Experimental investigation of swirl angle in Sungai Belibis pump sump

Sungai Belibis sump is tested to check the flow condition around the intake. The sump model was scaled down by a ratio of 1:10 and used for experimental analysis. The test was carried out to examine the causes of vortex occurrence effecting the uniformity of flow distribution in the pump intake at the lower water level (0.18m) with higher flow rates (25L/s). Besides, pump sump model was examined the efficiency of Buffer Block Wall to terminate the vortex occurrence in intake. Experimental analysis carried out with and without Buffer Block Wall produced very impressive results. Results obtained without Buffer Block Wall from experimental were 12.4 degree. With Buffer Block Wall the swirl angle obtained were 2.8 degree. Thus, Buffer Block Wall shown the effectiveness to reduce the degree of swirl angle at the suction intake and therefore swirl angle is within the limit that permits a maximum swirl angle of 5 degree reference to the ANSI/HI 98 standard.