Abstract:
A fluid impeller for applications requiring superior cavitation erosion resistance. The impeller has a body fabricated from a castable metastable austenitic steel alloy which has a chemical composition in the range according to table (I), the balance comprising iron and impurities. The preferred range is 17.5-18.5 % chromium, 0.5-0.75 % nickel, 0.45-0.55 % silicon, 0.2-0.25 % nitrogen, 15.5-16.0 % manganese and 0.1-0.12 % carbon. Quantitative testing has shown cavitation resistance of four to six times that of standard boiler feed pump materials. A method for making cavitation resistant fluid impellers is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A fluid impeller (100) for a centrifugal pump includes a hub (105) having a substantially disk-like form with a center and an edge, circular symmetry, and provosion for being rotatably driven. A first plurality of pumping vanes (110) projects substantially perpendicularly from a first surface of the hub and extends radially outwardly from a locus (210) near the center of the hub to another locus (150) near the edge of the hub. These vanes (110) provide a high pressure head with a small impeller diameter. A second plurality of separate and twisted inlet vanes (120) also projects substantially perpendicularly from the first surface of the hub and extends radially outwardly to the locus (210) near the center of the hub from another locus (220) nearer the center of the hub. The separate second plurality of vanes (120), by turning and pre-pressurizing the fluid, provides an impeller having capability of cavitation-free pumping at low net positive suction head (NPSH). A front shroud (180) can be used which partially or totally covers the first and/or second plurality of vanes.