Multi-Criteria Response Surface Optimization of Centrifugal Pump Performance Using CFD for Wastewater Application

The effective transport of high-viscosity fluids in wastewater treatment systems is heavily contingent upon the operational efficiency of centrifugal pumps. However, challenges arise in operating these pumps under such conditions due to the detrimental impact of viscosity. This study is focused on enhancing the performance of centrifugal pumps by examining the influence of design and impeller configuration. By employing CFD analysis in ANSYS, this study examines the effects of varying inlet and outlet impeller diameters as well as different numbers of impeller blades on pump performance. The investigation entails three core stages: pre-processing, encompassing the creation of geometry, meshing, and study configuration; processing, which involves defining physics settings, selecting the solver type, and specifying boundary conditions; and post-processing, dedicated to the interpretation of results derived from model creation and solution. Leveraging Genetic Aggregation for response surface modelling facilitates the pinpointing of effective design configurations rooted in specific pump performance goals, thereby resulting in noteworthy performance enhancements. Notably, an optimal pump design featuring a 5-blade impeller with inlet and outlet diameters of 55.92 mm and 207.78 mm, respectively, yielded significant improvements of 26.51% in head, 2.53% in static efficiency, and 62.30% in incipient net positive suction head (NPSHi).