Numerical calculation and experimental study of axial force on multistage centrifugal pump

The value and balance of axial forces are important factors that impact the centrifugal pump reliability, safety and efficiency. Due to calculated results of different experience formula of axial force are different, it is necessary and urgent to find a centrifugal pump axial force calculation method. Through theoretical analysis of axial forces, the flow field of multistage centrifugal pump was simulated by commercial software Fluent, which based on standard k-ε turbulence model and SIMPLE algorithm. The static pressure distributions in centrifugal pump internal were analyzed and the axial forces were acquired by static pressure points. Through pressure distribution tests of model pump, the 14 groups of pressure value in flow field and flow-pressure, head-pressure curve were obtained, and the axial force was estimated accordingly. Comparing the numerical results and experimental results, the pressure values at small flow condition have a big difference. At the rated conditions, the pressure values at impeller outlet are basically consistent with experimental values. The simulated results of axial force closely match with the experimental ones, and the maximum error is 4.6%, within allowable error range. The research can provide new ideas and methods for reliability designs of centrifugal pumps.