Hindawi

Shock and Vibration

Volume 2021, Article ID 8860493, 11 pages
https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8860493

Research Article
Influence of Balance Hole Diameter on Leakage Flow of the
Balance Chamber in a Centrifugal Pump

Wei Dong,1,2 Diyi Chen ,1,2 Jian Sun,1,2 Yan Dong,1,2 Zhenbiao Yang,3 and Junle Yan3
1
Key Laboratory of Agricultural Soil and Water Engineering in Arid and Semiarid Areas, Ministry of Education,
Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China
2
Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China
3
Hanjiang-to-Weihe River Water Diversion Project Construction Co., Ltd., Xi’an 710010, Shaanxi, China

Correspondence should be addressed to Diyi Chen; [email protected]

Received 10 September 2020; Revised 30 November 2020; Accepted 17 December 2020; Published 8 February 2021

Academic Editor: Yong Zhu

Copyright © 2021 Wei Dong et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License,
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

The balancing holes in centrifugal pumps with seals mounted in both suction and discharge sides are one of the approaches used
by pump manufacturers to reduce the axial thrust. The balance hole diameter directly affects the axial force of the centrifugal
pump. The flow characteristics in the balance chamber are closely related to the balance hole diameter. However, research is not
very clear on the internal flow of the balanced chamber, due to the small axial and radial sizes and the complicated flow conditions
in the chamber. In this paper, we analyzed the influence of the balance hole diameter on the liquid leakage rate, flow velocity, and
vortex motion in the balance chamber. The results indicated that when the balance hole diameter was lower than the design value,
the volume flow rate of leakage flow was proportional to the diameter. The liquid flow rate and vortex distribution rules in the
balance chamber were mainly associated with the coeffect of radial leakage flow in the rear sealing ring interval and the axial
balance hole leakage flow. The research has revealed the mechanisms of leakage flow of the balance chamber in the centrifugal
pump and that this is of great significance for accurate calculation and balancing of the axial force.

1. Introduction physical experiments [4]. On the other hand, pressures in the

area above the sealing ring of the impeller in the pump, the
Calculating and balancing the axial forces of a centrifugal front chamber, and the rear chamber offset one another [5].
pump are the main challenges in the pump industry in Therefore, in the area below the sealing ring, the charac-
recent years. For the seals mounted in both suction and teristics of the flow in the balance chamber are closely related
discharge sides of the impeller with balance holes in a to the axial force of the centrifugal pump. Meanwhile, the
centrifugal pump, the lateral chamber of the impeller back characteristics of the flow in the lateral cavity of the cen-
cover plate is composed to the rear chamber and the balance trifugal pump impeller cover plate have a significant in-
chamber. The balance chamber is connected to the impeller fluence on centrifugal pump performance, volume loss, and
entrance through the balance hole which is widely employed disc friction loss [6, 7]. In light of this, a study on the volume
to balance axial forces in a centrifugal pump [1, 2]. To flow rate of the leakage flow in the balance chamber and the
calculate the axial force in the centrifugal pump, current corresponding flow characteristics would help enlarge the
theoretical formulas always assume that the liquid in the understanding of the axial force of the centrifugal pump and
impeller cover plate lateral chamber has no leakage flow, and the corresponding production of flow loss. This is of sig-
the liquid in the balance chamber has no rotational motion nificance for achieving accurate axial force calculations.
[3]. The numerical results of the axial force of the centrifugal Due to the centrifugal force, the liquid in the balance
pump, which is calculated from classical theory in given chamber rotates with the impeller. When the balance hole is
conditions, are inconsistent with the test results from the open, the flow in the balance chamber (which is the main
2 Shock and Vibration

stream) is caused by the simultaneous flow of the impeller cover plate, the lateral chamber, and the balance hole to
rotation and the leakage flow from the balance hole in the allow for data transmission between different computational
numerical study [8]. A numerical study found that the domains. The inlet boundary condition was defined to have
volume flow rate of the leakage flow directly affected the constant velocity, and the outlet boundary was set as a free
liquid pressure in the balance chamber, and the calculation outflow condition. A nonslipping condition was adopted for
of the impeller cover plate force (i.e., the axial force of the the solid surface, and the standard wall function was applied
centrifugal pump) and an appropriate balance hole diameter to calculate the turbulent flows near the near wall. The
could balance the axial force to its maximum [9]. Other distribution of velocity near the impeller cover plate wall in
studies [10–16] found that the characteristics of leakage flow the balance chamber area is shown in Figure 2.
in the balance chamber directly influence the accuracy of the The flow in the pump was assumed to be incompressible
axial force prediction. Other studies [17, 18] on the cen- and steady. At present, the numerical methods for solving
trifugal pump have concluded that the distribution of axial three-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations can be divided
velocity in the lateral chamber of the back cover plate is into three categories: direct simulation (DNS); large eddy
similar to that in the closed cylinder. This demonstrates the simulation (LES); and the simulation method of the mean
existence of turbulent boundary layers near the outer wall of when using Reynolds equation. The first two methods
the impeller back cover plate and the fixed inner wall. In cannot be implemented on ordinary computers because of
addition, a core flow area can be found between two layers, their high computational requirements. In comparison,
with the core velocity varying slightly along the axial di- although the accuracy of the Reynolds time-average method
rection [19–24]. Therefore, the flow field distribution at the is lower, it has low requirements for computing equipment.
axial center of the balance chamber reflects the overall Therefore, the Reynolds time-average method is widely used,
distribution of flow in the core flow area of the balance and the numerical simulation of the internal flow field of the
chamber. impeller is largely based on this method. The RNG turbu-
Numerical calculation is an extensive and accurate lence model was adopted. The time-averaged continuity
method for studying the centrifugal pump. Interesting re- equation and the Navier–Stokes equations of the relative
search has been undertaken in this area; for example, a coordinate system were solved during the simulation, and
numerical calculation method can be used to predict the the SIMPLEC algorithm was adopted to achieve the coupling
performance of the centrifugal pump and the simulation of pressure and velocity. The difference schemes were set as
results agree with the measured results [25–27]. The pressure follows: the pressure subrelaxation item is in the standard
distribution at the side of the impeller cover plate was format, and the momentum subrelaxation item, turbulent
obtained by numerical calculation, and the predicted axial energy subrelaxation item, turbulent energy dissipation
force of the centrifugal pump was compared with the test subrelaxation item, and turbulent energy dissipation rate are
results. It was concluded that numerical prediction of axial all Second-Order Upwind Difference Scheme dispersion
force was highly accurate [28–30]. difference equations. The following are the coefficients in the
Using the above discussions as motivation, the main iterative calculation of algebraic equations: the subrelaxation
concepts of this paper can be classified into three topics. coefficient for pressure, which is 0.3; the momentum, which
Firstly, the correlation between the diameter of the balance is 0.7; the turbulence energy, which is 0.8; and the turbulence
hole, the liquid leakage, and the vortex of the balance energy dissipation rate, which is 0.8.
chamber is revealed. Secondly, the main factors affecting the
liquid flow velocity and vortex distribution in the balance
chamber are obtained. Thirdly, the liquid flow velocity and 2.3. Grid Independence and Performance Verification.
the vortex distribution in a balance chamber with six balance Mixed grids were adopted for the integral pump, and
hole diameters are analyzed in detail. structural grids were adopted for the impeller back cover
plate lateral chamber area. During the simulation, the study
of grid independence is commonly a necessary step for the
2. Pump Simulation
simulation to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the
2.1. Model Pump. The design parameters of the centrifugal computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results, especially for
pump in this study are as follows: quantity of flow the grids with structural elements [15–17]. This paper refined
Q � 200 m3/h, head of delivery H � 32 m, efficiency η � 81%, the grids in the back cover plate lateral chamber during the
rotational speed n � 1450 r/min, external impeller diameter grid independence study to eliminate the influence of the
D � 325 mm, seal clearance b � 0.22 mm, back seal ring di- grid number on the flow field in the balance chamber area of
ameter Dn � 165 mm, impeller hub diameter Dh � 60 mm, the centrifugal pump. The η (efficiency) of the pump is
balance hole diameter d � 8 mm, and the number of the determined by all of its H (head), Q (flow rate), and P (shaft
balance hole z � 6.The centrifugal pump model is shown in power). Therefore, the grid independence validation of the
Figure 1. head and the efficiency are completed in this step. The
variations of the head and the efficiency over different grid
numbers of the centrifugal pump (grid numbers were in-
2.2. Calculation Method. The flow field was solved using the creased from 1.46 million to 4.13 million) are shown in
software FLUENT. Grid interfaces were established between Figure 3. The computational grid model of the centrifugal
the impellers, the volute, the seal clearance, the impeller pump is shown in Figure 4.
Shock and Vibration 3

Volute
Outlet
Impeller cover

Rear chamber
Pump cover
Impeller Impeller seal
Balance chamber
Balance hole
Balance hole

d
Balance chamber

D
Rear chamber
Volute
90° Balance chamber

D
Volute
Dh

0°
180°

Dn

Rear chamber
270°
(a) (b)

Figure 1: Geometric model. (a) Physical model. (b) Sketch of the centrifugal pump.

We see in Figure 3 that the increase of the overall grid 3. Calculation Results and Analysis
number induces slight variation of the head and the effi-
ciency of the pump. The head and the efficiency almost 3.1. Analysis of Leakage in the Balance Chamber. Figure 6
remain unchanged when the grid number reaches 3.22 shows the axial distribution map of the liquid flow rates in
million. In light of this, the grids of the centrifugal pump the balance chamber at the positions of 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°
adopt 3.22 million elements, in which about 1.22 million when the balance hole diameters are 0, 4, 6, 8, 10, and,
grids are for the balance chamber area. The same topology is 12 mm, respectively, under the designed working condition.
adopted for all the models with different balance hole di- Table 2 shows the average values of the velocity in the
ameters, and the overall grid numbers of different models are balance chamber at the positions of 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°
generally equivalent to one another. The numerical results when the balance hole diameters are 0, 4, 6, 8, 10, and,
were compared with the test results in the head and the 12 mm. It could see the order of magnitude of this field.
efficiency of the centrifugal pump, seen in Figure 5. As seen in Figure 6 and Table 2, the absolute velocity of
Figure 5 shows that, in the work area 160–240 m3/h, the the balance chamber liquid increases with radius at four
relative errors of the numerical and test results on the head angles (0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°) when there is no balance hole
and efficiency are within 3% and 2%, respectively. The (d � 0 mm), which is due to the combined action of the
numerical results of the performance of the centrifugal impeller cover plate wall rotation and the hub rotation (as
pump are consistent with the test results. The numerical well as the obvious radial liquid velocity gradient). In ad-
results of the centrifugal pump with different balance hole dition, the closer to the sealing ring, the faster the velocity
diameters are shown in Table 1. increases. The absolute axial velocity increases slightly near
From Table 1, under design conditions, the numerical the impeller cover plate wall and involves a reduction area on
simulation values of the head and efficiency of the pump the static pump cover plate wall. However, the velocity
(d � 8 mm) are both higher than its experimental values with generally shows mild axial changes; specifically, there exists a
relative errors of 2.72% and 1.53%, respectively. For the core flow area with mild axial changes between the two
remaining five models, impeller balance hole diameter only boundary layers [16]. When the balance hole (d > 0 mm)
changes within the range of 0 mm and 12 mm, leading to exists, the distributions of absolute velocity are asymmetric
mild changes on the external characteristics of the pump. at four angles (0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°) in the balance chamber,
The design parameters of the centrifugal pump agree well and the absolute velocity in the balance hole area is sig-
with the test results. The numerical results are generally close nificantly higher. When the balance hole diameter increases
to the test results, which demonstrates the reliability of the from 4 mm to 12 mm, the absolute velocity decreases in the
numerical calculation results. balance hole area but increases in the balance chamber,
4 Shock and Vibration

Velocity Velocity
12 12
11 11
10 10
9 90° 9
8 8
7 0° 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
m/s m/s

(a) (b)
Velocity Velocity
12 12
11 11
10 10
9 9 90°
8 8
7 7 0°

6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
m/s m/s

(c) (d)
Velocity Velocity
12 12
11 11
10 10
9 9
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
m/s m/s

(e) (f )

Figure 2: Velocity distribution of rotating wall in the balance chamber. (a) d � 0 mm; (b) d � 4 mm; (c) d � 6 mm; (d) d � 8 mm; (e)
d � 10 mm; (f ) d � 12 mm.

especially for the area of high velocity. When the balance and 8 plotted the distribution of vu and r at the axial center of
hole diameter equals 8 mm, 10 mm, and 12 mm, the absolute the balance chamber in the designed working conditions
liquid velocity in the balance hole area is almost equivalent when the balance hole diameters were 0, 4, 6, 8, 10, and
to the value of the high velocity region in the balance 12 mm.
chamber. The increase of vu within the two end-wall boundary
To study the ratio of balance chamber liquid velocity to regions was shown to be equivalent at each balance hole
impeller rotation velocity, the nondimensional tangential diameter. This is due to the rotation of the inner sealing ring
velocity vu � (vu /(ωr)), nondimensional radial velocity wall and the hub, as well as the existence of a large positive
vr � (vr /(ωr)), and nondimensional radial length coefficient (i.e., liquid flows from the hub toward the sealing ring) area
r � (r/(D/2)) are introduced. Here, vu represents the tan- of nondimensional radial velocity components vr at a 90°
gential velocity at the inner measuring point in the balance direction near the hub area (0 < r < 0.2). However, it is worth
chamber, vr is the radial velocity at the inner measuring noting that a significant negative vr region (the liquid flows
point in the balance chamber, ω is the angular velocity of the from the sealing ring toward the hub) is found at a 270°
impeller, and r is the radius at the measuring point. Figures 7 direction in the 0.2 < r < 0.6 area; namely, the liquid flows
Shock and Vibration 5

32.90 velocity shows the largest change at a 90° direction and the
32.88 smallest change at a 0° direction; the maximum value is
always at approximately r � 0.1. Moreover, a larger balance
H/m

32.86
hole diameter would lead to a higher value of vu at the
32.84 equivalent radius, and vr will always approach zero. When
32.82 the balance hole diameter increases from 1 mm to 12 mm,
1.4 × 106 2.1 × 106 2.8 × 106 3.5 × 106 4.2 × 106 the difference in the overall distribution of vu and vr at an
Grid size equivalent radius and four angles (0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°)
82.35 increases first and then decreases later. The abovementioned
82.30 phenomenon is due to the radial leakage flow of the balance
hole (0.17 < r < 0.45) area. The coeffect of the radial leakage
η (%)

82.25
flow from the seal clearance and impeller wall, the sealing
82.20 ring inner wall, and hub rotation certainly influences the
82.15 liquid flow rate in the balance chamber, leading to the
1.4 × 106 2.1 × 106 2.8 × 106 3.5 × 106 4.2 × 106 significant difference in the distribution of vu and vr at four
Grid size angles (0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°). This makes it difficult to
Figure 3: Grid independence verification. achieve a consistent distribution.
Based on the above analysis, the significant changes in
radial velocity distribution were at a 90° angle in the balance
chamber. Figure 9 shows a liquid streamline track at a 90°
angle in the balance chamber for further analysis.
From Figure 9, the liquid involves radial upward flow on
the impeller wall and radial downward shear flow on the
pump cover wall at an equivalent balance hole diameter due
to the impeller rotation and static pump cover. In addition,
several vortex areas are formed in the chamber, in which the
vortex area at the seal clearance has a larger area. When
d � 0 mm, the flow at the seal clearance is weaker than in
other cases. When d > 0 mm, radial leakage flow from the
Figure 4: Grid of impeller model. balance chamber toward the impeller inlet occurs in the
balance hole area, and obvious radial leakage can be ob-
served from the seal clearance. When d increases from 0 mm
to 8 mm, the center of vortex A first moves towards the
35 84 lateral path of the sealing ring and then towards the side
shaft of the impeller, thus generating vortex E below it.
34 82 Vortex B gradually moves toward the pump cover below
vortex A with an increase in the vortex intensity. Vortex C
33 80 moves toward vortex D and combines with it, generating a
H (m)

η (%)

new vortex F. Leakage vortex G at the seal clearance is

32 78 gradually formed, and the vortex strength gradually in-
creases. When d increases from 8 mm to 12 mm, the vortex
31 76 structure and center position remain unchanged, and the
strength of the interval leakage vortex G remains stable. The
30 74 abovementioned strength of the seal clearance leakage
150 175 200 225 250
vortex is consistent with the leakage amount variation rules
Q/(m3·h–1)
shown in Figure 6. Vortex distribution rules in the balance
Numerical head Numerical efficiency chamber are consistent with the distribution rules in the
Test head Test efficiency high velocity area, as shown in Figures 6–8. The balance hole
Figure 5: The performance curves of the centrifugal pump. diameter d � 8 mm is a design value, where the above
analysis proves the rationality of the design.

from the sealing ring toward the hub. When r > 0.6, vu or vr
values at four angles (0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°) are approxi- 3.2. Validation of Leakage in the Balance Chamber. A study
mately equal. When d � 0 mm, the variation in trend of vu found that four pressure holes were made at radii of
and vr at an equivalent radius at four angles (0°, 90°, 180°, and r1 � 62 mm, r2 � 110 mm, r3 � 130 mm, and r4 � 155 mm on
270°) is generally consistent and axisymmetric, with a slight the impeller back cover plate [18]. The rear chamber
difference in distribution. When d > 0 mm, the radial dis- pressure and balance chamber pressure were measured
tributions of vu and vr present significant differences at r< with a YB-150 standard pressure gauge (0.5 grade pre-
0.6 and at four different angles (0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°). The cision). The air in the standard pressure gauge was
6 Shock and Vibration

Table 1: The numerical results of performance parameters.

Balance hole diameter d (mm) Flow Q (m3/h) Head H (m) Efficiency η (%)
0 200 33.25 83.07
4 200 32.97 82.57
6 200 32.88 82.30
8 200 32.87 82.24
10 200 32.86 82.18
12 200 32.86 80.43

Velocity Velocity
12 12
11 11
10 10
9 9
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
0 0
m/s m/s
(a) (b)
Velocity Velocity
12 12
11 11
10 10
9 9
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
0 0
m/s m/s
(c) (d)
Velocity Velocity
12 12
11 11
10 10
9 9
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
0 0
m/s m/s
(e) (f )

Figure 6: Axial distribution of absolute velocity in the balance chamber. (a) α � 0°; (b) α � 90°; (c) α � 180°; (d) α � 270°.

Table 2: The average values of absolute velocity.

Balance hole diameter d (mm) 0°(m/s) 90° (m/s) 180° (m/s) 270° (m/s) Average values (m/s)
0 0.447 0.445 0.439 0.432 0.441
4 0.552 0.537 0.541 0.538 0.542
6 0.632 0.589 0.587 0.615 0.606
8 0.734 0.695 0.702 0.703 0.709
10 0.736 0.708 0.703 0.704 0.713
12 0.737 0.719 0.709 0.705 0.718
Shock and Vibration 7

1.5 1.5 1.5

1.2 1.2 1.2

Hub Sealing ring Hub Sealing ring Sealing ring
– – –
v u 0.9 v u 0.9 v u 0.9

0.6 0.6 0.6

Hub
0.3 0.3 0.3
0.16 0.24 0.32 0.40 0.48 0.16 0.24 0.32 0.40 0.48 0.16 0.24 0.32 0.40 0.48
– – –
r r r
α = 0° α = 180° α = 0° α = 180° α = 0° α = 180°
α = 90° α = 270° α = 90° α = 270° α = 90° α = 270°
(a) (b) (c)
1.5 1.5 1.5

1.2 1.2 1.2

Sealing ring Sealing ring Sealing ring
– – –
v u 0.9 v u 0.9 v u 0.9

0.6 0.6 0.6

Hub Hub Hub
0.3 0.3 0.3
0.16 0.24 0.32 0.40 0.48 0.16 0.24 0.32 0.40 0.48 0.16 0.24 0.32 0.40 0.48
– – –
r r r
α = 0° α = 180° α = 0° α = 180° α = 0° α = 180°
α = 90° α = 270° α = 90° α = 270° α = 90° α = 270°
(d) (e) (f )

Figure 7: Radial distribution of dimensionless tangential velocity in the chamber. (a) d � 0 mm; (b) d � 4 mm; (c) d � 6 mm; (d) d � 8 mm; (e)
d � 10 mm; (f ) d � 12 mm.

0.03 0.3 0.3

0.02 0.2 0.2

0.01 0.1 0.1

– – Sealing ring –
vr vr vr
0.00 0 0

–0.01 –0.1 –0.1

Hub Sealing ring Hub Hub Sealing ring
–0.02 –0.2 –0.2
0.16 0.24 0.32 0.40 0.48 0.16 0.24 0.32 0.40 0.48 0.16 0.24 0.32 0.40 0.48
– – –
r r r
α = 0° α = 180° α = 0° α = 180° α = 0° α = 180°
α = 90° α = 270° α = 90° α = 270° α = 90° α = 270°
(a) (b) (c)
0.3 0.3 0.3

0.2 0.2 0.2

0.1 0.1 0.1

– – – Sealing ring
vr vr vr
0 0 0

–0.1 Hub Sealing ring –0.1 –0.1

Hub Sealing ring Hub
–0.2 –0.2 –0.2
0.16 0.24 0.32 0.40 0.48 0.16 0.24 0.32 0.40 0.48 0.16 0.24 0.32 0.40 0.48
– – –
r r r
α = 0° α = 180° α = 0° α = 180° α = 0° α = 180°
α = 90° α = 270° α = 90° α = 270° α = 90° α = 270°
(d) (e) (f )

Figure 8: Radial distribution of dimensionless radial velocity in the chamber. (a) d � 0 mm; (b) d � 4 mm; (c) d � 6 mm; (d) d � 8 mm; (e)
d � 10 mm; (f ) d � 12 mm.
8 Shock and Vibration

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f )

Figure 9: Streamline in the balance chamber at the 90°. (a) d � 0 mm; (b) d � 4 mm; (c) d � 6 mm; (d) d � 8 mm; (e) d � 10 mm; (f ) d � 12 mm.

exhausted before the test to make the reading stable. The 1

volume flow rate was measured with a LWGY-DN150
intelligent turbine flow meter. Real-time flow display was 2
also provided. Figure 10 shows the measurement point on 3
the rear chamber. The pressure value is the static pressure
measured by the pressure gauge at standard atmospheric 4
pressure. 5
In the pressure experiment, the size of the impeller
radius was 162.5 mm and the hub radius was 30 mm; the 6
d

r1
r2
r3
r4
experimental conditions were also taken into account.
Therefore, the pressure values at the four radii were selected
D

for measurement, which was sufficient to verify the accuracy

of the numerical calculation results in this study. Figure 11
compares the computational and experimental values of Figure 10: Positions of pressure measurements on the rear
pressure at the four radii. The computational value of chamber. 1: impeller cover; 2: rear chamber; 3: pump cover; 4:
pressure at each of the four radii is estimated by the average impeller seal; 5: balance chamber; 6: balance hole.
pressure at four angles, i.e., 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°.
From Figure 11, the trend of numerical results is gen-
erally consistent with the test results. The relative error
between the numerical result and the test result is 3.77% at 225
r4 � 155 mm. A certain pressure difference exists between the
rear chamber and the balance chamber, with the former
180
being higher than the latter. Therefore, driven by the
pressure difference, the liquid in the rear chamber will enter
the balance chamber through the back seal clearance, and the 135
p (kPa)

liquid in the balance chamber leaks into the impeller inlet

through the balance hole. The volume flow rate of leakage in 90
the back seal clearance and the balance hole gained after
numerical calculation is shown in Table 3. The numerical 45
result of the volume flow rate is usually given to three
decimal places in the software FLUENT.
Table 3 indicates that the volume flow rate of the leakage 0
60 80 100 120 140 160
flow from the balance hole qv1 is equal to that in the back seal r (mm)
clearance qv at six balance hole diameters, which proves that
the balance hole leakage flow changes the pressure difference Numerical results
Test results
between the balance and the rear chamber. This in turn leads
to the production of back seal clearance leakage [8]. At the Figure 11: The comparison of predicted pressure and test results.
Shock and Vibration 9

Table 3: Liquid leakage rate.

Balance hole diameter d (mm) Back sealing ring qv (m3·h−1) Balance hole qv1 (m3·h−1)
0 0 0
4 2.093 2.093
6 3.388 3.388
8 3.746 3.746
10 3.855 3.855
12 3.864 3.864

same time, in the numerical simulation, the flow in the

2.0
balance chamber is circumferential flow in the pump, which
conforms to the law of mass conservation and the first law of
thermodynamics. Under the designed working conditions, a 1.5
larger balance hole diameter would increase the leakage flow
from the back seal clearance. When d < 8 mm, the pressure 1.0
difference between the balance chamber and the rear chamber

q– (%)
increases with an increase in the balance hole diameter (the
0.5
pressure in the latter is higher than that in the former), and
the volume flow rate of leakage increases. When d ≥ 8 mm, the
radial pressure difference between the balance chamber and 0
the rear chamber gradually becomes stable, with mild changes
in the amount of leakage. In addition, d � 8 mm is the design –0.5
value of the centrifugal pump balance hole diameter, indi- –1.3 0 1.3 2.6 3.9 5.2 6.5
–
cating that the results of this paper are reliable. k
A study conducted a characteristic test of the leakage volume Simulation results
flow rate in the balance chamber on a closed-type testing bed of Test results
the pump under two circumstances, i.e., the centrifugal pump
Figure 12: Dimensionless curve of leakage rate in the sealing ring.
with and without a balance hole (d � 0 mm and d � 8 mm) [18].
The volume flow rate of leakage in the centrifugal back seal
and the axial interval value remains unchanged (with no
clearance was calculated by combining the pressure values at the
balance hole involved k � 0), the balance chamber is similar
impeller back cover plate lateral chamber with radii of
to a closed cylinder with its leakage amount approaching
r1 � 62 mm and r2 � 110 mm, as measured in the test and the
zero. As a result, the calculated volume flow rate of the
theoretical formula. This paper has adopted the geometrical
balance chamber leakage flow is less than that obtained in
characteristic parameter to reflect the balance hole diameter and
the experimental results. Meanwhile, when k equals 2.645,
number, back sealing ring diameter, and radial interval. We also
the calculated result of the leakage amount in the balance
adopted the percentage of the seal clearance leakage in the flow
chamber generally agrees with the test result, because the
to analyze the relationship between the balance hole area and the
numerical results conform to the actual flow condition. In
leakage amount in the seal clearance in a similar pump [18].
light of this, the simulation results of the leakage amount in
The geometrical characteristic parameter k is
the balance chamber are accurate and reliable, indicating
d2 z that the calculation method adopted in this paper reflects the
k� , (1) liquid flow characteristics in the balance chamber. Therefore,
4Dn b
the CFD method is feasible.
and the percentage of seal clearance leakage in the flow q is The test data used to support the findings of this study
q are included within the paper.
q � v × 100%. (2)
Q
4. Conclusions
Figure 12 indicates that the relative difference between
the numerical results and the results derived from the ex- The balancing holes in centrifugal pumps with seals
periment is 0.7% when no balance hole (k � 0) exists. When a mounted in both suction and discharge sides are one of the
balance hole (k � 2.645) exists, the relative difference is approaches used by pump manufacturers to reduce the axial
merely 0.12%. This can be explained by the fact that the axial thrust. The balance chamber has not been sufficiently studied
force on the centrifugal pump impeller changes when no due to the small axial radial dimensions and the complicated
balance hole exists during the test. A slight axial movement liquid flow in the cavity. However, the liquid flow charac-
and axial impeller-pump-cover interval value results in a teristics in the equilibrium chamber are closely related to the
certain leakage amount when no balance hole exists; how- diameter of the balance hole, which directly affects the axial
ever, the leakage amount is less than that recorded at force of the centrifugal pump. This paper focuses on the
k � 0.661. In the simulation performed in this paper, when diameter of the balancing hole, and the results show that
the centrifugal pump impeller is fixed at an axial position after the balance hole diameter increases to a certain value,
10 Shock and Vibration

the balance hole leakage amount is about 2% of the flow rate [4] M. Gao, P. Dong, S. Lei, and A. Turan, “Computational study
and the axial force remains stable or substantially balanced. of the noise radiation in a centrifugal pump when flow rate
Studying the influence of the balance hole diameter on the changes,” Energies, vol. 10, no. 2, p. 221, 2017.
liquid leakage, flow velocity, and vortex motion in the [5] X. Han, Y. Kang, D. Li, and W. Zhao, “Impeller optimized
equilibrium cavity reveals the mechanism of the axial force design of the centrifugal pump: a numerical and experimental
and flow loss of the centrifugal pump. This is of great sig- investigation,” Energies, vol. 11, no. 6, p. 1444, 2018.
[6] Y.-D. Choi, J. Kurokawa, and J. Matsui, “Performance and
nificance for accurately calculating and balancing the axial
internal flow characteristics of a very low specific speed
force.
centrifugal pump,” Journal of Fluids Engineering, vol. 128,
When the balance hole area ratio k < 2.645, the leakage no. 2, pp. 341–349, 2006.
amount ratio q is proportional to k. When k ≥ 2.645, q ≈ 2%, [7] A. F. Ayad, H. M. Abdalla, and A. A. El-Azm Aly, “Effect of
and the axial force remains stable (i.e., balanced). semi-open impeller side clearance on the centrifugal pump
Within the balance hole range of 0 mm to 12 mm, a performance using CFD,” Aerospace Science and Technology,
larger balance hole diameter leads to a lower liquid flow rate vol. 47, pp. 247–255, 2015.
in the balance hole but a higher liquid flow rate in the [8] B.-C. Will, F.-K. Benra, and H.-J. Dohmen, “Investigation of
balance chamber. the flow in the impeller side clearances of a centrifugal pump
The radial leakage flow of the back seal clearance and with volute casing,” Journal of Thermal Science, vol. 21, no. 3,
axial leakage flow of the balance hole result in changes in pp. 197–208, 2012.
liquid flow rate, vortex center position, vortex structure, and [9] W.-D. Cao, X. Dai, and Q.-X. Hu, “Effect of impeller reflux
vortex strength in the balance chamber. Therefore, these are balance holes on pressure and axial force of centrifugal
the main factors influencing liquid flow rules in the balance pump,” Journal of Central South University, vol. 22, no. 5,
chamber. pp. 1695–1706, 2015.
[10] T. Shimura, S. Kawasaki, M. Uchiumi, T. Kimura, and
When k < 2.645, a larger balance hole diameter would
J. Matsui, “Internal flow and axial thrust balancing of a rocket
induce a stronger leakage from the seal clearance. When pump,” Journal of Fluids Engineering-Transactions of the
k ≥ 2.645, the vortex position, vortex structure, and vortex ASME, vol. 134, no. 4, Article ID 041103, 2012.
strength generally remain the same. [11] X.-Y. Ji, X.-B. Li, W.-T. Su, X. Lai, and T.-X. Zhao, “On the
hydraulic axial thrust of francis hydro-turbine,” Journal of
Data Availability Mechanical Science and Technology, vol. 30, no. 5, pp. 2029–
2035, 2016.
The data used to support the findings of this study are in- [12] J. Park, Y. Shin, and J. Chung, “Performance prediction of
cluded within the article. centrifugal compressor for drop-in testing using low global
warming potential alternative refrigerants and performance
test codes,” Energies, vol. 10, no. 12, p. 2043, 2017.
Conflicts of Interest [13] H. Zhang, S. Deng, and Y. Qu, “Numerical investigation of
The authors declare no conflicts of interest. periodic fluctuations in energy efficiency in centrifugal pumps
at different working points,” Energies, vol. 10, no. 3, p. 342,
2017.
Acknowledgments [14] S. Tang, S. Yuan, and Y. Zhu, “Deep learning-based intelligent
fault diagnosis methods toward rotating machinery,” IEEE
This research was funded by the “National Natural Science Access, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 9335–9346, 2020.
Foundation of China, under No. 52009114,” “Science and [15] H. Liu, K. Wang, S. Yuan, M. Tan, Y. Wang, and L. Dong,
Technology Plan Project Funds for Shaanxi Provincial “Multicondition optimization and experimental measure-
Department of Water Resources, under No. 2019slkj-15,” ments of a double-blade centrifugal pump impeller,” Journal
“Basic Natural Science Research Program of Shaanxi of Fluids Engineering-Transactions of the ASME, vol. 135, no. 1,
Province, under No. 2019JLM-58,” and “Fundamental Re- Article ID 011103, 2012.
search Funds for the Central Universities, under No. [16] D. Bonaiuti, M. Zangeneh, R. Aartojarvi, and J. Eriksson,
Z1090219041.” “Parametric design of a waterjet pump by means of inverse
design, CFD calculations and experimental analyses,” Journal
of Fluids Engineering-Transactions of the ASME, vol. 132,
References no. 3, Article ID 031104, 2010.
[1] W. Li, “Model of flow in the side chambers of an industrial [17] R. Debuchy, F. A. Nour, and G. Bois, “An analytical modeling of
centrifugal pump for delivering viscous oil,” Journal of Fluids the central core flow in a rotor-stator system with several preswirl
Engineering-Transactions of the ASME, vol. 135, no. 5, Article conditions,” Journal of Fluids Engineering-Transactions of the
ID 051201, 2013. ASME, vol. 132, no. 6, Article ID 061102, 2010.
[2] B. Shi and J. Wei, “Numerical simulation of 3D solid-liquid [18] W. Jörn, B. Friedrich, and D. Hans, “Investigation of the flow
turbulent flow in a low specific speed centrifugal pump: in the impeller side clearances of a centrifugal pump with
performance comparison of four geometric models,” Ad- volute casing,” Journal of Thermal Science, vol. 21, no. 3,
vances in Mechanical Engineering, vol. 6, Article ID 678271, pp. 197–208, 2012.
2014. [19] W. Dong and W. Chu, “Numerical investigation of the fluid
[3] H. M. Badr and W. H. Ahmed, “Axial and radial thrusts in flow characteristics in the hub plate crown of a centrifugal
centrifugal pumps,” Pumping Machinery Theory and Practice, pump,” Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 31,
pp. 133–158, Wiley, Hoboken, NJ, USA, 2014. no. 1, p. 64, 2018.
Shock and Vibration 11

[20] T. Capurso, L. Bergamini, and M. Torresi, “Design and CFD

performance analysis of a novel impeller for double suction
centrifugal pumps,” Nuclear Engineering and Design, vol. 341,
pp. 155–166, 2019.
[21] M. F. Khalil, S. Z. Kassab, A. A. A. Naby, and A. Azouz,
“Performance characteristics of centrifugal pump conveying
soft slurry,” American Journal of Mechanical Engineering,
vol. 1, no. 5, pp. 103–112, 2013.
[22] W. Li, “Effects of flow rate and viscosity on slip factor of
centrifugal pump handling viscous oils,” International Journal
of Rotating Machinery, vol. 2013, Article ID 317473, 12 pages,
2013.
[23] S. Tang, S. Yuan, and Y. Zhu, “Convolutional neural network
in intelligent fault diagnosis toward rotatory machinery,”
IEEE Access, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 86510–86519, 2020.
[24] T. Mihalic, Z. Guzovic, and A. Predin, “Performances and
flow analysis in the centrifugal vortex pump,” Journal of Fluids
Engineering-Transactions of The ASME, vol. 135, no. 1, Article
ID 011107, 2013.
[25] N. Zhang, M. Yang, B. Gao, and Z. Li, “Vibration charac-
teristics induced by cavitation in a centrifugal pump with
slope volute,” Shock and Vibration, vol. 2015, Article ID
294980, 10 pages, 2015.
[26] Q. Si, G. Bois, Q. Jiang, W. He, A. Ali, and S. Yuan, “In-
vestigation on the handling ability of centrifugal pumps under
air-water two-phase inflow: model and experimental valida-
tion,” Energies, vol. 11, no. 11, p. 3048, 2018.
[27] Y. Yang, L. Zhou, W. Shi, Z. He, Y. Han, and Y. Xiao, “In-
terstage difference of pressure pulsation in a three-stage
electrical submersible pump,” Journal of Petroleum Science
and Engineering, vol. 196, Article ID 107653, 2020.
[28] B. Xia, F. Y. Kong, H. Zhang, L. Yang, and W. H. Qian,
“Investigation of axial thrust deviation between the theory and
experiment for high-speed mine submersible pump,” Ad-
vances in Mechanical Engineering, vol. 10, no. 8, pp. 1–13,
2018.
[29] L. Zhou, C. Han, L. Bai, W. Li, M. El-Emam, and W. Shi,
“CFD-DEM bidirectional coupling simulation and experi-
mental investigation of particle ejections and energy con-
version in a spouted bed,” Energy, vol. 211, Article ID 118672,
2020.
[30] X. Jia, B. Cui, Z. Zhu, and X. Yu, “Numerical investigation of
pressure distribution in a low specific speed centrifugal
pump,” Journal of Thermal Science, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 25–33,
2018.