The performance and hydrodynamic behavior of cen-
trifugal pumps when handling two-phase liquid-liquid
flow and emulsion remain relatively unexplored, al-
though they are of fundamental importance in optimiz-
ing the operating conditions of these pumps. Hence,
this study aims at investigating the performance degra-
dation of a centrifugal pump under emulsion flow by
combined means of analytical and computational fluid
dynamic (CFD) models. The analytical approach is
based on internal energy loss equations while the CFD
approach models the emulsion as a continuous and ho-
mogeneous single-phase fluid exhibiting shear thinning
behavior. The results give a good insight into the per-
formance degradation of such a system, especially at
the best efficiency point (BEP).
