A Numerical Modeling Framework for Hydraulic Performance Evaluation and Sensitivity Analysis of Underground Pump Station Schemes for Multistage Centrifugal Pumps

Abstract

With the increasing application of pumping systems in energy and industrial fields, accurate hydraulic performance evaluation and parameter analysis have become essential for improving the design and operation reliability of pump stations. This study develops a CFD-based numerical modeling framework for the hydraulic assessment and sensitivity analysis of underground pump station schemes equipped with multistage centrifugal pumps. The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) approach combined with the RNG k-ε turbulence model was employed to establish three-dimensional numerical models of different centrifugal pump configurations. Based on the obtained numerical results, the hydraulic performance characteristics, internal flow behaviors, and engineering applicability of three pump schemes were systematically evaluated. Furthermore, a modified Morris screening method integrated with the Latin hypercube sampling–partial rank correlation coefficient (LHS–PRCC) method was incorporated into the numerical framework to quantify the influence of six hydraulic parameters on pump head and efficiency. The results demonstrate that the single-suction vertical three-stage volute centrifugal pump with conventional flow channels exhibits the best overall hydraulic adaptability for the investigated underground pump station. The impeller outlet width shows the highest sensitivity to pump head, whereas flow rate is the dominant factor affecting efficiency. The diffusion section height of the volute has a relatively limited influence on both head and efficiency. The proposed numerical framework provides a systematic methodology for integrating CFD simulation and parameter sensitivity analysis, offering quantitative guidance for the hydraulic performance evaluation and design of underground pump station systems.

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