Multi-condition optimization and experimental study of impeller blades in a mixed-flow pump

On the basis of design of experiment and numerical simulation, a reliable optimization method for blades of a mixed-flow pump is proposed with the maximum weighted average efficiency at multi-conditions as optimum objective. First, the performance of the model pump was measured and the test results were used to validate the simulation method. To improve the simulation accuracy, the check of the grid independence and the comparison of different turbulence models were done in detail. Then, the method of design of experiment for key geometrical parameters was used to obtain the optimization scheme. The maximum weighted average efficiency of pump at three operation conditions was chosen as optimum objective. The optimum solution was gotten and confirmed by the experiment. The results demonstrate that efficiency of the mixed-flow pump with optimized impeller increases by 3.9%, and the high-efficiency zone is increased from 0.021 to 0.040.