Numerical simulation of centrifugal pump's transient performance during rapid starting period

For predicting accurately the transient hydrodynamic characteristics of centrifugal pump during rapid starting period, the pump system dynamics model was established by using the method of bond graph. Based on energy conservation and one-dimensional analysis of the system dynamics, the bond graph configuration of the pump system was presented, and the basic equations describing energy input, transfer, translation and dissipation of the pump system were deduced. The system state-equation group was obtained by the bond graph associating with the energy conservation, then was resolved by 4-order Runge-Kutta method. The results show that the trends of dynamic flow rate, pump head and rotational speed gained from bond graph simulation agree well with the experimental results, and that the transient effect of pump can be predicted by the model during the transient course. Bond graph simulation is well suited for predicting the dynamic characteristics of centrifugal pump during starting periods.