Publication: Investigation of screw pump performance using computational fluid dynamics
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Date
2024-07-12
Authors
Muhammad Hilmi bin Ishak
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Abstract
This study examines the performance of Archimedes screw pumps using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in mechanical engineering, focusing on parameters such as thread screw design, an 800mm screw diameter, 64rpm rotational speed, and inclination angles of 30°, 35°, 38°, 40°, and 42°. The research involves developing CFD models to simulate fluid flow within the double helical screw pump system, aiming to optimize design and functionality by analysing flow patterns, pressure distribution, and efficiency under different conditions. While experimental results consistently show an efficiency value of 64%, CFD simulations indicate decreasing efficiency with increasing angles. However, due to the mesh quality used in the simulations, some numerical results were inaccurate, though the simulations still exhibited a consistent trendline similar to the experimental data. For example, at a 30° inclination angle, the experimental efficiency was 64% and the simulation showed 211.96, with similar discrepancies at other angles, yet both experimental and simulated results demonstrated a decline in efficiency at higher angles. Additionally, flow rate comparisons between experimental measurements and CFD simulations showed similar trends, though with some differences in magnitude. For instance, at 30°, the experimental flow rate was 0.1296667 m³/s, while the simulation indicated 1.85373e-09 m³/s, with analogous trends at other angles. This study underscores the importance of using CFD techniques to enhance screw pump performance, emphasizing the role of inclination angle and design parameters in improving efficiency and reliability. The findings provide valuable insights for optimizing screw pump design and operation, contributing to advancements in fluid machinery engineering, and demonstrating the effectiveness of CFD in evaluating and improving screw pump performance, despite some limitations in simulation accuracy due to mesh quality.