Energy loss mechanisms of transition from pump mode to turbine mode of an axial-flow pump under bidirectional conditions

Abstract

Pump-as-turbine stations with ultra-low head often face the deterioration risk during load rejection operations when the demands in water delivery and power generation are satisfied. In the course of load rejection, significant energy transfer and hydraulic instability may ensue from the pump-to-turbine transition mode, and vice versa. In order to investigate the variation of energy loss during the transition process of a bidirectional axial-flow pump, the entropy production method is herein utilized for visualization and quantitative analysis of high energy loss regions within key components. In the process of transient simulation, the torque balance equation is applied for calculating the rotational speed of impeller. Two-way transitions are considered with the bidirectional pump for comparing two distinct forms of pumps equipped with front and rear guide vanes. Results show that the simulated external characteristic curves and transition parameters of the pump are in good accordance with the experimental data. The transient process of the transition successively goes through four modes, i.e. pump, braking, turbine and runaway modes. In the process of the direction switch of the main flow and rotation, the different positions of guide vanes also deeply influence the inflow angle and flow pattern in impeller, and then change the distribution of the pressure coefficient, vorticity and entropy production rate. In pump mode, the entropy production rate and pressure coefficient at the impeller inlet edge under backward transition condition (BTC) is higher than that under forward transition condition (FTC), due to the smaller inflow angle caused by the front guide vanes under BTC. In runaway operation, the total entropy production (TEP) under FTC is obviously higher than that under BTC, because the energy loss is reduced by the broken shedding vortices caused by the obstruction of the guide vanes under BTC. This study's results can be referred to while seeking for the operation safety and stability of the pump stations consecutively used to pump and generate power.