Abstract: In order to obtain the distributions of velocity, pressure and turbulence in inducers, on the basis of SIMPLEC algorithm, the 3D turbulent flow in inducers of two structures is numerically computed by using the time-averaged N-S equation and the modified k-ε turbulent model. The calculation result proves that the outer margin near the inlet is where cavitation damage most easily takes place. The result also shows that increasing the lead and the axial length of inducer can improve the suction performance. The performance of cavitation tests in the centrifugal pump with an inducer of two different structural parameters and without an inducer are carried out. The result shows that the pump is easy to have cavitation without the inducer, and the cavitation performance can be improved by adding inducer. The parameters of inducer lead, axial length and the blade angle will influence the cavitation performance. Results of numerical calculation and experimental research prove that increasing the lead and the axial length of inducer can improve the suction performance.

Key words: Centrifugal pump, Inducer, Numerical calculation, Suction performance, Archard wear model, Non-Hertz contact, Heavy haul railway , Influence coefficient