a BULK-FLOW analysis of Steady-state Characteristics of Leakage Flow on an Eccentric Impeller Front Shroud

The steady-state characteristics of the leakage flow on an eccentric impeller front shroud are analyzed by numerical calculations. The governing equations, which consist of three nonlinear partial differential equations, are established based on a bulk-flow model. The finite difference method and staggered grid are used to discretize the equations. The SIMPLE algorithm is used to solve the discretized equations. The steady-state pressure and velocity distributions of the leakage flow are displayed, and the influences of the gap between the housing and impeller shroud and the impeller eccentricity on the distributions are analyzed, according to numerical results. It is concluded that the two factors have significant effects on the steady-state characteristics of the leakage flow.