Numerical Simulation of Unsteady Inner Flow Field in a Reciprocating Pump

A reciprocating pump is being developed for small, high performance liquid rocket propulsion systems. Propellant is expelled at high pressure through reciprocating pump which is the lightweight choice for spaceflight applications. This paper take an efficient way, dynamic mesh technology with dynamic layering method and local remeshing method, to calculate unsteady flow in a reciprocating pump. It is found that the velocity and pressure distributions of inner flow field in pressurizing propellant by pump pistons. The results show that the pump is pressurized rapidly for propellant delivery. Check valves avoid reflux at the endpoints of each piston stroke. A reciprocating pump for continuous flow consists of at least one pair of chambers which alternately expel.