International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)

ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 7, July - 2014

Design And Flow Through CFD Analysis Of

Enclosed Impeller
Ashish J. Patel1 , Bhaumik B. Patel2
1
M.E (Machine Design) Student, Mechanical Engineering,
Kalol Institute of Technology and Research Centre, Kalol, Gujarat, India
2
Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering Department,
Kalol Institute of Technology and Research
Centre, Kalol, Gujarat, India,
Gujarat Technological University

2. OBJECTIVE
Abstract -- The Impeller of Centrifugal Pump is one of most To Perform Design and Flow through CFD analysis of the
Critical Component to be designed. The Flow through Enclosed impeller in Ansys software with modification in
Centrifugal Pump impeller is three dimensional and fully inlet and outlet blade angles of the impeller and number of
turbulence model. The present work describes the design and
flow through CFD analysis of enclosed impeller of the
centrifugal Pump. The model of impeller was generated using
blades of the impeller to investigate the changes in head as
SOLIDWORKS and analyzed in ANSYS (Workbench) Fluid
Flow (CFX). The numerical solution of the discredited three well as efficiencies.
dimensional, incompressible Navier-Stokes equations over an
unstructured grid is accomplished with an ANSYS-CFX. The 3. LITERATURE REVIEW
RT
design of enclosed impeller is done by using various input E.C. Bcharoudis et. al. [1] have contributed to reveal the
data, the value of head is determined by theoretical as well as flow mechanisms inside centrifugal impellers and studied
CFD value. The CFD analysis of Enclosed impeller has been performance by varying outlet blade angle. They observed
carried out at various inlet and outlet blade angles of the a gain in head more than 7 % with increase in outlet blade
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impeller and number of blades of impeller to investigate the angle from 20 degree to 45 degree.
changes in head as well as efficiencies.
K. M. Pandey et. al. [2] have performed two-dimensional
Keywords – Impeller Design, Solid Works, CFD, Pressure steady numerical analysis for centrifugal pumps with
Distribution, Efficiency impeller blades 7, 8 and 9 using Ansys Fluent 6.3 software
for inlet diameter 80 mm and outlet diameter 168 mm at
1. INTRODUCTION 2500 rpm rotational speed also to investigate the changes in
A pump is a machinery or device for raising, compressing head as well as efficiencies with the increase of blade
or transferring fluid. A fluid can be gasses or any liquid. number.
Pumps are one of the most often sold and used mechanical S.Rajendran et. al. [3] have performed the simulation of the
devices and can be found in almost every industry. Pumps flow in the impeller of a centrifugal pump. The flow
alone do not create pressure; they only displace fluid, pattern, pressure distribution in the blade passage, blade
causing a flow. Adding resistance to flow causes pressure. loading and pressure plots are discussed.
Pumps fall into five major groups: direct lift, velocity,
buoyancy and gravity pumps. 4. Design of Enclosed Impeller
A centrifugal pump is a kinetic device. Liquid entering the For design calculation, the design Parameters of
pump receives kinetic energy from the rotating impeller. CROMPTON SRAM-400 Pump are taken as follows:
The centrifugal action of the impeller accelerates the liquid
to a high velocity, transferring mechanical (rotational) Table 4.1 Design Data for Pump
energy to the liquid. That kinetic energy is available to the Sr. Parameters Value
No
fluid to accomplish work. The centrifugal pumps act as a
reversed of an inward radial flow reaction turbine. 1 Flow rate 0.5 m3 /s
Centrifugal pumps consist of a set of rotating vanes,
2 Head 30 m
enclosed within a housing or casing, used to impart energy
to a fluid through centrifugal force. 3 Pump Speed 735 rpm

4 Gravitational Acceleration 9.81 m/s 2

5 Density of Sewage Water 1050 kg/m3

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 7, July - 2014

 The flow area just inside the vane passage at the

The design steps are as follows: [4]
inlet, is
Ф1 ∗ Q′
1. Calculation of Shape Number (Nsh): A1 =
Cm1
10 3 ∗n ∗ Q  Vane contraction factor at the inlet,
Nsh = 3 t1
(g∗h)4 Ф1 =
t1 − Su1
Where, t1 = Pitch of vanes
Su1 = Peripheral vane thickness at the inlet
π ∗ Di
2. Calculation of Power (P): t1 =
Z
 Power input to the pump, Pc is given by,  Peripheral Vane thickness at inlet,
ρ∗g∗H∗Q S1
PC = Su1 =
ηov Sinβ1
Where, S1 = Vane thickness at inlet 5 to 8 mm.
 Calculation of power to be supplied by the Motor A1
PCm , B1 =
π ∗ Di
12. Vane angle at the outlet (β2 ):
Pcm = Molf ∗ PC Nsh
Where Molf is overloading factor. β2 = 35 −
8
3. Calculation of Shaft Diameter (dsh ): 13. Calculation of outlet diameter (DO ):
3 16 ∗ Pcm
)2 + gHb1∞ )1 2
Cm 2 Cm 2
dsh = U2 = +((
ω ∗ π ∗ τtor 2tan β 2 2tan β 2

4. Calculation of Hub Diameter (dh):  Hydraulic efficiency ηhy,

dh = 1.4 ∗ dsh
RT
5. Calculation of Eye Diameter (de ): 0.42
ηhy = 1−
(log 𝑑 𝑒 −0.172 )2
3 Q
de = 4.5 ∗
n  Theoretical Head Hb1 ,
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H
6. Impeller inlet diameter (Di ): Hb1 =
ηhy
Di = 1.05 to 1.02 de  Flow velocity at outlet, Cm2 = 0.8 to 0.9Cm1
7. Calculation of inlet vane angle (β1 ): U ∗60
Substituting the value of U2, Do = 2 . Similar steps
π∗n
Cm1 can be applied for obtaining the outlet width of blade
β1 = tan−1 ( )
u1 (B2) as for inlet width (B1).
8. Tangential velocity at inlet (U1 ): 14. Relative velocity at inlet and outlet (Vr ):
π ∗ Di ∗ n Cm1,2
U1 = Vr1,2 =
60 Sinβ1,2
9. Calculation of number of Vanes (Z):
The Calculated Parameters are as below:
 6.5*(D2 +D1)*sin(β1 +β 2 ) 
  Sr. Parameters Value
 (D2 -D1)  1 Impeller inlet diameter 402 mm
Z=  
2 2 Impeller outlet diameter 630 mm
3 Impeller inlet width 120 mm
10. Calculation of Suction Pipe Diameter (DS ): 4 Impeller outlet width 70 mm
Cm1 = CO , 5 Blade thickness 15 mm
Where Cm1 = Flow velocity at inlet 6 Inlet vane angle 140
3
But, CO = 0.06 to 0.08* Qn2 7 Outlet vane angle 200
8 Number of vanes 4
11. Inlet width at the impeller (B1 ):
5. CFD ANALYSIS OF ENCLOSED IMPELLER
Computational Fluid Dynamic is a branch of fluid
mechanics that uses numerical methods and algorithms to
solve and analyze problem that involve fluid flows.

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 7, July - 2014

Step2. Our CFD Analysis method is Cavity Patten so we

have to create Cavity model of above impeller.

Step3. Save above Cavity model in *. IGES Format for

Importing into ANSYS Workbench Mesh Module for
Meshing.

Figure 7.2 Cavity Model of Impeller

Step4. Import above Cavity model in ANSYS Workbench

Mesh Module.
RT
Figure 5.1 CFD methodology

6. BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
Centrifugal pump impeller domain is considered as rotating
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frame of reference with a rotational speed of 735 rpm. The

working fluid through the pump is water at 27 0C. k-ε
turbulence model with turbulence intensity of 5% is
considered. Inlet and outlet Pressure and mass flow rate of
0.5 m3 /s are given as boundary conditions. Three
dimensional incompressible N-S equations are solved with
Ansys-CFX Solver.

7. PROCEDURE OF CFD ANALYSIS

Step1. 3D Model of Impeller is generated in
SOLIDWORKS 2009 as per above given Drawing.
Figure 7.3 Cavity model of impeller in ANSYS Workbench

Step5. Meshing of Impeller

Meshing Type: 3D
Type of Element: Tetrahedral

Figure 7.1 3D Model of Impeller

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 7, July - 2014

No. of Nodes: 46403 Step9. Define Heat Transfer and Turbulence model.
No. of Elements: 241146

Figure7.4 Meshed Model of Impeller Cavity

Figure 7.7 Heat Transfer and Turbulence Model
Step6. Save above model in *.CMDB Format for importing
into ANSYS CFX Pre. Heat Transfer Model: Total Energy
Turbulence Model: k- epsilon
Where k is the turbulence kinetic energy and is defined as
Step7. Import above .CMDB File in ANSYS CFX Pre. the variance of the fluctuations in velocity. It has
dimensions of (L2 T-2); for example, m2 /s 2 .
ε is the turbulence eddy dissipation (the rate at which the
velocity fluctuations dissipate), as well as dimensions of k
per unit time (L2 T-3) (e.g., m2 /s 3 ).
The k-ε model introduces two new variables into the
RT
system of equations. The continuity equation is then:

∂ρ
+ ∇ • ρU = 0
∂t
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and the momentum equation becomes

∂ρU
+ ∇ • ρU ⨂U − ∇ • μef f ∇U
Figure 7.5 Impeller Cavity in ANSYS CFX Pre ∂t
= ∇P ′ + ∇ • μef f ∇U T + B

Step8. Define Water + Particle Domain. Step10. Define Hub as a Rotating Wall
Domain Type: Fluid Wall Roughness: Smooth Wall
Domain Fluid: Water + 5 mm Particle Heat Transfer: Adiabatic
Domain motion: Rotating
Domain RPM: 735 rpm
Rotating about: Y Axis

Figure 7.8 Hub as a Rotating Wall

Step11. Define Shroud as a Rotating Wall.
Figure 7.6 Water + Particle Domain

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 7, July - 2014

Step14. Define Solver Control Criteria.

Figure 7.9 Shroud as a Rotating Wall

Step12. Define inlet for Impeller

Define inlet mass Flow Rate: 0.5 m3 /s Figure 7.12 Solver Control Criteria
Static Frame to Total Temperature: 300 K
Number of Outer loop iteration: 100
Convergence Criteria:
Residual Target: 1e-4
Step15. Run the Analysis

7.2 Results of Analysis:

RT
Inlet Angle: 140
Outlet Angle: 200
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Figure 7.10 Inlet for Impeller

Step13. Define Outlet for Impeller

Define Outlet mass Flow Rate: 0.5 m3 /s
Figure 7.13 Velocity Contour

Figure 7.13 shows minimum velocity is 1.035*101 m/s and

maximum velocity is 4.051*101 m/s.

Figure 7.11 Outlet for Impeller

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Vol. 3 Issue 7, July - 2014

Figure 7.16 Outlet Pressure Contour

Figure 7.14 Inlet Pressure Contour Here minimum outlet pressure is 5.401*105 Pascal and
maximum outlet pressure is 5.426*105 Pascal. Figure 4.29
Figure shows pressure contours at inlet, it helps one in shows inlet pressure contour at inlet blade angle 140 and
identifying the maximum and minimum pressure at the outlet blade angle 180 at which fluid leave the impeller and
inlet when the fluid comes in contact with the blade. Here pump get maximum efficiency (approximately 96%).
minimum inlet pressure is 1.625*105 Pascal and maximum
inlet pressure is 1.752*105 Pascal. RT

Figure 7.17 Inlet Pressure Contour

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Here minimum inlet pressure is 1.613*105 Pascal and

maximum inlet pressure is 1.690*105 Pascal. Figure 4.30
shows inlet pressure contour at inlet blade angle 140 and
outlet blade angle 180 which indicate maximum pressure at
Figure 7.15 Outlet Pressure Contour which fluid comes in contact with the impeller and the
head is maximum(approximately 36 m).
Figure shows that pressure at outlet of impeller, before
entering the casing. Here minimum outlet pressure is
Outlet Pressure −Inlet Pressure
4.825*105 Pascal and maximum outlet pressure is Head =
ρ∗g
4.925*105 Pascal. = (5.426 e5 - 1.69 e5)/(1050 * 9.81)
Outlet Pressure −Inlet Pressure
= 36.27 m
Head =
ρ∗g
Table 7.1 Generated Head at Various
4.925e5 −1.752 e5
= Blade Angles
1050 ∗ 9.81 Sr. Outlet Head ƞ
Inlet Angle
No Angle (m) (%)
Head = 30.804 m 33.52 90.86
1 160 220
34.59 93.76
2 160 200
7.3 Modification in Inlet and Outlet Blade Angles of 35.27 95.60
3 160 180
Impeller
28.34 76.82
Here we took various inlet and outlet blade angles to show 4 140 220
pressure distribution at inlet and outlet of impeller before 5 140 200
30.80 81.00
entering the casing. Among them the best result was taken 36.27 96.68
6 140 180
and discussed below.
26.15 70.88
7 120 220
Inlet Angle: 140 28.96 78.50
8 120 200
Outlet Angle: 180
36.12 95.94
9 120 180

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 7, July - 2014

100

80
Efficiency

60

40

20

0
Figure 7.21 Inlet Pressure Contour at Number of Blades 4

Generated Head
Figure7.18 Generated Head Vs. Efficiency

7.4 Modification in Number of Blades of

Impeller
RT
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Figure 7.22 Outlet pressure Contour at Number of Blades 4

Figure 7.19 Outet Pressure Contour at Number of Blades 3

Figure 7.23 Outlet pressure Contour at Number of Blades 5

Figure 7.20 Inlet Pressure Contour at Number of Blades 3

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 International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT)
ISSN: 2278-0181
Vol. 3 Issue 7, July - 2014

REFERENCES
[1] E. C. Bacharoudis, A. E. Filios, M. D. Mentzos and D. P. Margaris,
“Parametric Study of a Centrifugal Pump Impeller by Varying the
Outlet Blade Angle”, The open Mechanical Engineering Journal,
2008, 2, 75-83.
[2] K. M. Pandey, A. P. Singh and Sujoy Chakraborty, “Numerical
studies in effect of Blade number variations on performance of
Centrifugal Pumps at 2500 rpm”, Journal of Environmental
Research and Development, Vol.6 No. 3A, Jan-March 2012.
[3] S.Rajendran and Dr.k.Purushothaman, “Analysis of a centrifugal
pump impeller using ANSYS-CFX”, International Journal of
Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT) Vol. 1 Issue 3, May –
2012, ISSN: 2278-0181.
[4] Prof. S. Kumaraswamy. “Databook for design of Centrifugal
Pumps”. Center for Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research,
IIT Madras.
[5] Sujoy Chakraborty, Kishan Chaudhary, Prasenjit Dutta,
“Performance prediction of Centrifugal pumps with variations of
Figure 7.24 Inlet pressure Contour at Number of Blades 5 blade number”, Journal of science and Industrial research, vol.72,
June 2013, pp. 373-378.
[6] Weidong zhou, Zhimei Zhao, T. S. Lee, and S. H. Winoto,
“Investigation of flow through Centrifugal Pump Impellers using
Computational Fluid Dynamics”, International Journal of Rotating
Machinery, 9(1): 49-61, 2003.
[7] C. P. Kothandaraman, R. Rudramoorthy, “Fluid Mechanics And
Machinery (Second Edition)”, Handbook, New Age International (P)
Limited, Publishers.
[8]G.K. Sahu., Pumps, New Age International Publishers, First edition,
2000.
[9] John D. Anderson Jr., Joris Degroote, G´erard Degrez, Erik Dick,
“Computational Fluid Dynamics an Introduction”, Handbook,
Springer.
RT
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Figure7.25 Number of Blades Vs. Head

CONCLUSION
The CFD predicted value of the head at the designed flow
rate is approximately H=30.804 m. There is 8.04% of
difference between the theoretical head and the predicted
numerical head.
From the CFD analysis of centrifugal pump impeller, the
maximum generated head is 36.27m at inlet blade angle
140 and outlet blade angle 180 respectively and the pump
efficiency is approximately 96%.
With modification in number of blades of impeller, it is
conclude that head is decreases at number of blades 3 and
5. So number of 4 blade impeller is suitable for this pump.

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