3

Blade Optimum Design by using Three Dimensional Inverse Method and CFD
by Hiroyoshi WATANABE, & Yumiko SEKINO
This paper introduces the optimum design process by using the three-dimensional inverse method, CFD (Computational Fluid
Dynamics), and multi-objective design optimization method such as multi-objective genetic algorithm, and its applications.
Two applications of the optimum design process for different pump types and purposes of optimization are described. These examples show a wide applicability of the optimization method that uses the blade loading distribution (the hydrodynamic parameter) as a
design parameters. The optimum blade loading distribution parameter obtained by this optimization process can be correlated with the
performance improvement mechanism for easy understanding, which is advantageous in inheritance of skills. Continuously updating
the optimum design database obtained through the optimum design process enables pumps to be quickly customized to meet customer
needs.
Keywords: Optimum design, CFD, Three dimensional inverse method, Multi objective design optimization, Response surface, Mixed flow pump,
Performance, Inducer, Cavitation, Instability

1980 2

rV

1990 2 3

RANSReynolds Averaged Navier

Stokes

rV
/m 2
rV

1990 Zan-

geneh

4 8

3 3

IncidenceNCNDslope

2
17 23 24
3

No. 2352012-4

Selection of the design parameters

arrangement based on design of
experiments approach

Based on
Design chart
Database
Existing design

Meridional design

30

Result of potential ow analysis
(Surface velocity, Surface pressure)
Blade loading parameters

Blade design using

the three-dimensional inverse method

CFD

Detailed data of ow eld

Performance parameters

Sensitivity analysis

Multi-objective design optimization

Extracting important design parameters

Calculating response surface

Trade-o analysis
Analysis of Pareto optimum

1
Fig. 1Flow chart of the optimization process

n j1

2
f 0
1
j xj j j x j ij xi xj
j1
j1
j2 i1

2.5

Linear curve

Pa
rab
ola

1.5

Pa

ND

a
rabol

NC

1.0

Slope

Hub

Incidence

rV /m

f x

Tip

2.0

MOGA

0.5

MOGA

0.0
0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

Meridional distance

2
Fig. 2Blade loading distribution and parameters

3-1

No. 2352012-4

3
1
Table 1Design parameters

Impeller design

High eciency

Trade o

NPSHR

Non-Stall
Non-stall characteristic

Low Shut-o
shut-o power

3
Fig. 3Performance characteristics of high specic speed
mixed ow pump

t D2t

out A3/A2 A4/A3

A3
A2

in
D1h

A4

Li-d

din

Diffuser design

and D2t

L i-d

in and D1h

A3/A4

A4/A3

out

A5/A3

incidence t

din

incidence h

Ld

slope t

Zd

slope h

incidence t

stacking

incidence h

rVt

slope t
slope h

A5/A3

10
11

A5

H0/
Eff

P 0/Pd
Hd
dH/dQ

Ld

1
1

a
(a) Meridional design parameters

b
(b) Stacking condition

Spanwise
position

Tip

Inlet

120% 10 13

Exit

Hub

rV

c
(c) Spanwise work distribution

4
Fig. 4Design parameters of mixed ow pump

k-
1

1 300min m /minm
5

40

5 1

BaseType 1Type 2Type 3

rVrVt 1

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Base

Type1

Type2

6 Type 2

Type3

3.0

1.2

eff

High eciency (Type 1)

2.5

1.0

2.0

0.8

1.5

0.6

H
1.0

0.4

Stall (Type 2)

eff

0.5

0.2

0.0
1.5

0.0

1
0

1.0

0.5

1 3

Low shut-o power (Type 3)

0.0
0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

5
Fig. 5Examples of calculated pump performance

9 MOGA
Stall
9
1
2

Q/Qd=0.6

3-2

Q/Qd=0.5

Q/Qd=0.4

eff

Low eciency

6
Fig. 6Meridional velocity vectors around stall point
(Pump Type 2)

Weak stall characteristic

PO/Pd

dH/dQ

HO/Hd

High shut-o power

Design parameter

1
Min.

7
Fig. 7Meridional velocity vectors at shut-off
(Pump Type 2)

0
Med.

1
Max.

8
Fig. 8Main effect on performance parameter

No. 2352012-4

50%

(Blue colored region : iso-surface of 50% cavitation void ratio)

Pareto front

3
Blade3

Eciency

Design 1

Design 2

2
Blade2
Non-stall area

1
Blade1

Stall

(a) Development of cavitation on inducer blades

(a) Stall vs. eciency

8

Throat location on suction surface

6

Stall

Pressure surface

H sv [m]

Design 1

Design 2

PO /Pd

1
Blade1
2
Blade2
3
Blade3

(b) Stall vs. shut-o power

Suction surface
-2

9
Fig. 9Example of pareto front

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

m [-]
b
(b) Surface pressure distribution near the tip section

10CFD
Fig. 10Asymmetrical cavitation distribution investigated
in CFD Analysis (Q/Qd = 0.8, / o = 0.72)

73

2.5

2.0

CS

ts/tso

RC
MCS

1.5
AC
1.0
MCS

Inducer B

Q/Qd
Q/Qd
Q/Qd
Q/Qd

0.0
2.5

Slope Incidence rV

=
=
=
=

1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7

C
CS

2.0

ts/tso

2 NC ND

CFD Result
Q/Qd= 1.0
/o= 0.66

0.5

Iso-surface of cavitation
Void fraction=50%

Inducer B

Experimental result

Inducer C

MCS
RC

1.5
1.0

CFD Result
Q/Qd= 1.0
/o= 0.66

MCS

AC Asymmetric cavitation

RC Rotating cavitation

0.5

CS Cavitation surge

MCSMild cavitation surge

0.0
0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

/o
Non-dimensional cavitation number

11
Fig. 11Suction performance and occurrence
regions of various cavitation instability
No. 2352012-4

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, ,

1 Zangeneh, M.,A Compressible Three Dimensional Blade

Design Method for Radial and Mixed Flow Turbo-machinery
Blades,Int. J Numerical Methods in Fluids, Vol.13, 1991, pp.
599-624.
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Journal of Turbomachinery , Vol.126, 2004, pp.91-100.
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Design and Optimization Techniques for Turbomachinery
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5 Takayama, Y., Watanabe, H., Multi-Objective Design
Optimization of A Mixed-Flow Pump, ASME Paper
FEDSM2009-78348.
6 Sekino, Y., Tanabe, Y.,Numerical Analysis of Design and
Off-Design Performance of High Specic Speed Mixed Flow
Pumps,Proceedings of ASME-JSME-KSME Engineering
Conference 2011, AJK2011-06051.
7 Watanabe, H., Tsukamoto, H.,Design Optimization of Cryogenic Pump Imducer considering Suction Performance and
Cavitation Instability,Proceedings of ASME-JSME-KSME
Engineering Conference 2011, AJK2011-05010.

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