Improvement of the Axial-Jet-Pump Performance using Modified Mixing Chamber Configuration and Inlet Swirling Flow

Abstract

In the current research, numerical analysis was used to investigate the ow behavior through the axial-jet-pump with various mixing chamber con gurations (straight pipe and straight pipe-di user-straight pipe) in the presence of inlet swirling ow and its in uence on the pump performance. The e ects of introducing inlet swirling ow in the suction chamber and the motive ow line are numerically investigated. The optimum swirl angle in the suction chamber is found to be 45 , which yields the maximum pump e ciency of 38.08% for the second con guration of the mixing chamber system. Consequently, the inlet swirl generally decreases the desired mixing chamber length. Additionally, the new mixing chamber con guration enhances the mixing process compared with the traditional mixing chamber. On the other hand, imparting a swirl in the motive line inversely a ected the pump performance. Engendering a swirl in the suction chamber causes an improvement of 12.76% in pump e ciency compared to the same pump con guration without a swirl. The optimum tailpipe di user angle is found to be 3 .