Research on the energy characteristics of the turning region in the cavitation performance curve of an axial flow pump based on energy flow density and entropy production

Cavitation significantly impacts the performance and stability of axial flow pumps, yet the underlying mechanisms driving head rise in the cavitation curve remain inadequately understood. This study provides a novel exploration of internal flow dynamics and energy dissipation in the turning region o...

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Main Authors: Lei Yu, Li Cheng, Weigao Sheng, Shuaihao Lei, Wentao Xu, Jiantao Shen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19942060.2025.2499132
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author Lei Yu
Li Cheng
Weigao Sheng
Shuaihao Lei
Wentao Xu
Jiantao Shen
author_facet Lei Yu
Li Cheng
Weigao Sheng
Shuaihao Lei
Wentao Xu
Jiantao Shen
author_sort Lei Yu
collection DOAJ
description Cavitation significantly impacts the performance and stability of axial flow pumps, yet the underlying mechanisms driving head rise in the cavitation curve remain inadequately understood. This study provides a novel exploration of internal flow dynamics and energy dissipation in the turning region of the cavitation curve, where head rises. By integrating vortex dynamics and entropy production theory, the intricate interplay between cavitation-induced flow separation and energy loss is revealed. Numerical simulations, validated by experimental data, are employed to analyze energy flow density fluctuations caused by pressure pulsations across different pump regions. The results uncover a critical link between abrupt energy flow density variations and localised high-energy dissipation, which originate from flow separation on the suction side of the impeller blades. Specifically, at the cavitation coefficient where head rise begins, flow separation emerges around the mid-tip region due to cavitation effects at the blade tip and suction surface. As cavitation intensifies and head reaches its peak, the separation zone progressively expands from tip to hub, further amplifying energy dissipation. Beyond this point, excessive cavitation triggers a rapid head drop, shifting the separation zone toward the trailing edge and enhancing the development of the tip separation leakage vortex. This study not only elucidates the physical mechanisms governing head rise under cavitation but also establishes a deeper connection between energy loss and cavitation dynamics, offering valuable insights for optimising axial flow pump performance in cavitating conditions.
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issn 1994-2060
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publishDate 2025-12-01
publisher Taylor & Francis Group
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series Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics
spelling doaj-art-96f8972d13dc47ef8175067a0443f3ee2025-08-20T01:51:04ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEngineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics1994-20601997-003X2025-12-0119110.1080/19942060.2025.2499132Research on the energy characteristics of the turning region in the cavitation performance curve of an axial flow pump based on energy flow density and entropy productionLei Yu0Li Cheng1Weigao Sheng2Shuaihao Lei3Wentao Xu4Jiantao Shen5College of Hydraulic Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaCollege of Hydraulic Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaHuaishuxinhe Management Office, Huai’an, People’s Republic of ChinaCollege of Hydraulic Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaCollege of Hydraulic Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaCollege of Hydraulic Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of ChinaCavitation significantly impacts the performance and stability of axial flow pumps, yet the underlying mechanisms driving head rise in the cavitation curve remain inadequately understood. This study provides a novel exploration of internal flow dynamics and energy dissipation in the turning region of the cavitation curve, where head rises. By integrating vortex dynamics and entropy production theory, the intricate interplay between cavitation-induced flow separation and energy loss is revealed. Numerical simulations, validated by experimental data, are employed to analyze energy flow density fluctuations caused by pressure pulsations across different pump regions. The results uncover a critical link between abrupt energy flow density variations and localised high-energy dissipation, which originate from flow separation on the suction side of the impeller blades. Specifically, at the cavitation coefficient where head rise begins, flow separation emerges around the mid-tip region due to cavitation effects at the blade tip and suction surface. As cavitation intensifies and head reaches its peak, the separation zone progressively expands from tip to hub, further amplifying energy dissipation. Beyond this point, excessive cavitation triggers a rapid head drop, shifting the separation zone toward the trailing edge and enhancing the development of the tip separation leakage vortex. This study not only elucidates the physical mechanisms governing head rise under cavitation but also establishes a deeper connection between energy loss and cavitation dynamics, offering valuable insights for optimising axial flow pump performance in cavitating conditions.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19942060.2025.2499132Axial flow pumpcavitationenergy losspressure fluctuationenergy flow densitytip separation leakage vortex
spellingShingle Lei Yu
Li Cheng
Weigao Sheng
Shuaihao Lei
Wentao Xu
Jiantao Shen
Research on the energy characteristics of the turning region in the cavitation performance curve of an axial flow pump based on energy flow density and entropy production
Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics
Axial flow pump
cavitation
energy loss
pressure fluctuation
energy flow density
tip separation leakage vortex
title Research on the energy characteristics of the turning region in the cavitation performance curve of an axial flow pump based on energy flow density and entropy production
title_full Research on the energy characteristics of the turning region in the cavitation performance curve of an axial flow pump based on energy flow density and entropy production
title_fullStr Research on the energy characteristics of the turning region in the cavitation performance curve of an axial flow pump based on energy flow density and entropy production
title_full_unstemmed Research on the energy characteristics of the turning region in the cavitation performance curve of an axial flow pump based on energy flow density and entropy production
title_short Research on the energy characteristics of the turning region in the cavitation performance curve of an axial flow pump based on energy flow density and entropy production
title_sort research on the energy characteristics of the turning region in the cavitation performance curve of an axial flow pump based on energy flow density and entropy production
topic Axial flow pump
cavitation
energy loss
pressure fluctuation
energy flow density
tip separation leakage vortex
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19942060.2025.2499132
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