Effect of Vibrations on the Performance of a Centrifugal Pump-Impeller When Using a Variable Frequency Drive

This paper deals with turbomachinery, such as pumps or turbines, which are very sensitive to changes in fluid speed over the contours of the blades when the volumetric flow is varied. These changes modify the fluid incidence angle, causing a rapid decline in pump performance. Our research focuses on an analysis of the performance or efficiency of a centrifugal pump with a variable frequency drive, where losses in efficiency are caused by turbulence generating harmful vibrations in the installation. The methodology consists of measuring the magnitude of the vibrations. The data obtained are compared to the performance reached when the change in velocity has been produced with the regulation of the volumetric flow to a partial load of the pump. This suggests an analysis to attempt to resolve the issue of density variation that occurs when pumping liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) under regular operating conditions.