Optimization Methods to Improve Energy Efficiency of Centrifugal Pumps at Thermal Power Plants

This article considers the application of engineering optimization methods as a way to improve the energy efficiency of centrifugal pumps operated in thermal power plants taking into account the pump load diagram. The authors present an algorithm of engineering optimization of the wetted part of impeller being an individual working body of a centrifugal pump, as well as the results of approbation of the proposed approach for the centrifugal pump KM 65-50-160 designed in two optimized versions taking into account various options of the pump load diagram. It is revealed that the application of engineering optimization methods allows achieving higher energy efficiency indicators even in a significantly simplified formulation of the problem under consideration. According to the calculation results, when the pump operation condition is met, the KM 65-50-160 pump with an optimized wetted part of the impeller designed in two versions has higher average integral efficiency in comparison with its counterpart designed according to classical methods, namely, 52.24% vs. 49.18%, and 57.9% vs. 57.02%, respectively.