What are pump impellers?
Closed impellers are an essential part of centrifugal pumps, imparting momentum to the fluid and making it move. They are often employed to pump liquids with high viscosities that could potentially damage an open impeller, for example in wastewater pumps.
In the application described in the paper, the wastewater pump had to operate at temperatures of up to 120°C, meaning that only high-performance plastics could be used. The fact that the pump was used to move wastewater from industrial manufacturing meant that there were several corrosive chemicals present in the fluid. Furthermore, casting the closed impellers out of steel required 6-8 weeks of lead time, greatly slowing down the system.
Production of a pump impeller with Roboze 3D printing
Since only a few specimens were needed per year, by 3D printing the closed impeller with Roboze’s ARGO 500 3D printer and Carbon PEEK, the impellers were perfectly balanced right out of the printer, lighter, and less noisy than their traditional counterparts. This meant a longer lifespan and shorter lead times, leading to smaller costs and reduced need for spares.
Oil and gas operator companies face challenges to improve the performance and reliability of pump impellers, due to harsh operating conditions and aggressive fluids. Roboze's high-performance polymers, such as PEEK and Carbon PEEK, can provide a reliable and cost-effective solution. These materials have excellent resistance to wear, abrasion, and chemical corrosion, ensuring longevity and reliability. Additionally, 3D printed pump impellers allow for the creation of complex geometries and shapes that can improve pump performance and efficiency.