Energy Loss and Noise Reduction of Centrifugal Pump Based on Bionic V-Groove Geometry

The vortex shedding and shock generated inside the pump used in nuclear power plants during operation lead to energy loss and efficiency reduction, and the noise induced by the flow affects the system’s safety and reliability. The groove-type geometry of shark skin surface has features such as low hydraulic drag coefficient and low turbulence noise and has been widely applied in energy engineering. This study adopted computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and computational aerodynamic acoustics (CAA) methods to research the effects of Space-V-groove and V-groove bionic impellers on hydraulic performance and acoustic characteristics. In addition, the impacts of both bionic groove geometries on the external characteristics, wall shear stress, blade surface velocity, and vortex core distribution were compared and analyzed. The results found that Space-V-groove can effectively improve hydraulic performance. At the rated flow rate, the drag reduction rates of Space-V-groove and V-groove pumps are 2.86% and 1.82%, while the total sound pressure level is reduced by 1.36% and 1.2%, respectively. The Space-V-groove geometry is more effective in destroying the shedding vortex and trailing vortex, thereby modifying the turbulence in the impeller flow path and reducing energy loss and noise.