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CFD analysis and redesign of centrifugal impeller flows for rocket pumps

The analysis and redesign of a centrifugal impeller for a rocket pump is presented in this thesis. A baseline impeller was designed by Rocketdyne for the NASA Marshall Pump Consortium. Initially, the objective was to reduce the circumferential exit flow distortion of the baseline impeller. Later in the study, the objective became raising the head coefficient of the impeller. The study presented in this thesis was also undertaken to demonstrate current CFD capabilities for impeller design.

A literature review includes an overview of centrifugal impeller geometries and configurations. Centrifugal impeller performance and secondary flows are discussed, and a summary of studies on the effects of impeller exit and diffuser inlet velocity distortion on diffuser performance is also presented.

The flow calculation details and the results of the baseline impeller flow calculations are described. Fourteen redesigned impeller geometries were analyzed using the Moore Elliptic Flow Program, and the results were compared to the baseline geometry in terms of head rise, losses, and exit flow distortions. A final geometry was chosen; this geometry will be built and tested by Rocketdyne.

The results show that backward blade lean can be effective in red using the exit flow distortion of the impeller. Tip slots or holes were not beneficial because of the large inlet boundary layer. Also, it appears possible to raise the head coefficient of the baseline impeller without creating excessive flow distortion. The planned testing is necessary to verify the predictions of the flow code. / Master of Science

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/43488
Date30 June 2009
CreatorsLupi, Alessandro
ContributorsMechanical Engineering, Moore, John, Dancey, Clinton L., Brown, Eugene F.
PublisherVirginia Tech
Source SetsVirginia Tech Theses and Dissertation
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis, Text
Formatxiv, 123 leaves, BTD, application/pdf, application/pdf
RightsIn Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
RelationOCLC# 30315651, LD5655.V855_1993.L875.pdf

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