Numerical investigation on self-priming process of self-priming pump

In order to investigate the self-priming process of self-priming pump, an unsteady simulation was conducted where the Navier-Stokes equations were used with the Lagrangian-Eularian model. In course of this investigation, the volume fractions, pressure distribution and self-priming time were carried out. By analyzing the volume, velocity and pressure distribution of the gas-liquid two-phase flow at different time, the two-phase content via the variation law of the two-phase flow in the pump was carried out. By monitoring and analyzing the gas-liquid flow at the outlet of the pump, the self-priming time and crucial periods were given. Two phenomena were mainly characterized by the self-priming process such as the gas-liquid mixing and separation, which occur in the early stage of self-priming process. During that period the gas-liquid mixing clouds appear on the outer edge of the impeller, and the instantaneous void fraction at the inlet and outlet of the impeller decreases obviously. It was also established from the transient study that the effects of gas have a major influence on the hydraulic performance of the pump at the early stage of operation. To increase the usage of self-priming pump and to also understand the energy conversion of the pump it is very essential to investigate and establish the basic working principle of the self-priming pump.