The effect of Reynolds number on the performance of a regenerative pump was examined in a low Reynolds number range in experiment. The head of the regenerative pump increased at low flow rates and decreased at high flow rates as the Reynolds number decreased. The computation of the internal flow was made to clarify the cause of the Reynolds number effect. At low flow rates, the head is decreased with increasing the Reynolds number due to the decrease of the shear force exerted by the impeller caused by the increase of leakage and hence local flow rate. At higher flow rates, the head is increased with increasing the Reynolds number with decreased loss at the inlet and outlet as well as the decreased shear stress on the casing wall.

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