Research on the Internal Flow Mechanisms and Pressure Fluctuation Characteristics of Seawater Reverse Osmosis Energy Recovery Turbines

Xiaobang Bai, Junhu Yang, Xueping Yuan, Xiaozhuang Chen and Bing Qi ()
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Xiaobang Bai: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, China
Junhu Yang: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, China
Xueping Yuan: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, China
Xiaozhuang Chen: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, China
Bing Qi: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, China

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 24, 1-16

Abstract: Energy recovery turbines (ERTs) play an important role in reducing the energy consumption of seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO). The internal flow loss mechanisms and hydraulic vibration characteristics of a centrifugal ERT model used in SWRO were studied under multiple conditions. The results show that the high-efficiency range of the ERT tends toward high-flow conditions. The energy loss is mainly concentrated at the tongue in the volute, which is due to the generation of flow separation vortices. There is a flow separation phenomenon on the suction surface side of the blade, trailing under the 0.8Qd condition. The energy loss of the ERT is the lowest under the 1.0Qd condition, because the interaction between the fluid and the blades is the weakest. There are vortices formed by flow impact on the blade pressure surface under the 1.2Qd condition. There are vortices on the blade suction face, which are generated by fluid separation. The closer the relative liquid flow angle is to the blade settle angle, the smaller the energy loss is in the impeller. Therefore, the ERT should first reduce rated flow appropriately before hydraulic design, as this is beneficial for efficient operation under multiple conditions.

Keywords: energy recovery turbine; performance; internal flow loss; vortex; pressure fluctuation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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