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Having read previous literature about vortex pump, we noticed that mechanisms of circulating flow and its relationship with energy transition remain unclear yet. However, this mechanism, which should be clarified, significantly influences the pump’s efficiency. To comply with the aim of investigating it, the 150WX-200-20 type pump is selected as study object in our present work.

Numerical simulation is conducted to formulate interactions between flow rate and geometric parameters of circulating flow with certain types of blade while experiments on inner flow are served as a witness to provide experimental confirmation of numerical results. Based on these, we coupled some parameters with the pump’s external performance to study their internal connections.

It is concluded that separatrix between circulating flow and other turbulent forms is not that clear under low flow rate. With flow increases, hydraulic losses coming of it will be dominant within the front chamber. Besides, we analogized circulating flow to vortices so as to make a quantitative analysis on its progressive evolution with changing flow, and vortices speaking for circulating flow can be divided into two groups. One is called main circulating flow vortex (hereinafter referred to as MCFV), which occurs all the time while subsidiary circulating flow vortices (hereinafter referred to as SCFV) appear in certain conditions. This context discusses the primary phase of our work with intent to follow up further with circulating flow characterized by vortices (hereinafter referred to as CFV). We confirmed that MCFV Vortex 1 (Vor1) directly influences the efficiency while SCFVs only play helping. As the flow goes to the given working condition, fluids in this pump tend to be steady with the size of CFVs getting larger and their shape being regular. Meanwhile, for MCFV Vor2 and Vor4, their geometric parameters are the key factors for efficiency. When CFVs become steady, they absorb other vortices nearby, as they have higher viscosity with the efficiency reaching its maximum.

The research results explore a new way to measure the circulating flow and help work out the causation of this flow pattern, which may be used to improve the vortex pump’s efficiency.

To analyze the work principle and capacity of energy conversion in each segment of profile lines, the energy transfer from impeller to transmission medium is separated into head coefficient and load coefficient to analyze the energy transfer process. The concepts of airfoil lift coefficient and drag coefficient are used; the third manifestation of the Euler equations is used as well.

The numerical simulation of energy conversion mechanism based on load criteria of vane airfoil has been established in screw centrifugal pump to explain its energy conversion mechanism in an impeller. Upon this basis, the velocity and pressure along the entire blade are investigated through the numerical simulation of internal solid–liquid flow in the pump. The energy conversion process under load criteria in the blade airfoil has also been obtained.

The research suggests that the mathematical model of energy conversion mechanism based on the load criteria of the vane airfoil is reliable in the screw centrifugal pump. The screw centrifugal blade has twice or even several times the wrap angle than the ordinary centrifugal blade. It is a large wrap angle that forms the unique flow channel which lays the foundation for solid particles to pass smoothly and for soft energy conversion. At the same time, load distribution along the profile line on the long-screw centrifugal blade is an important factor affecting the energy conversion efficiency of the impeller.

The quantitative analysis method of energy in the screw centrifugal pump can help the pump designer improve certain features of the pump and shorten the research cycle.

The special structure of the vortex pump contributes to its complex internal flow pattern. A type of horizontal 150WX-200-20 vortex pump is taken as a research subject to deeply study the progression and distribution of flow pattern in its channel. To explain the mechanism of flow in this pump, numerical analysis of the whole flow and experiment have been conducted.

The authors studied and analyzed the distribution and evolution of flow pattern under different flow, such as circulating-flow, through-flow and other forms. Finally, a model of flow pattern in the vortex pump has been built, which has more perfectly fit the reality.

They are through-flow affected by circulating-flow, main and subsidiary circulating-flow, vortices between vanes and other vortices (or liquid impingement) in volute. Entering the pump, part of the flow stays in vanes and turn into vortices while the other goes into the front chamber. The flow that runs into the front chamber will be divided into two parts. One part will be collected by viscosity into a vortex rope when it passing through the interface between the impeller and the vaneless chamber, which closely relates to the circulating-flow, and the rest directly goes out of the field through the diffuser. Besides, a fraction of circulating-flow joins the through-flow when it goes through the section V and leaves the pump.

The research results build a theoretical foundation for working out the flow mechanism of the vortex pump, improving its efficiency and optimizing its hydraulic design.