Study on Pressure Pulsation Characteristics of Integrated Pump Gate

Abstract

Integrated pump-gates serve as crucial infrastructure in hydraulic engineering, urban flood control, and water transfer projects, playing a key role in enhancing engineering efficiency and ensuring public safety. However, the complex pressure pulsations induced by internal flow often result in reduced operational efficiency, structural vibrations, and fatigue damage. Therefore, it is essential to conduct systematic research aimed at optimizing their design and operational stability. This study utilizes the SST k-ω turbulence model to conduct numerical simulations analyzing pressure pulsation characteristics and radial force distributions under rotational speeds of 485 r/min and 590 r/min across varying flow conditions. The results reveal that at low-flow conditions, relatively strong pressure pulsations are observed on the impeller's suction side, whereas at high-flow conditions, more complex frequency-domain features emerge, likely linked to intensified turbulence or flow impact. As flow rates increase, the radial force distribution becomes more uniform, whereas higher rotational speeds yield larger absolute radial forces with reduced sensitivity to flow variations. These findings provide theoretical insights into improving hydraulic stability and mitigating structural fatigue risks, offering practical insights to enhance operational efficiency, prolong service life, and ensure the safety and sustainability of integrated pump-gate systems in water conservancy projects.

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