Research on erosion characteristics of an axial flow pump based on solid–liquid two-phase flow

Axial flow pumps, widely used for drainage and irrigation, face erosion risks in sediment-laden rivers due to particle–fluid interactions with flow components. This study applies the discrete phase model and the Tabakoff erosion model to evaluate erosion and its impact on hydraulic performance. Numerical simulations show that impeller blades suffer the most severe erosion, with an intensity about 5–6 times greater than that of the guide vanes. Under sediment-laden conditions, both head and efficiency decrease compared with clear water, with reductions of 5.26% and 8.73% at the design flow rate. Erosion patterns vary with flow rate: at low flow rates, erosion concentrates on the pressure side, but shifts to the suction side at 1.3 Qd. Larger particles cause a rapid decline in head and efficiency, with performance stabilization at particle sizes over 0.5 mm. Increasing sediment concentration from 0.01 to 0.25 further decreases head and efficiency by 4.67% and 15.28%, respectively. Both particle size and concentration linearly intensify erosion, expanding the affected area and causing flow nonuniformity near the shroud. The findings provide a theoretical basis for the erosion-resistant design of axial flow pumps, offering key insights into enhance their lifespan and performance in sediment-laden environments.