A Study Comparing the Subsurface Vortex Characteristics in Pump Sumps

The vortex generated around the suction region of the pump sump causes problems such as damage to the pump, increased maintenance costs, and failure to supply coolant smoothly. Therefore, analyzing vortices is essential in pump sump design. However, the CFD analysis alone is insufficient in pump sumps vortex analysis since the reliability of the results is doubtful in scaled model tests. This study conducted the model test to validate a suitable CFD simulation method by identifying the Type 2 vortex among the three types of subsurface vortices. The dye test and PIV technology were used to visualize the Type 2 subsurface vortices, whereas the PIV vorticity results were then compared to the CFD results. The average vorticity of 60.2 (1/s) was identified as the reference level of Type 2 subsurface vortices formation by mapping the dye test results with the PIV vorticity results. Furthermore, the average vorticities of 84.63 (1/s) and 85.15 (1/s) were recorded in the presence of Type 2 subsurface vortices in PIV and CFD, respectively, and these values can be applied to the designing of pump sumps.

Automated summary

Analyzing vortices is essential in pump sump design, but CFD analysis alone is not sufficient. Model tests were conducted in this study to validate a suitable CFD simulation method. The results from the dye test and PIV technology were compared to the CFD results to identify the reference level of vorticity for Type 2 subsurface vortices.