Vertical pump inlet vortex velocity optimization by Taguchi method

Sump is important in the operation of the vertical centrifugal pump. Pump operation meets the performance requirements in the test lab however performance varies at the pump installation site. The sump hydraulic design have major influence on the pump performance. Vortex free flow entry in the pump is desired. Pump sump geometry needs to be optimized for the proper hydraulically smooth flow behavior. In above work optimization is done using the Taguchi design of experiments method for the pump sump flow behavior. Four factors were considered as pump center to center distance, Number of pumps installed in sump, pump inlet bell velocity and sump entry flow velocity. For the above factor three levels were considered as low level, medium level and high level. Taguchi Orthogonal array L9 (34) is selected for the optimization of the hydraulic geometry. The response parameters was tangential velocity which is mainly responsible for the vortex generation in the pump inlet bell piece. Predicted formula for tangential velocity was arrived with regression analysis. Tangential velocity is responsible for vortex generation in the pump sump hence needs to be minimized. In this study pump sump hydraulic geometry was optimized with the vortex causing tangential velocity component.