Sump pump output flow parameter optimization by Taguchi method

Pump sump plays a vital role in the operation of the pump in the pumping system. Pump works satisfactorily in the factory, however, performance varies at site. The sump geometry has an effect on the inlet flow in the pump. The smooth flow without turbulence and vortices is desired in pump inlet portion. Pump sump needs to be optimized due to the higher construction cost. In this chapter, pump sump were optimized by using the Taguchi method L9 array for the design of the experiments. The factors considered for the Taguchi design of the experiments were pump center to center distance, number of the pumps, inlet flow velocity in the sump and inlet velocity in the pump bell. The three levels were considered in this as minimum, nominal, and maximum. Suitable L9 (34) orthogonal arrays, four factor, and three levels were selected for analyzing the Taguchi method. The responses of the analysis were pump flow in the pump. The various regression analyses were considered to arrive at the predictive flow behavior formula. The flows were checked for the maximization as it is required to be increased. In conformity simulation flow component were obtained and sumps were optimized, hence this experimentation is helpful in designing optimum hydraulic design of pump sump using the Taguchi method. The proper hydraulic design of the sump is important for the smooth flow entry and proper suction parameters in the pump inlet. Taguchi method is a robust method for the optimization and systematic approach with design of the experiments involving the various input parameters to achieve the required quality parameters. Pump sump plays a vital role in the operation of the pump in the pumping system. Pump works satisfactorily in the factory, however, performance varies at site. The sump geometry has an effect on the inlet flow in the pump. The smooth flow without turbulence and vortices is desired in pump inlet portion. Pump sump needs to be optimized due to the higher construction cost. Design of the orthogonal array having the four factor and three levels and having the 9 number of experiment are considered. The parameters are listed as well inlet velocity, bell inlet velocity, pump installation distance from the adjacent pumps, the pumps installed in the sump.