International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow

Parametric study and performance improvement of regenerative flow pump considering the modification
in blade and casing geometry
Jafar Nejadrajabali, Alireza Riasi, Ahmad Nourbakhsh,
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Jafar Nejadrajabali, Alireza Riasi, Ahmad Nourbakhsh, "Parametric study and performance improvement of regenerative flow
pump considering the modification in blade and casing geometry", International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat &
Fluid Flow, https://doi.org/10.1108/HFF-03-2016-0088
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 Performance improvement and parametric study of regenerative flow
pump considering the modification in blade and casing geometry

J. Nejad1, A. Riasi and A. Nourbakhsh

University of Tehran, School of Mechanical Engineering, Tehran, Iran,

1
J.nejad@ut.ac.ir
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1
 Parametric study and performance improvement of regenerative flow
pump considering the modification in blade and casing geometry

Abstract

Regenerative flow pump is a rotodynamic turbomachine capable of developing high

pressure rise at low flow rates. In this paper, the performance of a regenerative pump

has been numerically investigated considering the modification in blade and casing

geometry. As this purpose, the blade shape was changed to the bucket form and a core
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is added to flow path. A parametric study was performed to improve the performance of

the pump. Thus, the effect of change in blade angle, chord, height, pitch to chord ratio

and also inlet port on the performance of RFP was investigated. Results showed that the

modified blade angle to achieve the maximum efficiency is about 41 degree. Also the

most efficient point occurs close to
ℎ⁄ℎ = 0.4 and by reducing the axial

chord, efficiency of the pump increases. A dimensionless parameter named “Arc of

admission” was applied to investigate the effect of inlet port on the performance of the

pump. It was found that better efficiency will be achieved by increasing the “Arc of

admission”, but there are limitations of manufacturing. It was observed that the

performance curves shifted toward lower flow coefficients by reducing height of blades.

Keywords: Regenerative pump; Numerical simulation; Parametric study; Bucket form

blades; Radial blades

2
 1. Introduction

Regenerative Flow Pumps (RFP) as well as centrifugal pumps, are placed in the

category of dynamic pumps, meaning that the energy transfer from pump to fluid is

continuous. The main characteristic of RFPs is the ability to produce high heads at low

flow rates. Furthermore, RFPs are capable of working in low NPSH. Therefore,

Regenerative Pumps are better choice than other types of centrifugal pumps at low

specific speeds [1]. RFPs have compact design and they are very cheap to manufacture.
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They present performance curve with very stable features [2]. Other names of

Regenerative pumps that are cited in scientific publications are Peripheral pump,

Turbine pump, Drag pump, Vortex pump, Traction pump, Tangential pump and Side

channel pump [3].

The main characteristic of RFPs is their ability to generate high heads at low

flow rates. They have very low specific speed and share some of the characteristics of

positive displacement machines such as root blower, but without the problems of

lubrication and wear [4]. Because these machines permit the use of fluid dynamic

pumps in place of positive displacement pumps for duties requiring high head at low

flow rates, they have found applications in many industrial areas including automotive

and aerospace fuel pumping, booster systems, water supply, agricultural industries,

shipping and mining, chemical, and food processing systems [5]. Despite all the

advantages mentioned, Regenerative pumps, have inherently and structural a

disadvantage of low hydraulic efficiency (between 30 to 50 %).

Regenerative pumps use a free rotating type impeller, like other types of turbo-

pumps. Impeller has blades machined into each side or one side at its periphery. These

blades with annular channel produce a series of helical flows, returning the fluid

repeatedly through the vanes for additional energy. The inlet and outlet ports connect

3
 the external piping system to flow channel. The Fluid enters the flow channel with inlet

port and discharges with high pressure from the outlet port. The space between inlet and

outlet regions of casing occupies with stripper to separate low-pressure inlet from high-

pressure outlet. The stripper helps the fluid to go out from discharge port. Just the fluid

within impeller blades can pass through stripper.

Although RFPs have wide application in industry, but the number of articles in

this field is low compared to centrifugal and axial flow turbo-machines. Because of

pressure loss resulted from the internal flow phenomena of regenerative Turbo-machine
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there are growing industrial needs of the reliable design method for minimizing the

pressure loss as well as achieving high efficiency [6,7]. Wilson et al. presented a

mathematical analysis for regenerative pumps with radial blades [8]. This theory was

modified by Song et al. The loss models in the modified theory were introduced in a

manner that did not require empirical coefficients [9]. Yoo et al. studied the design of a

small regenerative flow pump for artificial heart pump application based on improved

momentum exchange theory [10, 11]. Shimosaka and Yamazaki investigated the

changes in the number of blades, clearance and channel area in a regenerative pump

[12]. Grabow studied the effects of the blade angle for both radial and semicircular

blades. The experimental results showed the optimal blade angle in the range of 400 -

450 [13]. Zuchao et al. combined a regenerative pump with a high speed centrifugal

pump to achieve better performance in the small capacity regions [14]. Choi et al.

carried out an experimental study in which the influence of the impeller blade angle and

its shape on regenerative pump performance has been investigated [15]. Abdalla

attempted to study fluid flow in a regenerative compressor using CFD. Because the

solution did not include the blade row and he took no account of losses, suffered from

an uncertainty in the correct specification of the boundary conditions [16]. Meakhail et

4
 al. used CFX software to study the swirling flow in a regenerative pump with radial

blades. They found that in addition to the tip of blades, the flow exit from the side edge

[17]. Sixsmith and Altmann added a core in the flow channel of a regenerative

compressor together with the use of airfoil blades, which resulted in significant

improvements in the performance [18]. Raheel made an attempt to solve the flow details

of RFC with aerofoil blades using commercial CFD software STAR CD. He indicated

that CFD analysis will be used to study on modifications of inlet port geometry and

further be validated by experiment in his future publications [2]. The influence of

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Reynolds number on the performance curves of a small regenerative pump was studied

by Hyoung Kang and Hyun Ryo. The results showed that, with the growth in Reynolds

number, the head of pump would increase [19]. Quail et al. carried out a commercial

code to investigate the fluid flow in a regenerative pump. The results of CFD

simulations were validated by the experimental data. They also used a novel method of

manufacturing to evaluate the effect of change in blade geometry on the efficiency of

pump [20]. They also offered a one-dimensional numerical model to predict the

performance of RFP that unlike previous models, do not need to empirical correction

factor [21]. In the following, Quail et al. used a commercial code to simulate a

regenerative pump with axial inlet and outlet. They extracted the characteristic curves of

the pump based on their CFD simulations [22]. Badami and Mura investigated the

influence of leakages on the head and efficiency characteristics of a regenerative blower

for the hydrogen recirculation of a Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell for automotive

applications. The results of experimental study showed that the performance of the

machine decreases rapidly when the clearance increases [23]. They also carried out a 3D

Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis to understand the internal fluid dynamics of the

machine. The CFD analysis has been used to point out the effect of the slope of the

5
 vanes on the performance of the regenerative blower [24]. A numerical study was

carried out by the authors of this paper to study the effect of blades angle on the

performance of a regenerative pump with radial blades. Two types of impeller were

designed. The first one has symmetric angle blades and the second one with non-

symmetric angle blades. It was found that the highest head coefficient and efficiency

occur at angle +10 <  < +30 of symmetric angle blades [25].

the data obtained from numerical simulations for symmetric angle forward

blades.Karlsen-Davies et al. offered an extensive review into the development,

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performance challenges and design improvements of RLR pumps in order to provide

some useful insight on future research and next steps, with a particular focus on

improving efficiency throughout the pump life cycle [26].

In this paper, a numerical study was carried out to investigate the performance

of a regenerative pump. The results of numerical simulation were validated with

experimental results of regenerative pump. The objective of this paper is to improve the

characteristics of regenerative pump considering the modification in blade and casing

geometry. As this purpose, the blade shape changed to the bucket form (airfoil blades

with identical inlet and outlet angle) and a core was added to flow path. A parametric

study has been accomplished to see the influence of some important parameters on the

performance of the pump. Thus, the effect of change in blade angles, chord, height,

pitch to chord ratio and also inlet port on the performance of RFP with bucket form

blades was investigated using CFD simulation.

2. Main Regenerative pump with radial blades

Typical components of a regenerative pump as shown in figure 1 are consists of inlet

port, discharge port, impeller with blades at its periphery, stripper to isolate the high-

6
 pressure discharge from the low-pressure inlet, flow passage and a casing.
Stripper
Outlet port
Inlet port

Impeller
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Casing

Figure 1 Components of a typical regenerative pump with radial blade impeller

Figure 2 Impeller with radial blades

Table 1 Characteristics of impeller with radial blades

Parameter Value
Inner diameter (mm) 47
Height of blades 9
Outer diameter (mm) 65
Number of blades on each side 36
Rotational speed (rpm) 2900

3. Regenerative pump considering the change in blades and casing geometry

Different parts of the regenerative pump, designed with bucket form blades are shown

in figure 3. Here, the blade shape changed to the bucket form (airfoil blades with

identical inlet and outlet angle) and a core was added to flow path. The geometry of

7
 flow channel was changed consequently. Blade profile and the cross section of flow

channel are shown in figure 4. The geometry of impeller is displayed in figure 5.

Stripper
Inlet
Outlet

Flow channel

Impeller
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Figure 3 3D model of regenerative pump with bucket form blades

(a) (b)
Figure 4 a) cross section of flow channel, b) profile of blade

Figure 5 Impeller of regenerative pump with bucket form blades

8
 4. Experimental setup

The arrangement of test rig of regenerative pump with radial blades is shown in Figure

6. As it can be seen a reservoir tank with the capacity of 150 liter was employed to store

and ultimately receive fluid. A control valve was installed in the return line to the

reservoir tank to adjust the flow rate. The flow rate was measured using a calibrated

rotameter.
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Figure 6 Schematic of regenerative pump test rig

The pump was driven by a 500 watt induction motor operating at a constant

speed of 2900 rpm. A proximity sensor was used to measure the rotational speed. The

inlet and outlet pressures were measured using two analog pressure gauges with the

uncertainties of 1.5%.

5. Numerical method and model description

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is one of the most common and least expensive

methods for predicting the performance of turbomachinery.

9
 In this numerical study, a commercial software, CFX-13 was used to solve the

full three dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations for different

working conditions. The basic tool required for the derivation of the RANS equations

from the instantaneous Navier–Stokes equations is the Reynolds decomposition.

Reynolds decomposition refers to separation of the flow variable (like velocity u) into

the mean (time-averaged) component () and the fluctuating component (́ ). The

Navier–Stokes equations of motion for an incompressible Newtonian fluid, expressed in

tensor notation:
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∂
=0
∂ (1)

∂ ∂ ∂′ 1 ∂
̅ ∂ 

+  + ′ = ̅ − +
∂ ∂ ∂  ∂ ∂ ∂ (2)

Where  is a vector, representing external Forces. Using the equation of conservation of

mass, with slight variations, momentum equation becomes as follows.

∂ ∂ ∂
 +  = ̅ + ̅ − ′ ′ %
−
̅ ! + 2#$
∂ ∂ ∂ (3)

-0
+,
Where, S'( = * . + 1 is the mean rate of strain tensor. Finally, since integration in
-
) +,
 +/0 +/.

time removes the time dependence of the resultant terms, the time derivative must be

eliminated, leaving:

∂ ∂
 = ̅ + ̅ − ′ ′ %
−
̅! + 2#$
∂ ∂
(4)

The solver is a 3D CFD code. It uses a coupled solver. The governing equations

were discretized with finite-element based finite-volume method. The High resolution

scheme which is more accurate than upwind scheme was applied for discretization of

momentum equation, pressure, turbulent kinetic energy and turbulent dissipation rate. It

10
 was found that by increasing the turbulence intensity at inlet of the regenerative pump

from 0.05 to 0.10, the changes in the predicted head were less than 1%. So, turbulence

intensity was set to be 5%. For numerical simulation, the convergence criteria was set at

maximum residuals of 1 × 1045 . In addition, a monitor point was created to check the

mass balance at inlet/outlet of the pump. Also the variations of the pressure at the outlet

of the pump were checked during iterations. Water at 25oC was selected as the working

fluid. A constant total pressure boundary condition was applied for inlet region of pump

while a constant mass flow rate was set for outlet region of flow channel. The flow
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channel domain is stationary and the impeller domain is rotating at constant speed.

According to the reports of researchers [20, 22, 25] the steady-state approximation for

numerical simulations of regenerative pumps would represent good results. So, in this

study the flow in regenerative pumps was assumed steady-state. For quasi-steady

simulation the grids between impeller and flow channel are connected by means of a

frozen rotor interface.

Appropriate computational grid is one of the fundamental issues in numerical

solution of fluid flow. For proper use of computing resources, it is necessary to choose

smaller grids, considering the capacity limitations of computer hardware. The

computing space consists of two parts: flow channel and impeller. For grid generation,

the 3D models of them were generated and meshed separately. Interface condition was

carried out to contact interfaces between these parts. Figure 7 (a) shows the

computational grids for Main pump. Also the mesh generated for regenerative pump

with bucket form blades is shown in figure 7 (b).

11
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(a)

(b)
Figure 7 Computational grids for regenerative pumps: (a) Main pump (b) regenerative pump with bucket
form blades

During mesh generation, orthogonal quality, skewness, and aspect ratio are

checked to be in desirable range. Structured grids were used for the region between

blades due to existence of intensive gradients in this region and also complex spiral

flow pattern in them. Mesh clustering was applied for important regions such as

interface between flow channel and impeller.

12
 Grid independency studies were carried using several grid sizes. Figure 8

indicates the normalized hydraulic efficiency in terms of mesh size. Eight adapted grid

size, were assessed for Main pump as shown in figure 8 (a). It was found that by

increasing the number of cells from 2.52 × 10 7 to 3.35 × 10 7 , changes in hydraulic

efficiency is about 0.02% and further grid refinement from 3.35 × 10 7 cells to

3.86 × 10 7 cells decreases the hydraulic efficiency about 0.016%. So, grid

independence was established at around 3.35 × 10 7 cells.

For the pump with bucket form blades, as it can be seen in figure 8 (b) by
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increasing number of cells from 2.17 × 10 7 to 2.9 × 10 7 , changes in hydraulic

efficiency is about 0.5% and further mesh refinement from 2.9 × 10 7 cells to 3.45 ×

10 7 cells decreases the hydraulic efficiency about 0.03%. Since there are not

significant changes in hydraulic efficiency with the increase in the number of cells, the

numerical results can be considered independent of grid size. In this case, the grid

independence was established at around 3.45 × 10 7 cells.

1.02 1.02
1
0.98 0.98
0.96
η/ηref

0.94
η/ηref

0.94
0.92
0.9
0.88 0.9
0.86
0.84 0.86
0 1000000 2000000 3000000 4000000 0 1000000 2000000 3000000 4000000
Number of cells Number of cells

(a) (b)
Figure 8 Normalized Efficiency versus number of elements, a) Main pump, b) pump with bucket form blades

6. Validation of CFD results

The performance curves of the main regenerative pump, obtained from numerical

simulations, were compared with the experimental data. Three well-known turbulence

models (standard k-ε, low-Reynolds k-ω and SST) were examined in this numerical

study.

13
 5
4.5 Experiment

Head coefficient (Ψ)

4 k-ω
3.5 SST
3 k-ε
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6
Flow coefficient (ϕ)
a) Head coefficient versus Flow coefficient

50
45
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40
35
Efficiency

30
25 Experiment
Experiment
20 k-ω (Series1)
Poly.
15 SST (Series5)
Poly.
10
5 Poly.
k-ε (Series3)
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6
Flow coefficient (ϕ)
b) Efficiency versus flow coefficient

Figure 9 Comparison of regenerative pump performance curves obtained from numerical simulations with

experimental data

Since the regenerative pump obeying the same similitude laws as centrifugal and

axial pumps, turbines and compressors, the performance curves are presented using

dimensionless terms. Pump characteristic flow, head, power and efficiency coefficients

can be expressed in conventional dimensionless terms, Eqs. 5 to 8 [15].

>?
==
@A
(5)

C
B=
DE @A
(6)

G
F=
(7)
 DE @AH

C>? B=
I= =
(8)
G F

14
 Figure 9 shows the comparison between the performance curves obtained from

numerical simulations with the experimental results. As it can be seen in figure 9 (a),

the k – ω turbulence model has better agreement with experimental data than k – ε and

SST turbulence models. The low-Re k – ω turbulence model, could be used for entire

flow region even near walls. The low-Re k – ω model would typically require a near

wall resolution of y+ < 2. In turbomachinery flows, even y+ < 2 cannot be guaranteed

and for this reason, a new near wall treatment was developed for the k – ω models. It

allows for smooth shift from k – ω model to a wall function formulation regarding local
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y+ value [27].

Eventually, the k – ω turbulence model with automatic near wall treatments was

applied for numerical study. The low-Reynolds k – ω turbulence model is developed by

Wilcox [28]. The kinematic eddy viscosity is obtained from the following equation:

O
MN =
P
(9)

The evolution of k and ω is modelled with two transport equations:

∂ ∂ TN WO
Q@ OR = S*T + 1 X + GV − ′OP
∂ ∂ UV ∂
(10)

∂ ∂ TN WP P
Q@ PR = S*T + 1 X + Z GV − P
∂ ∂ UY ∂ O
(11)

Where constants β, β’, σk, σω and α are presented in table 2.

Table 2 Constants for the low-Reynolds k – ω turbulence model

β β' σk σω α
3/40 0.09 2 2.0 5/9

15
 7. Results

7.1 Parametric study of the regenerative pump with bucket form blades

The influence of geometric parameters such as blade angle, chord, height, pitch

to chord ratio and also inlet port on the performance of RFP with bucket form blades

was investigated numerically. All changes have been performed separately. The results

of these numerical studies have been applied to achieve the final design for regenerative

pump with bucket form blades.

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To find the optimum angle of blades, the performance of pump was analysed in

five different angles (35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 degrees). The changes in normalized

efficiency in terms of blade angles at design flow coefficient are shown in figure 10. As

it can be seen, the maximum point of curve is close to 410.

1.005
1
0.995
ɳ/ɳref

0.99
0.985
0.98
0.975
0.97
30 35 40 45 50 55 60
Blade angle (β)

Figure 10 Normalized Efficiency versus blade angle at design flow coefficient

To find the optimum number of blades for regenerative pump with bucket form

blades, it is necessary to use a dimensionless number expressed as pitch to chord ratio

which is convenient in axial turbomachines [29]. The term “pitch” is expressed as

follow:

\]^
$=
_
(12)

Figure 11 shows the normalized efficiency versus pitch to chord ratio at design flow

coefficient. It was observed that the peak of curve occurs about $⁄` = 0.4.

16
 1.05
1
0.95
0.9

ɳ/ɳref
0.85
0.8
0.75
0.7
0.65
0.6
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
S/C

Figure 11 normalized efficiency versus pitch to chord ratio at design flow coefficient
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Another important parameter in bucket form blades is axial chord. The

numerical simulations were carried out for three different axial chords (10, 8 and 6

mm). As it can be seen in figure 12, by reducing the axial chord, pump efficiency

increases. Reduction in axial chord decreases the profile loss and also the flow path line

seems to be more regular.

1.2

1
Normalised efficiency

0.8

0.6
Chord 10 mm
0.4
Chord 8 mm
0.2 Chord 6 mm
0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7

Flow coefficient

Figure 12 Performance curves of regenerative pump with bucket form blades at different axial chords

A dimensionless parameter named “Arc of admission” is applied to investigate

the effect of inlet port on the performance of regenerative pump.

D  def
D  abccd =
]^
(13)

17
 Figure 13 shows the change in normalized efficiency versus arc of admission at ϕopt.

Although better efficiency will be obtained by increasing the arc of admission, the

limitations of manufacturing should be considered.

1.1

1
ɳ/ɳref

0.9

0.8
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0.7
0.03 0.05 0.07 0.09 0.11
Arc of admission

Figure 13 Effect of inlet change on efficiency of regenerative pump

Figure 14 shows the effect of change in blades height on the performance of

regenerative pump. It was observed that by reducing the height of blades, the

performance curve shifted toward lower flow coefficients.

1.2

0.8
ɳ/ɳref

0.6
7 mm height
0.4

0.2 3.5 mm height

0
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6
Flow Coeff.

Figure 14 Effect of change in blades height on the performance curve

18
 25

20 Radial blades

Head coeff.
15 Bucket form blades

10

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8
Flow coeff.

Figure 15 Comparison of head coefficient curves versus flow coefficient

50
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40
Hydraulic efficiency

30

20
Poly.
Radial(Series1)
blades
10 Poly.
Bucket(Series2)
form blades

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8
Flow coeff.

Figure 16 Curves of hydraulic efficiency versus flow coefficient

Using the results of parametric study for regenerative pump with bucket form

blades, the final geometry was obtained. The Geometric characteristics of regenerative

pump with bucket form blades based on parametric study are tabulated in table 3.

Table 3 Geometric characteristics of regenerative pump with bucket form blades

Parameter Value
Inlet and outlet angles of blades, β (deg) 41
Height of blades, h (mm) 7
Chord of blades, c (mm) 6
Outer diameter of casing, R1 (mm) 13
Radius of core, r2 (mm) 6
r3 (mm) 7
Number of blades 129
Outer diameter of impeller 120
Rotational speed of impeller (rpm) 1450

As it can be seen in figures 15 and 16, the Performance curves of the

regenerative pump designed with bucket form blades have been compared with that of

19
 radial blades pump. The comparison of performance curves showed that the slope of

head coefficient curve of pump with bucket form blades is increased significantly

relative to that of with radial blades. Also, it can be seen in figure 16 that at design flow

coefficient, the hydraulic efficiency of the regenerative pump with bucket form blades is

about 2.5% better than that of with radial blades. Although, the growth in head

coefficient curve was considerable by changing the radial blade to bucket form; but due

to increase in power coefficient, the hydraulic efficiency is enhanced just a few

percentage.
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7.2 Performance analysis of regenerative pump with bucket form blades

The observation of the flow pattern in regenerative pump is very helpful for

improvement of its performance. Achieving to better performance depends on a

thorough understanding of the complex fluid flow in the pump. Then, the required

knowledge for how the fluid should be affected must be acquired. So, the flow pattern

in regenerative pump with bucket form blades was analysed using the graphical tools

and curves in this section.

The tangential pressure variations in regenerative pump with bucket form blades

are shown in figure 17. These curves suggest five regions in the pump operation, similar

to typical tangential pressure variation curves in regenerative turbomachines [4]. These

regions are: inlet region, acceleration region, linear region, deceleration region and

outlet region which is also marked in figure 18.

20
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Figure 17 Tangential pressure variations in regenerative pump with bucket form blades based on CFD results

Figure 18 Regions in regenerative pump with bucket form blades

21
 B⁄BEhN = 1.3 B⁄BEhN = 1 B⁄BEhN = 0.5

Figure 19 Stream lines at different flow coefficients

1.2
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0.5 B

0.8
P/Pref

0.4 B


1.3 B

0

-0.4
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
Flow particle path line

Figure 20 Comparison of pressure variation along a stream line for three flow coefficients

Figure 19 shows the stream lines in regenerative pump for different flow coefficients.

As it can be seen the number of rotation of fluid increases by reduction in flow

coefficient. Pressure variation along a stream line at design point and two other flow

coefficients is shown in figure 20. The number of fluctuations in these curves indicates

the number of rotations of fluid in pump. It can be seen that by reducing flow

coefficient, while increasing the number of fluid rotations (figure 19) in the pump, the

head of pump increases. The minimum points in curves of figure 20 are related to entry

of blades and the maximum ones are related to exit of blades.

Pressure distribution contours in regenerative pump with bucket form blades for three

different flow coefficients are presented in figure 21. The gradual growth in pressure is

22
 clearly obvious in these figures. As mentioned, in lower flow rates, because of increase

in number of rotation of fluid in the pump, the growth in pressure is greater.

⁄
ijk B⁄BEhN = 1.3 B⁄BEhN = 1 B⁄BEhN = 0.5

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Figure 21 Pressure contours at: l⁄lmno = p. q , l⁄lmno = r and l⁄lmno = r. s

Figure 22 shows the velocity variations of fluid along a stream line for three

flow coefficients. At flow coefficient (B⁄BEhN = 1.3), the fluid velocity reduces from

inlet to outlet region, while fluctuates irregularly at high amplitude. But at design flow

coefficient and lower the velocity curves are regular and the amplitude of fluctuations

reduces by reduction in flow coefficient. The absolute velocity of fluid gradually

increases from entry to exit of the blades. But, because of losses due to friction and

rotation, the velocity reduces in casing [30].

23
 1.2
1
mean

0.8 B∕B
 =1.3

V/Vref
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
Along stream line

(a)

1.2
mean
1
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0.8
V/Vref

0.6
0.4
0.2 B∕B
 =1
0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
Along stream line

(b)

1.2
mean
1
0.8
V/Vref

0.6
0.4
0.2 B∕B
 =0.5

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1

Along stream line

(c)

Figure 22 Velocity variations along stream line. (a) l⁄lmno =1.3, (b) l⁄lmno =1, (c) l⁄lmno =0.5

8. Conclusion

In this paper, a numerical study was carried out in order to improve the performance of

regenerative flow pump. As this purpose, the blade shape changed to the bucket form

(airfoil blades with identical inlet and outlet angle) and a core is added to flow path. A

parametric study was carried out to improve the performance characteristics of this

24
 pump. The effect of change in blade angle, chord, height, pitch to chord ratio and also

inlet port on the performance of RFP with bucket form blades was investigated using

CFD.

To find the optimum angle of blades, the performance of pump was analysed in five

different angles (35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 degrees). By curve fitting, it was found that the

most efficient angle occurs at about 410.

A dimensionless number expressed as pitch to chord ratio was used to find the optimum

number of blades. The results showed that the most efficient point occurs close to
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$⁄` = 0.4.

The numerical simulations were done for three different axial chords. The results

showed that by reducing the axial chord, pump efficiency increases. Reduction in chord

decreases the profile loss and also the flow path seems to be more regular.

Another dimensionless number called “Arc of admission” was applied to investigate the

effect of inlet port on the performance of regenerative pump. It was found that better

efficiency will be achieved by increasing the “Arc of admission”, but there are

limitations of manufacturing that should be considered.

Two identical blades with different height were employed to investigate the effect of

blade height on the performance of the pump. The results showed that by reducing the

height of blades, the performance curves shifted toward lower flow coefficients.

Eventually, the comparison of performance curves showed that both head and efficiency

of regenerative pump with bucket form blades were increased relative to those of radial

blades regenerative pump. Using central core in the casing of regenerative pump with

bucket form blades, causes reduction in turbulence intensity and as consequent turbulent

losses will reduce.

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 Nomenclature

A0 =Cross section area (m2)

C =Chord of blade (mm)
Dm = Mean diameter
fi =External force (N)
g =Gravity (ms-2)
H =Pump head (m)
h =Height of blade (mm)
k =Turbulence kinetic energy (m2s-2)
N =Number of blades
P =Power ( kgm2s-2)
Pk =Production rate of the turbulent kinetic Energy ( m2s-3)
Pb = Generation of turbulence kinetic energy due to buoyancy ( m2s-3)
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Pref =Reference pressure (Pa)

Q =Volume flow rate ( m3s-1)
R1 =Outer diameter of flow channel (mm)
r2 =radius of core (mm)
$ = strain rate tensor
S = Pitch
Ug =tangential speed (ms-1)
ui = [u, v, w] , Instantaneous velocity vector in tensor notation (ms-1)
 = [, ̅ , u
- ], Mean velocity vector in tensor notation (ms-1)
′ =[u’, v’, w’], fluctuating velocity vector in tensor notation (ms-1)
V =Velocity
xi =[X, Y, Z] , Cartesian coordinates in tensor notation (m)
vw =Exp[(u+-5.5)/2.5]_ distance from the wall (nondimensional)
Greek Symbols
α, β , β’, σk, σω k-ω turbulence model coefficients
β Blade angle (0)
ε Dissipation rate ( m2s-3)
η Hydraulic efficiency
Θpumping Arc of pumping
θs Stripper angle (0)
ρ Density (kgm-3)
υ Kinematic viscosity(m2s-1)
υt Kinematic turbulent viscosity(m2s-1)
µ Dynamic viscosity ( kgm-1s-1)
ϕ Flow coefficient
ϕn Flow coefficient at design point
ψ Head coefficient
τ Power coefficient
ω Specific dissipation rate

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

26
 The authors acknowledge the support of Iranian Gas Transmission Co.

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