Estimation of velocity and pressure profiles to design an optimum Von Karman Viscous Pump

In this work velocity and pressure profiles have been calculated for a generic Von Karman Viscous flow pump using a computer code. Moreover the variation of angular velocities and radii of a flat disc and their effects on velocity and pressure profile have been analyzed. Velocity and pressure plots have been generated for different combinations of radii and angular velocities of the disc in order to design an optimum performance viscous pump using Navier stokes equations in polar coordinates. The effect of viscosity on volume flow rate has also been analysed. Thickness of viscous region and its variation with respect to viscosity of the fluid and angular velocity of the disk have also been analysed. The algorithm developed during the research will facilitate scientific researchers to perform calculations to design an optimum pump. The results achieved will help in designing any generic pump working on Von Karman Viscous Pump principle. Such types of pumps find their application in chemical industries as these pumps are very reliable for highly viscous and abrasive fluids. These pumps are also very steady and exceptionally quiet, finding their usage in air moving applications in interior spaces occupied by humans. In the field of medical these types of pumps have gained attention as lots of research is going on for the treatment of single ventricle heart disease where a single viscous impeller pump, working on the principle of Von Karman Viscous Pump, is used for stabilization and supplements cavopulmonary flow.