CFD Modeling and Experimental Validation of the Flow Processes of an External Gear Pump

Abstract

This article presents computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling of the flow processes at a certain specimen of an external gear pump. The purpose of the developed two-dimensional (2D) CFD model is to carry out a numerical study to obtain the main characteristics of the pump flow rate, especially the flow rate as a function of the pressure and the flow rate as a function of the time. A numerical study was carried out at forty-two different operating modes that were expressed as a variation of two parameters: rotational frequency (950–1450 min−1) and pressure (5–150 bar). The validation of the numerical results was carried out through an experimental study. For this purpose, a laboratory experimental setup equipped with a modern data acquisition (DAQ) system was designed and implemented. It allows the gear pump to be tested at the same operating modes as the numerical study. A validation analysis was performed by comparing the numerical and experimental results using the average relative error index (FIT). A detailed description of the 2D CFD model development (CAD model, mesh, general settings, boundary conditions, etc.) is provided. Based on the 2D CFD model, an original methodology was proposed to take into account the influence of the discharge channels on the displacement volume of the pump by adjusting the face width of the gears. Despite the limitations of the simple 2D CFD model, which are discussed in this article, a very good match between numerical and experimental results is analyzed by calculating the FIT level, which is in the range of 93–97%.

Improving the Design of a Multi-Gear Pump Switchgear Using CFD Analysis

“…In the second series of experiments (9-16), n = const, µ = var, Ps = const, and Pp = const. In the third series of experiments (17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24), n = const, µ = const, Ps = var, and Pp =var. As an assumption, it was assumed that the structure is airtight and that there are no gaps or narrow slots in the design domain.…”

“…In the second series of experiments (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16), n = const, µ = var, Ps = const, and Pp = const. In the third series of experiments (17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24), n = const, µ = const, Ps = var, and Pp = var.…”

“…Despite the long history of use, there is not much in the literature on gear pump research and developments. The fluid flow pattern in a gear pump with two gears rotating in opposite directions has been well studied [19][20][21][22][23].…”

Advanced 2D Computational Fluid Dynamics Model of an External Gear Pump Considering Relief Grooves

“…With the advent of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) ANSYS Fluent ® 2019 R3 software, design modifications' influence on working characteristics of hydraulic machines has become easier to study. Of course, this is only useful if the numerical results are experimentally validated [3].…”

“…The general motive for the present study is that the classical 2D models [3,5,8,36,40,43,44] do not consider the influence of relief grooves, although it is possible. Omitting relief grooves causes the following negative effects:…”