Effect of single blade trailing edge side fracture on flow characteristics of centrifugal pump

Centrifugal pumps are essential components in various industrial applications, where their stable and efficient operation is critical. The impeller, a key part of these pumps, plays a pivotal role in energy conversion; thus, any fracture in its blades can significantly impact the pump's performance. This study investigates the effects of a single-blade trailing edge fracture on the flow characteristics of a centrifugal pump, aiming to provide insights into fault diagnosis and performance optimization. By employing a combination of experimental analysis and numerical simulation, the study analyzes changes in pump performance, pressure distribution, vortex structures, entropy production, blade loading, transient radial force, and pressure pulsation. The results indicate that minor blade fractures have minimal impact on the pump's head and efficiency, while severe fractures cause a noticeable decrease in head across all flow rates, with efficiency remaining relatively stable at low-flow rates. Transient analyses reveal that blade fractures alter the distribution and magnitude of radial forces, leading to changes in pressure pulsation characteristics, with the shaft passing frequency amplitude increasing and gradually surpassing the blade passing frequency amplitude. These findings provide important references for diagnosing fluid-induced centrifugal pump failures, effectively enabling the extraction of hydraulic features to optimize the fault diagnosis process.