Hydraulic design activity

An activity built on the ability to create specific hydraulics, tailored to the particular requirements of client processes.

Hydraulic sizing of centrifugal pumps

From a client specification: impeller, volute, diffuser.

All types of centrifugal pumps

  • Radial
  • Mixed-flow
  • Axial
  • Vortex
  • Inducer, etc.

All constructions

  • Single-stage
  • Multistage
  • Vertical bulb-type
  • Etc.
CAD model of an impeller inside its volute
Impeller and volute — Pump System CAD model
Exploded CAD view of a centrifugal pump
Exploded CAD view of a close-coupled pump

Pump manufacturers, repairers and maintenance companies

Centrifugal pump manufacturers

  • Support in-house design offices
  • Relieve peak workloads of technical teams
  • Speed up R&D projects

Repairers & maintenance companies

  • Restore the performance of a worn pump
  • Replace a hydraulic with a higher-performance version
  • Adapt the pump to changes in the fluid or the process

A 6-step design approach

From securing the need to the study report.

1

Secure the need

Required performance and environmental constraints.

2

Preliminary sizing

Using dedicated in-house engineering tools.

3

Validation

Performance and geometry validated with the client.

4

Optimisation

Curve stability, critical parameters secured, efficiency.

5

Final geometry

Impeller CAD model and predicted performance.

6

Design report

Traceability of design choices and knowledge capitalisation for the client.

CAD model of a centrifugal pump impeller
Centrifugal impeller — CAD model
Definition drawing of an impeller
Definition drawing of the hydraulic geometry

Proven engineering tools

3D Turbo

Centrifugal impellers, volutes, return vanes, diffusers.

MFT 3D

Propellers.

Engineering calculations

  • Axial and radial hydraulic thrust
  • Shaft sizing
  • Viscosity corrections
  • Starting torque
  • Shrink-fit calculations
  • Corrections for solids-laden liquids
  • Priming tank sizing
  • Critical speed calculations
  • Leakage flows at wear rings
  • Estimation of radiated hydraulic noise
  • Orifice plate sizing
  • Energy cost of a pump
  • Bearing calculations

New impeller for a desalination pump

The need

Design of a new centrifugal impeller fitting into an existing pump casing, for seawater desalination.
1700 m³/h – 18 m – NPSHr < 4.2 m – variable speed operation possible.

Space constraints: reuse of the existing volute (wear ring positions, water passage, suction eye diameter) and of a manufacturer's “standard” bearing frame (shaft diameter).

1

Input data analysis & feasibility

Performance assessed against macroscopic indicators (NSS, Makay, Europump, CETIM…) and 1D pre-sizing relative to the existing hydraulic.

2

Preliminary sizing

Geometry meeting the duty and fitting within the imposed envelope, using dedicated tools (~6 iterations).

3

Validation with the client

Intermediate design review, adjustment of input data and possible performance trade-offs.

4

Optimisation

Verification over the extended operating range, securing of critical parameters (NPSH here) and loss-distribution analysis for efficiency.

5

Final geometry

Impeller CAD model and predicted performance curve.

6

Design report

Design review, traceability of choices and capitalisation for the client.

Inspection, testing & training

Pump testing on a test bench

Inspection & testing

  • Pump acceptance at the manufacturer's works or commissioning on industrial sites
  • Writing or validation of test protocols
  • Technical third party in the event of a supplier / client dispute
Sectional view of a multistage pump

Training

  • How centrifugal pumps work
  • Specific training on pumps and the operating constraints of certain processes

Offered in response to client demand.

A hydraulic design need?

From specification analysis to the study report, Pump System designs the hydraulic suited to your process.

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