Evaluation of Clogging Potential Prediction Methods in Axial Flow Waterjet Pumps with CFD-DEM

Abstract Axial flow waterjet pumps propel high-speed passenger vessels by energizing and expelling fluid. In operation, foreign objects may enter, especially in shallow waters, potentially leading to performance decline and damage. Evaluating passage performance is crucial but primarily experimental and computationally costly. Limited research exists on deliberately introducing solids into axial flow pumps due to visualization challenges. Hence, experiments simulated solid substance entry into axial flow pumps, varying particle conditions. High-speed cameras visualized particle behaviour, exploring retention and optimal pump shapes. Additionally, simulations using the Discrete Element Method (DEM) confirmed its utility in predicting foreign object passage, with variations in particle retention across regions noted.