Work

Optimization Design of Low-Shaft-Power Single-Stage Centrifugal Fire Pump Based on Orthogonal Experiment

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: In firefighting operations, the efficiency of centrifugal fire pumps is crucial for effective fire suppression. Designs aiming for lower shaft power enhance not only the pump’s energy efficiency and reliability but also lead to a reduction in size and weight. This research targets a single-stage centrifugal fire pump with a specific speed of 44.5, employing numerical simulations alongside orthogonal experiments to primarily focus on reducing shaft power. Based on a prototype, an L16(44) orthogonal experiment was conducted on four critical parameters: blade outlet angle, wrap angle, outlet width, and blade count. The study analyzed the impact of these parameters on pump performance, clarifying their influence on the hydraulic performance and proposing an optimal power-efficiency scheme. The optimized design successfully reduced the motor power from 18.5 kW to 15 kW, improved the impeller’s internal flow, minimized flow losses, and effectively managed the hump phenomenon. Operating at 1.5 Qn, the optimized pump’s power decreased by 2.67 kW, meeting head requirements while boosting efficiency, reducing resonance frequency, and lowering the pressure amplitude at the tongue. The optimized pump’s blade frequency distribution was more regular than the original, with the first-order mode’s average deformation decreasing from 3.6 mm to 3.3 mm, and average entropy production at rated flow dropping from 424.118 [W·m−3·K−1] to 384.957 [W·m−3·K−1]. These outcomes offer theoretical insights and practical guidance for designing low-shaft-power single-stage centrifugal fire pumps, significantly impacting energy efficiency and operational costs.

Source: Processes

DOI: 10.3390/pr13041186

Authors: Xiangyang Xu, Yanping Wang, Anning Zhao

Institution: Zhejiang Sci-Tech University

Language: English

Topic: Turbomachinery Performance and Optimization

Subfield: Aerospace Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,896