Effects of size and concentration of silt particles on flow and performance of a centrifugal pump under cavitating conditions

To research effects of silt particles on the performance and cavitation flow fields, silt laden cavitation flow was simulated in the centrifugal pump. Silt mean diameters are 0.005 mm and 0.010 mm and silt concentrations are 0.5% and 1.0%. Results show that silt particles with silt mean diameter 0.005 mm and silt concentration 1.0% and silt particles with silt mean diameter 0.010 mm and silt concentration 0.5% promote the development of cavitation and distribution range of vapor is larger than pure water. Effects of silt particles and cavitation make distribution range of turbulent kinetic energy larger than pure water and streamlines are more disorderedly. Silt particles with silt mean diameter 0.010 mm and silt concentration 1.0% have little effect on cavitation and distribution range of vapor is similar with pure water. Effects of silt particles make distribution range of turbulent kinetic energy larger than pure water and streamlines are more disorderedly than pure water. With the increase of silt mean diameter and silt concentration, head and efficiency decrease gradually. For silt particles promoting the evolution of cavitation, distribution range of turbulent kinetic energy is larger and streamlines are more disorderly than silt-laden cavitation flow with silt particles inhibiting the development of cavitation.