Entropy Production Analysis of a Vertical Mixed-Flow Pump Device with Different Guide Vane Meridians

With the aim of investigating the influence of guide vane meridians on the external characteristics and internal flow field of the mixed-flow pump device, this research constructed seven guide vane meridians and applied computational fluid dynamic (CFD) and entropy production theory to investigate the spread of hydraulic loss in a mixed-flow pump. As observed, when the guide vane outlet diameter D_gvo decreased from 350 mm to 275 mm, the head and efficiency increased by 2.78% and 3.05% at 0.7 Q_des, respectively. At 1.3 Q_des, when D_gvo increased from 350 mm to 425 mm, the head and efficiency increased by 4.49% and 3.71%, respectively. At 0.7 Q_des and 1.0 Q_des, the entropy production of the guide vane increased with the increase of D_gvo due to flow separation. When D_gvo < 350 mm, at 1.0 Q_des and 1.3 Q_des, entropy production of the outlet channel increased as D_gvo decreased owing to the excessive flow rate, but at 0.7 Q_des, entropy production did not change much. When D_gvo > 350 mm, at 0.7 Q_des and 1.0 Q_des, due to the expansion of the channel section, the flow separation intensified, which resulted in an increase of the entropy production, but the entropy production decreased slightly at 1.3 Q_des. These results provide guidance for improving the efficiency of pumping stations.