Multi-Objective Design Optimization of a Mixed-Flow Pump

In most cases of high specific speed mixed-flow pump applications, it is necessary to satisfy more than one performance characteristic such as deign point efficiency, shut-off power/head and non-stall characteristic (no positive slope in flow-head curve). However, it is known that these performance characteristics are in relation of trade-offs. As a result, it is difficult to optimize these performance characteristics by conventional way such as trial and error approach by modifying geometrical parameters. This paper presents the results of the multi-objective optimization strategy of mixed-flow pump design by means of three dimensional inverse design approach, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Design of Experiments (DoE), response surface model (RSM) and Multi Objective Genetic Algorism (MOGA). The parameters to control blade loading distributions and meridional geometries for impeller and diffuser blades in inverse design were chosen as design variables of the optimization process. Pump efficiency, maximum slope in flow-head curve and shut-off power/head were selected as objective functions. Objective functions of pumps, designed by design variables specified in DoE, were evaluated by using CFD. Then, trade-off relations between objective functions were analyzed by using Pareto fronts obtained by MOGA. Some pumps which have specific performance characteristic (non-stall, low shut-off power, high efficiency etc.) designed along the Pareto front were numerically evaluated.