Experimental Vortex Flow Patterns in the Primary and Secondary Pump Intakes of a Model Underground Pumping Station

Abstract

In order to provide specific references and suggestions for the design and operation of underground pumping stations, in this paper, an experimental model of an underground pumping station, including 4 pumps and 2 pump intakes (primary and secondary), was obtained through similitude of fluid mechanics. The phase diagrams of various vortices, in terms of different dimensionless numbers are presented, which can reveal their appearance and evolution process. Three specific cases with different vortex flows were analyzed. The experiment results may provide a reference for the current design guidelines for underground pumping stations.

Hydraulic geometric optimization on stagnating flow at the inlet of main pipe of underground pumping station

“…The test bench is shown in figure 5. The corresponding experimental details can be found in reference [2] .…”

“…The underground pumping station is widely used in many important fields [1,2] , particularly, the midand high-head pumped storage power station (pump condition) is also regarded as an underground pumping station. Different from the conventional pump station, the high-depth pump intake (10-100 meters or more underground) and the main piping system (parallel or approximately parallel to the ground) connected to the bottom of the pump intake are the characteristic components of the underground pumping station.…”

“…Different from the conventional pump station, the high-depth pump intake (10-100 meters or more underground) and the main piping system (parallel or approximately parallel to the ground) connected to the bottom of the pump intake are the characteristic components of the underground pumping station. Such components lead to a larger suction force, i.e., the various vortices are more likely to form in the underground pump station [1,2] . Not only the complex flow patterns [3][4][5][6] , but also all kinds of vortices in the pump intake play a key role in the performance of the whole pump station [7][8][9][10][11] .…”

“…We also re-divided the levels of various vortices in the underground pumping station, namely 7 kinds of free-surface vortices and 5 kinds of subsurface vortices. In addition, we also gave the phase diagrams of various vortices to provide a reference for the current design guidelines for underground pumping stations [2] . Unfortunately, few researchers have addressed the problem of the stagnating flow in the vicinity of the main pipe inlet of the underground pump intake.…”

A Study Comparing the Subsurface Vortex Characteristics in Pump Sumps

“…The vortex generated around the suction region of the pump sump causes adverse effects such as the deterioration of pump performance and deviations in operating conditions [1][2][3][4][5]. If a flow imbalance occurs in the water reservoir, this causes a swirling flow around the sump intake, reducing the efficiency and stability of the pump.…”