The performance of a newly designed tri-lobe industrial lobe pump of high capacity is simulated by using commercial CFD solver Ansys Fluent. A combination of user-defined-functions and meshing strategies is employed to capture the rotation of the lobes. The numerical model is validated by comparing the simulated results with the literature values. The processes of suction, displacement, compression and exhaust are accurately captured in the transient simulation. The fluid pressure value remains in the range of inlet pressure value till the processes of suction and displacement are over. The instantaneous process of compression is accurately captured in the simulation. The movement of a particular working chamber is traced along the gradual degree of lobe’s rotation. At five different degrees of lobe’s rotation, pressure contour plots are reported which clearly shows the pressure values inside the working chamber. Each pressure value inside the working chamber conforms to the particular process in which the working chamber is operating. Finally, the power requirement at the shaft of rotation is estimated from the simulated values. The estimated value of power requirement is 3.61 BHP FHP whereas the same calculated theoretically is 3 BHP FHP. The discrepancy is attributed to the assumption of symmetry of blower along the thickness.
References
[1]
Sun, S., Zhao, B. and Peng, X. (2017) Three-Dimensional Numerical Simulation and Experimental Validation of Flows in Working Chambers and Inlet/Outlet Pockets of Roots Pump. Vacuum, 137, 195-204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vacuum.2017.01.005
[2]
Burmistrov, A., Belyaev, L., Ossipov, P., Fomina, R. and Khannanov, R. (2001) Combined Experimental and Calculation Study of Conductance of Lobe Pump Channels. Vacuum, 62, 331-335. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0042-207X(01)00284-6
[3]
Valdes, L.C., Barthod, B. and Perron, Y.L. (1999) Accurate Prediction of Internal Leaks in Stationary Dry Roots Vacuum Blowers. Vacuum, 52, 451-459. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0042-207X(98)00330-3
[4]
Wang, P.Y., Fong, Z.H. and Fang, H.S. (2002) Design Constraints of Five-Arc Roots Vacuum Pumps. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part C, 216, 225-234. https://doi.org/10.1243/0954406021525151
[5]
Hseih, C.F. (2015) A New Curve for Application to the Rotor Profile of Rotary Lobe Pumps. Mechanism and Machine Theory, 87, 70-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2014.12.018
[6]
Hwang, Y.W. and Hseih, C.F. (2006) Study on High Volumetric Efficiency of Roots Rotor Profile with Variable Trochoid Ratio. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part C, 220, 1375-1384. https://doi.org/10.1243/09544062JMES176
[7]
Hseih, C.F. and Hwang, Y.W. (2007) Study on High-Sealing of Roots Rotor with Variable Trochoid Ratio. Journal of Mechanical Design, 129, 1278-1284. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2779897
[8]
Tong, S.H. and Yang, D.C.H. (2000) On the Generation of New Lobe Pumps for Higher Pumping Flowrate. Mechanism and Machine Theory, 35, 997-1012. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0094-114X(99)00048-8
[9]
Tong, S.H. and Yang, D.C.H. (2000) Rotor Profile Synthesis for Lobe Pumps with Given Flowrate Functions. Journal of Mechanical Design, 127, 287-294. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1798271
[10]
Yang, D.C.H. and Tong, S.H. (2002) The Specific Flowrate of Deviation Function Based Lobe Pumps-Derivation and Analysis. Mechanism and Machine Theory, 37, 1025-1042. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0094-114X(02)00065-4
[11]
Yao, L., Ye, Z. and Dai, J.S. (2005) Geometric Analysis and Tooth Profiling of a Tri-Lobe Helical Rotor of Lobe Pump. Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 170, 259-267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2005.05.020
[12]
Louis, K. (2024) Simulation and Analysis of the Effects of Pressure and Temperature on the Output Voltage of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells. Journal of Power and Energy Engineering, 12, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.4236/jpee.2024.122001
[13]
Uddin, M. and Yousuf, M. (2022) Numerical Simulation of CFD and Fluid-Structure-Interaction (FSI) of Steady Flow in a Stenotic Vessel. Open Journal of Modelling and Simulation, 10, 255-266. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojmsi.2022.103013
[14]
Capurso, T., Bergamini, L. and Torresi, M. (2019) Design and CFD Performance Analysis of a Novel Impeller for Double Suction Centrifugal Pumps. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 341, 155-166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2018.11.002
[15]
Valdes, J.P., Becerra, D., Rozo, D., Cediel, A., Torres, F. and Asuaje, M. (2020) Comparative Analysis of an Electrical Submersible Pump’s Performance Handling Viscous Newtonian and Non-Newtonian Fluids through Experimental and CFD Approaches. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 187, Article ID: 106749. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2019.106749
[16]
ANSYS. Ansys Fluent Theory and User’s Guide. ANSYS.
[17]
Bianchi, G., Rane, S., Kovacevic, A. and Cipollone, R. (2017) Deforming Grid Generation for Numerical Simulations of Fluid Dynamics in Sliding Vane Rotary Machines. Advances in Engineering Software, 112, 180-191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advengsoft.2017.05.010
[18]
Rane, S., Kovacevic, A., Stosic, N. and Kethidi, M. (2013) CFD Grid Generation and Analysis of Screw Compressor with Variable Geometry Rotors. Centre for Positive Displacement Compressor Technology, SEMS City University, London. https://doi.org/10.1533/9781782421702.11.601
[19]
Kovacevic, A. and Smith, I.K. (2002) The Influence of Rotor Deflection upon Screw Compressor Performance. VDI Berichte, 1715, 17-28.
[20]
Kovacevic, A., Stosic, N. and Smith, I.K. (2007) Screw Compressors-Three Dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics and Solid Fluid Interaction. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
[21]
Kethidi, M., Kovacevic, A., Stosic, N. and Smith, I.K. (2011) Evaluation of Various Turbulence Models in Predicting Screw Compressor Flow Processes by CFD. 7th International Conference on Compressors and Their Systems, London, 5-6 September 2011, 347-357. https://doi.org/10.1533/9780857095350.8.347
[22]
Joshi, A.M., Blekhman, D.I. and Fleske, J.D. (2006) Clearance Analysis and Leakage Flow CFD Model of a Two-Lobe Multi-Recompression Heater. International Journal of Rotating Machinery, 2006, Article ID: 079084. https://doi.org/10.1155/IJRM/2006/79084
[23]
Hseih, C.F. and Deng, Y.C. (2015) A Design Method for Improving the Flow Characteristic of a Multistage Roots Pump. Vacuum, 121, 217-222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vacuum.2015.09.001
[24]
Hseih, C.F. and Zhou, Q.J. (2015) Fluid Analysis of Cylindrical and Screw Type Roots Vacuum Pumps. Vacuum, 121, 274-282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vacuum.2015.04.037
[25]
Sun, S.K., Jia, X.H., Xing, L.F. and Peng, X.Y. (2018) Numerical Study and Experimental Validation of a Lobe Pump with Backflow Design. Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics, 12, 282-292. https://doi.org/10.1080/19942060.2017.1419148
[26]
Singh, G., Sun, S., Kovacevic, A., Li, Q. and Bruecker, C. (2019) Transient Flow Analysis in a Lobe Pump: Experimental and Numerical Investigations. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 134, Article ID: 106305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ymssp.2019.106305
