Pump suction tank vortex flow analysis

Accurate prediction of vortices in pump suction tanks using flow analysis

Product Lineup

Suction water tanks in pump stations have the role of smoothly guiding the water flow to the pump unit and enabling pumps to achieve stable performance. If the shape of the suction water tank is not suitable, harmful vortices called air suction vortices and underwater vortices may occur due to unbalanced flow. This can adversely affect the operation of the pump and cause abnormal vibration, noise, and performance degradation.
In the past, the analysis of vortices generated in pump suction water tanks was confirmed by model tank tests, but in recent years, the application of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) has been increasing. Ebara uses CFD to analyze the optimum shape of suction water tanks, and investigate appropriate measures against vortices. This contributes to the design of highly reliable pump stations.

Features

1. Reduction of labor hours and costs by omitting model water tank tests

Model tank tests for pump suction tanks require a large amount of cost and time during the production and testing of the tank. However, it is expected that CFD will help greatly reduce cost and labor hours. In addition, it is not necessary to consider any flow similarity rules in the model tank test because CFD is performed on the actual scale of the machine.

2. Anti-vortex shape customization

The vortices generated in pump suction tanks are also greatly affected by the inflow condition from the upstream of the tank. Compared to model water tank tests, CFD makes it easier to analyze suction water tanks, including upstream channels. It also enables operators to customize the anti-vortex shape according to the installation circumstances and features of each pump station.

Vortex generated in pump suction water tank

Pump suction water tank flow analysis including upstream channel (example of analysis at Nukata drainage pump station/customer approval required)Pump suction water tank flow analysis including upstream channel (example of analysis at Nukata drainage pump station/customer approval required)

Pump suction water tank flow analysis including upstream channel (example of analysis at Nukata drainage pump station/customer approval required)Pump suction water tank flow analysis including upstream channel (example of analysis at Nukata drainage pump station/customer approval required)

Vortex distribution in pump suction tank without countermeasures (example of analysis at Nukata drainage pump station/customer approval required)

Vortex distribution in pump suction tank with vortex countermeasures (example of analysis at Nukata drainage pump station/customer approval required)