Numerical investigation of rotating cavitation pressure pulsation and propagation characteristics in a three-bladed submerged pump inducer

This paper aims to numerically investigate the rotating cavitation pressure pulsation and propagation characteristics of a three-bladed submerged pump inducer. First, the external and cavitation characteristics of the inducer in a normal-temperature water medium are studied experimentally. The accuracy of the numerical calculation model is then verified using the experimental results. On the basis of the numerical calculations, the pressure pulsation and rotational cavitation characteristics of the inducer of the submersible pump are analyzed. The results show that as the cavitation number decreases, the cavitation area in the inducer expands and shifts backward, affecting the inducer’s performance. The pressure pulsation amplitude increases, the frequency domain characteristics change, and the main frequency shifts from three times the shaft frequency to the same as the shaft frequency. The development of the cavitation zone and interaction between adjacent blades are key factors for the occurrence of rotational cavitation. The development of the cavitation zone is closely related to changes in the liquid flow angle.