Solid-Liquid Flow-Induced Erosion Prediction in Three-Dimensional Pump Casing

Abstract

Solid-liquid flow-induced erosion wear prediction in a typical three-dimensional pump casing is dealt with. The two-phase flow field inside the three-dimensional pump casing is simulated using finite element modeling of mono-size particulate flow. Using this flow field and the concentration along the casing surface, wear rate is calculated using empirically determined wear coefficients. Wear rate along the three-dimensional casing surface and the location of high erosion rate are examined. Results show that the wear rate distribution is high near the cut water region (the region separating the total flow from the discharge flow). Wear is non-uniformly distributed and is high at some local spots. Even along other radial sections, wear rate varies significantly from the sides to the centerline of the casing.