Energy characteristics and power balance of a centrifugal pump with a semi-open impeller

This study presents experimental findings on the energy performance and power loss distribution in a low-flow centrifugal pump equipped with a semi-open impeller, designed for liquid rocket engine feed systems and spacecraft thermal control applications. The aim of the research is to obtain experimental data on the energy characteristics and power balance of a low-flow centrifugal pump with a semi-open impeller, with varying the blade geometry. The authors study experimentally a centrifugal pump with a semi-open impeller – a typical component of liquid rocket engine feed systems and spacecraft thermal control systems. The main focus is on the energy characteristics and power balance in macro and microchannel elements of the flow path. Four impeller configurations with distinct blade geometries are tested: radial (β 1 = β 2 = 90º), tangential (β 1 = 0º, β 2 = 77º) and two cylindrical variants (β 1 = β 2 = 60º and β 1 = 60º, β 2 = 30º). All experiments are conducted on a closed pneumohydraulic test bench. Pressure, flow rate, temperature and torque are recorded. The presented data can be used to validate CFD models and improve the design methods for low-flow pumps.