Study on the Vortex Characteristics and Wear of Centrifugal Pump Based on Field‐Force Coupling Method

ABSTRACT To examine the vortex and wear characteristics of high‐speed centrifugal pumps, a field force coupling method was employed via the Application Programming Interface (API) of Engineering Discrete Element Model (EDEM) software and Field Data Manager functions. This approach seeks to analyse variations in vortex patterns across distinct flow fields and the wear characteristics of centrifugal pump components subjected to different particle sizes. The results reveal that with increasing flow rates, the weak vortex within the centrifugal pump diminishes, whereas the strong vortex intensifies. The vorticity in the volute decreases by 12%, whereas the vorticity at the front and rear pump covers, as well as the impeller blades, increases by 11% and 25%, respectively. Using the Q criterion, λ 2 criterion, and regularized helicity, vortex changes within the centrifugal pump were precisely captured. The vortex structure within the centrifugal pump predominantly consists of a separation vortex in the impeller blade region and a vortex at the inlet and outlet pipelines. Vortex formation initiates at the leading edge of the blade and propagates toward the pipes and other components. An analysis of the normal and radial energies demonstrated that the sliding friction of the particles was the principal wear mechanism in the centrifugal pump. The volute endures the most substantial wear, primarily at its front section. As the flow rate increases, the amount of wear on the volute progressively diminishes. With increasing particle radius, regions of severe wear within the centrifugal pump extend progressively from Volute Section VIII to Section VII, and blade wear becomes more pronounced.