Influence of the Inducer on the Performance of a Miniature High-Speed Centrifugal Pump
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Simulation Approach and Experimental Validation
2.1. Governing Equations
2.2. Turbulent Model
2.3. Cavitation Model
2.4. Computation Domain and Setup
2.5. Experimental Method
3. Analysis of Computational and Experimental Results
3.1. Validation of Numerical Model
3.2. Effect of the Inducer on Flow Behavior in the MHCP
3.3. Effect of the Inducer on the External Performance of the MHCP
3.4. Analysis of Cavitation Characteristics
4. Conclusions
- (1)
- The numerical model demonstrates good predictive capability for MHCP performance when validated against experimentally obtained hydraulic performance data and flow visualization images. Within the investigated operating range, the addition of an inducer significantly enhances the external performance of the MHCP.
- (2)
- The inducer provides pre-pressurization to the incoming fluid. The relatively high operating speed results in a higher circumferential velocity at the inducer inlet and a reduced inlet flow angle, which allows the main impeller to adopt a smaller blade inlet angle.
- (3)
- The inducer alleviates the local low-pressure zones caused by the vortex cavities generated by the interaction between the tip leakage backflow and the main flow, thereby suppressing cavitation in the non-bladed region.
- (4)
- Once the pump reaches the critical NPSH, the presence of an inducer leads to a more rapid degradation caused by cavitation. This is attributed to the relatively enlarged bladeless region downstream of the inducer’s trailing edge in the MHCP, which intensifies the local pressure drop and accelerates cavitation deterioration in the impeller.
Author Contributions
Funding
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
MHCP | Miniature High-Speed Centrifugal Pump |
NPSHr | Required Net Positive Suction Head |
UAV | Unmanned Aerial Vehicle |
NPSHa | Available Net Positive Suction Head |
NPSHc | Net Positive Suction Head |
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Type | Range | Measurement Accuracy |
---|---|---|
PT100 (MICROSENSOR, Baoji, China) | −50 °C~250 °C | ±0.5 °C |
Differential pressure transducer (MICROSENSOR, Baoji, China) | 0~1 MPa | ±0.5% |
Pressure transducer (MICROSENSOR, Baoji, China) | 0~0.6 MPa | ±0.5% |
Turbine flowmeter (FIMEET, Hefei, China) | 0.6~6 m3/h | ±0.5% |
Power meter (QINGZHI, Qingdao, China) | 0~5 kW | ±0.5% |
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Hou, Y.; Zeng, X.; Wang, Y. Influence of the Inducer on the Performance of a Miniature High-Speed Centrifugal Pump. Micromachines 2025, 16, 952. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16080952
Hou Y, Zeng X, Wang Y. Influence of the Inducer on the Performance of a Miniature High-Speed Centrifugal Pump. Micromachines. 2025; 16(8):952. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16080952
Chicago/Turabian StyleHou, Yifu, Xiaonian Zeng, and Yuchuan Wang. 2025. "Influence of the Inducer on the Performance of a Miniature High-Speed Centrifugal Pump" Micromachines 16, no. 8: 952. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16080952
APA StyleHou, Y., Zeng, X., & Wang, Y. (2025). Influence of the Inducer on the Performance of a Miniature High-Speed Centrifugal Pump. Micromachines, 16(8), 952. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi16080952