Improvement of flow pattern in multi-unit pumping station with side-intake based on CFD numerical simulation

Vortexes and recirculation zones which would harm the pump system always exist in the forebay and intake sump of side-intake pumping station. The multi-section noncontinuous diversion pier, the back baffle and the column are used to study the problem. With the aid of commercial code Fluent 6.3.26^®, the flow pattern in the pumping station with different measures is simulated. The RANS (Reynold average N-S) equation is used to describe the flow and the realizable turbulence model and SIMPLE algorithm are applied. The result shows that the recirculation zone gets smaller, even disappears. The main steam doesn´t deflect any more. The velocity circulation around the back wall disappears. The water is sucked into the pump uniformly and symmetrically. The velocity distribution in each section becomes more uniform. The flow pattern is well improved.