2. Centrifugal pump design and calculation

2.1 Presentation

The design of centrifugal and helical centrifugal pumps is still highly empirical, based as it is on a large number of rules of experimental and statistical origin. This state of affairs is entirely logical, since in addition to the main geometric dimensions, a very large number of second-order parameters (around twenty) have to be set to define the complete geometry of the impeller and its immediate environment. These multiple, often arbitrary, choices may be guided by a variety of considerations, such as: flow regularity, reduced overall dimensions, optimized performance (efficiency, NPSH, noise and vibration), stability of characteristics, and so on.

The design of machines involving significant exchanges of mechanical, thermal or hydraulic...