RT Journal Article ID 0adc580b19b2e02a A1 Zhang, Yu-Liang A1 Zhu, Zu-Chao A1 Li, Wen-Guang A1 Xiao, Jun-Jian T1 EFFECTS OF VISCOSITY ON TRANSIENT BEHAVIOR OF A LOW SPECIFIC SPEED CENTRIFUGAL PUMP IN STARTING AND STOPPING PERIODS JF International Journal of Fluid Mechanics Research JO FMR YR 2018 FD 2018-03-26 VO 45 IS 1 SP 1 OP 20 K1 low specific speed K1 centrifugal pump K1 viscosity K1 starting process K1 stopping process K1 transient performance AB Low specific speed centrifugal pumps have been extensively applied in petroleum, petro-chemical, and other industrial sectors to transport liquids in a variety of viscosity. Their transient performance during starting and stopping processes can be important for their operational reliability; however, this performance has not been tackled under pumping highly viscous oils conditions so far. In the article, the transient turbulent flows in a low specific speed centrifugal pump are simulated with CFD code in starting and stopping periods for three liquids. The effects of viscosity on instant performance parameters, head-flow rate curves, instant internal flow variables, and flow structures in the impeller and volute are demonstrated. The parameter synchronization characteristic, hysteresis phenomenon in head-flow rate curves, and pump affinity law modification are addressed. It is turn out that a highly viscous liquid can respond to the pump speed change more quick than water, but is subject to a more significant overshoot in the shaft-power curve; thus, a liquid with higher viscosity than water potentially can reduce the operational reliability of a low specific speed centrifugal pump during the starting period. PB Begell House LK https://www.dl.begellhouse.com/journals/71cb29ca5b40f8f8,3cc951ee52e619db,0adc580b19b2e02a.html