This article discusses a research methodology for performance enhancement of centrifugal pump through Taguchi's parametric design concept. The objective is to find an optimum impeller design and geometry that makes the pump functionally reliable for winning customer's confidence. Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis has been done to know how the flow pattern changes in the impeller when the pump is required to run at different operating conditions. The streamline analysis from CFD plots gives informative pictures of the flow field, which help the designer understand how the effect of deviation made in the impeller design specifications significantly influence the pump performance. CFD results match well with the predictions of the pump performance at the duty point as regard to head, discharge, and efficiency of the prototype model. The study infers that the CFD prediction tallies with Taguchi's experimental results.
SellM.TreiberM.CasciaroC.GyarmathyG.Tip-clearance-affected flow fields in a turbine blade row. Proc. Instn Mech. Engrs, Part A: J. Power and Energy, 1999, 213 (A4), 309–318.
5.
KoumoutosA.TourlidakisA.ElderR. L.Computational studies of unsteady flows in a centrifugal compressor stage. Proc. Instn Mech. Engrs, Part A: J. Power and Energy, 2000, 214 (A6), 611–633.
6.
OhH. W.YoonE. S.KimK. S.AhnJ. W.A practical approach to the hydraulic design and performance analysis of mixed–flow pump for marine jet propulsion. Proc. Instn Mech. Engrs, Part A: J. Power and Energy, 2003, 217 (A6), 659–664.
7.
SuklaS. N.KshirsagarJ. T.Numerical experiments on a centrifugal pump. J. Ind. Pumps, 2003, 35, 21–30.
8.
OhH. W.KimK.-Y.Conceptual design optimization of mixed–flow pump impellers using mean streamline analysis. Proc. Instn Mech. Engrs, Part A: J. Power and Energy, 2001, 215 (A1), 133–138.
9.
BhaoyalB. C.3D Flow simulation in an axial flow pump using computational fluid dynamic method. J. Ind. Pumps, 2002, 32, 21–39.
10.
OhH. W.KimK.-Y.Mean streamline performance analysis of flow mixed–flow fan impellers covering the low flow rate characteristics. Proc. Instn Mech. Engrs, Part A: J. Power and Energy, 2001, 215 (A4), 513–518.
11.
HongS. S.KangS. H.Flow at the centrifugal pump impeller exit with circumferential distortion of the outlet static pressure. ASME J. Fluids Eng., 2004, 126, 81–86.
12.
LiW. G.A method for analyzing the performance of centrifugal oil pumps. ASME J. Fluids Eng., 2004, 126, 482–485.
13.
LiW. G.SuF.Z.XiaoC.Influence of the number of impeller blades on the performance of centrifugal oil pumps. World Pumps, 2002, 427, 32–35.
14.
HowellA. R.The present basis of axial flow compressor design: Part 1 - cascade theory and performance. Aeronautical Research Council Reports and Memoranda209, 1942.
15.
PeckJ. F.Investigation concerning flow conditions in a centrifugal pump, and the effect of blade loading on head slip. Proc. Instn Mech. Engrs, 1951, 164, 1–30.
16.
VarleyF. A.Effects of impeller design and roughness on the performance of centrifugal pumps. Proc. Instn Mech. Engrs, 1961, 175, 955–989.
17.
OhH. W.YoonE. S.ChungM. K.An optimum set of loss models for performance prediction of centrifugal compressors. Proc. Instn Mech. Engrs, Part A: J. Power and Energy, 1997, 211 (A4), 331–338.
18.
YoonE. S.OhH. W.ChungM. K.HaJ. S.Performance prediction of mixed–flow pumps. Proc. Instn Mech. Engrs, Part A: J. Power and Energy, 1998, 212 (A2), 109–115.
19.
SarkarS.Performance study of a mixed flow impeller covering an unsteady flow field. Proc. Instn Mech. Engrs, Part A: J. Power Energy, 1992, 206 (A2), 83–93.
20.
SarkarS.Performance prediction of a mixed flow impeller. Proc. Instn Mech. Engrs, Part A: Journal of Power Energy, 1992, 206 (A3), 189–196.
21.
OhH. W.ChungM. K.Optimum values of design variables versus specific speed for centrifugal pumps. Proc. Instn Mech. Engrs, Part A: J. Power and Energy, 1999, 213 (A3), 219–226.
22.
TaguchiG.Introduction to quality engineering. Asian Productivity Organization, 1986 (UNIPUB, White Plains, New York).
23.
BarkerT. B.Quality engineering by design: Taguchi's philosophy, Quality Proceeding, 1986, pp. 33–42.
24.
RossP. J.Taguchi techniques for quality engineering, 1988 (McGraw-Hill, New York).
25.
ParkS. H.Robust design and analysis for quality engineering, 1996 (Chapman and Hall, London).
26.
KumarasamyS.Data book for design of centrifugal pumps, 2001 (Hydroturbomachines Laboratory, IIT Madras, Chennai).
