Design and numerical analysis of an axial-flow pump for crude oil transportation

The plunger pump which once pumped water was tried to transport crude oil. Because of the big crude oil´s dynamic viscosity, the plunger pump´s self-absorption characteristic decreased, and the plunger pump´s flow rate and efficiency reduced, the noise increased. Therefor, an axial-flow pump was designed by streamline method, which poured crude oil into the plunger pump for enhancing the energy of the crude oil. Used FLUENT for numerical simulation and analysed the contrastive characteristic curve both water and crude oil, through changed installation angle to decide the prototype actual size parameter of the axial-flow pump. It was tested in laboratory that The crude oil flow performance test of the plunger pump which was installed axial-flow pump. The test date indicates that the flow rate achieves the rated value and the efficiency enhances 31.6%, the noise meets the limiting value requirement. It has actual significance that through installs the charged axial-flow pump to improve the condition which the plunger pump self-absorption is insufficient.