Hydraulic performance analysis and model test of a sump shared by two pumps in a column

Three-dimensional incompressible Navier-Stokes equations closed by RNG κ - ε turbulent model were adopted to simulate the internal flow of a sump shared by two cooling pumps. Computed results show that the bottom slop of the forbay and asymmetric operation scheme of pump sets will result in unfavorable flow conditions, and swirl angles of flow entering the suction pipe of pump are quantitatively analyzed. Since two pumps share a sump in a column, the auxiliary cooling pump in front will interfere with the flow fields of the sump, which is not favorable to the flow conditions of the main cooling pump. Three operation schemes with or without the auxiliary cooling pump were simulated to compare the influence of the flow fields of sump on the flow conditions of the main cooling pump, and the bias angles of flow entering the suction pipe are quantitatively calculated. The validity and reliability of numerical simulation are verified by a model test. The findings indicate that the computational fluid dynamics can be successfully applied to 3D flow of pump sump and numerical computation can provide reliable references for theoretical analyses, model test and modification of design scheme.