This is the base model for pumps.
The model describes a centrifugal pump, or a group of nParallel
identical pumps. The pump model is based on the theory of kinematic similarity: the pump characteristics are given for nominal operating conditions (rotational speed and fluid density), and then adapted to actual operating condition, according to the similarity equations.
Pump characteristics
The nominal hydraulic characteristic (head vs. volume flow rate) is given by the replaceable function flowCharacteristic
.
The pump energy balance can be specified in two alternative ways:
use_powerCharacteristic = false
(default option): the replaceable function efficiencyCharacteristic
(efficiency vs. volume flow rate in nominal conditions) is used to determine the efficiency, and then the power consumption.
The default is a constant efficiency of 0.8.use_powerCharacteristic = true
: the replaceable function powerCharacteristic
(power consumption vs. volume flow rate in nominal conditions) is used to determine the power consumption, and then the efficiency.
Use powerCharacteristic
to specify a non-zero power consumption for zero flow rate.
Several functions are provided in the package PumpCharacteristics
to specify the characteristics as a function of some operating points at nominal conditions.
Depending on the value of the checkValve
parameter, the model either supports reverse flow conditions, or includes a built-in check valve to avoid flow reversal.
It is possible to take into account the mass and energy storage of the fluid inside the pump by specifying its volume V
, and by selecting appropriate dynamic mass and energy balance assumptions (see below);
this is recommended to avoid singularities in the computation of the outlet enthalpy in case of zero flow rate.
If zero flow rate conditions are always avoided, this dynamic effect can be neglected by leaving the default value V = 0
, thus avoiding fast state variables in the model.
Dynamics options
Steady-state mass and energy balances are assumed per default, neglecting the holdup of fluid in the pump; this configuration works well if the flow rate is always positive.
Dynamic mass and energy balance can be used by setting the corresponding dynamic parameters. This is recommended to avoid singularities at zero or reversing mass flow rate. If the initial conditions imply non-zero mass flow rate, it is possible to use the SteadyStateInitial
condition, otherwise it is recommended to use FixedInitial
in order to avoid undetermined initial conditions.
Heat transfer
The Boolean parameter use_HeatTransfer
can be set to true if heat exchanged with the environment
should be taken into account or to model a housing. This might be desirable if a pump with realistic
powerCharacteristic
for zero flow operates while a valve prevents fluid flow.
Diagnostics of Cavitation
The replaceable Monitoring submodel can be configured to PumpMonitoringNPSH, in order to compute the Net Positive Suction Head available and check for cavitation, provided a two-phase medium model is used (see Advanced tab).
Name | Description |
---|---|
flowCharacteristic | Head vs. V_flow characteristic at nominal speed and density |
powerCharacteristic | Power consumption vs. V_flow at nominal speed and density |
efficiencyCharacteristic | Efficiency vs. V_flow at nominal speed and density |
HeatTransfer | Wall heat transfer |
Monitoring | Optional pump monitoring |