Two-phase velocity distributions and overall performance of a centrifugal slurry pump

Back-scattering LDV has been used to investigate particulate two-phase flow in a centrifugal slurry pump. The measurements reported here have been made with a dilute suspension of 0.8 mm glass beads at the impeller-casing flow interface. This interface is of practical importance because the corresponding velocity and concentration results can be used to determine the pump head and flowrate. The present study evaluates the connection between the liquid and solids velocity distribution measured around the impeller and the pump performance determined from measurements at the pump inlet and outlet. The analysis of the velocity triangles for both phases shows the effect of the pump flowrate and inlet recirculation on the pump head at the impeller outlet, as well as the effect of particle slip on pump energy efficiency. A separate group of characteristic curves is proposed to represent the periodical fluctuations of the pump flowrate, head, and loss of efficiency due to particle slip, as a function of the impeller position.