Multi-Objective Optimization of a Centrifugal Pump Stage

DOWNLOAD PDF

Introduction

The design targets for this consultancy were to improve the impeller suction performance at design point, improve the stall performance and maximise pump head at shut-down.

The deliverables were a design guideline based on sensitivity analysis for impeller design and optimised impeller geometries for different objectives.

 

Pump stage configuration

 

The client is one of largest global pump manufacturers providing a full range of pump series for a variety of applications. They have been using TURBOdesign1 in their design system and have collaborated with ADT on several projects previously. In this project, they asked ADT to perform a multi-objective design optimization of a pump stage as shown in Fig. 1 in order to identify the most important geometrical and blade loading parameters that affect the pump performance, in terms of hydraulic efficiency, cavitation, shut-off and stall characteristics. For this purpose the 3D inverse design method TURBOdesign1 is coupled with Design of Experiment Method (DoE), Response Surface Modelling (RSM) and Multi-objective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA).

The results showed that by carefully tuning the design parameters significant improvement could be achieved in desired performance parameters.

Due to relatively large number of design parameters, a first degree response surface approximation was used for the DoE sensitivity analysis. This approximation is very effective to sweep the design space and to study the relationship between the design and performance parameters. The most important design parameters that affect a particular performance parameter were identified using this approach. These parameters were then used for a multi-objective optimisation process using a more accurate response surface model in order to determine the trade-off between contrasting design objectives. The results showed that by carefully tuning the design parameters, as suggested by the DoE analysis, significant improvement could be achieved in desired performance parameters.

 

Baseline design vapour volume fraction contours and vapour streamlines

Fig. 2 shows significant improvement in suction performance which is obtained by following the design guidelines of the DOE study for the ADT baseline design.

Get the Latest Updates Direct to Your Inbox