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Centrifugal Pump (IL)

Centrifugal pump in isothermal liquid network

Since R2020a

  • Centrifugal Pump (IL) block

Libraries:
Simscape / Fluids / Isothermal Liquid / Pumps & Motors

Description

The Centrifugal Pump (IL) block represents a centrifugal pump that transfers energy from the shaft to a fluid in an isothermal liquid network. The pressure differential and mechanical torque are functions of the pump head and brake power, which depend on pump capacity. You can parameterize the pump analytically or by linear interpolation of tabulated data. The pump affinity laws define the core physics of the block, which scale the pump performance to the ratio of the current to the reference values of the pump angular velocity and impeller diameter.

By default, the flow and pressure gain are from port A to port B. Port C represents the pump casing, and port R represents the pump shaft. You can specify the normal operating shaft direction in the Mechanical orientation parameter. If the shaft begins to spin in the opposite direction, the pressure difference across the block drops to zero.

Port Configuration

The figure shows the location of the block ports on a typical centrifugal pump.

Analytical Parameterization: Capacity, Head, and Brake Power

When you set, Pump parameterization to Capacity, head, and brake power at reference shaft speed, the block calculates the pressure gain over the pump as a function of the pump affinity laws and the reference pressure differential:

pBpA=ΔHrefρg(ωωref)2(DDref)2,

where:

  • g is the gravitational acceleration.

  • ΔHref is the reference pump head, which the block derives from a quadratic fit of the pump pressure differential between the values of the Maximum head at zero capacity, Nominal head, and Maximum capacity at zero head parameters.

  • ω is the shaft angular velocity, ωRωC.

  • ωref is the value of the Reference shaft speed parameter.

  • DDref is the value of the Impeller diameter scale factor parameter. This block does not reflect changes in pump efficiency due to pump size.

  • ρ is the network fluid density.

The shaft torque is:

τ=Wbrake,refω2ωref3(DDref)5.

The reference brake power, Wbrake,ref, is calculated as capacity·head/efficiency. The pump efficiency curve is quadratic with its peak corresponding to the Nominal brake power parameter, and it falls to zero when capacity is zero or maximum as the pump curve figure demonstrates.

The block calculates the reference capacity as:

qref=m˙ρωrefω(DrefD)3.

You can choose to be warned when the block flow rate becomes negative or exceeds the maximum pump capacity by setting Check if operating beyond normal pump operation to On.

1-D Tabulated Data Parameterization: Head and Brake Power as a Function of Capacity

When you set Pump parameterization to 1D tabulated data - head and brake power vs. capacity at reference shaft speed, the pressure gain over the pump functions with the Reference head vector parameter, ΔHref, which is a function of the reference capacity, qref:

Δp=ρgΔHref(qref)(ωωref)2(DDref)2,

where g is the gravitational acceleration.

The block bases the shaft torque on the Reference brake power vector parameter, Wref, which is a function of the reference capacity:

τ=Wref(qref)ω2ωref3(ρρref)(DDref)5,

where ρref is the Reference density parameter. The reference capacity is:

qref=m˙ρ(ωrefω)(DrefD)3,

which the block uses to interpolate the values of the Reference capacity vector, Reference head vector, and Reference brake power vector parameters as a function of qref.

When the simulation is outside the range of the provided tables, the block extrapolates head based on the average slope of the pump curves and brake power to the nearest point.

2-D Tabulated Data Parameterization: Head and Brake Power as a Function of Capacity and Shaft Speed

When you set Pump parameterization to 2D tabulated data - head and brake power vs. capacity and shaft speed, the pressure gain over the pump is a function of the Head table, H(q,w) parameter, ΔHref, which is a function of the reference capacity, qref, and the shaft speed, ω:

Δp=ρgΔHref(qref,ω)(DDref)2.

The shaft torque is a function of the Brake power table, Wb(q,w) parameter, Wref, which is a function of the reference capacity, qref, and the shaft speed, ω:

τ=Wref(qref,ω)ω(ρρref)(DDref)5.

The reference capacity is:

qref=m˙ρ(DrefD)3.

When the simulation is outside the range of the provided tables, the block extrapolates head based on the average slope of the pump curves and brake power to the nearest point.

Missing Data

If your table has unknown data points, use NaN in place of these values. The block fills in the NaN elements by extrapolating based on the average slope of the pump curves. Do not use artificial numerical values because these values distort pump behavior when operating in that region. When using unknown data:

  • The NaN elements in the table must be contiguous.

  • The positions of the NaN elements in the Head table, H(q,w) and Brake power table, Wb(q,w) parameters must match each other.

  • NaN elements must be located in the lower-left portion of the table, which corresponds to the highest capacity and lowest shaft speed.

Visualizing the Pump Curve

You can check the parameterized pump performance by plotting the head, power, efficiency, and torque as a function of the flow. To generate a plot of the current pump settings, right-click on the block and select Fluids > Plot Pump Characteristics. If you change settings or data, click Apply on the block parameters and click Reload Data on the pump curve figure.

The default block parameterization results in these plots:

Plot of pump characteristic curves

Predefined Parameterization

You can populate the block with pre-parameterized manufacturing data, which allows you to model a specific supplier component.

To load a predefined parameterization:

  1. In the block dialog box, next to Selected part, click the "<click to select>" hyperlink next to Selected part in the block dialogue box settings.

  2. The Block Parameterization Manager window opens. Select a part from the menu and click Apply all. You can narrow the choices using the Manufacturer drop down menu.

  3. You can close the Block Parameterization Manager menu. The block now has the parameterization that you specified.

  4. You can compare current parameter settings with a specific supplier component in the Block Parameterization Manager window by selecting a part and viewing the data in the Compare selected part with block section.

Note

Predefined block parameterizations use available data sources to supply parameter values. The block substitutes engineering judgement and simplifying assumptions for missing data. As a result, expect some deviation between simulated and actual physical behavior. To ensure accuracy, validate the simulated behavior against experimental data and refine your component models as necessary.

To learn more, see List of Pre-Parameterized Components.

Assumptions and Limitations

  • If the shaft rotates opposite to the specified mechanical orientation, pressure difference across the block drops to zero and the results may not be accurate.

  • The block does not account for dynamic pressure in the pump. The block only considers pump head due to static pressure.

  • Pre-defined parameterizations use available data and the block fills in missing data where necessary. Validate your model against expected results.

Examples

Ports

Conserving

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Isothermal liquid conserving port associated with the fluid inlet.

Thermal liquid conserving port associated with the fluid outlet.

Mechanical rotational conserving port associated with the shaft.

Mechanical rotational conserving port associated with the case.

Parameters

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Parameterization of the pump head and brake power, specified as:

  • Capacity, head, and brake power at reference shaft speed: Parameterize pump pressure gain and shaft torque with an analytical formula.

  • 1D tabulated data - head and brake power vs. capacity at reference shaft speed: Parameterize head and brake power from tabulated data of the head and brake power at a given capacity.

  • 2D tabulated data - head and brake power vs. capacity and shaft speed: Parameterize head and brake power from tabulated data of the head and brake power at a given capacity and shaft speed.

Nominal pump volumetric flow rate at a reference shaft angular velocity.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pump parameterization to Capacity, head, and brake power at reference shaft speed.

Nominal pump pressure differential, normalized by gravity and the fluid density, at a reference shaft angular velocity.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pump parameterization to Capacity, head, and brake power at reference shaft speed.

Nominal mechanical shaft power at a reference angular velocity.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pump parameterization to Capacity, head, and brake power at reference shaft speed.

Maximum pump head with no flow at a reference angular velocity. This parameter determines the reference pressure differential over the pump, which the block uses to fit a quadratic equation for pressure in addition to the Nominal capacity, Nominal head, and Maximum capacity at zero head parameters.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pump parameterization to Capacity, head, and brake power at reference shaft speed.

Maximum fluid load with zero head at a reference angular velocity. This parameter determines the reference pressure differential over the pump, which the block uses to fit a quadratic equation for pressure in addition to the Nominal capacity, Nominal head, and Maximum head at zero capacity parameters.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pump parameterization to Capacity, head, and brake power at reference shaft speed.

Reference angular velocity for affinity law calculations. The default value depends on the Pump parameterization setting.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pump parameterization to either:

  • Capacity, head, and brake power at reference shaft speed.

  • 1D tabulated data - head and brake power vs. capacity at reference shaft speed.

Threshold for the minimum shaft speed as a fraction of the reference shaft speed. The block uses this value to prevent the shaft speed from becoming zero and causing a division by zero error in the expression for qref.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pump parameterization to Capacity, head, and break power at reference shaft speed or 1D tabulated data – head and break power vs. capacity at reference shaft speed.

Vector of volumetric flow rates for the tabular parameterization of the pump head or brake power. The elements in this vector correspond one-to-one with the elements in the Reference head vector and Reference brake power vector parameters. In normal operating conditions the elements in this parameter are nonnegative, but the block does accept negative values. Negative capacity is a non-normal operating condition that may arise from certain situations.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pump parameterization to 1D tabulated data - head and brake power vs. capacity at reference shaft speed.

Vector of the pump head values for the 1-D tabular parameterization of the pump head and brake power. This parameter corresponds one-to-one with the Reference capacity vector parameter. In normal operating conditions the elements in this parameter are nonnegative, but the block does accept negative values. Negative head, or pressure drop, is possible in non-normal operating conditions at the end of the vector.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pump parameterization to 1D tabulated data - head and brake power vs. capacity at reference shaft speed.

Vector of pump brake power values for the 1-D tabular parameterization of the pump head and brake power. This parameter corresponds one-to-one with the Reference capacity vector parameter. In normal operating conditions, the elements in this parameter are nonnegative, but the block does accept negative values. Negative brake power is possible in non-normal operating conditions at the end of the vector.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pump parameterization to 1D tabulated data - head and brake power vs. capacity at reference shaft speed.

Vector of volumetric flow rates for the tabular parameterization of the pump head. This vector forms an independent axis with the Shaft speed vector, w parameter for the 2-D Head table, H (q,w) and Brake power table, Wb(q,w) parameters. The vector elements must be listed in ascending order. In normal operating conditions, the elements in this parameter are nonnegative, but the block does accept negative values. Negative capacity is a non-normal operating condition that may arise from certain situations.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pump parameterization to 2D tabulated data - head and brake power vs. capacity and shaft speed.

Vector of shaft angular velocity values for the tabular parameterization of the pump head. This vector forms an independent axis with the Capacity vector, q parameter for the 2-D Head table, H (q,w) and Brake power table, Wb(q,w) parameters. The vector elements must be listed in ascending order and must be greater than 0.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pump parameterization to 2D tabulated data - head and brake power vs. capacity and shaft speed.

M-by-N matrix of pump head values at the specified volumetric flow rate and angular velocity. In normal operating conditions, the elements in this parameter are nonnegative, but the block does accept negative values. Negative head, or pressure drop, is possible in non-normal operating conditions at the bottom of the table. The block employs linear interpolation between the table elements. M and N are the sizes of the corresponding vectors:

  • M is the number of elements in the Capacity vector, q parameter.

  • N is the number of elements in the Shaft speed vector, w parameter. All rows must be in strictly ascending order.

If your table has unknown data points, use NaN in place of these values. The block fills in the NaN elements by extrapolating based on the average slope of the pump curves. Do not use artificial numerical values because these values distort pump behavior when operating in that region. When using unknown data:

  • The NaN elements in the table must be contiguous.

  • The positions of the NaN elements in the Head table, H(q,w) and Brake power table, Wb(q,w) parameters must match each other.

  • NaN elements must be located in the lower-left portion of the table, which corresponds to the highest capacity and lowest shaft speed.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pump parameterization to 2D tabulated data - head and brake power vs. capacity and shaft speed.

M-by-N matrix of pump brake power values at the specified volumetric flow rate and angular velocity. In normal operating conditions these values are nonnegative, but the block does accept negative values. The block employs linear interpolation between the table elements. M and N are the sizes of the corresponding vectors:

  • M is the number of vector elements in the Capacity vector, q parameter.

  • N is the number of vector elements in the Shaft speed vector, w parameter. All rows must be in strictly ascending order.

If your table has unknown data points, use NaN in place of these values. The block fills in the NaN elements by extrapolating based on the average slope of the pump curves. Do not use artificial numerical values because these values distort pump behavior when operating in that region. When using unknown data:

  • The NaN elements in the table must be contiguous.

  • The positions of the NaN elements in the Head table, H(q,w) and Brake power table, Wb(q,w) parameters must match each other.

  • NaN elements must be located in the lower-left portion of the table, which corresponds to the highest capacity and lowest shaft speed.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pump parameterization to 2D tabulated data - head and brake power vs. capacity and shaft speed.

Reference fluid density. The reference or data sheet typically specifies this value. This parameter scales the pump performance between different fluids.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pump parameterization to 1D tabulated data - head and brake power vs. capacity at reference shaft speed or 2D tabulated data - head and brake power vs. capacity and shaft speed.

Ratio of the model-to-reference diameter for affinity law calculations. Modify this value if there is a difference between your reference and the system impeller diameters, such as when testing pump scaling. For system pumps smaller than the reference pump, use a value less than one. For system pumps larger than the reference pump, use a value grater than one. The block does not reflect changes in pump efficiency due to pump size.

Shaft rotational direction for flow from port A to B.

Option to notify if the block operates outside of the normal pump boundary. This situation occurs when the flow rate through the pump is negative or beyond the maximum capacity of the pump.

Dependencies

To enable this parameter, set Pump parameterization to Capacity, head, and brake power at reference shaft speed.

Extended Capabilities

C/C++ Code Generation
Generate C and C++ code using Simulink® Coder™.

Version History

Introduced in R2020a

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