Abstract:

In one side-intake pumping station, unfavorable flow patterns in its forebay and sump existed, harming the operation of its pump units. CFD simulations by a commercial code revealed large-scale recirculations in sumps No.1~No.10 and water whirls along the semicircular back wall. To control these unfavorable flows, three sets of flow-control devices were installed in the sump. By CFD analysis and comparison of these control schemes, an effective scheme is to install diversion piers, a straight baffle plate, and two upright columns in the sump. As a result of this scheme, the large-scale recirculations disappear, the cross-sectional distribution of axial velocity in the sump is uniform with an increase of 3%~11% in flow uniformity, and the flow whirls around the back wall are also suppressed. The flows into all the suction pipes are distributed uniformly and symmetrically. This work would be applicable to intake sumps of similar pumping stations.