2D PIV Experiments on Non-Uniform Flow in a Rectangular Open Model Pump Suction Passage

Flows in the suction passage are important for pump working, which can influent the flow conditions in the pump. Some bad flow patterns in the suction passage may do damages to the pump, inducing cavitation, vibration, low efficiency and so on. Flow patterns of non-uniform flows in a rectangular open suction passage, such as distribution of velocity, streamline, turbulence kinetic energy and vortex, were studied by a 2D PIV method under different conditions. The results show that the non-uniformity of flow increases and the flow pattern gets deteriorate when the flow ratio of the two sub-passages rises or the total flow velocity increases. So the best operation condition can be chosen to avoid non-uniformity in the open pump suction passage.