456-460,
460, 1981.
1981
Numerical investigations were carried out to analyze [13] K. M. Srinivasan., 2008. Rotodynamic pumps (centrifugal and
the flow field in the pump impeller using SWFS. To axial) (New
New age international (p) limited, 2008
2008).
design a centrifugal pump impeller a procedure is [14] *Technical paper, Enhanced Turbulence Modeling in Solidworks
proposed. The design procedure leads to good results in a Flow Simulation, Dassault Sy Systemes,
stemes, SolidWorks corporation: 1--
21, 2013.
lesser time. The effect of the forward curve
curvedd vane and [15] *Technical paper, Advanced Boundary Cartesian Me Meshing
shing
backward curved vane were analyzed. From the Technology in SolidWorks Flow Simulation, Dassault Systemes,
numerical results the backward curved vanes have better SolidWorks corporation:
corporation: 1-3131,, 2013.
performance than the forward curved vane. The vane
profile was developed by two methods viz. circular arc
method and point by point method. The efficiency of the Authors’ information
circular arc method was 58.53 % and point by point 1
Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
method was 57.31 %. The circular arc method attains Karpagam College of Engineering, Coimbatore, India
India.
higher efficiency than point by point method. Since the 2
Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering,
variation was minimum, the impeller vane design may be Government College of Technology, Coimbatore, India
India.
selected based on the easies
easiestt manufacturing process
3
method. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kathir
college of Engineering, Coimbatore, India
India..
4
V.1. Future Work P.G. Scholar, Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Excel
Engineering College, Anna University, India
India.
The impeller design presented in this paper will be
R. Ragoth Singh is currently pursuing Ph.D
extended to optimize the critical geometry parameters for degree program from Anna University University,,
improving the overall efficiency of the pump. Chennai, India. He is currently Assistant
Chennai,
Professor in Department of Mechanical
Engineering, Kar
Karpagam
pagam College of
of Engineering,
References Coimbatore. His research interest is in Design
and optimization of fluid flow machines. He has
[1] Ji--feng
feng WANG, Janusz PIECHNA and N Norbert
orbert MÜLLER, published 06 papers in International journals
Numerical investigation of the power generation of a ducted and 4 papers in at national conferences / international conference.
composite material marine current turbine, Journal of Zhejiang ragothsingh@rediffmail.com
University
University-SCIENCE
SCIENCE A A, Vol.
ol. 14 (Issue
Issue 1):
1 2525-30
30, 2013.
2013
[2] Wang ji-feng,
ji feng, Piechna janusz, Müller Norbert, A novel design of Dr. M. Nataraj
Nataraj,, was born in India 1962,
composite water turbine using CFD, Journal of Hydrodynamics,
Hydrodynamics obtained BE (Mech) degree in 1984 from
Vol.
ol. 24 (Issue
Issue 1): 11-16,
11 16, 2012.
2012 Madurai Kamaraj University, and ME (Engg
[3] M.H. Shojaeefard, M. Tahani, M.B. Ehghaghi, M.A. Fallahian Design) degree in 1991 and Ph D in 2006 from
and M. Beglari, Numerical study of the effects of some geometric Bharathiar Univer
University,
sity, India. He is currently a
characteristics of a centrifugal pump impeller that pumps a Faculty in the Department of Mechanical
viscous fluid, Computers & Fluids, Vol. ol. 60:
60: 61-70,
70, 2012.
2012 Engineering at Government College of
[4] Raúl Barrio, Jo Jorge
rge Parrondo and Eduardo Blanco, Numerical Technology, Coimbatore, India. He is a life
analysis of the unsteady flow in the near near-tongue
tongue region in a member in Indian Society of Mechanical Engineers (ISME), Indian
volute type centrifugal pump for different operating points,
volute-type Society of Technical Educations (ISTE) aand nd Condition Monitoring
Computers & Fluids, Vol.Vol. 39(Issue
39 Issue 5): 859-870,
859 870, 2010. Society of India (CMSI). He has published 31 papers in International
[5] John S. Anagnostopoulos, A fast numerical method for flow journals, 4 papers in Indian journals and presented 55 papers at national
analysis and blade design in centrifugal pump impellers, conferences / international conference. He is awarded certificate of
Computers & Fluids, Vol.Vol. 38(Issue
38 Issue 2): 284––289,
289, 2009
2009. merit in recognition of his research work by Indian Institute of
[6] R. Ragothsingh
Ragothsingh, M. Nataraj, Parametric study and optimization of Technology Roorkee, INDIA. His area of research is product and

Copyright © 2013 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved International Review on Modelli
Modelling
ng and Simulations, Vol. 6, N. 4

1332
 R. Ragoth Singh, M. Nataraj, S. Surendar, M. Siva

process design optimization, product development using Design of

Experiments approach. He has produced 2 Ph.D. and is supervising 8
research scholars in Mechanical Engineering area. He is potential
reviewer for Elsevier Journals (EFA), Inderscience Journals (IJCAT),
Journal of Petroleum and Gas Engineering (JPGE), International
Journal of Quality and Reliability Engineering (IJQRE) and
Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics
(EACFM). E-mail: m_natanuragct@yahoo.com

S. Surendar working as an Assistant Professor

in Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Kathir College of Engineering, Coimbatore and
obtained M.E. in Engineering Design from
Dr.Mahalingam College of Engineering &
Technology, Anna University, Chennai, India.
suren_mech@yahoo.co.in

M. Siva is currently pursuing M.E.

Aeronautical Engineering at Excel Engineering
College, Anna University, Chennai, India. His
research interest is in CFD.
E-mail: sivavins@gmail.com

Copyright © 2013 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved International Review on Modelling and Simulations, Vol. 6, N. 4

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