Entropy production analysis for energy dissipation of a vertical mixed-flow pump device under asymmetric inflow conditions

To investigate the influence of the inflow angle on the hydraulic loss and internal flow fields of a vertical mixed-flow pump device, unsteady numerical simulations were performed under different inflow angles (theta = 0 degrees, 10 degrees, 20 degrees, and 30 degrees). The calculation results were validated using an external characteristic test at an inflow angle of 0 degrees. The entropy production theory was applied to analyse the energy loss and dissipation rate distribution in a vertical mixed-flow pump device under different inflow angles. Influenced by asymmetric inflow, the design point of the external characteristics deviated towards the overload flow rate, and the maximum deviations were obtained under 1.2 Q(des), whereas the influence of the inflow angle on the internal flow fields was the most significant under the part-load flow rate. When the inflow angle increased from 0 degrees to 30 degrees, the total entropy production in the pump device increased by 18.35% under 0.6 Q(des), and indirect dissipation accounted for the largest proportion. The internal flow patterns in the impeller and guide vane were also distorted by asymmetric inflow. The indirect dissipation rate on the suction side of the impeller blade, interface between the impeller and diffuser, and pressure side of the guide vane increased significantly with an increase in the inflow angle. To restrain the influence of asymmetric inflow, it is of great significance to optimise the hydraulic design structure of the inflow runner. In this study, a middle spacer pier was used to improve the operational efficiency of the pump device.