Centrifugal pumps performance estimation with non-Newtonian fluids: review and critical analysis

Authors

Carlo Buratto - University of Ferrara
Matteo Occari - University of Ferrara
Nicola Aldi - University of Ferrara
Nicola Casari - University of Ferrara
Michele Pinelli - University of Ferrara
Pier Ruggero Spina - University of Ferrara
Alessio Suman - University of Ferrara

Abstract

Centrifugal pumps are used in many applications in which non-Newtonian fluids are involved, such as food industry and oil&gas applications, producing the pump performance derating. In order to give an overview of pros, cons of the different analytical approaches for pump performance derating a literature review on the most significant advances in this topic will be carried out. Moreover to deepen the knowledge about the internal flow and rheological behavior inside the centrifugal pumps working with non-Newtonian fluids, a detailed CFD analysis of two different pumps will be carried out. The analysis will be focus on the apparent viscosity correction involved in the performance derating with analytical methods and the effects of different types of fluid. Moreover the comparison of the results with two pumps with very different typology, field of application, and dimensions will help to generalize the meaning of the analysis.