Design and Simulation Optimization for Hydrodynamic Fertilizer Injector Based on Axial-Flow Turbine Structure
Source abstract
Abstract
This work involves the development of a hydrodynamic fertilizer injector (HFI), which uses an integrated axial-flow turbine (AFT) and a diaphragm pump to absorb liquid fertilizer. Three structural parameters—the number of impellers (M1), average number of blades per impeller (M2), and arrangement pattern (M3)—are considered, and 12 AFT designs are developed. Using a combination of CFD numerical simulations and hydraulic performance testing, the response of the AFT output power (P), blade negative pressure (NP), and fertilizer injection flow rate (Qinj) to structural parameters and inlet pressure (H) is investigated. The results show that the normalized root mean square error between the simulated outlet flow rate (Qs) and the measured flow rate (Qm) is 5.1%, indicating high accuracy in the grid motion simulation method. P increases first and then decreases with the increase in impeller speed (n). The maximum P (Pmax) ranges from 150.1 to 201.4 W. Pmax increases with H, decreases with increasing M1 and M2, and shows little change with M3. At H = 0.14 MPa, M1 and M2 have a significant influence, and at H ≥ 0.14 MPa, M1 becomes the most significant factor (p < 0.05). Low-speed flow and negative pressure cavitation zones at the leading edge of the blade suction surface cause flow blockage and affect the lifespan of the AFT. These regions decrease in size as H increases but increase with M1. The negative pressure (NP) decreases as M2 increases. When M1, M2, and M3 are 2, 3, and identical (D33), the Pmax of the AFT is maximized, increasing by 6.7% to 33.5% compared with those of the other combinations. The Qinj of D33, D34, D43, and D44 at H = 0.12~0.18 MPa range from 288.6 to 847.3 L/h, which is 38.7% to 461.0% higher than that of domestic and international venturi injectors. When considering cavitation issues and the manufacturing cost of the AFT mold, D44 may be chosen. Although its Qinj is 7.0% lower than that of D33, NP is reduced by 37.9%. These findings provide a basis for the development of the HFI with AFT as the driving unit.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Cavitation Phenomena in Pumps · Coal Combustion and Slurry Processing · Rocket and propulsion systems research
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
College of Water Science and Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100048, China
Zhongshan Institute of Advanced Cryogenic Technology, Zhongshan 528455, China
Funding
Key Science and Technology Project for Revitalization of Inner Mongolia, China · Research and Development Support Program of China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research
References (56)
Show source-provided references
1. Fertigation for environmentally friendly fertilizers application: Constraints and opportunities for its application in developing countries
2. Ministry of Water Resources of the People’s Republic of China (2024, December 24). China Water Resources Statistical Yearbook in 2021. Available online: https://data.cnki.net/yearBook/single?id=N2023110278&pinyinCode=YSLTJ.
3. Improving nutrient and water use efficiencies using water-drip irrigation and fertilization technology in Northeast China10.1016/j.agwat.2020.106352 ↗
4. Research status and development trend of fertilization equipment used in fertigation in China
5. Mazzei Injector Company (2023, March 13). Performance Data Drawings: Venturi Injectors. Available online: https://mazzei.net/support/performance-data-drawings/performance-data-drawings-venturi-injectors/.
6. Evaluation of drip fertigation uniformity affected by injector type, pressure difference and lateral layout10.1002/ird.2136 ↗
7. Field evaluation of fertigation uniformity in a drip irrigation system with a pressure differential tank
8. Calculation method of fertilizer concentration at outlet based on differential pressure tank considering fertilizer dissolution
9. Effects of border irrigation and fertilization timing on soil nitrate nitrogen distribution and winter wheat yield
10. Assessing water-nitrogen use, crop growth and economic benefits for maize in upper Yellow River basin: Feasibility analysis for border and drip irrigation10.1016/j.agwat.2024.108771 ↗
11. Optimization design of large-scale irrigation pipe network under the conditions of pump pressure
12. Optimization analysis of the key working parameters of a potato cleaning machine
13. Experiment and analysis of Venturi injector fertilizer performance in a low-pressure irrigation system
14. Numerical simulation of Venturi injector with non-axis-symmetric structure
15. Effects of diffusion section structure on vortex characteristics and fertilizer absorption performance of non-axisymmetric Venturi injector
16. Structure optimization and fertilizer injection performance analysis of a non-axisymmetric Venturi injector10.1002/ird.2881 ↗
17. Analysis on volumetric efficiency of proportional dosing pumps
18. Improved design and experimental research of the fertilizer suction structure of a valve-regulated proportional fertilization pump
19. Ma, L. (2011). Hydraulic Fertilizer Applicator. (Patent No. CN201020190348.9).
20. Wang, Z., Wang, Q., Li, W., Zhang, J., and Xie, D. (2023). A Hydraulic Drive Fertilizer Pump. (Patent No. CN201810671578.8).
21. Yu, L., and Qu, M. (2023). A Hydrodynamic Pump Drive Device, Hydrodynamic Pump, and Fertilizer Machine. (Patent No. CN202320210091.6).
22. Water microturbines for sustainable applications: Optimization analysis and experimental validation10.1007/s11269-023-03706-7 ↗
23. Experimental study to test an axial flow pump as a turbine and development of performance characteristics for micro-hydro power plant
24. Chen, J., Zhang, Z.H., and Wang, G. (2015). Shuǐlì Jīxiè [Hydraulic Machinery], China Water & Power Press.
25. Zhang, R., Wang, J., Qian, W., and Geng, L. (2024). Optimization of magnetic pump impeller based on blade load curve and internal flow study. Mathematics, 12.10.3390/math12040607 ↗
26. Performance simulation of water turbines by using 6-DoF UDF and sliding mesh methods
27. Investigation of horizontal micro Kaplan hydro turbine performance using multi-disciplinary design optimization10.1115/1.4045821 ↗
28. Hydraulic performance experiment and numerical simulation of a hydraulic turbine at different speeds
29. Blade profile optimization of Kaplan turbine using CFD analysis
30. Influence of blade number on the performance and pressure pulsations in a pump used as a turbine10.1115/1.4007810 ↗
31. Multi-objective parameter optimization of turbine impeller based on RBF neural network and NSGA-II genetic algorithm10.1016/j.egyr.2021.10.003 ↗
32. Optimization, numerical, and experimental study of a propeller pump as turbine10.1115/1.4026312 ↗
33. Mo, Y., Zhao, C., Zhang, B., Zhang, Y., Gong, S., Jiao, X., Gong, Y., Lin, J., and Zhang, X. (2024). Low-Pressure Pipeline Water Conveyance Irrigation Hydrodynamic Fertilization. (No. CN202410441384.4), Device. Patent.
34. Liu, C. (2009). Pumps and Pump Stations, China Water & Power Press.
35. Evaluation of energy loss in a low-head axial flow turbine under different blade numbers using entropy production method10.1016/j.energy.2023.127262 ↗
36. Optimization of residual pressure turbine impeller in oilfield water injection pipeline based on Fluent
37. The blade geometry modification and performance research for bulb turbine based on CFD
38. Analysis of a pico tubular-type hydro turbine performance by runner blade shape using CFD10.1088/1755-1315/15/4/042031 ↗
39. Influence of axial spacing on hydraulic performance of tubular turbine
40. (2013). Agricultural Irrigation Equipment Hydraulic Chemical Fertilizer-Pesticide Injection Pumps (Standard No. GB/T 19792-2012).
41. Design optimization of axial hydraulic turbine for very low head application10.1016/j.egypro.2015.03.255 ↗
42. A new low-cost swirler for axial micro hydro turbines of low head potential10.1016/j.renene.2018.05.086 ↗
43. Experimental study on comprehensive working performance of Venturi injector
44. Study of the internal flow structure of an ultra-small axial flow hydraulic turbine10.1016/j.renene.2019.03.004 ↗
45. Optimization design and experimental study of hydraulic turbine based on residual pressure power generation system
46. Influence of impeller stage on hydrodynamic performance of a tidal turbine
47. Zhao, Z., He, J., and Wang, C. (2021). Hydraulics, Tsinghua University Press. [3rd ed.].
48. Fang, T. (2022). Numerical Calculation and Experimental Study of Micro Shaft-Extension Axial Turbine. [Master’s Thesis, Jiangsu University].
49. Research on internal energy loss mechanism of axial pump as turbine based on entropy production theory
50. Guo, Y., Yang, C., Mo, Y., Wang, Y., Lv, T., and Zhao, S. (2023). Numerical study on the mechanism of fluid energy transfer in an axial flow pump impeller under the rotating coordinate system. Front. Energy Res., 10.10.3389/fenrg.2022.1106789 ↗
51. Pump as turbine cavitation performance for both conventional and reverse operating modes: A review10.1016/j.rser.2022.112786 ↗
52. Experimental investigation of propeller blade back cavitation induced pressure pulses by synchronous observation10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.116971 ↗
53. Experimental research on efficient irrigation system with mixed fertilizer in integration of water and fertilizer10.1088/1742-6596/1550/4/042004 ↗
54. Simulation and optimization of Venturi injector by machine learning algorithms10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0001489 ↗
55. Design of venturi-type fertilizer injectors to low-pressure irrigation systems
56. Fertilization strategy and application model using a centrifugal variable-rate fertilizer spreader