Impact of solids on flow patterns and performance of a centrifugal slurry pump: a numerical study

Centrifugal pumps are widely employed in various industry, agricultural, and home uses. Examining the impact of solid particulates on centrifugal slurry pump performance is critical in designing efficient slurry transportation systems. However, little attention has been given to how particle characteristics in water flow affect pump performance. This study investigates the impact of particle concentration and size on pump performance using the Eulerian-Eulerian multiphase model for numerical simulation using Ansys™ Fluent 19.0. It assesses centrifugal pump performance, including head and efficiency, by visualizing flow conditions. The simulations’ precision is validated through a numerical-experimental comparison of pump performance characteristics. Compared to the experimental data, the Eulerian-Eulerian model shows an accuracy of about ± 2.6% for head and ± 4.4% for efficiency of water. Consequently, the pump exhibits lower head and efficiency compared to a pure water condition. Furthermore, the model predicts a decline in both pump head and efficiency with increasing particulate size and concentration. Particles with elevated specific gravity show a smaller decrease in the pump’s head and efficiency.