Abstract: The impeller and the volute are viewed as a whole calculation field, 3-D unsteady flow characteristic within single channel pump is studied. By analyzing, numerical simulation methods of 3-D unsteady potential flow and turbulent flow within the pump are presented. Above two methods are adopted to calculate single channel pump’s internal velocity field, pressure field and blade surface pressure distribution respectively, which would be significant for further studying pump’s internal flow. Based on these, radial force of impeller and its variation tendency in different operating conditions are solved, which provide theory gist for enhancing the stability of the pump dur-ing the running. On the same time, head, the average wa-ter-horse power and efficiency are calculated and compared with the experimental data. The velocity field calculated by potential flow method has reverse-direction flow in partial area of volute chamber, which causes fluctuant pressure on blade pressure surface, but the tendency of performance curves are correspondence with experimental data. Accuracy of viscous solution is better.

Key words: Potential flow, Radial force, Single channel pump, Turbulent flow, Unsteady