TITLE:
A Unique Modelling Strategy to Dynamically Simulate the Performance of a Lobe Pump for Industrial Applications
AUTHORS:
Deepak Kumar Kanungo, Rabiranjan Murmu, Harekrushna Sutar
KEYWORDS:
CFD, Lobe Pump, Moving Dynamic Mesh, Pressure Fluctuation, Transient Simulation
JOURNAL NAME:
Advances in Chemical Engineering and Science,
Vol.14 No.2,
April
9,
2024
ABSTRACT: 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.