Engineering procedure for positive displacement pump performance analysis based on 1D and 3D CFD commercial codes

A numerical analysis methodology, which demonstrates how a 1D pipework simulation can be enhanced with the results of a 3D CFD simulation of key components, is used to estimate the performance of multi-cylinder Positive Displacement pumps. The procedure uses of a 1-D lumped fluid dynamics model whose accuracy was improved by incorporating CFD analysis of the PD pump valves. The application describes how valve loss coefficient resulting from CFD analysis was utilised by the lumped parameter model as an input function. The results suggest that the combination of the CFD and lumped parameter approach exceeds the limitations found by Iannetti [1] in modelling the interaction between the pump chambers of a multi-cylinder pump as the simplified lumped parameter approachmakes the entire multicylinder model affordable in terms of computational power and time required. The results obtained are validated by means of experimental tests the results of which are presented together with the numerical data. An example of the capability of the procedure developed and the support it is able to provide to designers is also presented.