Optimization method of meridional channel and blade in 3-D impeller

An impeller optimization method based on the 3-D viscous flow analysis was proposed, where the blade was parameterized using inverse design method and neural networks was adopted. The design variables were assorted into two sets: the meridional channel design variables and the blade design variables that were treated as main system and subsystem, respectively. First, in the subsystem, the blade was optimized according to genetic algorithm with the meridional channel remained constant. Then, in the main system, neural network was adopted to construct the response relation between impeller performance and meridional channel design variables, where the training sample data were schemed according to the design of experimental method, and the effect of blade shape on the impeller performance was taken into account and the meridional channel was optimized. Fewer design variables and less calculation effort were required in this method that may be widely used in the optimization of three-dimension impellers. An optimized impeller in a mixed-flow pump, where the head and the efficiency increased by 7.43% and 3.37% respectively, confirmed the validity of this newly proposed method.