A POWER LOSS REDUCTION IN CENTRIFUGAL PUMP USING SOLID CLEARANCE RING

Abstract

Each In the industrial division, the centrifugal pumps consumed most of the energy in motor driven systems for transferring fluid. Electricity consumed by the centrifugal pump is one the major factor contributing the worldwide Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) emission and global warming. This research primarily focuses on reducing the power losses in centrifugal pump, specific speed (N_s) 54 rpm, to improve the efficiency. The power loss due to disk friction losses occurring between back cover plate and impeller back shroud in centrifugal pump was reduced by attaching a solid clearance ring (SCR) on the back cover plate. The experimental analyses were conducted for with and without SCR at rated 1450 and 1000 rpm across the operating flow range. Results showed notable performance improvements: at 1450 rpm, the pump achieved an increase in overall efficiency of 1.74%, while at 1000 rpm, the improvement was 1.56% respectively. For the better understanding of performance enhancement, theoretical head loss variation was also evaluated. In addition, empirical relations on disk friction coefficient (C_m) and power loss due to disk friction (P_RR) by various researchers further validated these findings.