Multi-criteria Optimization of the Flow of a Centrifugal Pump on Energy and Vibroacoustic Characteristics

A method for optimizing the flow of a centrifugal pump stage according to several criteria, namely in the form of head characteristics, cavitation qualities and vibroacoustic properties is developed. Six geometrical parameters of impeller and guide vanes wet part are selected as optimization parameters. LP-tau method is selected as an optimization algorithm, which was well-proven in previous studies. Calculations of each model are based on computational fluid dynamics techniques using k-w SST turbulence model. 32 variants of wet parts with different values for each optimization criteria are obtained as a result of optimization. Deviation of head characteristics from desired is estimated by deviation of head value from defined at two points of characteristics, cavitation qualities are valued by integral of negative pressure on the surface of impeller, vibro-acoustic properties - by pressure pulsations amplitude on the inlet of guide vanes on the blade frequency. The resulting optimization technique, in contrast to the existing, allows one to carry out a comprehensive optimization of the flow of the pump according to several criteria quickly. Used methods were verified in previous works and showed good agreement when comparing computed head characteristics, cavitation qualities and pressure pulsations with experimental ones.