Test investigation on hydraulic losses in the discharge passage of an axial-flow pump

In a discharge passage with a guide blade discharge circulation and secondary flow because of bend pipe, the flow in a 1-channel discharge passage of an axial flow pump is a complicated spiral flow. For a 2-channel passage, the discharge in the left channel is bigger than that in the right, and the passage hydraulic losses are abnormal. In this study, the section current energy of the passage is accurately measured and determined with a 5-hole probe. The hydraulic loss characteristics are determined and analyzed. The methods deducing the hydraulic losses are investigated. The results indicate that the passage hydraulic losses are not proportional to the flow discharge. Compared with a circular pipe, the hydraulic losses of a divergent discharge passage are smaller and the pump assembly efficiency is 10%-30% higher. As for the 1-channel passage, the axial-flow pump outlet circulation is usually too big; the passage hydraulic losses are also big, but a small circulation can slightly reduce hydraulic losses. As for the 2-channel passage, discharges in the two channels are not equal and the hydraulic losses increase. The outlet guide blade with a small discharge circulation or without circulation could reduce discharge passage hydraulic losses and increase pump assembly efficiency by 6%-11%.