Impact of Material Selection on the Vibration and Structural Integrity of Centrifugal Pump Impeller Using FEA
M.S.Rao1, Vasupalli Raghuram2
1Assistant Professor, Dept. of Mechanical, Sanketika Vidya Parishad Engineering College, Vizag, A.P, India
2M.TECH (final year),Dept. of Mechanical, Sanketika Vidya Parishad Engineering College, Vizag, A.P, India
---------------------------------------------------------------------***---------------------------------------------------------------------
Abstract –
In this study, vibration and fluid-structure interface analyses were conducted on a centrifugal pump impeller using Finite Element Analysis (FEA). The impeller, a key component in centrifugal pumps, is responsible for raising the pressure head of the fluid. The 3D model of the impeller was initially obtained from KUMAR PUMPS.Industries and then created in CATIA software. This model served as the foundation for performing simulations in ANSYS software, including Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), structural analysis, and vibration analysis. These analyses were critical in understanding how different materials perform under operational conditions and their ability to withstand forces generated during pump operation. The results from these simulations helped in evaluating the overall behavior of the impeller, providing insights into how the material choice impacts both fluid dynamics and structural integrity.Five different materials were selected for the impeller to assess their load-bearing capabilities, cost efficiency, and strength. Vibration analysis, in particular, is a key technique for monitoring the performance of mechanical components, as it helps in identifying potential issues such as fractures or fatigue failure. In vibration analysis,
frequency is a critical factor, as it is directly related to the material. stiffness the higher the frequency, the stiffer the material. Therefore, the goal is to improve the materials
stiffness and subsequently increase its frequency to enhance performance and prevent failure. Based on the results of the vibration and structural analysis, material selection was guided by the ability to achieve optimal stiffness and frequency, ensuring that the impeller can efficiently handle the forces it experiences without undergoing structural damage or fracture.
Keywords: Centrifugal pump, Impeller design, Vibration analysis, Fluid-structure interaction and Material selection
