Publication: Air operated double diaphragm pump performance using computational fluid dynamic
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Date
2023-07-14
Authors
Doreen Naumi Ambu
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Abstract
A comprehensive two-dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis is conducted to evaluate the performance of an Air-Operated Double Diaphragm (AODD) pump. The primary focus of this project is to investigate the impact of different diaphragm stroke lengths on the pump's operation. To establish the numerical model, insights from previous studies on pumps with similar operational principles are utilized as a reference point. To carry out the simulation, the widely recognized Ansys® V21.2 software is utilized. This software offers advanced capabilities to solve the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations using a finite volume approach, enabling precise prediction of fluid flow behavior within the pump. User-defined function (UDF) is employed to accurately determine the diaphragm's motion and calculate the corresponding stroke lengths. The dynamic meshing process incorporates remeshing and smoothing functionalities to ensure the mesh remains robust and accurate throughout the simulation. By analyzing the pump's behaviour using advanced CFD techniques, the research aims to enhance the understanding of how stroke length affects pump performance, including flow rates, pressures, and overall efficiency. The outcomes of this investigation can potentially contribute to the optimization of diaphragm pump designs, leading to improved reliability, increased efficiency, and enhanced operational effectiveness. Based on the study, the full stroke with stroke length of 150mm results in the highest outlet velocity measuring at 0.507853𝑚3𝑠. However, when considering the flow rate for pump efficiency, the 80% stroke length shows the highest flow rate 1262.26 liters per minute (LPM). This suggests that an 80% stroke length configuration is optimal for fluid transfer and enhances pump performance. Additionally, the full stroke length exhibits significantly higher pressure levels across all areas compared to other lengths, reaching 59.032 MPa, will potentially shortening the pump's lifespan due to increased mechanical strain.