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Advances in Hydrodynamics for Pumping Systems: Modeling, Optimization, and Applications

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A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Hydraulics and Hydrodynamics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 April 2026) | Viewed by 14318

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Editors

Dr. Qiaorui Si

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Guest Editor

Research Center of Fluid Machinery Engineering and Technology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
Interests: flow-induced vibration and noise of rotating machinery; multiphase flow in fluid en-gineering; pump hydraulic design and energy-saving mechanism research
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Prof. Dr. Gerard Bois

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Guest Editor

ENSAM- Arts et Metiers ParisTech, Boulevard Louis XIV, 8 59046 Lille, France
Interests: rotor-stator interactions; pumps and pump-turbines; transient phenomena in axial compressors, inducers, and pumps; transonic axial and centrifugal compressors; ex-perimental techniques in turbomachinery
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Dr. Asad Ali

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Guest Editor

Research Center of Fluid Machinery Engineering and Technology, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
Interests: multiphase flow, noise, and vibration in centrifugal pumps; rotor-stator interactions; pumps and pump-turbines; transient phenomena in pumps; experimental techniques in turbomachinery

Dr. Yandong Gu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

College of Hydraulic Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
Interests: impeller pumps; rotor–stator cavity; fluid lubrication; unsteady flow; hydraulic design
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Pumping systems are integral to industrial processes, water supply, and energy systems, where hydrodynamic performance directly impacts efficiency, reliability, and sustainability. This Special Issue explores cutting-edge advancements in the hydrodynamics of pumping systems, focusing on theoretical, numerical, and experimental approaches to optimize their design and operation. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to) flow instabilities, cavitation phenomena, turbulence modeling, energy-efficient pump designs, and the application of machine learning for predictive maintenance. Contributions addressing multiphase flows, renewable energy integration (e.g., pumped hydro storage), and smart pumping technologies are also encouraged.

This Issue aims to bridge the gap between fundamental fluid dynamics research and practical engineering solutions, fostering innovation in sectors such as agriculture, wastewater management, oil and gas, and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems. By collating high-quality research on novel materials, computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations, and experimental validations, this Special Issue will serve as a platform for researchers and practitioners to share insights on overcoming hydrodynamic challenges in pumping systems.

We invite original research articles, case studies, and reviews that address emerging trends, sustainability, and cost-effective strategies in this critical field.

Dr. Qiaorui Si
Prof. Dr. Gerard Bois
Dr. Asad Ali
Dr. Yandong Gu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Water is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

pumping systems
hydrodynamics
multiphase flow
cavitation
computational fluid dynamics (CFD)
energy efficiency
turbulence modeling
design optimization
transient flow
renewable energy integration

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Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

18 pages, 4862 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Mechanical Characteristics of Multi-Stage Centrifugal Pump Rotor Based on Fluid–Structure Interaction

by Haiyan Zhao, Yi Gao, Xiaodi Zhang, Zixing Yang and Wei Li

Water 2026, 18(2), 229; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18020229 - 15 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 989

Abstract

This study investigates the mechanical characteristics of a multi-stage centrifugal pump rotor through fluid–structure interaction (FSI) analysis. A two-stage centrifugal pump equipped with back vanes on the trailing impeller is selected as the research object. Numerical simulations are performed based on the continuity equation and Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) equations, with experimental data utilized to validate the numerical model’s accuracy. The internal flow field mechanisms are analyzed, and the effectiveness of two axial force calculation methods—formula-based and numerical simulation-based—for the rotor system is comprehensively evaluated. Employing an FSI-based modal analysis approach, the governing differential equations of motion are established and decoupled via Laplace transformation to introduce modal coordinates. Modal analysis of the pump rotor system is conducted, revealing the first six natural frequencies and corresponding vibration modes, along with critical speed calculations. The findings demonstrate that when the flow field near the back vanes exhibits complex characteristics, the formula-based axial force calculation shows reduced accuracy. In contrast, without back vanes, the hydraulic motion in the impeller rear chamber remains relatively stable, resulting in higher accuracy for formula-based axial force predictions. The calculation error between the two conditions (with/without back vanes) reaches 27.6%. Based on vibration mode characteristics and critical speed analysis, the pump is confirmed to operate within a safe region. The rotor system exhibits two similar adjacent natural frequencies differing by less than 1 Hz, with perpendicular vibration mode directions. Additionally, rotational speed fluctuations in the rotor system induce alternating critical speed phenomena when operating in this region. This study establishes a coupled analysis framework of “flow field stability–axial force calculation accuracy–rotor dynamic response”, quantifies the axial force calculation error patterns under different flow field conditions of a special pump type, supplements the basic data on axial force calculation accuracy for complex structure centrifugal pumps, and provides new theoretical insights and reference benchmarks for the study of hydraulic–mechanical coupling characteristics of similar fluid machinery. In engineering applications, it avoids over-design or under-design of thrust bearings to reduce manufacturing costs and operational risks. The revealed rotor modal characteristics, critical speed distribution, and frequency alternation phenomena can provide direct technical support for the optimization of operating parameters, vibration control, and structural improvement of pump units in industrial scenarios, thereby reducing rotor imbalance, bearing wear, and other failures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Hydrodynamics for Pumping Systems: Modeling, Optimization, and Applications)

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23 pages, 6692 KB

Open AccessArticle

Internal Flow Characteristics and Modal Analysis of an Ultra-Low Specific Speed Pump as Turbine

by Wang Zheng, Yingxiao Shi, Bochen Wan, Yueyang Wang and Jianping Yuan

Water 2025, 17(21), 3180; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17213180 - 6 Nov 2025

Viewed by 989

Abstract

With the growing global demand for renewable energy, the pump as turbine (PAT) exhibits significant potential in the micro-hydropower sector. To reveal its internal unsteady flow characteristics and energy loss mechanisms, this study analyzes the internal flow field of an ultra-low specific speed pump as turbine (USSPAT) by employing a combined approach of entropy generation theory and dynamic mode decomposition (DMD). The results indicate that the outlet pressure pulsation characteristics are highly dependent on the flow rate. Under low flow rate conditions, pulsations are dominated by low-frequency vortex bands induced by rotor-stator interaction (RSI), whereas at high flow rates, the blade passing frequency (BPF) becomes the absolute dominant frequency. Energy losses within the PAT are primarily composed of turbulent and wall dissipation, concentrated in the impeller and volute, particularly at the impeller inlet, outlet, and near the volute tongue. DMD reveals that the flow field is governed by a series of stable modes with near-zero growth rates, whose frequencies are the shaft frequency (25 Hz) and its harmonics (50 Hz, 75 Hz, 100 Hz). These low-frequency modes, driven by RSI, contain the majority of the fluctuation energy. Therefore, this study confirms that RSI between the impeller and the volute is the root cause of the dominant pressure pulsations and periodic energy losses. This provides crucial theoretical and data-driven guidance for the design optimization, efficient operation, and stability control of PAT. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Hydrodynamics for Pumping Systems: Modeling, Optimization, and Applications)

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29 pages, 17179 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatiotemporal Cavitation Dynamics and Acoustic Responses of a Hydrofoil

by Ding Tian, Xin Xia, Yu Lu, Jianping Yuan and Qiaorui Si

Water 2025, 17(18), 2776; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17182776 - 19 Sep 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1180

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the spatiotemporal evolution of cavitating flow and the associated acoustic responses around a NACA0015 hydrofoil. A coupled fluid–acoustic interaction model is developed by integrating a nonlinear cavitation model with vortex–sound coupling theory. Numerical simulations are conducted within a computational domain established for the hydrofoil to capture the interactions between cavitation dynamics and acoustic radiation. The results indicate that the temporal variations in cavity evolution and pressure fluctuations agree well with experimental observations. The simulations predict a dominant pressure fluctuation frequency of 30.15 Hz, consistent with the cavitation shedding frequency, revealing that the evolution of leading-edge vortex structures governs the periodic variations in the lift-to-drag ratio. Cavitation significantly modifies the development of vortex structures, with vortex stretching effects mainly concentrated near cavitation regions. The dilation–contraction term is closely associated with cavity formation, while the pressure–torque tilting term predominantly affects cloud cavitation collapse. Dynamic mode decomposition (DMD) shows that the coherent structures of the leading modes exhibit morphological similarity to multiscale cavitation and vortex structures. Furthermore, hydrofoil cavitation noise consists mainly of loading noise and cavitation-induced pulsating radiation noise, with surface acoustic sources concentrated in cloud cavitation shedding regions. The dominant frequency of cavitation-induced radiation noise is highly consistent with experimental measurements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Hydrodynamics for Pumping Systems: Modeling, Optimization, and Applications)

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19 pages, 3476 KB

Open AccessArticle

Water Demand Prediction Model of University Park Based on BP-LSTM Neural Network

by Hanzhi Yu, Hao Lv, Yuhang Yang and Ruijie Zhao

Water 2025, 17(18), 2729; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17182729 - 15 Sep 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1173

Abstract

Accurate water demand prediction is essential for optimizing the daily operations of water treatment plants and pumping stations. To achieve accurate prediction of water demand for university campuses, this study utilizes real hourly water consumption data collected over 380 observation days from a water treatment plant located on a university campus in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province. Based on periodicity analysis of the original data through Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and autocorrelation coefficients, the data were preprocessed and aggregated into two-hour intervals. The processed water consumption data, along with temporal information (month, day of the week, date, and hour) and weather conditions (daily average wind speed, maximum and minimum temperature), were used as model inputs. The first 352 days of data were utilized to train the model, followed by 14 days serving as the validation set and the final two weeks as the test set. A hybrid forecasting model for campus water demand was developed by integrating a Back Propagation (BP) neural network with a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network. The model’s performance was compared with standalone BP, LSTM, and Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) models. Simulation results demonstrate that, compared to other models, the proposed BP–LSTM hybrid model achieves a reduction in Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) ranging from 4.4% to 15.8%, and a decrease in Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) between 2.5% and 16.8%. These findings indicate that the BP–LSTM model offers higher prediction accuracy and greater reliability compared to traditional single-model approaches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Hydrodynamics for Pumping Systems: Modeling, Optimization, and Applications)

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21 pages, 9001 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research on the Energy Distribution of Hump Characteristics Under Pump Mode in a Pumped Storage Unit Based on Entropy Generation Theory

by Yunrui Fang, Jianyong Hu, Bin Liu, Puxi Li, Feng Xie, Xiujun Hu, Jingyuan Cui and Runlong Zhang

Water 2025, 17(16), 2458; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17162458 - 19 Aug 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1199

Abstract

To alleviate the pressure on grid regulation and ensure grid safety, pumped storage power stations need to frequently start and stop and change operating conditions, leading to the pump-turbine easily entering the hump characteristic zone, causing flow oscillation within the unit and significant changes in its input power, resulting in increased vibration and grid connection failure. The spatial distribution of energy losses and the hydrodynamic flow features within the hump zone of a pump-turbine under pumped storage operation are the focus of the study. The SST k-ω turbulence model is applied in CFD simulations of the pump-turbine within this work, focusing on the unstable operating range of the positive slope, with model testing providing experimental support. The model test method combines numerical simulation with experimental verification. The LEPR method is used to quantitatively investigate the unstable phenomenon in the hump zone, and the distribution law of energy loss is discussed. The results show that, at operating points in the hump zone, up to 72–86% of the energy dissipation is attributed to the runner, the guide vane passage, and the double vane row assembly within the guide vane system. The flow separation in the runner’s bladeless area evolves into a vortex group, leading to an increase in runner energy loss. With decreasing flow rate, the impact and separation of the water flow intensify the energy dissipation. The high-speed gradient change and dynamic–static interference in the bladeless area cause high energy loss in the double vane row area, and energy loss mainly occurs near the bottom ring. In the hump operation zone, the interaction between adverse flows such as vortices and recirculation and the passage walls directly drive the sharp rise in energy dissipation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Hydrodynamics for Pumping Systems: Modeling, Optimization, and Applications)

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27 pages, 8070 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Solid-Liquid Two-Phase Flow and Wear Characteristics in Multistage Centrifugal Pumps Based on the Euler-Lagrange Approach

by Zhengyin Yang, Yandong Gu, Yingrui Zhang and Zhuoqing Yan

Water 2025, 17(15), 2271; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17152271 - 30 Jul 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2100

Abstract

Multistage centrifugal pumps, owing to their high head characteristics, are commonly applied in domains like subsea resource exploitation and groundwater extraction. However, the wear of flow passage components caused by solid particles in the fluid severely threatens equipment lifespan and system safety. To investigate the influence of solid-liquid two-phase flow on pump performance and wear, this study conducted numerical simulations of the solid-liquid two-phase flow within multistage centrifugal pumps based on the Euler–Lagrange approach and the Tabakoff wear model. The simulation results showed good agreement with experimental data. Under the design operating condition, compared to the clear water condition, the efficiency under the solid-liquid two-phase flow condition decreased by 1.64%, and the head coefficient decreased by 0.13. As the flow rate increases, particle momentum increases, the particle Stokes number increases, inertial forces are enhanced, and the coupling effect with the fluid weakens, leading to an increased impact intensity on flow passage components. This results in a gradual increase in the wear area of the impeller front shroud, back shroud, pressure side, and the peripheral casing. Under the same flow rate condition, when particles enter the pump chamber of a subsequent stage from a preceding stage, the fluid, after being rectified by the return guide vane, exhibits a more uniform flow pattern and reduced turbulence intensity. The particle Stokes number in the subsequent stage is smaller than that in the preceding stage, weakening inertial effects and enhancing the coupling effect with the fluid. This leads to a reduced impact intensity on flow passage components, resulting in a smaller wear area of these components in the subsequent stage compared to the preceding stage. This research offers critical theoretical foundations and practical guidelines for developing wear-resistant multistage centrifugal pumps in solid-liquid two-phase flow applications, with direct implications for extending service life and optimizing hydraulic performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Hydrodynamics for Pumping Systems: Modeling, Optimization, and Applications)

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15 pages, 5251 KB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental Investigation of Flow Characteristics Inside a Venturi Tube Under Gas-Containing Conditions

by Qiang Guo, Chaoshan Lu, Xianbei Huang, Aibo Jiang and Xiaodong Liu

Water 2025, 17(14), 2080; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17142080 - 11 Jul 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1964

Abstract

Gas–liquid two-phase flow is very common in fluid machinery and has complex multiphase flow characteristics. Under the gas-containing conditions, common issues in fluid machinery include the transport of liquid, bubble variations, and pressure drop characteristics; these can be analyzed using a simplified venturi tube. In order to investigate the influence of incoming gas on the gas–liquid flow, a venturi tube with the range of inlet gas volume fraction (IGVF) from 0 to 16% was used in this experiment. The development of a two-phase flow was recorded by using high-speed photography. Under different initial liquid flow rates and gas content conditions, the evolution of the two-phase flow was similar, with the main difference being the rate of evolution. The incoming gas mainly underwent a process from column shape to expansion and then to fragmentation passing through the venturi tube. In the experimental images, the projected area of the main bubble increased linearly with the increase in IGVF. Meanwhile, the transporting ability of the venturi tube was weakened due to the blockage caused by high gas content, especially when the IGVF exceeded 10%. The pressure drop characteristics indicated an increase in losses with the increase in gas content. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Hydrodynamics for Pumping Systems: Modeling, Optimization, and Applications)

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37 pages, 5015 KB

Open AccessArticle

Water Hammer Mitigation Using Hydro-Pneumatic Tanks: A Multi-Criteria Evaluation of Simulation Tools and Machine Learning Modelling

by Óscar J. Burgos-Méndez, Oscar E. Coronado-Hernández, Helena M. Ramos, Alfonso Arrieta-Pastrana and Modesto Pérez-Sánchez

Water 2025, 17(13), 1883; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17131883 - 24 Jun 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3730

Abstract

The water hammer phenomenon represents a significant challenge to the safe and efficient operation of pressurised water systems. This study investigates the application of hydro-pneumatic tanks (HPTs) as protective devices against transient flow events, with a particular focus on their integration into simplified modelling frameworks. Rigid and elastic water column models are examined, and their performance is evaluated through a representative case study. A multi-criteria decision matrix was employed to select a suitable simulation tool, leading to the adoption of the ALLIEVI software for implementing both modelling approaches. Comparative results indicate that the rigid water column model offers a favourable compromise between accuracy and computational efficiency under appropriate conditions. This supports its practical application in installing HPTs in design and operational scenarios. To further assess the predictive capacity of each model, a confusion matrix analysis was conducted across 57 scenarios. This approach proved effective in evaluating the models’ ability to anticipate pipeline rupture based on the initial configuration of the hydraulic installation. The elastic model achieved accuracy levels ranging from 90.7% to 100%, whereas the rigid water column model exhibited a slightly broader accuracy range, from 76.7% to 97.7%. These findings suggest that integrating machine learning techniques could enhance the rapid assessment of failure risks in water utility networks. Such tools may enable operators to determine in advance whether a given operating condition will likely lead to system failure, thus improving resilience and decision-making in managing pressurised pipeline systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Hydrodynamics for Pumping Systems: Modeling, Optimization, and Applications)

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