Numerical Study of the Energy Flow Characteristics of Multi-Stage Pump as Turbines

Abstract

Multi-stage pump as turbine (PAT) has a wider range of heads and application intervals compared to single-stage PAT. In our research, we have conducted experimental and numerical simulation studies on this issue. In this paper, based on experimental research, numerical simulation is applied to calculate the multi-stage PAT flow field. The flow characteristics of multi-stage PAT under different working conditions are studied using the entropy production theory. Finally, the Pearson correlation coefficient is used to evaluate the relationship between the hydraulic loss and entropy production of the impellers and guide vanes. The entropy production theory is used to determine the location where the multi-stage PAT energy loss occurs compared with the traditional pressure drop assessment method. The results show that the trend of the numerical simulation results is consistent with the experimental results. The energy loss in the multi-stage PAT is calculated combined with the impeller and guide vane which accounts for 69.1–73% of the total energy loss under all flow conditions. The total entropy production rate of each component under design flow conditions is listed in decreasing order: impeller, guide vane, front and back chamber, a balance disk, and inlet and outlet volute. The first stage component has a larger energy loss compared with the rest of the stages. The magnitude of energy loss is closely related to physical quantities such as flow field velocity and skin friction coefficient. Furthermore, the distribution of streamlines and vortex cores at the impellers reflects that flow domain stability increases from the first stage impeller to the fifth stage impeller. The correlation between entropy production and hydraulic loss was evaluated by the Pearson correlation coefficient. Therefore, using the entropy production theory can effectively identify the characteristics of the flow field and the location of energy losses. It provides a reference for the targeted optimization of multi-stage PAT.